How should LA Rams handle their RFA and ERFA players this offseason?

Restricted Free Agents (RFA)

The LA Rams have two Restricted Free Agents to address this off-season as well. Of course, re-signing RFAs has a bit of strategy to it, while risking straining the player relationships. So it’s a tough decision, one that requires a bit of savvy and empathy.

Of course, one of the most vital decisions is how will the Rams handle DB Darious Williams? On paper, he is the ideal partner for Jalen Ramsey, as he has a strong presence in pass coverage. Not only did he allow less than 55 percent of passes heading his way to find their mark, but he also came up with four interceptions. He even returned one for a touchdown in the Wildcard Round of the NFL Playoffs against the Seattle Seahawks to help propel the Rams to victory.

He stands 5-foot-9 and weighs a solid 187-pounds. Don’t let his size fool you, as he will certainly have a huge and vigorous market if the Rams allow him to test free agency. The Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers all have former Rams coaches who would love to add him to their rosters.  The cost of a First Round Tender offer for Williams is $4.766 million for a one-year contract. Even at that price, he would be a steal.

Rams’ decision? Better than a 50/50 chance that the Rams will submit a First-Round Tender Offer.

Tight end Johnny Mundt may be the free agent who the Rams do not act upon immediately. While he has been very useful and versatile for the LA Rams offense, his market price likely falls below any of the Tender offer prices. For that reason, I expect that the Rams will allow him to test free agency. After he has time to determine what the best offer might be, I expect that the Rams will have an opportunity to come in late in the free-agent period and offer a low-cost contract.

Do the Rams have other options for a blocking tight end? Not at the moment, but the team may be eyeing up young talent who could be signed after the 2021 NFL Draft for a fraction of the cost of Mundt’s expectations.  Meanwhile, the Rams lost several offensive and defensive coaches who could lobby their new teams to offer Mundt a contract that is above the Rams’ price range.

Rams’ decision? Less than a 25 percent chance that the Rams will re-sign him.

Four players, four difficult decisions to make. And yet they are just a fourth of the players seeking new contracts to play for an NFL team in the 2021 season and beyond.  Each player the Rams intend to sign will require an equal amount of money to be freed up from the team’s current salary cap.

It’s all happening quickly now and will move more rapidly as time progresses. It’s clear that the Rams executives and coaches will be putting in some late hours for a few months.