The start of free agency and the new league year are less than a month away with March 13 rapidly approaching. The Los Angeles Rams have several needs to address with four starters set to become free agents, while also filling holes with draft picks and outside free agents.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell laid out a five-step plan for the Rams this offseason and it’s hard to argue with any of the moves. Here’s how Barnwell believes Los Angeles should approach the next few months of the offseason.
1. Convince Andrew Whitworth to come back
2. Bring back Rodger Saffold and C.J. Anderson.
3. Trade down from the 31st pick.
4. Sign Clay Matthews and wait out the market on veterans.
5. Don’t extend Jared Goff this offseason.
Getting Whitworth back is paramount. He’s still one of the best left tackles in the NFL despite being 37 years old, and while it’s reasonable for him to consider retirement, he continues to play at a very high level. If he calls it a career, the Rams will be left with a gaping hole on the left side of the line.
Speaking of the offensive line, re-signing Saffold should be a top priority. He’ll have a big market in free agency, but the Rams must make a concerted effort to keep him in Los Angeles. Re-signing Anderson is a big more debatable. Barnwell argues that he’s a good insurance policy, but with Todd Gurley expected to be fine, the Rams could be sinking a lot of money into a backup running back position that may not get much use.
With no second- or third-round pick as of now – compensatory picks will change that – the Rams are lacking top-100 selections. By moving down, they can pick up a few more picks to fill potential holes at outside linebacker and nose tackle, if Dante Fowler Jr. and Ndamukong Suh walk.
Matthews has obvious ties to Southern California and would probably love to play for the Rams, but he’s past his prime. If the Rams can’t keep Fowler, Matthews wouldn’t be a bad consolation prize, but only at the right price on a one-year deal. He hasn’t had more than 7.5 sacks in any of the last four seasons, including just 3.5 in 2018.
Lastly, the Rams have time to extend Goff. They have him under contract for two more years and after seeing him struggle in the second half of the season, it’s reasonable for them to take their time.
They might be able to save some money by extending him now before the cap increases and other quarterbacks like Dak Prescott and Carson Wentz sign extensions, but it’s not worth the risk. Next year would be the best time to start discussing a contract extension, assuming he doesn’t fall apart and struggle in 2019.
Overall, it’s not a bad plan from Barnwell. The Rams need help at outside linebacker, which Matthews helps with, and keeping both Whitworth and Saffold would be a huge plus.