LA Rams 2021 NFL free agency might steer 2020 NFL Draft

The LA Rams projected 2021 NFL Free Agency may be steering their direction in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The LA Rams faced losing up to 18 players in 2020. Of that group, the team managed to retain just six of those players. But now the LA Rams face an even greater risk of losing significant players to free agency in 2021. In fact, that number is currently estimated at 22 per Spotrac.com. While 2020 free agents mainly impacted the defense, the 2021 projected free agents decimate the LA Rams on both sides of the ball.

Many of whom are counted on to show up and produce this season as featured starters for the team. Players like wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Josh Reynolds. Tight ends Gerald Everett and Johnny Mundt. Running backs Malcolm Brown and Josh Kelly. Cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill, and Darious Williams. Outside linebackers Leonard Floyd, Samson Ebukam, and Travin Howard. All in all, 22 players fall off the roster next season.

While so many are looking at the LA Rams 2020 roster and trying to plan an NFL Draft to fix the team’s losses from this year’s free agency, the team’s front office must keep an eye on the overall roster’s age, and projected losses in 2021. Right now, the team’s projected available salary-cap space in 2021 is an estimated $63 million. Spread over 22 players plus NFL Draft selectees, which will amount to approximately a budget of $2 million per player.

Players like Jalen Ramsey, Cooper Kupp, Josh Reynolds, and even Leonard Floyd, will be seeking a far greater offer than $2 million per season. That means the Rams front office will likely have the 2021 roster in mind as the team enters the 2020 NFL Draft.