What if the LA Rams are out of the FA market already?

How long will this go on?

A year ago, the LA Rams finished their free agency activity after signing FA wide receiver DeSean Jackson on March 22, 2021. In 2020, the Rams signed OLB Leonard Floyd and DL A’Shawn Robinson by March 18, 2020. In 2019, the team signed FA S Eric Weddle on March 8, 2019. OLB Clay Matthews on March 19, 2019, and backup QB Blake Bortles on March 18, 2019.

I could continue back in time, but I think the picture is pretty clear. By March 22nd, the LA Rams have historically shut down their free-agent efforts and pivoted to focus upon the upcoming NFL Draft. Of course, this year could be a bit different.  It’s certainly unique for a number of reasons. How so?

New-season

For starters, the LA Rams are the defending NFL Champions. That in itself creates unique opportunities as well as unique challenges for any front-office effort to reassemble this roster. For another matter, the entire organization was convinced that efforts to re-sign veteran outside linebacker Von Miller would succeed.

Surprise! That didn’t go according to plan. Right now, the team is going with outside linebackers Leonard Floyd, Justin Hollins, Terrell Lewis, and Chris Garrett.  The team also has re-signed ILB/OLB hybrid Anthony Hines III to a Reserve/Futures contract. By rights, you can expect three more players added at the outside linebacker position for training camp. Whether that will be via the draft, signing undrafted rookies after the draft, signing another veteran free agent, or even a combination of the three strategies has yet to be determined.