LA Rams upcoming NFL Free Agency strategy is a nail-biter

Defense star-studded roster

The LA Rams have enjoyed a long ride of some of the best defensive talent in the NFL. Former defensive coordinator Wade Phillips had an incredible knack for blending veterans among younger players to promote competition and get the best out of both groups over the years.  Now, the LA Rams have turned over the keys to the defense to new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley.

Staley clearly understood that the Rams would not be making huge inroads into freeing up significant NFL salary dollars to re-sign each of the team’s free agents.  In fact, he may have been hired as a result of the team focusing more on the defensive scheme and less upon acquiring the best NFL talent available. After all, that is how his mentor, coach Vic Fangio, earned his incredible reputation in the NFL as a defensive savant.  So who are the Rams at risk of losing this year to free agency?

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS – Defense

OLB Dante Fowler Jr.
DT Michael Brockers
ILB Cory Littleton
ILB Bryce Hager
S Marqui Christian

Of the group, four were starters on defense in 2019. And even the loss of Marqui Christian is poorly timed for the Rams, as they had already lost veteran safety, Eric Weddle, to retirement.