I agree this year is over. Time to focus on developing the talent we have. Let Perkins have more Reps so that we can see if he can be a reliable backup next season. Wolf gotta go. Also we should be looking league wide for potential practice squad Offensive Lineman that can be developed. Also Tutu & McCutcheon need to play now that Kupp is out. Lets see what we have in those two. On a team that is lacking big plays Tutu has 2 big play out of how many targets? I can only thing of 3 targets so far. We better take a good look at Yeast and Lake as our Scott & Rapp are free agents and Fuller consistently finds his way on the injury list. Hopkins is another that needs more time as Higbee may be a cap casualty next season. Finding another playable/developmental TE off a Practice Squad might be a good signing.
Offensive Line: As for next season I think we should be optimistic. The offensive Line should be healthy and only lose Edwards which is not a huge loss. Heck Edwards may be resignable for a low price. Boom, Jackson, Shelton, Haverstien & Allen might be a decent line and Bruss & Anchrum could fight to be included and Arcui has a year under his belt and may get some reps before season is over. . Not sure if cutting Allen saves any cap space and I would suspect we draft a at least 1 lineman in the top 4 rounds.
QB: Need to evaluate Perkins as a backup. Perhaps draft future #2 this year
RB: Need to decide if Akers is going to be here. Henderson FA most likely gone. If Akers is iffy probably use 2nd or 3rd rounder on a RB.
WR: We seem set here. Like to see McCutcheon get some Reps before season is over.
Offensive Summary: Draft a kick as RB and get healthy and we should be good again. Playoff competitive Level
Defense
DL: I think we lose ARob & Gaines so these will be big holes to fill and we don't have a really any cap space to sign a difference maker. Internal backups have gotten experience but expect investment of some draft picks. AD will need some help.
LB: Set at ML positions and with Floyd and Lewis on the edge. Edge still could use help. Like to see Hardy activated and get some reps so we can see what we have with him. I think Hollins is gone though he could come back at a low cost.
Defensive Backfield. Ramsey, Fuller an a bunch of kids. I thought Haley looked good before he got hurt, Hendricks & Durant both got time with mixed results but expect improvement next season. Rochelle has disappeared not sure what the story is there. He has size to play safety so maybe a position change is in order. Yeast has looked good and his getting some reps. Like to see Lake get on the field for some seasoning.
We have a decent amount of draft ammo and young developing players at all of our positions of need except RB and maybe TE. Draft Focus on RB, TE. Oline, DL & Edge
Rams go into the off season with some holes to fill but the core studs are still there. Not sure if they can mortgage the future more to save Higbee but that would help a lot. Gaines would be 2nd choice and he will probably be a lot cheaper than Higbee. Perhaps I am too optimistic about next season but I see a potential playoff caliber roster for next season. After that I think that the cap gimmicks may catch up to us. Still I find reasons to hope for next year which helps because this year is total crap and depresses the heck out of me.
