The Los Angeles Rams have played it relatively safe this offseason when compared to the moves they made in 2018 when they made several trades for big-name players. This year, they’ve made calculated moves, freed up cap space by moving on from veterans and adding proven players at positions of need.
They’ve filled holes that will allow them to take the best player available in the draft next month, which is typically the goal of free agency for a team as littered with talent as the Rams. Looking back on all the moves they’ve made thus far, the majority can be viewed as wise decisions.
We’ve graded all of their transactions up to this point and only one was somewhat questionable.
Releasing Mark Barron
Savings: $6.33M
The Rams could’ve held onto Barron for another year after seeing him step up in the playoffs, but that would’ve cost them more than $9.6 million in 2019 alone. That’s a big number for a player who not only struggled last season, but also missed time due to injury the last two years.
The best move for the team was cutting Barron, even if it did leave the Rams with a $3.33 million dead cap charge and a hole at inside linebacker. They’ll be able to find a cheaper starter who could also be an upgrade, potentially with second-year player Micah Kiser.
Grade: B+