Should LA Rams vet Chargers LB Davis and DT Mebane?

As NFL teams release players, the LA Rams find opportunities in the NFL Free Agency market. Should the Rams vet Chargers LB Thomas Davis or DT Brandon Mebane?

The LA Rams will likely be a net supplier of players to the 2020 NFL Free Agency market.  32 NFL teams are pruning their roster to create 2020 salary cap space. The 2020 NFL Free Agency market opens on March 18, 2020. That’s just five days away.  To be an active buyer, most NFL teams need upwards of $40 million.  Right now, the LA Rams have just $23.2 million in available salary-cap space for 2020. That pushes the Rams out of the significant buyer category this year.

But the team has holes in the roster created by the departure of their own free agents.  So there is the demand, and other teams are providing the supply.  Can the Rams find some bargains in recently released NFL Players?  Perhaps, and that is why the team should vet each new addition to the NFL free-agent market  Particularly when those veterans play in positions of need for the Rams.

Today, the LA Chargers have announced the release of defensive lineman Brandon Mebane and linebacker Thomas Davis.

Mebane is a 13-year veteran nose tackle/defensive tackle who has played for both the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Chargers. His last outstanding season occurred in 2016, where he was scored at a Pro Football Focus grade of 86.2. Since that time, his play-quality has eroded over time.  While not at a 16 game starter level any longer, his experience would be a solid addition to the team for the defensive line, and he would add to the team’s defensive line rotation.

Another player suddenly in the NFL unemployment line is veteran linebacker, Thomas Davis. Throughout a 14-year career, he has been a solid starter at inside linebacker.  He spent just one season with the Los Angeles Chargers, previously he was a fixture for the Carolina Panthers.

The Rams need a veteran presence over the middle, and Davis would be a huge fill for their defense. Despite his long career, he is quite good at pass defense as well. In 2019, opposing quarterbacks completed just 65.2 percent of passes thrown his way.  For comparison purposes, opposing quarterbacks completed 71.8 percent against soon-to-be- free-agent inside linebacker Cory Littleton.

Thomas Davis earned a $1.25 salary in 2019.  His teammate Brandon Mebane earned a $1.05 million salary in 2019.  The Rams could afford both players in 2020 at that salary amount, plus stay on course with re-signing left tackle Andrew Whitworth.

Cheaper alternatives may not be a steep drop in production. Time for the LA Rams to vet ’em and get ’em.