2016 Will Be Important For These Contract-Year Players on Los Angeles Rams

As the 2016 NFL season fast approaches, let’s take a look at some key players who are entering the final year of their current contracts for the Los Angeles Rams.

Trumaine Johnson

When Johnson and fellow corner Janoris Jenkins entered free agency last season, the Rams chose to franchise tag Johnson for $13.95 million in hopes they could agree to a deal with Jenkins. The latter fell through, but it doesn’t spell doom for the Rams as Johnson and Los Angeles continue to work towards a long-term deal.

Johnson has hauled in 15 interceptions over the last four seasons (seven of which came in 2015) and has been valued at $57 million over four years according to Spotrac. Those numbers put him up to par with the likes of Joe Haden, Richard Sherman, and Patrick Peterson–which is obviously impressive.

Should his 2016 campaign mirror his success last season, Johnson should expect such pay day.

Kenny Britt and Brian Quick

Both Britt and Quick are currently 27-years-old and have yet to live up to their billing with the Rams. Quick didn’t have the same expectations as the former first rounder Britt did entering the league, but the Britt still managed to haul in 43 receptions for 677 yards and five touchdowns in 23 games for the Rams during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Quick on the other hand only managed 10 receptions for 102 yards in 2015 and has struggled to get on the field during his career, thus putting him on a one-year, $1.75 million prove-it deal. Britt has flirted with 1,000 yards three times in his career and even caught nine touchdowns in one season despite subpar quarterback play, but he has yet to prove he is a reliable No. 1 receiver in any offense.

If anything, Britt’s best suited as a No. 2 or No. 3 wideout for most teams depending on the talent in the receiving corps. He is in the final year of his two-year, $9.15 million deal and with the Rams 2016 NFL Draft haul of pass catchers, Britt likely needs to post career highs in the three major receiving categories to earn another multi-year deal with the team.

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T.J. McDonald

The roller coaster ride that has been McDonald’s Ram career is in jeopardy of ending after being arrested for DUI in May. On top of that, McDonald fractured his leg in Week 4 of a promising rookie campaign and was placed on season-ending IR in December after needing shoulder surgery this past season.

He would return during Week 10 of the 2013 season, finishing with 53 combined tackles, one sack, and one interception. He was healthy for the entire 2014 season and did not disappoint as he racked up 105 combined tackles with two sacks and one interception before posting an injury-riddled 2015 stat line reminiscent of his rookie year.

McDonald is slotted to make $1.67 million during the final season of his four-year, $2.926 million deal and staying healthy as well as out of trouble will be the deciding factors if he hopes to stay in Los Angeles. Doing all of this will likely lead to a one year prove-it deal before he has the chance to earn anything long-term for the Rams.

Michael Brockers

The former LSU Tiger defensive lineman is in the final year of his four-year, $9.522 million deal in which his base salary will jump to $6.146 million. Brockers has started all 16 games in each of the last three seasons, posting 122 tackles and 11.5 sacks in that period.

While these numbers don’t necessarily standout from an elite standpoint, they do support Brockers’ duties as a run stopper who can utilize the one-on-one pass-rushing matchups that stem from the constant double teaming of fellow interior defender, Aaron Donald.

Brockers has been a valued piece of the Rams’ great defensive line and with the potential of another season consisting of more than 40 tackles and three sacks, expect Brockers back in LA on a possible three-year deal after the 2016 season comes to an end.