Rams free agency primer: Top needs, cap space, pending FAs and more
· Yahoo Sports
The Los Angeles Rams are getting ready for the start of free agency next week, a time when they could fill out some of their top roster needs. The legal negotiating window starts on March 9, followed by the official start of the new league year on March 11.
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Les Snead and Sean McVay already held their pre-free agency press conferences on Tuesday, touching on the most important subjects before the market opens. It doesn't sound like the Rams will be signing any more of their own free agents before next week, allowing them to test the market.
Here's a preview of everything you need to know for the start of free agency.
When does free agency start?
The legal negotiating window opens at 12 p.m. ET on March 9, allowing teams to talk to agents of pending free agents and agree to contract terms without putting pen to paper.
At 4 p.m. ET on March 11, the new league year begins, marking the official start of free agency. At this time, players can sign contracts and trades can be executed.
Rams' positions of need
Cornerback: This is the Rams' biggest need, a position Les Snead said they will "attack" this offseason. Cobie Durant, Ahkello Witherspoon and Roger McCreary are all pending free agents, too.
Wide receiver: With Tutu Atwell hitting free agency and neither Jordan Whittington nor Konata Mumpfield ready to be the WR3, the Rams should target a receiver in free agency or the draft.
Linebacker: Nate Landman is locked in as a starter but the Rams could upgrade from Omar Speights, who struggled late in the season.
Safety: Kam Curl is a pending free agent, which makes safety somewhat of a priority. If they re-sign Curl, they won't necessarily need to do anything else at the position.
Offensive tackle: Warren McClendon Jr. looks like he'll be the starting right tackle, opposite Alaric Jackson at left tackle. All Los Angeles needs is a swing tackle to back those two starters up.
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford's return pushes quarterback further down the Rams' list of needs, and though they need a successor, Les Snead said they're "not desperate" to find one.
Tight end: Tyler Higbee's uncertain future could cause the Rams to add a tight end in free agency or the draft, especially with Sean McVay's shift toward 13 personnel.
Kicker: Harrison Mevis has been tendered, so he'll at least compete for the kicking job again next season. The Rams should consider adding another veteran or rookie, though.
Return specialist: Xavier Smith and the Rams' other returners were unspectacular last season, and with a new special teams coordinator hired, look for Los Angeles to upgrade in the return game.
Rams' pending free agents
- TE Tyler Higbee
- WR Tutu Atwell
- S Kamren Curl
- CB Cobie Durant
- CB Ahkello Witherspoon
- QB Jimmy Garoppolo
- OT D.J. Humphries
- CB Roger McCreary
- LS Jake McQuaide
- TE Nick Vannett
- LB Troy Reeder
- RB Ronnie Rivers
- CB Derion Kendrick
- OLB Keir Thomas (RFA)
- OLB Nick Hampton (RFA)
Rams' current cap space
According to Over The Cap, the Rams currently have $40.2 million in cap space, which accounts for the recently signed tenders by Xavier Smith, Justin Dedich and Harrison Mevis. It also includes David Quessenberry's $1.5 million contract.
Smith and Dedich will earn $1.075 million each, plus $1.05 million for Mevis, totaling $3.2 million for those three players.
Rams' offseason roster moves
- Signed David Quessenberry to one-year, $1.5 million contract
- Tendered Xavier Smith as ERFA ($1.075M)
- Tendered Justin Dedich as ERFA ($1.075M)
- Tendered Harrison Mevis as ERFA ($1.05M)
- Rob Havenstein retired
Potential targets at positions of need
- CB Alontae Taylor, Saints
- WR Alec Pierce, Colts
- CB Jamel Dean, Bucs
- CB Riq Woolen, Seahawks
- CB Jaylen Watson, Chiefs
- WR Rashid Shaheed, Seahawks
- CB Greg Newsome II, Jaguars
- S Nick Cross, Colts
- LB Devin Bush, Browns
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: LA Rams free agency preview: Top needs, cap space, pending FAs