Jan 12, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos tackle Ryan Clady (78) against the Baltimore Ravens during the AFC divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The off-season will be in full swing in matter of time. The start of free agency is next month, the NFL draft is looming, and the Scouting Combine is right around corner. Dynamic playmaker Percy Harvin is on the trade-block and big name free agents such as Jake Long and Dwayne Bowe headlines this year’s class. Last year the Rams made a splash in free agency by signing six players, and  each of them started the majority of the season. That list includes:

• CB Cortland Finnegan
• DT Kendall Langford
• OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar
• C Scott Wells
• RT Barry Richardson
• G/C Robert Turner

However, with roughly $10 million to sign newly acquired free-agents, re-sign their own free-agents, as well as draft picks, the Rams may find it difficult to duplicate last year’s success in free agency. That number could increase if Steven Jackson or Danny Amendola are retained, but that remains to be seen. Also, safety Quintin Mikell is due a $6 million salary and counts $9 million against the cap.  St. Louis will either re-construct his contract or cut ties with him completely.

As questions hover over the Rams’ cap situation, here are options at positions of need available via free agency:

OFFENSIVE LINE

This could possibly be a make-or-break year for Sam Bradford. If the Rams wish to tap into Bradford’s full potential, keeping him upright should be the number one priority. Barry Richardson was the weakest link on the Rams O-line, as he was constantly beat by speed rushers on the edge. St. Louis could go after the Dolphins’ former number one overall pick Jake Long and slide Roger Saffold to the right side, but he would demand more than the Rams would like to spend. A lot of buzz is swirling around Patriot’s rising right tackle Sebastian Vollmer. He would immediately fill the void if they choose to go that route.

Other notable tackles is Ryan Clady (DEN), Sam Baker (ATL), Phil Loadholt (MIN), Bradon Albert (KC), Jermom Bushrod (NO), Andre Smith (CIN) and William Beatty (NYG). At guard, Buffalo’s Andy Levitre is the headliner followed Louis Vasquez of the Chargers.

SAFETY

The Rams were in the middle of the pack in the league with a total of 21 takeaways. Starting safeties Mikell and Craig Dahl combined for a total of one interception. Perhaps their biggest need, the Rams could have two new safeties next season. Jairus Byrd is the most sought after of the safety bunch. Byrd has a total of 19 career interceptions and leaped onto the scene as rookie hauling in nine. He corralled five INT’s this past season. Dashon Goldson of the division rival 49ers is also a highlight of the class. Often known as a hard-hitting safety, Goldson had 14 INT’s during his tenure in the Bay area.

Both Byrd and Goldson are still in their prime,  at ages 26 and 28, respectively. Other notable names are William Moore (ATL), Kenny Phillips (NYG), Louis Delmas (DET), James Ihedigbo (BAL) and Corey Lynch (SD).

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

With the decision not to hire Rob Ryan as their defensive coordinator, St. Louis avoided a huge overhaul in re-configuring the defensive unit. Beside safety, OLB was the only weak spot on the Rams’ defense. For a unit that is already on the brink of cracking the top-10, if they are able to land a sideline-to-sideline OLB to plug in next to stalwart James Laurinaitis and Dunbar, who arguably became the Rams’ biggest pickup, they could possibly have one of the league’s top ranked defenses.

The quarterback position is evolving and linemen are becoming more athletic. This is forcing teams to covet rush OLB and switch to a 3-4 alignment. The only notable 4-3 linebackers are Daryl Smith (JAC), Phillip Wheeler (OAK) and Dannell Ellerbe (BAL). Rey Maualuga could also be an option.

WIDE RECEIVER, TIGHT END

I believe the perception is bigger than the actual need for a wide receiver in St. Louis. They got surprising production from 4th-round WR Chris Givens and the organization is still developing Brian Quick. Though troublesome, the recently acquired Titus Young can stretch the field and become a solid number two. If the now often-injured Amendola isn’t resigned, Pettis has reliable hands to step in and fill the void. Brandon Gibson is most likely gone if another team overpays for him.

If the Rams wish to address this position via agency, the class is loaded with star power. Greg Jennings (GB) is perhaps the best wideout available, but he’ll be 30 in September and has a history of injuries. Jennings might be a big risk considering the amount of money he will command. A popular name among Rams fan is Dwayne Bowe of Kansas City. Bowe has eclipsed 1,000 yards three times in his NFL career and 995 yards as a rookie. A lot of grumbling has been surfacing about his inconsistency, but a lot of that can be credited to poor quarterback play. He has caught passes from Brodie Croyle, Tyler Palko, Tyler Thigpen, Damon Huard, Brady Quinn and Matt Cassel. Need I say more? However, Bowe may also command a lot of money.

Other notable WR are Mike Wallace (PIT), Wes Welker (NE) and Brian Hartline (MIA).

Lance Kendricks enjoyed a breakout season, but this regime has no ties to him. Matthew Mulligan and Mike McNeil were primarily used as blockers, combining for on 12 receptions last season. Adding a receiving TE to go along with Kendricks could also bolster the receiving core.  Athletic and rangy TE Jared Cook has been linked to the Rams because he played under Jeff Fisher in Tennessee.

