This just released veteran could be just what the Rams need right now

The LA Rams front office has yet to miss a beat. The team lost DB Derion Kendrick for the 2024 NFL season due to an ACL injury. In response, the team signed former Detroit Lions DB Jerry Jacobs, and he seems to be doing well. When the LA Rams lost OTs Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein, and LG Johan Williams to injuries, the team's front office fired up the Rams free agency shopping cart once again, this time signing OL Conor McDermott, Matt Kaskey, and Alec Lindstrom.

While it's too early to get a good reading on how easily the trio are performing for the team just yet, the truth is that all have solid resumes and are respected players who can slide in to either start or simply be a healthy placeholder for the team to facilitate practice drills until starters are healthy enough to return.

But the team has also lost receiving sensation Puka Nacua for the time being due to a knee injury. For now, there is every indication that the team will welcome back a healthy Nacua in time to be ready for the Week 1 season opener against the Detroit Lions. The thing is, do the Rams need to think about bringing in another player? While that may not make perfect sense, the team cannot overlook the fact that the front office has had remarkable success with late additions to the roster in 2023, and seems to be on track to do so in 2024.

And then there is this news today. The New England Patriots are releasing veteran WR Juju Smith-Schuster.

While only 27 years old, the veteran WR Juju Smith-Schuster suffered an injury-plagued lone season in the Patriots offense and likely wore out his welcome with the team eager to rebuild around young talent. JSS was slated to earn nearly $10.3 million this season, and the Patriots will incur a significant dead salary cap hit by opting to part ways with the veteran.

But he is far from washed up, despite what some suggest:

Let's address those concern right up front. For starters, he was plagued by multiple injuries in 2023. He was catching passes from quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe in 2023 (versus Pittsburgh Steelers veteran QB Ben Roethlisberger), and he was playing on a lucrative contract for a team that had just hired a new head coach, drafted a new quarterback, and is very much engaged in a total rebuild for the team right now.

It's fair to say that the odds of Juju Smith-Schuster remaining on the Patriots roster this season were slim to none.

Smith-Schuster stands 6-foot-1, and weighs 215 pounds. Despite an injury-riddled 2023, he remains a savvy veteran with plenty of upside. And adding him to the Rams receiver room will be viewed as giving this offense an even more dangerous aerial arsenal for the 2024 NFL season.

In his previous seven seasons, Juju Smith-Schuster has caught 430 of 619 passes (nearly a 70 percent catch rate) for 5,048 yards and 30 touchdowns. He has significant postseason experience as well, including helping the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl LVII. In the NFL Playoffs, he has hauled in 31 of 44 passes (an amazing 70.5 percent catch rate) for 277 yards and 0 touchdowns.

Of course, the Rams cannot view Juju Smith-Schuster as a free agency signing with a blank check. The team will need to ensure that he can be signed at a team-friendly price. But if he can be had for the right price, he will make the LA Rams not only the favorite to win the NFC West Division, but the early favorites to win Super Bowl LIX.

This may not happen. But it should be a direction the Rams front office should consider. If the team plans to add a wide receiver, now is the time to do so. And if he is willing to sign for the right price, I cannot fathom a better option than veteran WR Juju Smith-Schuster.

Stay tuned. This 'feels' like a Rams GM Les Snead type of move.

And as always, thanks for reading.