3 cap casualties who make too much sense to add to Rams roster

The LA Rams have significantly more pressure in 2024 than 2023. If for no other reason than more resources, the team's success last year has certainly raised the bar of expectations. Now, can the front office deliver on the renewed optimism? I think that the answer is a resounding yes.

But even with significantly more salary cap dollars at their disposal, this team may not rush to sign free agents. The first players signed may be the headliners, but they are not always the best value. And after several free agent additions that simply did not pan out for the team nor the player, the front office may be a bit more judicious in how quickly, who, and for how much players are signed in the offseason.

But the team is fettered by more than a fine eye for a bargain. Because the team has grown accustomed to the additional compensatory picks that are awarded due to the annual migration of free agents from the Rams roster to other teams, the team may not wish to inflict harm to themselves in the case of any possible awarded compensatory picks for 2025.

And so, like The Great Wallendas, LA Rams GM Les Snead must begin the perilous tight-rope journey that upgrades the team's roster, fits within a budget that can afford some, but not many free agents, and does not diminish any potential compensatory pick awards in next year's draft due to offsetting outbound free agents with new contracts for inbound free agents.

The team wants to improve, but not at the sake of pulling future draft pick out of the teams ammo box. After all, we have seen just how effective the team can be in any given NFL Draft in later rounds (RB Kyren Williams and WR Puka Nacua are just two examples). With that in mind, here are three players who could fill needs on the Rams roster, but have no ill effects on the team's compensatory pick algorithm.

These 3 cap casualties make sense for the LA Rams

1. Option III: Refurbish a formal SB QBs career?
2. Option II: Add a former foe to the roster?
3. Option I: Reunite with a mighty mouse DB?

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Option III: Refurbish a formal SB QBs career?

There is a great deal of intrigue surrounding the LA Rams, and how this team may plan to address the absence of a bona fide backup quarterback. Will the team draft a quarterback? Will this team consider trading for a quarterback? Or will the team be able to re-sign last year's backup quarterback Carson Wentz?

In the absence of concrete information, we are permitted to think a bit outside of the box and consider some less obvious solutions to the team's need for a second quarterback. If he is willing to do so, here is why the LA Rams should consider signing veteran starter Russell Wilson. a player who was just released without fanfare from the Denver Broncos:

It cannot be denied that the LA Rams have become an NFL version of a halfway house for tarnished quarterbacks. The team helped to rejuvenate the career of QB Baker Mayfield, has likely elevated the career of QB Carson Wentz, and can now offer the same bit or restoration and reclamation to the fading star who once led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory.

Like the two previous quarterback projects, Wilson is simply a solid quarterback who ran into tough times by landing on a team that was not an ideal fit (having traded so many weapons away) and then playing for a head coach who demanded 'My way or the highway,' from his quarterback. That isn't exactly an ideal situation for any veteran quarterback.

While being a backup may not be the optimal role that Wilson wants, just by 'being' on the team will have restore the luster to his NFL reputation. Every team wants to poach and graft a member of this team's offense, and Wilson will bring his own offensive knowledge plus the offensive diploma as a quarterback for Coach Sean McVay.

So why would the Rams want to do this? Well, beyond the obvious nature of getting a top-tier quarterback at the nadir of his NFL career, and at no risk to any potential comp pick awards, Wilson can sign for cheap. You see, the Denver Broncos remain on the hook for Wilson's salary by way of guarantees for up to $39 million in 2024. Whatever the Rams pay him merely offsets Wilson's amount due from the Broncos. So the Rams can offer Wilson a minimal $1 million to play in horns, which keeps the Broncos on the hook for the other $38 million.

Russell Wilson thereby can play for $4 million less than New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, is far and above more proven, continues to pass for significant yards, and has an incredible touchdown to interception ratio. And the Rams have proven that quarterbacks who play for one season on this roster, even as a backup, return to NFL teams' radar scopes.

Now speaking of embracing a former foe . . .

Option II: Add a former foe to the roster?

The LA Rams will certainly be shopping for a tight end this off-season, and with the health and durability of both starting TE Tyler Higbee and TE Hunter Long, it makes sense for the team to target a starting tight end who can show up and step up into a starting tight end role for as long as the team may need him to do so.

C.J. Uzomah is a 6-foot-5 271-pound tight end who can be incredibly effective when used correctly in an NFL offense. And lo and behold, he used to play for the team's current offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur in 2022 when both were members of the New York Jets Football team.

Rookies are not exactly plentiful in the 2024 NFL Draft class, so the team may need to consider all other options. Unlike the top tight end free agents like New England Patriots' Hunter Henry or Atlanta Falcons' Jonnu Smith, Uzomah can be added to a varying role that allows him to compete for a starting spot, but can be morphed into a 12-personnel sub package if and when starting TE Tyler Higbee is healthy enough to play once more.

C.J. Uzomah is one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL right now, an attribute that is a must-have in the LA Rams offensive scheme. Now, here is where it gets fun. He is gifted at gaining yards after the catch. If you know how the Rams operate, players who excel at YAC often find themselves pursued by or signing with the Rams.

But the Rams are almost certainly viewing Uzomah and his 6-foot-5 stature and salivating over what that might give the offense in terms of red zone efficiency. While that did not translate into automatic scores for the Jets, the Rams are better equipped personnel and coaching-wise to manufacture mismatches to optimize Uzomah's advantages.

C.J. Uzomah could revitalize the Rams interest in incorporating tight ends into this offense. I love this option, but we have one more to consider . . .

Option I: Reunite with a mighty mouse DB?

The LA Rams were willing to let former defensive back Darious Williams test his value in the NFL Free Agency market after he helped carry the team to a victory in Super Bowl LVI. Since that time, Williams has done an admirable job helping to solidify the Jacksonville Jaguars defense. But now that the Jags need to free up salary cap funds, DWill is back on the market after his release.

Defensive back Darious Williams may be a bit undersized at 5-foot-9 and 187 pounds, but he certainly plays much larger on the football field. He was the unsung star of the 2020 secondary, balance the elite pass coverage skills of teammate Jalen Ramsey with the ability to pick the quarterback's pocket, intercepting four passes that year. He also recorded 14 pass defenses in that same year.

In 2021, his pass defense hit a lull, but his tackles rose from 53 (2020) to 71 (2021), proving that his role was just as valuable for the team. In the past two seasons, Williams has been very effective leading the Jaguars secondary, and earning an astounding Pro Football Focus grade of 79.5 for his 2023 performance.

The Rams have been willing to reunite with former defensive backs. The team re-signed Troy Hill in 2022, and re-signed John Johnson III in 2023. In my opinion, Darious Williams would give this team the top-tier production and interception risk to opposing offenses that seemed to be a bit lacking in 2023.

Because he is a bit on the smallish side, the Rams would be wise to extend tall DB Ahkello Witherspoon, and pair him up with Darious Williams on the outside. Then, the defense would have the option of using DB Cobie Durant in the slot, and saving the off-penalized Derion Kendrick in sub packages or as injury relief.

Darious Williams is a feisty defensive back who had helped carry the team to a Super Bowl LVI victory. I believe that he continues to play at that NFL Championship level.