Ranking the top-20 best free agent fits for the Rams

The NFL will begin the legal tampering period of free agency on Monday. Without the contracts of Alaric Jackson or Matthew Stafford being taken into account, the Los Angeles Rams will have approximately $42 million to spend which should allow them to bring in a couple of free agents to complement the roster. Below are the 20 players that the Rams should consider and who would be the best fits.

1. LB Jamien Sherwood, Jets

If the Rams want to spend on the linebacker position, Jamien Sherwood from the Jets should be their top option. He finished last season with 154 tackles and led the NFL in solo tackles. His 81 stops ranked fifth in the NFL which is a play that resulted in a positive result for the defense. Sherwood is a former safety which helps him in coverage. His 75 percent completion rate was the seventh-best among linebackers. PFF rated him as the 12th best linebacker against the run and 14th in coverage. He’d be the perfect fit alongside Omar Speights.

Spotrac Market Value: 2 years, $14.4 million

2. WR Chris Godwin, Buccaneers

Many seem to have forgotten just how good Chris Godwin was before he got hurt last year. The only player with more receiving yards than the Buccaneers wideout through seven weeks was Ja’Marr Chase. The wide receiver market appears to be booming. Godwin could get up to $25 million. However, he is a perfect fit in the Rams offense with his route-running and physical play style.

Spotrac Market Value: 3 years, $67.6 million

3. TE Evan Engram, Jaguars

It’s going to be interesting to see how the Rams approach the tight end position. It’s very possible that they end up drafting a player like Colston Loveland at 26 if he’s available. Loveland unlocks the intermediate area of the field and can do some of the Cooper Kupp things in the offense. At the same time, tight ends can sometimes take time to develop. If the Rams want to bypass that, signing a player like Evan Engram could make some sense. Engram is your typical big slot player at tight end. He’s faster than most linebackers and also very versatile. If the Rams want a receiving threat at tight end, Engram is a great option.

4. DL Milton Williams, Eagles

Do the Rams need another pass rush specialist on the defensive line? Probably not. At the same time, when the fit is as good as Milton Williams is with the Rams, it’s hard not to include him on this list. Williams is a 68.1 percent athletic match to Aaron Donald and a 65.7 percent match to Braden Fiske. Again, the Rams probably don’t need a player like Milton Williams in their current team-build, but this one is fun to think about if it were to happen.

Spotrac Market Value: 3 years, $53.3 million

 Mockdraftable

5. DL Sebastian Joseph-Day, Titans

Sometimes the best thing to do is just to not overthink it. The Rams have a need on the defensive line at the 1T spot and someone that can stop the run. Last season, he was the seventh-highest rated run defender via PFF and had the eighth-most run stop. Joseph-Day last played for the Rams in 2021 and has since had stints with the Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, and Tennessee Titans. A reunion makes a lot of sense for both sides. The Rams want experience at that nose tackle spot and Joseph-Day has experience with players in the building. Rams defensive line coach Giff Smith was with the Chargers in 2022 and 2023.

Spotrac Market Value: 2 years, $9 million

6. WR Davante Adams, Jets

If the Rams show interest in Davante Adams, could it be another Allen Robinson-type mistake? Adams wants to play on the west coast. That already narrows the Rams as a potential suitor. Given that they need a big body on the outside, Adams fits there as well and they’ll have a quarterback in Matthew Stafford that the former Packer will want to play with. Adams may not be the player that he once was, but pairing him with a good quarterback like Stafford may just work. Despite a down year, Adams ranked 10th in targets per route and was 13th in yards after the catch per reception. He’s an end zone threat that the Rams need as well. This might be the type of ‘all in’ move that the Rams make.

Spotrac Market Value: 2 years, $27.2 million

7. CB Asante Samuel Jr., Chargers

The Rams need a cornerback and Asante Samuel Jr. is still young at just 25 years old. He fits the current timeline of the secondary. With that said, we’re starting to get into the players that come with risk. Samuel Jr. has a shoulder injury that could be chronic. Is that a risk worth taking in free agency? The versatility and playmaking ability is there with Samuel, but there is risk involved.

8. LB Dre Greenlaw, 49ers

Had Dre Greenlaw not torn his achilles almost two years ago, he’d be the top linebacker in free agency. However, he spent all of last season recovering from the Achilles. After just 34 snaps, he injured his calf and was placed on injured reserve again. There’s no questioning who Dre Greenlaw was pre-injury. In 2023, he was one of the top coverage linebackers, allowing a reception on just 68.5 percent of his targets. However, he’ll be 28 and the Achilles injury isn’t something that can be ignored.

Spotrac Market Value: 1 year, $6.7 million

9. CB Paulson Adebo, Saints

Adebo comes with an injury history as well, but he is just 25 years old and he looked like one of the top rising cornerbacks during his first two seasons in the NFL. Adebo is coming off of a broken femur, but he has seven interceptions over the last two years to go with 28 passes defended. The Rams need a cornerback that can make plays on the ball. A player like Adebo who was also a fit for them pre-draft is worth a look.

