LA Rams 2021 NFL Draft picks and free agency outlook

So far the LA Rams 2020 offseason has been meh. But will it be worth it when the 2021 NFL Draft arrives? Let’s look at next year through a 2020 lens

The LA Rams seemingly have gone cold turkey in regards to the 2020 NFL free agency market. While many pondered how the LA Rams could possibly be active in this season, few guessed that the team simply would abstain. Why have the Rams been so silent so far? Has it been a lack of funds, a lack of defining what the team needs in 2020, or perhaps some grander strategy of cleansing the roster in 2020 to aim at a playoff run for the team in 2021?

Well, from a 2020 perspective, the LA Rams will continue to struggle under the financial weight of QB Jared Goff and WR Brandin Cooks’ contracts. The pressure will rise on the front office once more to sign outgoing free agents. In 2021, those free agents will include WR Cooper Kupp, CB Jalen Ramsey, OLB Leonard Floyd, S John Johnson, TE Johnny Mundt, G Austin Blythe, and C Coleman Shelton. But the good news is, thanks to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the 2021 Salary cap for NFL Teams could rise from the current estimate of $219 million to $240 million. Should that happen, the Rams could be blessed with nearly $90 million in available salary-cap space.

The 2021 NFL Draft will be another area of flux for the LA Rams.  The teams 2020 austerity for signing players has positioned the team for a maximum 2021 compensatory award of up to four picks. Right now, the LA Rams would be in position for two third-round picks (Dante Fowler Jr and Cory Littleton), no fourth-round pick (Michael Brockers canceled by A’Shawn Robinson), no fifth-round pick, no sixth-round pick, and two seventh-round picks (S Marqui Christian, WR Mike Thomas). Players who are released do not contribute to the comp pick calculation. That means the LA Rams will not benefit from RB Todd Gurley, OLB Clay  Matthew, now WR Jojo Natson.

The 2021 NFL Draft for the LA Rams will likely resemble this:

Round 1 – No pick (to Jacksonville Jaguars for Jalen Ramsey)
Round 2 – 1 pick
Round 3 – 3 picks. (original pick plus two comp picks for Fowler Jr/Littleton)
Round 4 – No pick (to Jacksonville Jaguars for Jalen Ramsey)
Round 5 – No pick (to Cleveland Browns for Austin Corbett)
Round 6 – 1 pick
Round 7 – 3 picks (original pick plus two comp picks for Christian/Thomas)

So it comes down to how well will the LA Rams do in 2020. If the team can play competitive football in 2020, the 2021 season appears to be a window of opportunity for the team to improve. It all depends on 2020.

A big if? Yes. But many NFL teams face uncertainty in 2020. The LA Rams are simply a bit more obvious than the other 31 teams.