Rams fail to convince ideal free-agent LB to leave the Dolphins

While all eyes fixate on the Los Angeles Rams to detect the exact moment that the team releases veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp, there is still plenty of work to be done. From the moment that Kupp is released, many nonchalant teams will pivot from 'meh' to earnest and aggressive pursuit of the veteran wide receiver. But that will not affect the Rams, as once a player is released they are no longer factored into the compensatory draft pick award calculations.

But as Kupp sparks a feeding frenzy, there is still a matter of bolstering the Rams defense. More specifically, the team is losing three veteran inside linebackers simultaneously. While the Rams have not been a team that invests heavily into the position, the lack of warm bodies poses a bit of a mini-crisis for the Rams roster and Rams depth chart.

There will be no competition in training camp this year if the team enters camp with two or three players to fill two starting roles. And heaven forbid if any player gets injured.

An ideal FA target just came off the market

To aid our readers in gauging the Rams next free agency moves, We opened today (5:00 am PT) with an article predicting the next three moves likely to be made by the Rams front office. The team is still in need of a rotational wide receiver, a cornerback who can start, and a linebacker who is solid in pass coverage and who could line up alongside run-stuffing linebacker Omar Speights.

While investigating the chance to land a solid pass defender, we discovered ILB Tyrel Dodson, a free agent who last played for the Miami Dolphins. Dodson not only checked all of the boxes, he buried the needle in what the Rams need as a starting inside linebacker to pair with Speights. In 2024, he snagged three interceptions, and broke up six passes.

Standing 6-foot-0 and weighing in at a powerful 237 pounds. he would have made an ideal partner with Speights. Best of all, he is entering his sixth NFL season, having seen action in 76 NFL games with 27 starts under his belt.

Unfortunately, in the NFL Free Agency market, if you snooze you lose. The Rams did not act quickly enough, and Dodson has agreed to return to the Miami Dolphins on a rather affordable two-year contract worth up to $8.5 million.

While it's early, many expected the Rams to invest free agency dollars into the defense, and spend draft picks on reconstructing the offense. But so far, the brunt of the Rams free agency spending continues to be on offense. With the exception of NT Poona Ford, the Rams have been almost exclusively offense-oriented.

Perhaps Chris Shula needs to invite Les and Kara Snead over for dinner and wine? Anything is fair game if it levels the playing field a bit. The Rams defense was superb in the 2025 NFL Playoffs. But Coach Shula is losing a lot of talent this offseason. The team needs to help him out.

As always, thanks for reading.

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