OL is getting its own post because of the sheer amount of moving parts.
Under contract for 2020:
Bobby Evans - cap hit 0.85m
David Edwards - cap hit 0.65m
Joe Noteboom - cap hit 0.92m
Austin Corbett - cap hit 1.16m - if cut 0.83m cap hit
Brian Allen - cap hit 0.83m - if cut 0.34m cap hit
Chandler Brewer - cap hit 0.59m - if cut no dead money
Jamil Demby - cap hit 0.66m cap hit - if cut no dead money
Rob Havenstein - cap hit 7.8m - if cut 6.2m cap hit - if traded 2.4m cap hit
Free Agents:
Andrew Whitworth - UFA (he can meet and sign with any team)
Austin Blythe - UFA (he can meet and sign with any team)
Coleman Shelton - ERFA (If Rams offer him any kind of contract he is under their control for that amount for at least 1 more year)
Positional review:To say the oline had a rough year is an understatement. Although they were low on the list of sacks allowed, they gave up too much pressure, little room to run and way too many penalties. And I'm not sure what to make of the penalties, but I know not enough was made of it this year, at least not on this board as far as I know. Whitworth was the 3rd most penalized OL this year with 13. Was some of that covering for a new LG? Maybe, but he regressed, by more then a little. Havs had 8 penalties in 8 games. LOL. He looked slow, his feet looked heavier then usual and was ineffective. And he had his RG from last year, so his excuse was what? Oh and Edwards, for as much as I like the kid, had 7 in half a season, but none after week 13. Allen was overmatched at OC, Blythe was overmatched at RG, but looked better at OC and Noteboom was slowly coming along before he got hurt. Corbett was the weak link once he was installed at LG, as I thought Edwards and Evans did a nice job of solidifying the right side.
Free agency & draft priority: med/high
This thing all hinges on 2 guys: Whitworth and Havenstein. The Rams said they would sit down with Whitworth and discuss his future. That tells me a couple of things. 1. They respect him enough not to lowball him in FA and embarrass him. 2. They are probably getting a feel for if he would be open to really mentoring his replacement. If Whit gets a deal, I think its probably team friendly, maybe incentive based if thats possible with a OT, and 1 year only. Personally I would like to see him back for 1 more year. I'm scared of Noteboom at LT next year, and not sure Evans is ready to be a LT in the NFL.
As far as Havenstein goes, I'm a bit biased since I never liked the pick. he just doesn't fit what the Rams are doing from a scheme standpoint and he was ineffective on top of that. But they paid him and now are stuck with him. let me be perfectly clear on this statement: NO ONE is trading for an overpaid, underperforming RT that was a penalty machine and is coming off injury. I would think the only way a trade would work is if the Rams trade him and a say a 4th for a 7th round pick. I really think the Rams are stuck with him for 1 more year. Thank goodness he is their only high paid OL on the roster.
Blythe is almost certainly gone, I just don't see him as in their plans esp. as a RG. Maybe at OC. Demby is almost certainly a cap casualty, and probably Brewer at some point.
Assuming Whit comes back for 1 year: you have Whit LT, Evans/Noteboom LG - Allen OC - Edwards RG - Havs/Evans RT. IF Whit doesn't come back its Note/Evans LT - Note/Evans/Corbett LG - Allen OC - Edwards RG - Havs RT
As far as FA replacements, I'd look for cheap middle of the road guys. I see no scenario where Scherff gets 12.5m from the Rams.to play LG. Xavier Sua'filo, Joe Haeg would be names that make more sense in FA at OG. OC is thin and LT is even thinner.
In the draft, I'd look long and hard at 1 of the top 2 centers, Tyler Biadasz from Wisconsin (had an up and down bowl game against Oregon) and Creed Humphrey from Oklahoma. 1 of the 2 might be available. Both fit and both are bigger and stronger then anything on the Rams roster. i'd also look at a middle of the draft LG like Ben Bredeson from Mich. Has played in power man and outside zone and handled his business today against Alabama. Won't wow you but he wins and plays with an edge. He easily available on early day 3. Scott Frantz from Kansas St is my day 3 LT prospect I like this year.
Don't waste your time looking back, you're not going that way. - Ragnar Lothbrok
