Rams have few options left to free up FA money...

Rams have few options left to free up cap space in 2020

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Cameron DaSilva

Few teams have been as inactive on the free-agent market this season as the Los Angeles Rams. That’s no surprise, either. They came into the offseason with limited cap space, bloated contracts and Jalen Ramsey still to pay.

They cut Todd Gurley and Clay Matthews, and declined Nickell Robey-Coleman’s 2020 option, all to free up some much-needed money. While those moves helped a bit, the Rams have very few options left when it comes to creating cap space.

According to Over The Cap, they only have $6.9 million in salary cap space left, and that doesn’t include the deals for Austin Blythe or Leonard Floyd. It also doesn’t account for the $5.5 million savings that will come on June 2. That’s still not much money, considering the Rams need a kicker, have to sign their draft class and lack depth at positions like linebacker and along the defensive line.

Here are the team’s most logical options when it comes to creating more cap space this offseason.

Restructure Jared Goff’s contract

Potential savings: $7.4 million

Restructuring Goff’s deal would have saved the Rams $16.8 million, had it been done before his $21 million roster bonus for 2020 was paid on March 19. As a result, restructuring how would only save the Rams about $7.4 million, according to Spotrac.

That’s not a significant amount, but it would more than double the Rams’ current pool of spending money. The issue is that it would push more guaranteed money into future years, making it more difficult for the Rams to move on from Goff if they choose to before his contract expires.

Restructure Aaron Donald’s contract

Potential savings: $12.9 million

Donald isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, which makes him a candidate to have his contract restructured. Yes, it would push money deeper into his deal, but there’s no reason to believe the Rams are planning to cut him before his contract expires.

There hasn’t been much talk about restructuring Donald’s deal, but it would make sense from a financial standpoint, given his standing with the team.

Trade Gerald Everett

Potential savings: $1.3 million

The Rams seem committed to Tyler Higbee as their primary tight end, which could make Everett a trade chip. The Patriots have a clear need at tight end and have yet to replace Rob Gronkowski, so they would seem like a logical fit – especially after the two teams previously worked out the Brandin Cooks trade.

Trading Everett wouldn’t net the Rams much in return, though, and freeing up $1.3 million in cap space isn’t worth losing a promising young player. The Rams would be better off keeping Everett unless they can get a second- or third-round pick back.

Cut Malcolm Brown

Potential savings: $1.1 million

Brown is currently slotted in as the No. 2 running back behind Darrell Henderson; at least in the eyes of fans. The Rams might view him as their starter now that Todd Gurley is gone. Cutting him would save $1.1 million in cap space this year, but simultaneously leave the Rams barren at running back.

Until they find a viable replacement in the draft or in free agency, they should hold onto Brown. But don’t completely rule out the possibility of him being cut at some point this offseason.

Trade Rob Havenstein

Potential savings: $5.4 million

Havenstein’s contract looked like a bargain before he struggled mightily in 2019. Now, it’s a legitimate question as to whether he can earn a starting job over Bobby Evans and David Edwards next season. If the Rams don’t feel like he’s worth the money, they can trade him to save more than $5 million.

It all comes down to how Havenstein performs this offseason and whether he’s a noticeably better option than Evans and Edwards.