4 options for LA Rams defensive end: Re-sign, Sign, Draft, or Promote Defensive End?

Sign

The next option, sign a free agent, makes the most sense if the departure of Brockers creates a huge hole in the new roster.  Perhaps the Rams have already begun talks with the salary expectations for Brockers in his next contract, and feel he has priced himself out of their range. If that’s the case, or perhaps for other reasons, the LA Rams may need to shop the 2020 NFL Free Agency market.

The market for NFL free agents playing the defensive line will be wide open.  Players who hit the free agency market in 2020 include Seattle Seahawks Jadaveon Clowney, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Ndamukong Suh, San Francisco 49ers Arik Armstead, New England Patriots Danny Shelton, Atlanta Falcons Vic Beasley, Carolina Panthers Gerald McCoy.

The supply of so many defensive linemen hitting the market simultaneously may appear to make this a buyers’ market. But so many teams losing so many players will create a sellers’ market in the first few weeks.

Some players will be signed to top dollar instantly, and that will create headlines, euphoria for fans of the signing team, and great concern to those fans whose team seems paralyzed and unable to make the “bold moves”.  But the value to the defensive line market is patience. The Rams boast a marquis opportunity for defensive linemen to play alongside DT Aaron Donald. That in itself gives the LA Rams reason to exercise patience and wait for the market to come to them.

If some veteran players like Danny Shelton, Vic Beasley, Denver Broncos Derek Wolf, Ndamukong Suh, New England Patriots Michael Bennett, Dallas Cowboys Robert Quinn, Buffalo Bills Jordan Phillips, or the like are not instantly “scooped up”, then look for savvy front offices to negotiate some great bargain deals.

I personally like the idea of the Rams looking to bring back Ndamukong Suh, Philadelphia Eagles Timmy Jernigan, or Buffalo Bills Shaq Lawson. The key for the Rams to sign an undervalued defensive lineman is patience.