The RAMS Forum

As we battle out as a final 8 squad this year it is clear what we need to complete this Rams team to the pre eminent NFL team. I see next year as a chance to make the moves to do so. MS returns as QB and even with a drop off from this MVP year, he will be an upper echelon QB. Draft / FA moves along the OL need to bring size and depth. Introduce a running game with more size/speed. McVay cannot help himself from another WR selection so that is nearly a given. The biggest and most dramatic change is in the acquisition of big/fast athletic defenders on the D side that emulate the modern NFL. Watch Ohio State University and their D collection of players - check out the Houston Texans and their D athletes they assembled in the back 7 - Our current roster reflects how the Rams assemble a D as an after thought and it is reflected in their performance and on ST. Current NFL is not simply an O video game - physical D player acquisition is no longer a choice but a necessity. This Rams team, with 2 #1 draft picks , ample CAP freedom to acquire players, and a near complete O group in place can accomplish this change over next year. Here is to hoping our Rams can put shoot everyone this year but it will be very tough with our D shortcomings - all self inflicted and changeable for next year. A bigger,stronger,faster more complete Rams team is right in our grasp while MS is still our QB - just a slight philosophical adjustment in our team makeup is all it may take.

Well I’m going to counter and say this looks good on paper but……….

We were 7th in rushing this season. McVay clearly looks for a certain RB. Built like the 3 we have with great vision at the LOS. That my bet isn’t changing……..

OL starting 5 is very good. Well 4 n Shelton is ok. Absolutely need depth. I don’t buy in they need to be a certain size. They just need to be good. And I don’t think you find a lot of quality with this unit in FA. Draft is the route. And again look at the starters after 2026. FA is going to hit that unit hard after next year……….

We need CB, CB, CB. The roster is good going into next year other than the CB unit………

I think there will be a marquis type player or two in FA to bolster the Rams. Players want $ but also McVays track record carries alot of weight see Adam's. The draft is critical to just try and get cbs if they aren't a great value is not smart yet like Norcal says we need cbs that is for sure.

We seem pretty good overall something needs to change on the defense to me it starts with Shula I think a better DC helps to a degree. Look at McVay his offensive roots have made us number 1 in ppg. Looking at NE and Houston two top tier defensive minded HCs show the weight of their background. I like Brian Flores from Minnesota I doubt he comes. An upgrade at DC with 2/3 upgrades on defense and our team will be unstoppable.

Excellent points gentlemen and they go along with one of my key points : If not this year - the Rams are VERY CLOSE to filling in the missing links for next year.

Project NFL CAP for 2026: $307M

Free Agent List:

I’d be surprised if Tutu, Higbee, Havenstein are back. Adams I assume is cut. If they keep him it’s a $28 mil cap hit, and if he’s cut it’s $14 mils. They’ll need that savings for sure

So that’s 4 vets to swap out
Defense needs established CBs or high pick talent.

Rams also need to make decisions on extending Turner, Young, and Puka.

I was looking at Spotrac. Puka is only making about $4 mil total on his 4 year rookie deal that expires after 2026. There’s college QBs now making more than that in one season! So I assume they have to long term him or he will be a holdout going into his free agent year

Amazing to think Puca , after a near historic year @ WR, is likely making LESS than a college football player. Rams must secure him .

Truth wrote: ↑January 13th, 2026, 5:28 pm I’d be surprised if Tutu, Higbee, Havenstein are back. Adams I assume is cut. If they keep him it’s a $28 mil cap hit, and if he’s cut it’s $14 mils. They’ll need that savings for sure

So that’s 4 vets to swap out
Defense needs established CBs or high pick talent.

Rams also need to make decisions on extending Turner, Young, and Puka.

I was looking at Spotrac. Puka is only making about $4 mil total on his 4 year rookie deal that expires after 2026. There’s college QBs now making more than that in one season! So I assume they have to long term him or he will be a holdout going into his free agent year

So cutting Adams only save 14 million? Why cut him? Rams gave TuTu 10, Definitely not work cutting Adams to save 14. Imo

Doubt they cut Adams, at least got another year

yes i wouldn't be surprised if they don't bring back anyone from that FA list. Curl would be my only pick and maybe Higbee on a highly reduced rate (given his lack of availability)

Adams gets another year but they bring in a new WR either through draft or FA (maybe first round)

CB - they will bring in at least 3 - expect top FA, 1 first rounder and another draft.

