Rams roster grades over trades, extensions, releases, and FA projections

Who is left?

While the Rams do not risk losing any 'must re-sign' caliber of veteran free agents, there is a lot to be said about continuity. Whether it's retaining a veteran who knows the drill on the offensive side of the football to keep training camp progressing steadily, or niche players who are vital to the defense, the Rams front office faces tough decisions. Those decisions are easier if players are willing to sign a team-friendly contract. Some may. Others won't.

But the Rams front office has plenty of options this offseason. The team has been very successful on the football field, in recent NFL Drafts, and even in some free agent signings. So the team has to weigh the pros and cons of extending last year's contributors against the potential upgrade to the team from the 2025 NFL Free Agency market, the 2025 NFL Draft, or even the collegiate free agents signed after the draft.

(1) - CB Ahkello Witherspoon

What I see from veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon is a guy who is fighting on every snap of the football to make a play. Unfortunately, the lack of competing with the team in each of the past two training camps rears its ugly head in the season. Wouldn't it be great for the Rams front office to give Witherspoon a chance to gear up with his teammates throughout the offseason training? I get it that the Rams may not be sold on Witherspoon for 2025. But he showed up as a starter in 2023 and in 2024. If the team wants to bring him back this season, they should do it the right way.

Grade for CB Ahkello Witherspoon: Incomplete

(2) - DL Neville Gallimore

While the Rams defense did not send many defensive snaps to veteran defensive lineman Neville Gallimore, he held his own in terms of modest production for the amount of work he got. But he seemed to get a B-12 booster shot in the 2025 NFL Playoffs. In just 45 defensive snaps, he managed to record six defensive tackles and 2.5 quarterback sacks.

While I believe that FA defensive lineman Johnathan Allen would be an ideal addition to the Rams roster, Neville Gallimore is a younger and far less expensive option to bring back in 2025.

Grade for DL Nevill Gallimore: Incomplete

(3) - DT Larrell Murchison

The Rams enjoyed the contributions of veteran defensive lineman Larrell Murchison since he was claimed off Tennessee Titans waivers in December 2022. And he showed flashes of promise as he put up 2.0 quarterback sacks in just 54 defensive snaps in the Rams defense. But Murchison is not proficient at wrapping up a ball carrier and making tackles. In 2022, he missed 11.1 percent of his tackles. In 2023, he missed an alarming 14.3 percent of his tackles. In 2024, he was injured and never saw a single snap.

Unless the Rams experience an unexpected setback, Murchison is likely to play for another NFL team in 2025.

Grade for DT Larrell Murchison: Incomplete

(4) - DT Bobby Brown III

I have to say that I am sitting on the fence over the chances of the Rams bringing back nose tackle Bobby Brown II for 2025. He is a stalwart run defender, a guy who can take on multiple blockers, but still stuff the run and make sure-handed tackles. In 2024, despite fighting through multiple blockers, he missed only 2.2 percent of his tackles. In 472 defensive snaps, he put up 44 tackles, four tackles for a loss, even managing to get his hands up and get credit for breaking up a pass. The problem is, he disputes the fact that he is a one-trick pony.

While I have no doubts that he could put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, I am concerned that a nose tackle in this defense wants to get pass rush opportunities. This defense is based on a strategy of putting the right player into the right roles to succeed. If Bobby Brown is disatisfied with how the Rams deploy him, he may be better suited to seek a defense that emphasizes his pass rushing skills.