Rams will second guess not making these 6 free agent deals in 2024

IV: DE Jonah Williams

While some fans have no concerns over the team's willingness to allow 6-foot-5 275-pound defensive end Jonah Williams to sign with the Minnesota Vikings, he was a 16-game starter for the team in 2023. That means that in addition to compensating for the 867 defensive snaps that DT Aaron Donald played in 2023, the team must also compensate for Williams' 598 defensive snaps

Williams recorded 49 tackles, four tackles for a loss, four quarterback hits, and 2.5 quarterback sacks in 2023. He only missed one tackle all season. The team has had some competent young defenders who have improved each season, and even after leaving the team, and Jonah Williams fits that pattern. He signed a one-year deal at $1.5 million to play for the Vikings in 2024. That is a cheap price for a veteran starter on the defensive line.

III: TE WIll Dissly

The LA Rams sought help at the tight end position, and scratched that itch by signing Seattle Seahawks backup tight end Colby Parkinson to a 3-year deal worth $22.5 million. Meanwhile, his teammate Will Dissly signed a 3-year deal to play for the Los Angeles Chargers worth just $14 million. Curiously, Parkinson was lower on the Seahawks' depth chart, playing behind Dissly.

We touted Dissly as a fine option at tight end, and a richer deal for Parkinson has only strengthened the argument. Here is a quick data table to compare the two players:

Parkinson was given more opportunities in 2023, but far fewer starts. In comparing the two players, the similarities outweigh the differences, at least until you compare contracts. I get that the team believes in Colby Parkinson as the next starting tight end. But if he cannot outhustle the competition in training camp, or fails to show up in a big way while starting TE Tyler Higbee is recovering from injury, the team will regret making such a huge investment.