St. Louis Rams 2015 Free Agency: Three Top Targets

Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) catches a long pass to set up a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

During the offseason, every team in the NFL has three major opportunities to improve their roster. First and foremost, the coaching and front office staffs will have to assess their current roster, weeding through their own restricted and unrestricted free agents, and make a decision on who they will attempt to re-sign. Next, in a few months, the league will have a 32-team battle royale for the those top unsigned names in the free agent class.  Soon after, the bell will ring for the 2015 NFL Draft, where teams can replenish their roster with young talent and, maybe, find that “missing piece” to set their team over the top in the upcoming season.

Obviously, much of what happens in the NFL Draft is dependent on the team’s moves in free agency. By filling vacancies on the depth chart with veterans, you allot yourself more drafting “flexibility.” That has been key to the St. Louis Rams drafting success over the last couple of years; for example, allowing them to take Aaron Donald with the No.13 overall pick, despite the defensive line not being a “top need.” The Rams have an opportunity to gain more flexibility in their 2015 Draft as well, with a handful of moves in free agency. Here, we will break down the top three players that Jeff Fisher and Co. should target:

Mike Iupati, OG (Age: 28)

Top Competition: San Francisco 49ers

Iupati has been a cornerstone on the San Francisco 49ers since his rookie year, when the team drafted him No.17 overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. Since then, Iupati has consistently been one of the better interior offensive linemen in the NFL, particularly as a road grader for Frank Gore. While he has struggled in the last two season with allowing pressure, some of that can be chalked up to Colin Kaepernick, who lacks any internal clock for getting rid of the football, and regularly ventures outside of the pocket in an attempt to extend plays. Even on his worst day, Iupati is light years above Davin Joseph, and would add a veteran presence next to Greg Robinson on the left side of the offensive line. It would also allow Rodger Saffold to move back to the right side, where he, combined with Joe Barksdale, have had success in the past. Lastly, the Rams signing Iupati means that the San Francisco 49ers did not sign Iupait. Upgrading the line and burning your division rival is always a win-win.

Rodney Hudson, C (Age: 26)

Top Competition: Kansas City Chiefs

While the announcement hasn’t officially been made, there is little doubt that the St. Louis Rams will part ways with Scott Wells this offseason. That will leave a semi-gaping hole at the center spot. Currently, the Rams do have some options, including 2013 4th-rounder, Barrett Jones. They might also consider Tim Barnes, who has started in the past with limited success, but who is also a free agent this year. In all likelihood, the Rams will be eye-balling one the handful of NFL-ready prospects in the upcoming Draft. Cameron Erving is the top player on most boards, having dominated on the interior for the Florida State Seminoles this season after switching from offensive tackle, where he was one of the best outside protectors in the country during their 2013 National Championship campaign.

However, instead of banking on unproven youth, Fisher might opt for a seasoned veteran. Enter Rodney Hudson. The 2011 second-rounder has had a major influence on the Chiefs resurgence in the AFC West, particular since the Alex Smith deal. Last year, Hudson allowed only 11 total pressures, second-fewest among centers that played at least 60% of their team’s offensive snaps. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Rams to throw some money in his direction, potentially (contractually) sealing up the bulk of the offensive line into the foreseeable future.

Torrey Smith, WR (Age:25)

Top Competition: Baltimore Ravens

This offseason there are three main factors that will determine the “State” of the Rams receiving corps. For one, they need to select an offensive coordinator that can utilize Tavon Austin in the offense. Brian Schottenheimer has already wasted two years of the young studs NFL life with naked screens and ISO runs out of the backfield. Next, they have to make an honest decision on Brian Quick, namely whether he’ll be able to return to form sometime this season after undergoing shoulder surgery. Lastly, they have to make a decision on Kenny Britt, who performed admirably in the absence of Quick, even with Shaun Hill throwing the football.

The St. Louis Rams would be wise to consider making a bid for one of the myriad of top talents in this 2015 free agent receiver class. Torrey Smith, surprising, if one of the lesser names on that list. Paired with Steve Smith this year, the other Smith has been a touchdown catching machine in his fourth year in the league, finishing the regular season with just under 50 receptions for 750 yards and 11 touchdowns. Smith is one of the best “take the top off the defense” receivers in the league, finishing among the Top 10 in average yards per reception for the second-consecutive year. Smith is a bigger, stronger, more consistent version of Chris Givens, who also excels as a blocker on the edge and is one of the few young receivers that is a genuine “hit-point” catcher. Smith, more importantly, as all the intangible you look for in a player, and has been “playoff tested,” unlike the vast majority of the St. Louis Rams roster.