The Los Angeles Rams entered the offseason with limited cap space, but that hasn’t stopped them from making a couple of splashes in free agency, signing Pro Bowlers Bobby Wagner and Allen Robinson to multi-year contracts.
Wagner adds stability to the linebacker position and Robinson gives the team a legitimate deep threat down the field. While the Rams have significantly improved in those areas, they still have some holes to fill.
L.A. ideally would like to bring in another pass rusher after losing Von Miller to the Buffalo Bills and Sebastian Joseph-Day to the L.A. Chargers. Among the top players available to sign is longtime Chicago Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, who has 40.5 career sacks in 10 NFL seasons.
Hicks has ties to Robinson, which could play in the Rams’ favor, as the wide receiver is trying to recruit his former teammate:
@The_Dream99 👀… 🌴
— Allen Robinson II (@AllenRobinson) April 8, 2022
— akiem hicks (@The_Dream99) April 8, 2022
Hicks has spent the last six seasons with the Bears, recording 31 sacks during the span. He made the Pro Bowl in 2018 but has been limited by injuries since then, missing a combined 20 games over the past three years.
It is unclear what kind of contract the 32-year-old is seeking, but given his age and recent injury history, the Rams may be able to sign him at a reasonable price.
As it currently stands, L.A. has just over $7 million remaining in cap space. While Hicks could be an option, the team is also considering making a run at free-agent safety Tyrann Mathieu.
Mathieu would give the Rams a solid veteran to pair with Taylor Rapp and Jordan Fuller in the secondary. He also is capable of playing the slot cornerback position, which would help compensate for the loss of Darious Williams and allow Jalen Ramsey and David Long Jr. to move around the field.