Other available tight ends are Fred Davis (WAS), Brandon Myers (OAK), Martellus Bennett (NYG) and Dustin Keller (NYJ).

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Rams have already secured their place Kicker and punter for years to come in Greg Zuerlein and Johnny Hekker were both rookies this past season. What the Rams need is premier returnman. They have experimented with Amedola, Pettis, Givens, Isaiah Pead and Janoris Jenkins, but neither have panned out. Young may be suited to return kickoffs and punts as well.

Notable KR/PR  available: Ted Ginn Jr. (SF), Joshua Cribbs (CLE) and Brandon Tate (CIN).

Dec 11, 2011; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) receives a pass during the third quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE

You know things are bad when you’ve got Brady Quinn starting as your quarterback. Kansas City Chiefs were expected to be an AFC West contender, but instead they see themselves struggling at 1-5. Now Dwayne Bowe wants out from Kansas City, in search for a new home. Players with Bowe’s attributes very seldom hit the trade market. Bowe will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and is expected to raise a lot of attention from around the league. Bowe has averaged 76 catches for 1160 yards and 10 touchdowns over the previous two seasons which are remarkable statistics when you consider what quarterbacks have been throwing to him in recent years.

It would be ludicrous if the Chiefs were to offer him a new contract when he has already stated that he wants to leave. No club wants a player who would rather be somewhere else. One would expect New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and St. Louis Rams to be interested in luring in this Pro Bowl wideout.

Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins will be a big player in trying to secure Bowe, especially after losing Brandon Marshall to the Chicago Bears. The Dolphins received an extra second and third round draft pick from losing Marshall and Vontae Davis, so expect Dolphins to dangle those draft picks out in order to trade them for Bowe.

New York Jets
The New York Jets have been plagued by injuries this year. The Jets have lost their wide receiver Santonio Holmes, (who is their best player on offense) for the rest of the season. Terrell Owens made a shout out, but don’t expect the Jets to be sucked in. Bowe on the other hand, will fit in nicely to the struggling New York Jets team. Although the Jets aren’t having the year that they were hoping for, they find themselves sitting both equal first and last – it just depends on whether you see the glass half full or half empty.

Buffalo Bills
Like the Dolphins and Jets, the Bills see themselves sitting at 3-3 equal first and last in the AFC East division. When C.J Spiller and Fred Jackson are both playing, the Bills’ running game is one of the best in the NFL. Their problem lies in the passing game. Stevie Johnson is their number one wideout, having another solid season. The Bills will succeed if they add Bowe, as not only will they have a genuine red-zone target, but this will also take double coverage away from Johnson. The AFC West is up for grabs and Dwayne Bowe will make any one of the three teams a contender for the playoffs.

St. Louis Rams 
Danny Amendola is an elite slot receiver who is fearless in the middle, but he also happens to be injured. The Rams are hoping he will be ready to go for week 10. Regardless of whether he is in the team or not, the Rams are still lacking wide receivers on the outside. Brandon Gibson and Chris Givens have stepped up and have made Sam Bradford’s job a little easier, but neither wideouts are the answer to the Rams’ offensive problems. Should the Rams chase for Bowe? Or should they use one of their two first round draft picks on a wideout? Either way, if Rams did get Bowe, they would be crazy to trade one of their first round draft picks. The only unrestricted free agent wide receiver who would be worth a first round draft pick is Mike Wallace. This should be the player that the Rams target either before trade deadline (week 8), or during the off season.

Follow @davebarber92 on Twitter for constant Rams updates.

1.  The Chiefs have seemingly done a great job in the draft over the last couple of years, so could you update Rams fans on some of the guys from both the 2010 and 2011 draft classes?
 
The 2010 Chiefs draft was fantastic. Standouts include Eric Berry (Pro Bowler), Tony Moeaki (TE, awesome) and Kendrick Lewis (5th round free safety). Then you have some really solid contributors in Javier Arenas (nickel corner) Dexter McCluster (deadly with the ball when healthy). They also grabbed Jon Asamoah at guard. The Chiefs like him so much they cut multi-time Pro Bowler Brian Waters so they could start him. He has looked awesome in the preseason so far. The only player that did not contribute in 2010 was LB Cameron Sheffield who landed on IR in the preseason with a neck injury. Still, Sheffield has flashed ability and looks like he will make the team. The entire 2010 draft class can play in the NFL either as a starter or a solid reserve. There appear to be no busts.
 
The 2011 draft class doesn’t appear to be as special. Jon Baldwin (1st round WR) got into a fight with Thomas Jones and broke his thumb. Ricky Stanzi hasn’t looked all that great at QB. Gabe Miller hasn’t really made much of a splash. Jalil Brown got smoked last week on coverage.
 
That being said, there is certainly some talent here. Jerrell Powe looks like he could be a big contributor down the road. Justin Houston is flashing ability to get to the QB. Last week against the Ravens he had two sacks and a forced fumble on special teams. Allen Bailey is a beast.
 
The 2011 guys could contribute this season but probably in a smaller way than the 2010 class.

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