The Los Angeles Rams have a big offseason ahead of them if they are to repeat their successful 2017 NFL season. The Rams’ most pressing concern at the moment will be which player they decide to slap their franchise tag on for the 2018 NFL season.
The early consensus has pegged wide receiver Sammy Watkins as the favorite to receive the tag. However, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Media, Los Angeles is reportedly leaning toward placing it on safety Lamarcus Joyner:
“Based on conversations that I’ve had with those involved and around the situation, I’m getting the sense that the Rams are looking at Lamarcus Joyner as a priority and he might be the one that winds up getting the tag.”
The rumors should certainly come as no surprise considering he was among the other notable names thrown into the conversation. Needless to say, locking up Joyner for another year would certainly make sense given their current situation.
Los Angeles is lacking some serious depth in the secondary with cornerback Kayvon Webster nursing an Achilles injury and Trumaine Johnson seemingly on his way out. Meanwhile, Joyner made a seamless transition to safety en route to a stellar season. Furthermore, franchising him would save the Rams upward of $5 million than if they were to go with Watkins.
However, Los Angeles gave up quite a hefty price for the wideout prior to last season when they traded cornerback E.J. Gaines and a second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. That said, they may not have given up on the prospect of keeping both of their key players for next year.
