Commentary on the Plan:1) The Rams gambled and went with youth on the OL. It was a mistake and one I think they’ll rectify by bringing in a little bit of experience. I’m not totally sold on Goff being the answer at QB; others are and pin most of the blame for this year on the OL. What we all should agree on is Goff NEEDS a high performing OL to excel. Therefore, they must prioritize that with monetary and draft resources. Some will say they just let Saffold go so won’t sign a high priced free agent. To that, I have two responses: i) they made a mistake and I think they’ve learned that, and ii) Saffold was on his 3rd contract and over 30. Snead has always prioritized 2nd contracts which is why I think they could be a player for Scherff who is 27.
2) I’d be fairly aggressive on shedding salary by way of trades. Hav, Higbee, and Cooks for sure. Would someone give us anything in trade for Todd Gurley? We’d save $4.65M if we traded him; I’d be very tempted to listen to offers.
3) Weddle - I’m not sure what everyone else is seeing but Ravens game aside, he’s been playing well IMO. He’s also captaining the defense which has done pretty well this year overall...again Ravens and Bucs games aside. At $4.25M I’d keep the experience.
4) I’m torn on Wade. I’m not sure he’s lost it but I also wouldn’t be sad if they let him go. If they did fire him and the new DC prioritized LBs, Littleton would become a high priority to resign.
5) As one of my trades, I propose trading Cooks. By doing this, they eat lots of dead money and lose $1M on the 2020 cap but they free up a ton on 2021's cap and beyond. They will have plenty to address whoever is deserving of extension among Ramsey, Kupp, JJ, Everett prior to their pending 2021 free agency.
CUT or WALKBrockers - I thought they should have cut him this last year. I still do. He did rebound though but they need a young guy who is much less expensive. Let him go and recoup a 4th or possibly a 3rd round comp pick.
Fowler - Too inconsistent, will likely cost in the $16M range. Let him go and recoup the 3rd comp pick.
Littleton - This one hurts. Over the last 2 seasons he’s played like a top 5 ILB. Per PFF he’s ranked 2nd in coverage among LBs this year and 3rd last year. As a top ranked ILB, he’ll be demanding what Wagner and Mosley got last year: $17M - $18M, at least. Unfortunately, he doesn’t play a priority position in Wade’s scheme to warrant that. I’m willing to bet that if Wade was gonna spend that much money he’d rather pay an edge defender or another shutdown CB opposite Ramsey. Let him go and recoup the 3rd comp pick.
TRADETrade Hav for 5th round pick (+ $5.4M) - Already supplanted by Evans.
Trade Higbee for 7th round pick (+ $6.225M) - Mundt is ready for an increased role and just as good a blocker. Everett is already a better receiver.
Trade Brandin Cooks for 4th round pick (- $1M) - Will need to look to the draft for a speedy replacement but can't justify $16M on the books every year.
RESIGNWhit - 1 year $5M. He may be 100, but he’s still the best performing Olinemen we have. He has to be willing to come back very cheaply though.
Zuerlein - Extension at $3.5M per year. He's lost some luster but probably still a bit above average.
Marqui Christian - Extend at $3M per year. He's done an admirable job as a backup safety.
FREE AGENTSBrandon Scherff, RG - He’ll need $12.4M per spotrac’s market analysis. I say give it to him. With the proposed trades and cuts, there is enough to bring him in.
