5 steps to free up $80 Million in LA Rams 2021 NFL salary cap

Step two – Trade RT Rob Havenstein

Sell high and buy low. While that is a good rule to use when talking about investments and property holdings, it seems a bit calloused when talking about NFL players. Yet here we are, in the midst of another year of ‘where will the LA Rams find the money?’.  One place?  Trading away right tackle Rob Haventstein.

Havenstein is a solid NFL offensive tackle who struggled in 2019 due to injury. But his Pro Football Focus grade of 80.0 for the 2020 season suggests that he is back to his solid form.  So why trade him? Well, there are two very good reasons. First of all, the LA Rams need the money. Secondly, the LA Rams could use draft picks. Is it all about trading away to save money? Well, Havenstein had a good year. 2021 may not be as productive.

The LA Rams proved that they have the wherewithal to replace injured offensive linemen. They managed to slide in a new and improved Joseph Noteboom into the very physically demanding offensive left tackle position. For the right tackle position, the LA Rams drafted offensive tackle Tremayne Anchrum who was very impressive in training camp. And the Rams welcome back offensive tackle Chandler Brewer this year. Brewer has been very impressive in the past.

Havenstein could be dangled in the trade market for day one or day two pick. While Trent Williams commanded only a fifth and a third-round pick, he was far more costly and had just one year on his contract.  Havenstein has two-years remaining on his contract, is in the prime of his career, and would attract significant interest after a successful 2020 NFL season.  Placing him on the trading block would save the team a substantial amount of money, and would give the Rams more draft assets.  In a scenario where the Rams are content to move Hauenstein as a post-June 1 trade, they could save $6.8 million from the 2020 salary cap.

Aggregate 2021 Salary Cap Savings: ($21.3  million)