Rams offseason scoring high marks after this move, with free agency still days away

What would you say that the LA Rams need to do in order to have a succesful offseason? Some cite the need for the team to upgrade the pass rush for 2024. Others have cited the need for the team add a true shutdown cornerback to anchor this team's young secondary. Still others have pointed to the lack of a true backup quarterback, a role that has gone under-the-radar for several years.

And the lack of attention over solving the need at that position has caused this team significant challenges, as recently as a Week 9 loss to the Green Bay Packers in 2023.

But if you sought a consensus among Rams fans, they would have been nearly unanimous in their belief that the team needed to extend veteran IOL Kevin Dotson. Dotson was acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers late in the 2023 offseason, and suited up for the Rams in Week 4. He remained the team's starting right guard for the remainder of the 2023 NFL season, helping to anchor the team's offensive line and creating a safe space for veteran QB Matthew Stafford.

Not to mention huge running lanes for RB Kyren Williams.

But Dotson was only under contract through the end of 2023, and would undoubtedly become a much coveted free agent in the 2024 NFL Free Agency market, which is about to open in less than one week. If Dotsoin hit free agency, the expected bidding war could push his market price above and beyond what the team had budgeted for the position.

The best strategy was to never let him get to free agency. So that is what GM Les Snead did:

Before the offseason got underway, we made 10 bold predictions, one of which was that the team would extend Dotson. That has now reportedly come to pass. Many fans saw this as a slam dunk, but there was a significant risk that Kevin Dotson, just emerging from his rookie contract, might be lured away by simply pursuing the biggest contract offered.

Based on initial reports, it appears that the team curtailed Dotson's fair market value quest by meeting his contract demands. That, and the chance to return to the team after a 2024 NFL Playoffs appearance was enough to lure Dotson back.

It's worth noting that veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein spoke up on behalf of his teammate, urging the team to extend Dotson.

With Dotson now presumed to be under contract for the next three seasons, the Rams have three offensive linemen returning for 2024. Only LT Alaric Jackson (RFA) and C Coleman Shelton (UFA) remain unsigned for 2024.

In terms of who the Rams have re-signed so far, I would dare to say that they have scored high marks with three extensions so far:

1. WR Demarcus Robinson - 1 year $4.0 million with an additional $1 million in incentive clauses
2. RB Ronnie Rivers - 1 year $985K
3. IOL Kevin Dotson - 3 years $48 million $32 million guaranteed

With this extension, the team has set up their 2024 NFL Draft to be a very exciting time indeed. What are your thoughts? Let us know, as we enjoy hearing from fans on our Facebook page. And as always, thank you for reading.