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[theathletic.com]

Why the Rams made each of their moves in free agency


By Rich Hammond Mar 18, 2020 13
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Offensive line
Whitworth returns on a new three-year, $30 million contract, but that’s very misleading. According to reports, only $12.5 million is fully guaranteed, and neither Whitworth nor the Rams believe he will finish that contract in a Rams uniform.

Also, Whitworth gave the Rams a discount. Yes, he’s 38, but by contrast, the Detroit Lions just gave an average of $9 million a year to Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who has been a part-time starter the past four seasons. Whitworth perhaps isn’t an All-Pro caliber tackle now, but on the open market, he clearly could have received more than $10 million on a one-year contract.

There will be some angst among Rams fans because of a lack of wholesale changes along the line. It’s certainly fair to note that line play was a huge negative for the Rams early last season, a deficiency that contributed to a stagnant run game and some of quarterback Jared Goff’s problems.

But the line had evolved by the end of the season, in part because of injuries. Austin Corbett took over at left guard, Blythe moved from right guard to center and rookies David Edwards and Bobby Evans held down the right side. That group, along with Whitworth, had some nice chemistry and effectiveness.

Plus, the Rams can hope for a bounce-back from right tackle Rob Havenstein (if he’s not traded), and while Joe Noteboom and Brian Allen went through difficult growing pains early in 2019, they should be better for the experience — and better, period — when they fully recover from knee injuries.

Defensive line
Brockers agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract with the Ravens. In his last deal with the Rams, he had a cap hit of approximately $11 million per season. Matching the Ravens’ offer would have made no sense for the Rams, given their other needs. Brockers was durable and a locker-room leader, but he totaled only four sacks in 2018 and 2019. Brockers might thrive with the Ravens, but this contract figure didn’t work for the Rams.

Instead, the Rams signed Robinson, who turns 25 this weekend and spent the previous four seasons in Detroit. Robinson was considered to have had a down 2019 season and started only nine of the Lions’ 16 games, but he’s young and athletic and could bounce back playing alongside Aaron Donald.

Robinson’s exact position in the Rams’ 3-4 front will be determined later. The Rams also are high on third-year lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day, so they’ll have to figure out where everyone best fits. Robinson was an interior lineman in the Lions’ 4-3 front.



Linebacker

Littleton is the big loss here, particularly given his rise from 2016 undrafted free agent to special-teams ace to talented inside linebacker. It would have been nice to see that story end with a major contract with the Rams, but the two sides could not agree on Littleton’s value.

Littleton agreed to a three-year contract with the Raiders that could be worth as much as $36 million. The Rams probably were not far off from that number, but remember also that the Raiders now play in Nevada, which has no state income tax (and lower cost of living). That $12 million per year will go a lot farther in Las Vegas than it would have in Los Angeles.

Travin Howard now is the inside linebacker to watch. The seventh-round pick from 2018 contributed mostly on special teams last year but could be at the top of the list to replace Littleton.

The Rams also lost Fowler, who agreed to a three-year, $48 million contract with Atlanta. Instead, the Rams pivoted to Floyd, who signed a one-year contract worth at least $10 million — it could be $13.5 million with incentives — after recently being cut by Chicago.

Floyd, the No. 6 overall pick in 2016, never really played up to expectations, but the Rams hope for a Fowler redux. They traded for Fowler in 2018, when Jacksonville had tired of his underachievement, and turned him into an all-downs linebacker who recorded 11.5 sacks last season.

Going with Floyd instead of Fowler saved the Rams approximately $6 million, and it also potentially netted them a compensatory draft pick in 2021. Because Floyd was released by the Bears, he doesn’t factor into the compensatory formula. Floyd joins a mix at outside linebacker that includes Clay Matthews, Obo

Secondary
The departure of Robey-Coleman was something of a surprise, given his productivity from 2017 to 2019, but the Rams saved $5 million in cap room by not picking up his 2020 option.

Also, the Rams are looking for more size at the slot corner spot, and Robey-Coleman can’t do anything about standing 5-foot-8. Look for David Long, a 5-11 third-round pick last year, to get the first chance at that spot.

The Rams remain very deep at cornerback, with Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill, Darious Williams and Hill all as starting-caliber players. The Rams also saved $5.25 million with the retirement of safety Eric Weddle, and they believe Taylor Rapp, a part-time starter in 2019, is ready for that permanent role.