Grading the Rams' first seven (re-)signings in 2024 free agency

How well are the LA Rams doing so far? After all, the first 48 hours are typically so rapidly paced that it's difficult to stay updated, even if you make every effort to do so. If you need to catch up now, check out our LA Rams Free Agency Tracker. We update it regularly, focus on inbound and outbound Rams players, and even do a quick analysis to help understand why the team chose (or did not choose) to have that player on this year's roster.

Having said all that, just how well are the Rams doing?

Instant gratification. Instant analysis. Perhaps it all started when Polaroid set about to market a camera that took instant pictures. Before smartphones and digital imagery, people took pictures on film, had them developed, and then carefully placed photos into a book known as the photo album.
Now, everything about imaging is instantly available. Instant images can be shared with family, friends, and the internet, well . . . instantly.

As Rams fans, we want that same level of service for the team. Whether we see the image of the new Rams roster form in our minds, we want to know what it looks like, and how well the team appears to have done so far. While any instant grading is imperfect, we can assess various free agency signings in terms of what the team needed to do, what the team did, and what other teams are doing in comparison.

Let's start, and you will see what I mean.

Rams extended ERFA RB Ronnie Rivers Tender Offer

The team returns a young and promising contributor from 2023 at minimal cost. RB Ronnie Rives may not be an NFL Pro Bowler, but his ability to slide into the offense and rest feature RB Kyren Williams throughout the game is vital to the offense. Much like Williams, Rivers is a bit smallish for an NFL running back, but he did rush 32 times for 129 and four first downs in 2023. And he caught all five passes thrown his way for another 22 yards. That's not bad for 93 offensive snaps.

Rivers is back on the team, not to run for 1000 yards, but to ensure that Kyren Williams can. With the value of early running backs signed to rosters rebounding in 2024, the NFL seems to be correcting itself as to the intrinsic value of the position. No running back signed for less than Rivers, not even lightly used Miami Dolphins RB Salvon Ahmed. Good value. Niche role. Rivers makes complete sense.

Our grade: B+