PFF: Von Miller, 4 other Rams among top-75 expected FAs of 2022

Very preliminary list but interesting. Make no mistake, the Rams willingness to give up two 2022 picks for Miller was likely with an eye on recouping a nice pick back in 2023.
Via Pro Football Focus.

5. EDGE Von Miller, Los Angeles Rams

The projection here is driven by something we’ve seen across almost a dozen recent trades — players signing strong contracts after being acquired via an expensive draft pick trade. Von Miller may not be what he was at his peak, but he’s not too far off, as his 85.9 overall grade through Week 13 of the 2021 season ranks sixth among edge rushers.

The Rams sent the Broncos second- and third-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft for half a season of Miller’s services, but there was more to it than that. Denver agreed to retain around $9 million in salary to facilitate the deal, and this boosted the required draft capital return as a result. Nevertheless, the Rams gave up a lot to add another future Hall-of-Famer to their defensive line and may be inclined to do what it takes to keep them together for a few more years.

Strengths:
– Elite athlete
– Variety of ways to win as a pass-rusher
– Disciplined run defender

Weaknesses:
– Recent injury history
– Age

Scheme Fit/Role:
THREE-DOWN EDGE: The last time Miller played a snap with his hand in the dirt was 2018, likely limiting the list of prospective teams to defenses that would allow him to rush out wide from a two-point stance. The Los Angeles Rams are the leaders in the clubhouse to extend him after the trade, but a cross-city move to the Chargers to join forces with Brandon Staley and Joey Bosa is another situation to monitor.

Recent Injury History:
Miller dislocated a peroneal tendon in his ankle last September that kept him off the field for the 2020 NFL season. He recently suffered another ankle injury that the Rams want to “ease him back in” from after missing Week 8.

Contract Projection: Two years, $34 million ($17M per year, $25.25 million total guaranteed)

Bottom Line:
There are some reasons to be concerned about decline from Miller, given his age and recent ankle injuries, but he's still performing at an extremely high level. There aren't many defensive fronts that wouldn't improve.

22. CB Darious Williams, Los Angeles Rams

Darious Williams was the only restricted free agent to receive the first-round tender last offseason at a value of $4.766 million, signaling how much the Rams value his contributions. The move may also demonstrate their perception of how Williams is regarded league-wide if they thought a second-round tender would not have been enough to keep another club from signing him to an offer sheet. A very solid player opposite Jalen Ramsey, Williams has thrived in a heavy zone scheme but has physical limitations at just 5-foot-9. Nevertheless, opposing quarterbacks rarely fare well throwing into his coverage, and he deserves a payday.

Strengths:
-Ball Skills
-Quickness
-Ability to mirror and change of direction speed

Weaknesses:
-Size
-Protected role within Rams defense
-Run defense

Scheme Fit/Role:
NO. 2 CB: Dating back to college, Williams really doesn't have any bad tape to speak of. With the Rams, the only question is that Jalen Ramsey has enabled him to lead a sheltered life as a No. 2 corner that hasn't had the tough assignments that can cause problems to smaller corners. He is not scheme-specific and fits as a No. 2 in any defense.

Recent Injury History:
Williams suffered an ankle injury in Week 5 that landed him on IR.

Contract Projection: Three years, $40M ($13.33M per year, $22.5 million total guaranteed)

Bottom Line:
Darious Williams has elite quickness, movement skills and the ability to find and break up the football once it's in the air. He can play equally well in man or zone coverage but has always been protected by his role within the Rams defense.

54. WR Odell Beckham Jr., Los Angeles Rams

The Rams' final midseason addition of 2021, Beckham Jr. didn’t take too long to get acclimated to the West Coast. He had had his first 40-plus yard reception since Week 2 of 2020 in just his second game with the team — against the Green Bay Packers in Week 12 — on a beautifully run slant-and-go route. Plays like that are why Beckham Jr. had as many suitors as he did when he was granted his release from the Cleveland Browns, and if he continues to produce as the Rams potentially play deep into the playoffs, a bevy of teams could be lining up again.

