5 players who the Rams must re-sign after 2023

Los Angeles Rams v Dallas Cowboys, Sean Mcvay
Los Angeles Rams v Dallas Cowboys, Sean Mcvay | Cooper Neill/GettyImages
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LA Rams, Rams News, Rams roster, Kevin Dotson
Los Angeles Rams v Dallas Cowboys, Kevin Dotson | Cooper Neill/GettyImages

Rams must re-sign this trade acquired standout

When the L Rams traded with the Pittsburgh Steelers to acquire interior offensive lineman Kevin Dotson, the price was a bit steep for a backup to sit on the bench this season. After all, the trade involves the Rams swapping a pick from Round 4 in the 2024 NFL Draft for the Steelers pick in Round 5, and a pick in Round 5 of the 2025 NFL Draft for the Steelers pick in Round 6. As it now stands, the Rams will surrender the 110th overall pick for the 158th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

And that is just the first of two installment payments.

To make this trade make sense, the Rams front office all but committed to starting Kevin Dotson sooner rather than later this season. And thank goodness they did, because the guy is putting on quite a performance for the LA Rams already.

The truth is that LA Rams IOL Keven Dotson is performing very well for the Rams this season, and is young enough to remain a long-term solution for the Rams at right guard. Unfortunately, the Rams are not exactly known for extending veteran players after their rookie contract expires, not even those players whom the Rams trade a valuable package to acquire on a one-year rental. That could pose a problem if the Rams follow suit and fail to extend Dotson.

Let's step back and take a look at the Rams trade package for Dotson again. The Rams front office clearly felt that Dotson was worth value to the Rams roster, not only in 2023, but beyond. That assessment only holds true for the team if they extend him beyond this season.

Does he deserve an extension? Absolutely. His role with the team is a starting right guard who continues to perform among the best offensive linemen in the NFL. That says something about what the future holds for the LA Rams if they can sign him to a multi-year deal. Even if the Rams let him walk in the 2024 NFL Free Agency market, the Rams best hope is to be awarded a fifth-round compensatory draft pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

It make far more sense to re-sign him, let him compete for the Rams, and focus on other roster positions in the 2024 NFL Draft.

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