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Rams43
Here’s oldnotdead...
Williams will get tendered but that will be a one year expedience to get them into 2022 where there is likely to be a better cap situation. He will get his extension starting in 2022.
Floyd will get extended, make no mistake about that. He's proved he's an upgrade to Fowler as Staley uses him in ways they couldn't with Dante.
Brown has earned an extension and this season has shown the wisdom of remaining deep at RB.
Ebukam is a SAM LB and isn't a scheme fit for how Staley uses him. He's a perfect fit for the Ravens scheme.
Everett will have to give the Rams a hometown discount to stay. He's good enough to play a starting role on any team. I simply don't see them being able to outbid anyone for him and IMO it's why they drafted Hopkins. They will take their 3rd round comp pick.
Both Hill and Johnson will be offered contracts that the Rams simply won't be able to meet. Both will likely bring the Ram's comp picks. That said they already have their replacements on the roster in Williams and Burgess. At safety, they will be 3 deep with Fuller, Burgess and Rapp. The way Staley plays his safeties Rapp and Fuller will be fine until Burgess gets up to speed.
Shelton will get tendered and will compete with Allen for the OC start. Blythe is a serviceable backup but in reality, he's too limited to be the starter on this scheme.
Rivers probably gets a two year prove it deal. IMO Rivers is a potential big sleeper. He came in raw and was slowed by injuries. With good coaching, this guy has a high ceiling. He's got the speed (4.6), and physical metrics (6'4" 248 lbs) to play JACK or DE in Staley's scheme. He could end up taking Ebukam's spot in the rotation simply because he's like Hollins and can play inside, outside, and has the speed and length to match up with TEs if need be.
Reynolds will draw too much interest as a Y/Z receiver that I doubt the Rams can afford to keep him. He's probably looked at as a comp pick. The Rams with Jefferson and Webster are 4 deep at WR without Reynolds.
This has been Fox's breakout year, but he's still a backup. He might draw interest from other teams as a 4-3 DT which IMO is his best fit. That said the Rams have two guys on the PS that would fill his role.
There are multiple ways for the Rams to clear the cap they need to sign their priority FAs. They also have multiple options on the PS right now. I can see them having the cap to get it done. This roster is going to change but not decline. Some of the newbies look like potential upgrades to the guys they will be replacing. Guys like Hoecht has upsides Fox doesn't. Jonah Williams has upsides that Okoronkwo doesn't as he is faster than both Brockers and Ogbo and plays with strength and aggression. At 6'5" 275 lbs running a 4.65, he's built like a classic 3-4 DE. The versatility that players like these two make them good fits for Staley's scheme.
The bottom line is I'm not overly concerned about the FA situation and feel overall the team will actually improve, particularly in the front 7.
Here's my take:
Nearly all of the players he mentions will be gone next year. We don't know if the cap will go down but there will be a price for the Covid decline. Despite that, I'm not overly concerned with the FA situation either. The foundation is still intact.
Williams - 1st round tender as he suggests. But probably no extension in 2022. CB will be drafted in 2021.
Floyd - Most likely extension. As Staley's identified 3rd most important cog in the D, they try to keep him.
Brown - Could stay if it's a similar contract to this year's.
Ebukam - Gone. Snaps already being replaced by Hollins and Lewis.
Hill - Gone. David Long replaces him.
Johnson - Gone. Already drafted his replacement.
Shelton - ERFA tender. However, don't see them leaving the starting C spot to a competition between him and Allen. Center will be drafted.
Blythe - Probably gone. Center will be drafted.
Reynolds - Gone. Already drafted his replacement.
Fox - Gone. Most likely priced out of our budget given his growth and increased production.
