Cortland Finnegan Released, Who’s Next?

Nov. 25, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: St. Louis Rams guard Harvey Dahl (62) and tackle Barry Richardson (79) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With free agency quickly approaching, the Rams are finally starting to make some moves to relieve some cap space even though the need to is not as great with the increase in the salary cap.

Yesterday however, there were reports that the Rams told Finnegan that they plan to release him after the beginning of the new league year which starts early next week. With the release of Finnegan, you have to wonder who could be next on the Rams list.

Center, Scott Wells

The 33-year-old center has only played 19 of a possible 32 games in his time in St. Louis and is making $6.5 million. Releasing Wells would wipe away the $6.5 million cap hold, while placing just $2 million in dead money on St. Louis’s 2014 cap.

The Rams could certainly get younger at the position, but that doesn’t seem like it’s going to be the case.

Wells earned a positive grade(4.6) on Pro Football Focus is pass blocking last season, but earned an underwhelming -8.3, the sixth worst among centers. Keeping Wells however, keeps experience at the position as well as giving second year center, Barrett Jones, another year to develop.

Guard Harvey Dahl

Dahl is another player that the Rams could cut and is one that could likely come within the next couple of days. Dahl is costing them $4 million and he is 32 years old coming off of an injury. If the Rams can re-sign Saffold to take Dahl’s place, and then draft a guy, they will be fine at the guard position.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Harvey Dahl. The guy brings a great attitude to the offense and that was shown last season when Sam Bradford went down and Mike Mitchell “taunted” above the injured Bradford and Dahl went after him, but his time in St. Louis could be over.

If the Rams cut Dahl they will have enough cap to have a chance to go after a big free agent if not a medium-tier free agent for sure. The cap space for the Rams as of right now sits at around $11 million which is a lot better than it was a couple of weeks ago.