Strengths:
– Spectacular ball skills
– Speed and route running

Weaknesses:
– Injuries
– Recent history

Scheme Fit/Role:
NO. 2 RECEIVER: OBJ has elite, No. 1 skills as a receiver, but it has been a long time since we have seen that player for an extended period of time. He has battled through a laundry list of injuries and doesn't seem quite the same explosive athlete he once was. He still possesses a rare blend of ball skills, athleticism and ability to separate and will have suitors trying to uncover the player he once was.

Recent Injury History:
Beckham Jr. dealt with a sprained shoulder throughout 2021 and injured his hip shortly after arriving with the Rams. He has a lengthy injury history over the course of his career.

Contract Projection: One year, $14 million ($12.5M fully guaranteed)

Bottom Line:
OBJ is one of the most talented receivers in the NFL but has been battling injuries for years while enduring constant media attention. There will be teams that want to chase the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but his big-money contract days are going to need to be re-earned with some elite play.

70. C Brian Allen, Los Angeles Rams

Allen’s breakout 2021 campaign sheds additional light on why the Rams were so comfortable moving on from Austin Blythe last offseason, with his 78.1 overall grade through Week 12 being the seventh-best mark among centers and his 85.7 run-blocking grade in Sean McVay’s wide zone running scheme being the fifth-best mark at the position. However, 2021 marks Allen’s first full season of starting after missing about half of the 2019 season and the entire 2020 campaign with a severe knee injury. How his market develops at a position that tends to pay only the very top guys will be interesting.

Strengths:
– Zone blocking
– Positive blocks in run game

Weaknesses:
– Pass protection
– Picking up stunts

Scheme Fit/Role:
STARTING CENTER IN ZONE-HEAVY SCHEME: Allen has been one of the better zone run-blocking centers in the NFL in his two years as a starter with Los Angeles, helping mask a below-average pass-blocking profile. His best fit is in an offense that utilizes play action frequently and moves the pocket to reduce the number of true pass sets.

Recent Injury History:
Allen suffered a serious knee injury in 2019 that kept him out of the final seven weeks of the campaign and the entire 2020 season. Allen also battled COVID-19 last year.

Contract Projection: Three years, $21.75 million ($7.25M per year, $10.5M total guaranteed)

Bottom Line:
Allen has logged just over one full season of playing time in his fourth year out of Michigan State, but his dominance as a run blocker and overall improvement after returning from a serious knee injury in 2019 should interest teams looking for an upgrade on the interior this offseason.

75. G Austin Corbett, Los Angeles Rams

The Cleveland Browns took Corbett with the first pick in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and his NFL career got off to a rocky start. After Corbett played just 15 snaps over one-and-a-half seasons, the Browns sent him to the Rams for a fifth-round pick. Strangely enough, Corbett’s career trajectory now somewhat resembles that of Browns star right guard Wyatt Teller, with a trade and a change of scenery leading to a boost in his play.

Corbett didn’t miss a single snap for the Rams in 2020 and logged a career-high 73.4 overall grade and 76.4 run-blocking grade despite switching from center to right guard. He’s maintained that level of play through Week 12 of 2021, and his upward trajectory, positional flexibility along the interior of the offensive line and draft status could lead to a solid payday.

Strengths:
– Solid all-around grading profile
– Hand usage
– Screens

Weaknesses:
– Dealing with length on interior
– Can be late to second-level defenders off combo blocks

Scheme Fit/Role:
STARTING GUARD: Corbett has turned his career around in Sean McVay's wide zone offense, and he's graded above the 50th percentile among all guards in zone- and gap-rushing schemes since the start of last season. He's also graded out in the top half of qualifying guards in pass-blocking grade on true pass sets. Corbett doesn't necessarily need to remain in a similar offense to be an effective starter.

Recent Injury History:
Corbett has started every game at right guard for the Rams since the start of the 2020 season. He hasn't dealt with any major injuries since he was drafted in 2018.

Contract Projection: Four years, $37 million ($9.25M per year, $20M total guaranteed)

Bottom Line:
Corbett's play as the Rams' starting right guard over the past two years has helped him shed the “bust” label that was prematurely placed on him after being drafted 33rd overall by the Browns in 2018. He's a top-20 guard in PFF's wins above replacement metric since 2020, and he can be plugged in as a capable starting guard for most NFL offenses.