Did you ever watch Moneyball? I think there are lessons there about how you replace a great player.
First, you won't ever replace AD. Rather, you have to find a way in the aggregate to replace his stats. QB pressures, sacks, TFLs, etc. There is no single player other than someone like Jones or Wilkins that could even come close, and they won't...by themselves... replace those stats or have the AD effect. So, the Rams weren't about to commit to near $30mil per year salaries to one guy in a vain attempt to "replace" AD. Very smart.
Second, they will likely feature Koby Turner and build around him. Perhaps they move Hoecht back inside, or move him inside and outside. They had a couple of rookies last year that did some good things. And I imagine as early as the 3rd round they will take a DT that likely most fans aren't familiar with.
And, roster building is hardly over. In addition to the draft, FA isn't over, and then come post June cuts that will put some good DTs on the market. If the Rams pick up another starting CB in FA (and I think it's 50/50 that they will) then you will see them focus on Edge, DT, and WR in the draft, fairly early.
So, lots of moving pieces.
