The Rams have re-signed their main upcoming free agent, Kevin Dotson, and are ready for the NFL Free Agency tampering period to begin tomorrow. Compared to previous years, they don’t have as many important players to be concerned about losing this time around.
This is a list of every Rams signing made throughout the Sean McVay era, though, in case you’re curious in the Rams’ past and whether they ever make any kind of huge splash signings early in the process. For what it’s worth, I don’t think the majority of Rams off-seasons will go as planned with this free agency.
Transactions prior to the period of tampering – Kevin Dotson (2024)
– In 2019, Dante Fowler Jr.
– As of 2019 Eric Weddle
– Shields, Sam (2018)
– Franchise Tag – LaMarcus Joyner (2018)
Franchise Tag – Trumaine Johnson (2017)
The players in this list, most of whom are starters, have either left or continue to have a significant impact on the Rams football team. Just before free agency, Kevin Dotson signed a three-year contract, adding his name to this list. The Rams also targeted Dante Fowler Jr. as a trade acquisition, and they succeeded in doing so, offering him a one-year contract just one hour before the tampering period started.
Since Eric Weddle was cut by the Ravens before the tampering period even began, he was available for negotiation as a free agent. The experienced safety was quickly added by the Rams. Another free agent who signed before the pandemonium started was Sam Shields, who the Rams acquired to their squad in hopes of winning the NFC championship.
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Regarding the final two names, the Rams organization selected defensive backs LaMarcus Joyner and Trumaine Johnson consecutively. Johnson had previously been tagged in 2016, but the Rams chose to tag him again rather than sign a long-term contract. Despite leaving the club the next year, both guys were vital to the group.
Transactions recorded throughout the period of tampering – Brian Allen (2022)
– As of 2022, Joe Noteboom
– Floyd Leonard (2021)
– Robey-Coleman, Nickell (2018)
As you can see, once the tampering period starts, the Rams typically take their time finishing tasks. The most recent long-term signings they made were for Joe Noteboom and Brian Allen. In an effort to make things more equitable for both sides, Noteboom is having his reworked. Allen was just released from his during the off-season. It’s safe to say that neither of the deals turned out the Rams’ way.
For Leonard Floyd and Nickell Robey-Coleman, the other two players on this list, the same cannot be true. Floyd inked a contract worth a total of $64 million for four years. Although the Rams had to let him go last season owing to cap space, he was an important component of the team’s pass rush and was sorely missed. Regarding Robey-Coleman, he was the starting slot corner on the NFC championship squad and a vital member of Wade Phillips’ defense.
Deals made by Leonard Floyd on the first day of free agency in 2020
– Whitworth, Andrew (2020)
– Whitworth, Andrew (2017)
– Woods, Robert (2017)
On the first day of free agency, Floyd signed with the Rams. Some were taken aback when he converted his one-year contract meant to be a trial offer into a long-term one that allowed him to play a major role in a Super Bowl victory.
The reason one of the other three players is featured twice is because Andrew Whitworth, the left tackle who was the cornerstone of the Rams’ ascent, signed a free agent contract in 2017 and then re-signed with the team the same day in 2020. Robert Woods departed the run-first Buffalo Bills to play a crucial glue-guy role in the potent Rams offense. In the end, both would win Super Bowls.
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This list shows a lot more productivity and contribution, but it’s still quite small, which indicates that the Rams don’t take this approach very often.
After the first day of free agency, deals
For the Rams, who usually find their best deals following the initial wave of free agency, this is the most favored category. The Rams’ ability to locate value players, such as Ahkello Witherspoon, DeMarcus Robinson, A’Shawn Robinson, and Kayvon Webster, among others, is largely responsible for this. They also manage to keep their compensatory picks intact by steering clear of most signings that would negate the value of incoming picks from departing players.
Every year, the Rams have elected to follow the compensatory pick method; but, this year, that ought to change. The Rams don’t have any upcoming free agents that are expected to fetch significant third- to fourth-round value because Dotson is signed. With the current state of affairs, they might be fortunate to receive a compensatory fifth-round selection.
Last year, the Rams lacked the cap room necessary to sign any high-profile free agents. They were discarding well-known contributors throughout the majority of the off-season. But there’s something different about the vibe this off-season. The Rams could certainly follow their routine, but I don’t think they will this time. They’ll need to regroup and reassess their options in light of the fact that they are closer to making a Super Bowl comeback than they may have even realized.
– In 2023, Ahkello Witherspoon
– Robinson DeMarcus (2023)
– In 2023, Michael Hoecht
– Rozeboom, Christian (2023)
– Shelley, Duke (2023)
Shaun Jolly (2023) – AD
– Copeland Marquise (2023)
– Johnson, Tyler (2023)
– Robinson Allen (2022)
– Wagner, Bobby (2022)
– Powell, Brandon (2022)
– Wolford, John (2022)
– Howard Travin (2022)
– Jackson, DeSean (2021)
In 2021, Johnny Mundt
– Howard Travin (2021)
– Levine Anthony (2021)
– Bojorquez, Corey (2021)
– Williams Darious (2021)
– Kareem Orr (2021)
– Robinson, A. Shawn (2020)
In 2020, Michael Brockers
Austin Blythe, AD (2020)
– Shelton Coleman (2020)
– Morgan Fox (2020)
– Matthews, Clay (2019)
– In 2019, Blake Bortles
– In 2019, John Wolford
– Littleton Cory (2019)
– In 2019, Malcolm Brown
– 2019 Bryce Hager
– Countess Blake (2019)
– Troy Hill in 2019
— Morgan Fox (2019)
– Hatfield, Dominique (2019)
– Peterson, Kevin (2019)
– Hodge KhaDarel (2019)
– Natson, JoJo (2019)
– Suh Ndamukong (2018)
– Easley, Dominique (2018)
– Wilson Ramik (2018)
– Troy Hill (2018)
– Black Panther Party (2018)
– Sam Ficken (2018)
– Kayvon Webster, 2017
– Said John Sullivan in 2017
– Walker Tyrunn (2017)
– Dunbar, Lance (2017)
– Barwin, Connor (2017)
– Carlos Thompson in the year 2017
– Orlovsky, Dan (2017)
– Longacre Matt (2017)
– Westbrooks, Ethan (2017)
– Robey-Coleman, Nickell (2017)
Greg Zuerlein, AD (2017)
In summary
To be completely honest, this is merely an entertaining gathering of information. It is unfair to argue that the Rams’ signing of players on the first day of free agency and during the tampering period represents a representative sample of the NFL, as they have done so infrequently. But I don’t think this off-season will be impacted by history. Regarding this season, I have a feeling the Rams might target some big-name players.
The team is interested in a number of well-known free agents, and while it may not be enough to deter them from making trades, it is worth noting that they value their picks more than in previous years. As previously said, reports indicate that the Rams are monitoring the cornerback and edge defender markets.
We don’t know exactly what the Rams will do, but I wouldn’t be shocked if this turned out to be exactly like the 2017 campaign, in which the team sought out and signed a number of important big-name players. Will the Rams acquire players who have the same impact as Robert Woods and Andrew Whitworth? That may be asking for too much, but I do think this team will sign one or more major names, if not on the first day of free agency then at least during the tampering period. Get ready for an exciting adventure as we embark on our off-season. more than you might think.
