Remaining Free Agent Fits For Los Angeles Rams

With teams still scrambling to sign the top free agents available, here’s a look at the best fits for the positions the Los Angeles Rams needs the most improvement on.

The Los Angeles Rams have kept themselves busy over the last few days with the start of 2017 NFL free agency underway, but the team still has a long way to go when looking at the areas in need of improvement. Luckily, there’s still plenty of time left in free agency along with the upcoming draft to begin filling some of these holes, but the Rams know the last thing they can afford to do is hesitate and miss out on other key players signing with different teams.

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With Los Angeles already addressing two of their biggest needs with the offensive line and wide receiver, here’s a look at what else the team should focus on in free agency.

Interior Offensive Linemen

The success of the Rams’ offense is weighed heavily on the offensive line. With a presumed heavy running attack centered around Todd Gurley, the signing of prized left tackle Andrew Whitworth further committed to that philosophy for Los Angeles.

In addition to bolstering the run, the signing also focuses on the development of quarterback Jared Goff in which whom the Rams invested enough draft capital to stunt the franchise’s growth if he doesn’t turn into the franchise savior the team has been waiting for.

Assuming Whitworth was signed to stay at left tackle, it can be inferred that tackle Rob Havenstein will bookend Whitworth with guard Roger Saffold on the right interior and former left tackle and current second overall bust in the 2014 NFL Draft Greg Robinson left to salvage his career at left guard.

By signing former New York Jets star Nick Mangold, the Rams would have a solid center that can help make the right adjustments before the snap, and help Goff make a smoother transition into the league. While Mangold is no longer the league’s best center, he is still serviceable in his role and would provide the necessary knowledge and experience to an inept offensive unit.

Add Another Receiver

Signing former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods to a five-year deal worth up to $39 million isn’t the answer to Los Angeles’ offensive woes. Woods’ salary is fine, and alongside former Ram Kenny Britt and Miami Dolphins’ Kenny Stills, the approximate $8 million mark is the new market for a No. 2 wideout in 2017.

Much like Britt last season, Woods brings route-running and solid hands to what is otherwise a barren core of wide receivers. Unlike Britt however, Woods does bring an element of speed to his game, which makes him more than a typical possession receiver.

With already a DeSean Jackson like playmaker in Tavon Austin, coach Sean McVay might be looking to add a reliable slot receiver in the mold of former Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon.

Cornerback

With the front-seven of the defense harboring the most talent on the team, the secondary is certainly in contention for poorest unit.

Lacking playmakers and overall talent, taking a chance on a cornerback like Morris Claiborne, who when healthy, can be a difference maker. Entering his fifth season in the NFL, Claiborne finally lived up to his first-round pedigree as he performed at a high level allowing a 51.9 percent catch rate and 8.9 yards per catch according to Pro Football Focus.

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Claiborne has ideal cornerback size and has flashed the athleticism to advance as a playmaker. With the hope that Claiborne’s season wasn’t a fluke coupled with his injury history (he’s missed 30 games over the past four seasons), a one-year “prove it” deal might prove to be beneficial for both parties.