The Rams will either have tough cap problems or they'll be fine. The deciding factor is if they continue to be a top team. If things fall apart, they'll have a heck of a hard time shedding cap and getting FAs to more quickly right the ship. If things go well, they'll be fine.
Clearly, the Rams are trying to become the new Pats (what team isn't?). While the Pats do a good job drafting, they're hardly perfect. They also have such a good reputation and players desire to play for them, that they get vets at discount prices on short term deals.
But the Pats are also careful on where they spend their money. Rarely big FA signings. They always seem to have new faces on the Oline. Even at LT. Oftentimes starting rookie mid-round picks there. They don't break the bank on RBs or WRs.
So the Rams will also have to choose their poison carefully. And, from the look of it, the Rams will be pretty thrifty on the Oline after Whitworth retires. They'll probably go cheap at ILB. And probably at TE. I doubt they'll keep Fowler no matter how well he does.
So the draft indeed has to be good, and the Rams have to hit on cheap mid and late round picks. Even UDFAs. And they'll have to make tough choices. I think they're going to have to choose between re-signing Woods and Kupp for instance because both will command big deals.
Now that the Rams have locked up their best players, and the GM and HC, the hard work starts. Maintaining that momentum on what amounts to fewer dollars to spend on other players. Sure, the salary cap will have increases and that will help. But there's only so many mega deals any team can afford, and they better get it right.
