Top Five Offensive Free Agents Rams Should Consider

June 18, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers former running back

(center) and Chargers president Dean Spanos pose with a one day contract signed by Tomlinson during his retirement press conference at Charger Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Free agency will be getting started here within the next week, and here at Ramblin’ Fan we are going to help get you prepared for the drama that is to come. Here are five offensive free agents the Rams should consider when the free agency period hits.

WR Hakeem Nicks

Hakeem Nicks has been one of quarterback Eli Manning’s favorite targets in New York, but injuries have slowed him down. Despite that however, had Nicks been on the Rams roster, he would have been the Rams leading receiver in 2013 as Nicks had 896 yards and would have been just right behind Chris Givens as the Rams leading receiver in 2012 as he had 692 yards and Givens had 698.

Nicks didn’t record a single touchdown in 2013, but he did have three the year before and seven the year before that. Last year was simply a down year for the Giants team as a whole. Nicks is only 26 years old and certainly some of his best days could be ahead of him.

OT Michael Oher 

The player whose story is featured on the award-winning film “Blindside”, is a player the Rams should consider in the free agency period. It is not expected that the Ravens will re-sign Oher, and given that Oher has been average at best in his short career, it won’t be surprising if they let him walk.

If the Rams fail to re-sign Rodger Saffold, Oher is a cheaper option at the tackle position. Joe Barksdale did a fine job at tackle last offseason, but he could also be switched to guard if needed. Barksdale said after the season that he could play any position he was asked, “I can play any position, anything that will help the team.”

OG Zane Beadles

Beadles is only in his fourth year and would be a huge upgrade over Chris Williams. Beadles is expected to test the free agent market and could come at a pricey offer, but if the Rams don’t re-sign Saffold, Beadles is a top offensive lineman the Rams could target.

Beadles made the 2012 Pro Bowl and was ranked as the 17th guard on Pro Football Focus giving up only one sack and having positive grades in pass protection and run blocking.

Other Option: Chad Rinehart

WR Eric Decker

It looks like Decker’s time in Denver may be over and if it is he will be getting a big pay-day elsewhere. It is highly unlikely that the Rams will be able to afford Decker, but there is no question if they made the room, Decker could come in and produce right away.

This is a guy that has succeeded with quarterbacks from Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning. This guy knows how to get open. There is no question Bradford would be happy if the Rams made this signing.

Other Options: Kenny Britt

RB Chris Johnson

If Johnson comes to the realization that he isn’t a number one running back and can handle being in a two back system, then the Rams should consider him and call it quits with the Isaiah Pead experiment.

The Rams need a change of pace speed back that can outrun everybody and that’s exactly what Johnson can do. The Rams don’t want to risk running the Zac Stacy river dry. The Rams need a  reliable guy that can take some of the pressure off of Stacy and the former Jeff Fisher draft pick would make sense.