5 Bargains for the Rams in Free Agency

By Tom Cummings
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: March 7, 2017

The Rams made a wise move last week in placing the franchise tag on CB Trumaine Johnson, but it left them cash-strapped entering the free agency period. There’s still more than $20 million left in the till, but that gets gobbled up quick if a team hopes to make a splash. But do they? Recent studies show teams that “win” at free agency don’t win on the field. Those that sit out the initial round of overpriced stat-champions tend to find the best bargains. Here’s a list of 5 bargains available for the Rams in free agency:

CB Kayvon Webster

Kayvon Webster is a talented young player with speed and decent size, and experience in Wade Phillips’ system. Many thought he could be a starter in this league already, including Webster. If he wasn’t on the roster with Aqib Talib, Chris Harris, and Bradley Roby, he would be. For less than $2 million per year, the Rams could get a guy who is easily their 3^rd CB, and probably their starter opposite Trumaine Johnson.

LB Zach Brown

The great thing about Zach Brown, besides his affordable $4.5 million price tag, is his versatility. He’s an every down player. He can line up in the middle and be a run stopper. He can line up outside and cover the tight end. The Rams need help outside if Alec Ogletree stays inside, and help inside if Ogletree moves back out. Brown would solidify the front seven, and make it the league’s best.

C Stefen Wisniewski

Stefen Wisniewski has started 83 of his 93 games in the NFL. He’s been a starting center and a starting guard. He’s in his 6^th season and is only 27 years old. He could be acquired for around $2 million per year, maybe less. The Rams have the worst offensive line in the league and they need help at center and at guard. J.C. Tretter is the most coveted center in free agency this year but his market value has sky-rocketed to the $9 million range. Wisniewski would provide quality depth, with starter potential, for a fraction of that price.

S Duron Harmon

Despite securing Trumaine Johnson, the Rams still need help in the secondary. Duron Harmon is a true center-fielder in the NFL. With Harmon patrolling the deep field for the Rams, Wade Phillips will be able to do more things schematically with his defense. For around $4 million a season, Harmon is a true bargain at free safety.

WR Pierre Garcon

This spot was going to be WR Robert Woods, who at 24 could build with the Rams offense. But Woods’ market value has soared to around $8 million per year. Pierre Garcon will only get a little more than that, and he’s a proven commodity. Garcon will only be 31 next year; his age is not a concern. He could be a mentor to the rebuilding effort on offense, and he has experience in Sean McVay’s system. At under $9 million per year, Pierre Garcon is too much of a bargain not to bring aboard.

The Rams will undoubtedly make some roster cuts before this whole thing shakes out, freeing up cap space for rookie signings and further depth. But for around the $20 million they have in cap space after inking Trumaine Johnson, these would be good moves for the Rams in free agency. If they did this, they would solidify the secondary and linebacker corps, procure a new starting center for the offensive line, and ensure that their offense had a proven pass catcher going into 2017.

Stay with us at Calisportsnews.com as we will keep you up-to-date on all things Los Angeles Rams and the rest of the LA sports teams! All Cali, all the time!

← Previous Story Rams Showoff New Uniforms For 2017

Next Story → Rams First Day of Free Agency Nets Woods, Whitworth

Tom is a Southern California sports fan perpetually stuck in the north state. Since he fell in love with the Los Angeles Rams at the age of 10, any team that prefixed itself with the LA moniker won his heart. When he’s not walking his pups, making a living at his day gig, or spending precious time with the incomparable Mrs. C, he’s writing. To be honest, he's often writing then, too. One of his primary goals as a writer is to get the Rams to win another Super Bowl. Writers can do that, right?