The Los Angeles Rams are hoping to avoid some major roster turnover following a disappointing 2019 NFL season.
It is no secret that the Rams fell vastly short of expectations with a 9-7 record and a third place finish in the NFC West. To make matters worse, they are now going into the offseason with more questions than answers.
Los Angeles now has a number of key starters set to test the waters of free agency and not very much cap space to work with in order to bring them back. As a result, head coach Sean McVay has indicated that the team will have some trouble keeping some of these key players around.
Here are the 10 unrestricted free agents that will hit the market this offseason:
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
OLB Dante Fowler Jr.
LT Andrew Whitworth
DT Michael Brockers
ILB Cory Littleton
K Greg Zuerlein
QB Blake Bortles
ILB Bryce Hager
S Marqui Christian
WR Mike Thomas
G Austin Blythe
Meanwhile, safety Eric Weddle and cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman have team options for the 2020 NFL season. If the Rams decline this option by the new league year, then they will officially become unrestricted free agents as well.
Among the other restricted free agents include wide receiver JoJo Natson, defensive end Morgan Fox and cornerback Donte Deayon.
There is no question that the bulk of these names have made solid contributions to the Rams resurgence prior to the 2019 campaign. At this point, it is safe to assume that most will end up on other teams this offseason.
The onus will fall on McVay and the coaching staff to determine which of these players they will be willing to allocate their minimal cap space. While Los Angeles will continue to try and restructure deals to shore up as much space as they can, it is inevitable that there will be some casualties.
Among the biggest needs for the Rams are on the offensive line and linebacker corps, which makes Whitworth and Littleton as perhaps their biggest priorities. Unfortunately, this could leave those Brockers and Fowler on the outside looking in when it comes to a return to Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, Weddle has not been shy about acknowledging his uncertain future with the team and he could soon also be a notable departure. It will be interesting to see where the Rams ultimately decide to spend their limited resources.