I think they draft a TE in the first 4 rounds as well as OL (depth + Centre)

Late rounds will be ST help.

I suspect that try the FA pool for another LB.

They also need to draft in DL as they will not be able to keep everyone in 2027.

Going to be an exciting offseason for sure.

NorCal RF wrote: ↑January 13th, 2026, 3:50 pm Well I’m going to counter and say this looks good on paper but……….

We were 7th in rushing this season. McVay clearly looks for a certain RB. Built like the 3 we have with great vision at the LOS. That my bet isn’t changing……..

OL starting 5 is very good. Well 4 n Shelton is ok. Absolutely need depth. I don’t buy in they need to be a certain size. They just need to be good. And I don’t think you find a lot of quality with this unit in FA. Draft is the route. And again look at the starters after 2026. FA is going to hit that unit hard after next year……….

We need CB, CB, CB. The roster is good going into next year other than the CB unit………

plenty of teams have found solid OL in FA so it can be done. You will always overpay, roughly 90% of the time, but that is reality. Shelton is below average to they have to get better at C. Agree on CB help. I do think you can look at what Philly did 2 yrs ago in the draft with DeJean Mitchell. It can be done Rams FO just needs to do it IMO. LB help is much needed too

ocram23 wrote: ↑Yesterday, 1:04 pm

NorCal RF wrote: ↑January 13th, 2026, 3:50 pm Well I’m going to counter and say this looks good on paper but……….

We were 7th in rushing this season. McVay clearly looks for a certain RB. Built like the 3 we have with great vision at the LOS. That my bet isn’t changing……..

OL starting 5 is very good. Well 4 n Shelton is ok. Absolutely need depth. I don’t buy in they need to be a certain size. They just need to be good. And I don’t think you find a lot of quality with this unit in FA. Draft is the route. And again look at the starters after 2026. FA is going to hit that unit hard after next year……….

We need CB, CB, CB. The roster is good going into next year other than the CB unit………

LB help is much needed too

Ok you have pulled me to your side.

Nate was paid and the 2nd ILB only plays about 60 percent of the time, but the Rams getting a coverage LB to replace Speight, and play Nate spot, when the Rams go single LB on obvious passing downs, would be a good thing.

Nate and Speights liability in coverage keeps showing up week free week.

Speight could backup both ILB and Troy can walk.

McSnead screwed up trading EJ.

Cornell29 wrote: ↑January 13th, 2026, 6:06 pm

Truth wrote: ↑January 13th, 2026, 5:28 pm I’d be surprised if Tutu, Higbee, Havenstein are back. Adams I assume is cut. If they keep him it’s a $28 mil cap hit, and if he’s cut it’s $14 mils. They’ll need that savings for sure

So that’s 4 vets to swap out
Defense needs established CBs or high pick talent.

Rams also need to make decisions on extending Turner, Young, and Puka.

I was looking at Spotrac. Puka is only making about $4 mil total on his 4 year rookie deal that expires after 2026. There’s college QBs now making more than that in one season! So I assume they have to long term him or he will be a holdout going into his free agent year

So cutting Adams only save 14 million? Why cut him? Rams gave TuTu 10, Definitely not work cutting Adams to save 14. Imo

Paying Adams at his age a $28 mil cap number next year doesn’t make much sense for the Rams.

Cornell29 wrote: ↑Yesterday, 1:13 pm

ocram23 wrote: ↑Yesterday, 1:04 pm

LB help is much needed too

Ok you have pulled me to your side.

Nate was paid and the 2nd ILB only plays about 60 percent of the time, but the Rams getting a coverage LB to replace Speight, and play Nate spot, when the Rams go single LB on obvious passing downs, would be a good thing.

Nate and Speights liability in coverage keeps showing up week free week.

Speight could backup both ILB and Troy can walk.

McSnead screwed up trading EJ.

huge mistake on EJ trade. If Styles, OSU LB, I think you take him. I do believe CB has to be addressed obviously as well but that may happen in FA. Styles is a beast and would improve this defense immediately. I have seen a lot of mocks where they have the Rams taking McCoy, CB Tenn, but this scares me because he didn't play at all this year due to an ACL injury.
Our LB crew is plain weak IMO....needs an upgrade

Truth wrote: ↑Yesterday, 1:23 pm

Cornell29 wrote: ↑January 13th, 2026, 6:06 pm

So cutting Adams only save 14 million? Why cut him? Rams gave TuTu 10, Definitely not work cutting Adams to save 14. Imo

Paying Adams at his age a $28 mil cap number next year doesn’t make much sense for the Rams.

