[AvengerRam]

Time to move on to the defense, starting with the DL (NOTE: I'll address edge rushers in Part 5/Linebackers):

Signed through 2019: Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, John Franklin-Myers, Sebastian Joseph, Tanzel Smart, Justin Lawler
Free Agents: Ndamukong Suh, Ethan Westbrooks, Dominique Easley*, Morgan Fox*

(*Finished year on IR)

This is a tough one. If the Rams were to pay Donald and Brockers on their current deals, and re-sign Suh for $14M again, they would be devoting nearly $42M to a three-man DL. That's not going to work. As Donald and his $17.1M cap hit for 2019 are set in stone, its essentially a question of Suh vs. Brockers.

Suh was good, but not great, for much of the year, until the playoffs, when he really seemed to turn things up a notch. I think most would value him above Brockers, who did not have his best season. If the Rams were to release Brockers, they would save $10M in cap dollars (with only $750k in dead money). That might be enough to retain Suh (or close to enough) on a multi-year deal, perhaps with some incentives. The Rams could also consider trying to restructure Brockers to make the money work, but I'm not sure that they wouldn't be better off drafting another player (or maybe looking at another short-term veteran option... perhaps someone like Malik Jackson if he is released) to platoon with Franklin-Myers.

With respect to depth, there isn't much there that is battle tested (apart from JFM) and finished the year in good health. Ethan Westbrooks is a decent rotation guy who could likely be re-signed at an affordable price. I would not be surprised to see some late picks being used for additional developmental players.

Av's Plan: I've been a Michael Brockers fan for years, but I think its time for the Rams to move on from the final remaining player from the RGIII trade. Hopefully, doing so will free up enough cash to bring back Suh, who might value stability and a chance to contend over fishing for top dollar. I'd then use a draft pick - potentially even the first round pick given how deep the DL is in this draft - to find another long-term mainstay. Some names to watch are Zach Allen (Boston College), Derrick Brown (Auburn), and Gerald Willis (Miami).

[Rams1PlateSince1976]

Could a package be worked where we have Brocker's through November and Suh December through February?

[ramsman34]

Could a package be worked where we have Brocker's through November and Suh December through February?

LOL. Priceless.

[CanuckRightWinger]

Suh has more on-the-field value than Brockers IMHO. And at only 32 years old Suh has more decent years in him.....EG. DL stud Julius Peppers is 39 and was on the field for 51% of Panther snaps in 2018!

....AND...cutting Brockers would save nearly $10 million in Cap Space, which could pay for another year of Suh......

BUT....
Methinks that Les DonKlostermannClone Snead loves his Compensatory Picks, and I think he is already counting TWO 2020 Compensatory 3rd Rounders with the Joyner and Suh departures. So I think Suh is gone a la the Sammy-Watkins-One-Year-Rental deal.

I liked Suh overall as a Ram, but I think the lure of extra Comp Pick Sugar Plums are dancing within Snead's head!

[ramsman34]

Suh has more on-the-field value than Brockers IMHO. And at only 32 years old Suh has more decent years in him.....EG. DL stud Julius Peppers is 39 and was on the field for 51% of Panther snaps in 2018!

....AND...cutting Brockers would save nearly $10 million in Cap Space, which could pay for another year of Suh......

BUT....
Methinks that Les DonKlostermannClone Snead loves his Compensatory Picks, and I think he is already counting TWO 2020 Compensatory 3rd Rounders with the Joyner and Suh departures. So I think Suh is gone a la the Sammy-Watkins-One-Year-Rental deal.

I liked Suh overall as a Ram, but I think the lure of extra Comp Pick Sugar Plums are dancing within Snead's head!

Not too mention, this year's draft is supposedly LOADED at the DL position. An SEC stud DL is about as close to vet-ready as a rookie can be. And, there are a number of those type guys in the draft. Then, have comp picks next year as well.

[AltiTude Ram]

Just look what Snead did last year.

Signed a cut Suh.
Traded for Talib.
Traded for Peters.
Signed Shields

None of those moves effected Comp picks. I would expect more of the same this off season. No big ticket FA but still bring in great talent.

I would like to see a Brockers restructure and if not move on. JFM is his backup and performed well as a rookie. He had a sack against Brady in the Super Bowl. I think he only gets better and is still low cost.

I would like to see Suh come back at a reduced price. Maybe give him a 3 year deal with guarantees/signing bonus to offset the Cap #. Spread it out so you can lower the Cap hit.

[dieterbrock]

What I would *hope* happens? Brockers restructures his deal, gives a little cap relief. Rams pick up a wide body, space eating NT and Brockers moves more to DE and off the nose. Brockers was a stud in the 4-3, and even last year. I think his issues were more due to the addition of Suh, than to decline. Let Suh nail a last pay day elsewhere

What I think happens? Rams have a month to decide what to do about Brockers, he has a roster bonus due March 15th(IIRC) and if they can work a friendly deal with Suh before that, Brock hits the bricks

[snackdaddy]

One advantage we have is on offense. We really don't need much there. If Big Whit retires Noteboom might be able to hold the fort there. I think they view him has the heir apparent. I'd rather Whit doesn't retire as I feel Noteboom might need another full season before he takes the reins.

Defense is where changes are coming. Looking at the regular season defense one could think changes should be welcomed. But the playoff defense was different animal. Run defense wasn't a liability. In fact, they were pretty darn good there most times. I gotta think it was the experience of Wade and the players. Suh was a different player from the regular season.

Brockers is a locker room leader type guy. I would really like to see him return. But that cap hit makes it difficult to address losses elsewhere. I think this time Barron might be a cap casualty. He's a capable player but he does have deficiencies. Mainly size for his position. I don't know if cutting him makes it easier to retain Brockers. A lot to consider over the next few months. If we want to get back to the Superbowl they gotta make the right decisions.

[dieterbrock]

While on the subject of Dline, isnt it great we don't have to re-start the "When is Aaron Donald going to report to camp?" stuff??

[ramsman34]

One advantage we have is on offense. We really don't need much there. If Big Whit retires Noteboom might be able to hold the fort there. I think they view him has the heir apparent. I'd rather Whit doesn't retire as I feel Noteboom might need another full season before he takes the reins.

Defense is where changes are coming. Looking at the regular season defense one could think changes should be welcomed. But the playoff defense was different animal. Run defense wasn't a liability. In fact, they were pretty darn good there most times. I gotta think it was the experience of Wade and the players. Suh was a different player from the regular season.

Brockers is a locker room leader type guy. I would really like to see him return. But that cap hit makes it difficult to address losses elsewhere. I think this time Barron might be a cap casualty. He's a capable player but he does have deficiencies. Mainly size for his position. I don't know if cutting him makes it easier to retain Brockers. A lot to consider over the next few months. If we want to get back to the Superbowl they gotta make the right decisions.

O: Saffold/UFA, Whit might retire, Sullivan is on his last year, RB Brown/RFA, CJ/UFA, Mannion/UFA

The D has a number of F/As. A few starters (Suh, Littleton, Joyner) as well as DBs who play special teams and back ups along the front 7

A lot of personnel changes are coming.