How Much Salary Cap Space Will Rams Have This Offseason?
The Los Angeles Rams were one of the surprise teams of the 2023 NFL season, going 10-7 and capturing a Wild Card spot in the NFC playoffs, before narrowly losing to the Detroit Lions on the road in the postseason.
Assuming quarterback Matthew Stafford and defensive tackle Aaron Donald are back in 2024, this is a team that probably is just a few moves away from being a Super Bowl contender.
Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are one of the best receiver duos in the NFL. Running back Kyren Williams had a breakout second season, rushing for 12 touchdowns. Nose tackle Kobie Turner is a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year, and outside linebacker Byron Young recorded eight sacks and two forced fumbles in his first NFL season.
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The good news for general manager Les Snead is that the Rams have a first-round pick in 2024, marking the first time since they took Jared Goff No. 1 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft that they'll pick in the opening round. Coach Sean McVay has never had a first-round pick. Given how well the Rams have traditionally drafted in the later rounds, it's scary to think what they'll be able to do with the 19th overall pick at their disposal.
Of course, free agency will also be an opportunity for the rams to improve their roster. According to Over The Cap, the Rams are currently slated to have just shy of $27.7 million to play with this year in free agency. It's not an earth-shattering amount, but it may feel that way to a team that's been a bit hamstrung the last two offseasons, both in terms of cap space and draft capital.
Snead recently suggested, though, that the Rams don't plan on going on a free-agent splurge this offseason just because they have some cap space to play with.
“It’s going to give you the element of, 'OK, is there a possible unrestricted free agent that we haven’t really been able to acquire in the past?' And it also allows you to, if you do make trades for veterans, you can take on their salaries," Snead said. "It gives you flexibility. I don’t think we’re sitting here today going, ‘Let’s spend all $40 million within the first hour.'"
Priority No. 1 for the Rams may be retaining right guard Kevin Dotson, who will become a free agent after a breakout season. Acquired in an August trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dotson earned an 85.2 grade from Pro Football Focus. The team could use the franchise tag on the 27-year-old, but the price to do that for an offensive lineman a year ago was $18.24 million. Signing him to a long-term deal and lowering his cap number for 2024 would probably be the best strategy for the Rams.
The Rams also have needs at cornerback, left tackle and pass rusher to address this offseason.
