Given the Los Angeles Rams’ lack of cap space this offseason, the expectation was that they would lose a majority, if not all, of their key free agents.
Luckily, they were able to retain one of their own in outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, who signed a four-year contract coming off a career season.
Other than that though, everything has played out pretty much as expected. John Johnson III was the first to leave in free agency, signing with the Cleveland Browns.
L.A. also lost a pair of defensive linemen with Morgan Fox signing with the Carolina Panthers and Michael Brockers being traded to the Detroit Lions. Then on the offensive side of the ball, tight end Gerald Everett agreed to a one-yer contract with the Seattle Seahawks to stay in the division.
One of the last of the Rams’ remaining free agents, cornerback Troy Hill, has also found a new home as Ian Rapoport of NFL Network is reporting that he will be joining Johnson in Cleveland:
The #Browns are signing former #Rams CB Troy Hill to a 4-year, $24M deal, source said, adding to their defensive haul in free agency. The Youngstown native, who had three defensive TDs last year, returns home.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2021
The four-year contract is a solid payday for Hill, who is coming off a career year with the Rams. The 29-year-old started all 16 games in 2020, recording 77 total tackles with three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) and 10 passes defended.
With the loss of two key members of their secondary, the Rams will be relying on young players such as Jordan Fuller, Taylor Rapp, Terrell Burgess and David Long Jr. to fill those holes. Darious Williams will likely be back after being given a first-round tender in restricted free agency, so he will once again start at corner opposite Jalen Ramsey.
The Rams could still use some depth at the cornerback position, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see that addressed through free agency or the draft. With more glaring needs though, there likely won’t be significant resources committed to that position.