Spotrac Market Value: 2 years, $22.2 million

10. TE Juwan Johnson, Saints

If the Rams are looking to add a pass-catching tight end, Juwan Johnson is an option that they can consider in free agency. Johnson set career highs in receptions and yards. That was with Derek Carr, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener at quarterback. Johnson caught 83 percent of his contest catch opportunities and was a downfield threat. His average depth of target of 8.2 yards ranked ninth among tight ends. In a better offense, Johnson brings some upside.

Spotrac Market Value: 3 years, $30.2 million

11. RB JK Dobbins, Chargers

Dobbins has dealt with injuries throughout his career, but has still managed to keep some of his speed and explosiveness. Last season, he had an explosive run rate of 5.1 percent which ranked 17th out of 46 qualifying running backs. He may not be the speedster that the Rams need, but he does offer an experienced option behind Williams that is able to break away in the open field.

Spotrac Market Value: 2 years, $8.1 million

12. OT Patrick Mekari, Ravens

The Rams could look to add some depth at tackle after moving on from Joseph Noteboom. Taking a chance on a player like Mekari has the opportunity to be a good, low-value signing. Mekari played at both left and right tackle last season, allowing just 20 pressures which were the 10th-fewest. Brandon Thorn of the Trench Warfare Substack said,

“Mekari doesn’t have quite the name recognition or starting experience as other players in this tier but is relatively young and coming off his first full season as a starter, seeing starts at right tackle and left guard. Mekari has true five position, proven versatility and wins with a scrappy demeanor, advanced understanding of leverage and just enough physical tools to get by. Mekari would be a high floor addition and can compete for a job across the line while providing a team an invaluable fallback option in case of injury.”

13. RB Javonte Williams, Broncos

There was a time in which Javonte Williams was seen as one of the best young running backs in the NFL. Following his rookie season, the trajectory was looking up for Williams. However, a torn ACL in year two has been an issue for Williams ever since. While he may not be a starter, he can certainly be a complementary piece in a backfield. He is also someone that Sean Payton trusted in pass protection last season. He had the third-most pass-blocking snaps and was the eighth-highest graded running back in those situations. Williams isn’t explosive, but he has 40 or more receptions in three of his four seasons in the NFL. That is not something that Kyren Williams has consistently brought to the table.

Spotrac Market Value: 3 years, $20.6 million

14. OT Dillon Radunz, Titans

The Rams are going to be looking to add a versatile piece along the offensive line. Radunz can play both tackle and guard spots. Radunz was highly thought of coming out of North Dakota State. Adding him as a depth piece in a better environment could get the most out of him.

15. EDGE Baron Browning, Cardinals

The Rams have done well incorporating tweener type players in the defense and that’s exactly what Browning is. While Browning is more of an edge rusher, he does have experience as an inside linebacker. The Rams utilized Michael Hoecht in a bit of a joker role last season. Browning may not have the same size as Hoecht, but that’s a role that he could translate to pretty well and add an element of speed to the edge.

Spotrac Market Value: 2 years, $10.9 million

16. DL Teair Tart, Chargers

Tart is one of the more underrated defensive linemen in the NFL. He’s never going to be the star of a defensive line, but he’s someone that simply makes the ugly plays. Tart was considered the 16th-best run defender on the defensive line according to PFF. He’s an experienced player that can eat up space that the Rams need.

Spotrac Market Value: 1 year, $5.1 million

17. OT Jedrick Willis, Browns

If the Rams are looking to add a right tackle with upside, Willis may be worth the risk. He’s a former top-10 pick that simply hasn’t worked out and has dealt with injuries. Said Thorn,

“Over his first five seasons, Wills failed to develop into the caliber of player that a former top ten pick is expected to be. He’s coming off of back-to-back injury-plagued years (12 total starts) due to lingering knee injuries. However, Wills’ physical tools in terms of size, quickness and power are starter-level, and he’s just 26 years old. If a team can sign him to a prove it, incentive-laden type of deal, there is a shot that a motivated, healthy Wills can win a job and provide functional play inside a zone-based run scheme.”

Spotrac Market Value: 1 years, $2.2 million

18. WR Josh Palmer, Chargers

After re-signing Atwell, it’s hard to see the Rams signing a low-value wide receiver such as Josh Palmer. However, he’s a good route-runner that can win down the field as the “x”. In a more pass-friendly offense, Palmer may be able to hit his ceiling.

Spotrac Market Value: 3 years, $12.8 million

19. DL Poona Ford, Chargers

Wherever Poona Ford goes, he stops the run. Ford gets off blocks, has good strength at the point of attack, and has the ability to take on double teams. He was the sixth-highest graded run defender via PFF. Ford is more of a run defender, but he does bring some pass-rush upside has he had 24 pressures last season.

Spotrac Market Value: 1 years, $6.6 million

20. RB Khalil Herbert, Bears

If the Rams are looking for a third running back that can be effective on passing downs, but also doesn’t cut into Blake Corum’s playing time, Herbert is an option. He only had 36 carries last season, including 28 with the Cincinnati Bengals. Herbert isn’t an exciting option, but has shown the ability to be a complementary piece in an offense.

Honorable Mentions

• S Camryn Bynum, Vikings
• CB Jonathan Jones, Patriots
• TE Tyler Conklin, Jets
• WR Dyami Brown, Commanders
• LB Nick Bolton, Chiefs
• WR Amari Cooper, Bills
• RB Alexander Mattison, Raiders