If you cut him you still take a 14 million dead cap hit and you only save 14 million. The Rams shifted a lot of the money from 2025 to 2026, so Adams already got his money (which is why its a 28 million cap hit). I rather keep Adams then save 14 million.

Cornell29 wrote: ↑Yesterday, 1:36 pm

Truth wrote: ↑Yesterday, 1:23 pm

Paying Adams at his age a $28 mil cap number next year doesn’t make much sense for the Rams.

If you cut him you still take a 14 million dead cap hit and you only save 14 million. The Rams shifted a lot of the money from 2025 to 2026, so Adams already got his money (which is why its a 28 million cap hit). I rather keep Adams then save 14 million.

He doesn’t want to spend $ on Stafford either. But truth is the same poster who will bitch the loudest when such players are gone and their replacements are not performing to his expectations. But hey he is the “truth”………….

Good news Rams are not stupid. Adams will be back………..

we need to trade up and get x2 of the OSU defenders, the LB and Safety.. make it happen.. fill in the gaps elsewhere and FA.

GSOT89 wrote: ↑Yesterday, 7:53 pm we need to trade up and get x2 of the OSU defenders, the LB and Safety.. make it happen.. fill in the gaps elsewhere and FA.

Just my opinion, but that is a dangerous tactic... That OSU defence is stacked and its not clear cut that they are great individually given the talent around them.. I have always preferred great players on average teams as their talent is more obvious and hence less risky.

We need another WR. Seems like FA could be a way to do that again, but I would want to see who's avail. Draft CB and OL- they are prob the hardest to grab talent-wise in FA.

Truth wrote: ↑Yesterday, 1:23 pm

Cornell29 wrote: ↑January 13th, 2026, 6:06 pm

So cutting Adams only save 14 million? Why cut him? Rams gave TuTu 10, Definitely not work cutting Adams to save 14. Imo

Paying Adams at his age a $28 mil cap number next year doesn’t make much sense for the Rams.

Agreed. Especially silly if youre looking at 30+ for Puka. Sure Adams has a high TD total this year, but they're all mostly from inside the 10. Likely those TDs are spread out elsewhere if Adams wasnt around. Have to make a few cuts that have a slight sting.

Ramsfan08ny wrote: ↑Today, 7:01 am

Truth wrote: ↑Yesterday, 1:23 pm

Paying Adams at his age a $28 mil cap number next year doesn’t make much sense for the Rams.

Agreed. Especially silly if youre looking at 30+ for Puka. Sure Adams has a high TD total this year, but they're all mostly from inside the 10. Likely those TDs are spread out elsewhere if Adams wasnt around. Have to make a few cuts that have a slight sting.

How long have some complained in here how much this team struggles scoring TD’s in the RZ prior to Adams arriving? There is a skill with what he does in the RZ that not a lot of WR’s have. To say they would have been spread out “elsewhere” well were they prior to his arrival……..

If you read what Adams said on Tuesday then my bet is he is the one player who will work with the Rams contractually to be here next year………..

If Stafford comes back Adams will too……..

Agree with you 1000% on that point - MS will be back @ QB in 2026 and Adams will cooperate salary wise ( within reason) to finish up his career with MS before both head to the HOF. These two are key elements to next years Rams having a better shot to win it all that this year. FA CAP, draft picks and minimal key needs give the Rams a great shot at improving big time.

DVA_ram33 wrote: ↑Today, 1:57 am

GSOT89 wrote: ↑Yesterday, 7:53 pm we need to trade up and get x2 of the OSU defenders, the LB and Safety.. make it happen.. fill in the gaps elsewhere and FA.

Just my opinion, but that is a dangerous tactic... That OSU defence is stacked and its not clear cut that they are great individually given the talent around them.. I have always preferred great players on average teams as their talent is more obvious and hence less risky.

I prefer to look at tape and while watching Downs, Styles and Reese you can see how good they are. Of the 3 if we could get Downs that would just be a huge get. But I don't see him or Reese lasting past 8. IMO the only one that is in our reach is Styles. A lot of mocks have us taking McCoy CB from Tenn. I could also see the Rams trading out. Whoever they take has to be an impact player on day 1 IMO