Alden Gonzalez@Alden_Gonzalez
Some insight into the Rams’ thinking on trading Alec Ogletree: They believe last year’s defense had a lot of 4-3 players who didn’t necessarily fit into Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme, Ogletree (and Robert Quinn, dealt to the Dolphins) among them. Signing Ogletree to an extension gave them down-the-road flexibility at that time, which they have now used to recoup draft picks.
The Alec Ogletree void for the Rams will come mostly in their locker room, which is why some players have expressed shock, even anger, through social media. Ogletree, a captain the last two years, had blossomed into a key emotional leader for them.
The Alec Ogletree trade to the Giants means there’s a pretty solid chance that ILB Mark Barron, a potential cap casualty, stays. The savings on Ogletree can be used on the Rams’ own free agents — namely, WR Sammy Watkins and CB Trumaine Johnson — and on remaking their defense to fit Wade Phillips’ scheme. In a larger sense, it’s about creating room for potential extensions with Aaron Donald, Todd Gurley and Jared Goff, who are each a year apart.
Rams' offseason needs/desires, in no particular order ...
* Watkins
* Johnson
* C
* NT/DE
* ILB
* Slot CB
* OLB
* OLB
That, in addition to figuring out a long-term deal with Aaron Donald and, potentially, Lamarcus Joyner. Spotrac has them at $47 in cap space, plus 10 picks.
