Viewing the 31 Rams projected free agents in 2026 includes some surprises

The dust is still settling around the Los Angeles Rams' newly constructed roster for the 2025 NFL season. But it's never too early to keep the next year's free agents in the peripheral vision. That is particularly vital for this Rams team that continues to build positive momentum from the previous season's success. It's important to ensure continuity among the players whose contributions were vital to that success. And it's equally important to ensure the proper succession plan for those players whose contracts expire.

When I first explored which players might be testing the NFL's free agency market, I expected to find 20+ players with contracts that expire at the end of the 2025 NFL season. But per Spotrac.com, the Rams face the loss of 31 players. That surprised me.

So let's break it all down. There are 10 Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFA), three Restricted Free Agents (RFA), and 18 Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA). Let's break down the list, and afterwards, we can do some quick analysis as to what this all means for the team in 2025.

10 ERFAs

• Elias Neal - ILB
• Charles Woods - CB
• Cam Lampkin - CB
• A.J. Arcuri - OT
• Jack Heflin - DT
• Dylan McMahon - C
• Xavier Smith - WR
• Drake Stoops - WR
• Tanner Ingle - S
• Justin Dedich - IOL

While the number of Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFAs) may seem quite large, keep in mind that many of these young players are not assured of a roster spot. In many cases, they face the reality of being cut as the team pares down to its 53-man Rams roster for the 2025 NFL season. Some may be re-signed to the team's practice squad, but even that may be up in the air. The Rams have used A.J. Arcuri, Justin Dedich, and Xavier Smith in starting roles in the past. I expect that experience will make them the team prioritize extending them in 2026.

3 RFAs

• Alex Ward - LS
• Shaun Jolly - CB
• Keir Thomas - OLB

The team is unlikely to offer a Qualifying Tender Offer to any of their three Restricted Free Agents (RFAs) in 2026. But I expect the team will want to retain long snapper Alex Ward on a league-minimum contract. And if the team can entice both CB Shaun Jolly and OLB Keir Thomas back on team-friendly contracts, they may be back as well.

18 UFAs

• Rob Havenstein - RT
• Tutu Atwell- WR
• Tyler Higbee - TE
• Kamren Curl - S
• Jimmy Garoppolo - QB
• Ahkello Witherspoon- CB
• Troy Reeder - ILB
• Larrell Murchison - DT
• Britain Covey - WR/PT
• Ronnie Rivers - RB
• Nathan Landman - ILB
• Tony Fields - OLB
• A.J. Green - CB
• Quintez Cephus - WR
• Decobie Durant - CB
• Kyren Williams - RB
• Derion Kendrick - CB
• Quentin Lake - S

*Bold print indicates projected starter in 2025

It may seem alarmist and unnecessarily concerning to peek ahead to see who might be testing free agency one year from now, but with training camp imminent, isn't this the right time to sort through where and why the most heated training camp competitions will occur? It's only due diligence to preview where the team will need to have succession plans in place.

And the situation grows more complicated when you consider the need for rotational players like backup veteran QB Jimmy Garoppolo, CB Derion Kendrick, and DT Larrell Murchison.

Fans' attention may naturally gravitate to potential offensive losses like TE Tyler Higbee, RB Kyren Williams, and RT Rob Havenstein. But the young defense risks losing four starters in the secondary, including CBs Ahkello Witherspoon, Cobie Durant, and Derion Kendrick, as well as safeties Kamren Curl and Quentin Lake

So the 2025 Rams training camp takes on a new dimension of competition. Not only must this team find contributors for the 2025 NFL season, but it may also be seeking starters in 2026. In this new light, the importance of rookies selected in the 2025 NFL Draft succeeding is even greater.

It seems that finding a true successor to starting QB Matthew Stafford is just one of the long list of roster needs for the team next season.

As always, thanks for reading.

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