Offseason player acquisition thread

[Huckleberry1]

I fundamentally disagree with your last point. You say they have too many needs to worry about ones that aren't "serious". I translate that to the opposite... they have so many needs that their roster is a blank slate as far as I'm concerned. Again, Maye and Gonzo are the only players I can confidently say I'm happy to think about starting here in 2 years. The roster is in total shambles and the "serious need" they have is being able to say they have more than 2 players they're excited about the prospect of being starting players here in 2 years. I mean genuinely EXCITED at the idea of them starting here. If that's a LT, great. If it's a guard, that's fine too. Identify who those guys are and sign as many of them as possible.

In general I agree, I just don’t think guard should be their priority when spending their $$$ this offseason. There will be wuality guard prospects in rounds 2-5 in the draft, and I think the young OL they already have should be given a chance to develop under the new regime.

 

[Wozzy]

In my mind, so it could just be me creating a narrative. He can absolutely be upgraded by the Rams and probably priced himself out of LA. He is not a good athlete, but is a mauler so not ideal for the Rams offense it seems. I disagree with you about him not playing well unless you were specifically referring to Chuks.

He was put on IR with blood clots in Nov 2022 but started 15 games in 2023 and 14 in 2024. Imo he played really well in 2023 and 2024. I think that he is arguably better than what we will get in the draft, mostly because he has done it against NFL competition.

If the Rams don't compete for their starting left tackle, if they don't want him... neither do we.

 

[Wozzy]

On Jackson... I don't think anyone is projecting that he's going to come in and be a HOFer, an all pro, or even a pro bowler. I think most people are pretty much just saying he can be a starting caliber LT for a few years because of youth and the fact that he's already played at that level for multiple years. And because LTs are so rare, it's extremely expensive for that bare minimum level of player. Most are just ok paying it because we have so much cap space, it's such a huge need, and the scarcity at the position means it's particularly useful to not be so desperate.

Exactly what people told me about Chuks Okorafor last year... verbatim.

He's a poor athlete, an unathletic man... he will eventually get exposed and we'll be wondering why we signed him at all.

 

[JohnJH]

If the Rams don't compete for their starting left tackle, if they don't want him... neither do we.

The Rams don't have the cap money to tag him (even with this years cap increase). Combine that with them possibly trading Stafford. Being as young as he is, the Patriots having Maye, and being able to pay him, he has every reason to come here. It's not about the Rams not wanting him. And Okorafor was when we got him, nowhere near the LT Jackson already is (and could be even better with better coaching). For what it's worth, I'm good with Stanley for a couple or three seasons instead. But, they had better damn well have his replacement ready to go before Stanley's 3rd year starts.

 

[Wozzy]

Heck I think Trey Smith played Left TACKLE in college too!

Once in a great while the Captain comes up with a golden nugget.

If I thought for one second Trey Smith would shift out to RT, or even come here to play guard and they kept Onwenu out there... I'd be on board with throwing the bag at Trey Smith.

He's a stud athlete, massive, strong, good length... next to Mike, Andrews, Strange, someone at left tackle and substantially better coaching from Doug Marrone and McD. They could get stronger and take from Kansas City. Brilliant.

 

[Wozzy]

The Rams don't have the cap money to tag him (even with this years cap increase). Combine that with them possibly trading Stafford. Being as young as he is, the Patriots having Maye, and being able to pay him, he has every reason to come here. It's not about the Rams not wanting him. And Okorafor was when we got him, nowhere near the LT Jackson already is (and could be even better with better coaching).

The Rams have the 15th most cap space in the league and don't have a bunch of high value free agents available.

If they don't want to prioritize their starting left tackle, then he probably isn't worth it.

Playing a lot isn't the same as playing well, this is exactly the same Okorafor conversation I was having last offseason... the only potentially scary difference is they could pay Jackson a lot more.

 

[JohnJH]

The Rams have the 15th most cap space in the league and don't have a bunch of high value free agents available.

If they don't want to prioritize their starting left tackle, then he probably isn't worth it.

Playing a lot isn't the same as playing well, this is exactly the same Okorafor conversation I was having last offseason... the only potentially scary difference is they could pay Jackson a lot more.

Even if you're right, I suspect that we can agree on this: They absolutely need a legit LT!!! No more F'n around with 'Let's try this OG at LT", or "Let's try this RT at LT", or "Let's draft this OT who played LT in college and is the best in the draft at #4 Overall even though he's probably best suited at LG" crap. Maye's future (and the future of the rest of the team) depends on getting Maye a solid not only starting OL, but quality backups.

 

[Wozzy]

Even if you're right, I suspect that we can agree on this: They absolutely need a legit LT!!! No more F'n around with 'Let's try this OG at LT", or "Let's try this RT at LT", or "Let's draft this OT who played LT in college and is the best in the draft at #4 Overall even though he's probably best suited at LG" crap. Maye's future (and the future of the rest of the team) depends on getting Maye a solid not only starting OL, but quality backups.

Elliot Wolf thought Okorafor and Lowe were starting tackles. He needs to reexamine his method of player evaluation for offensive and defensive linemen. I don't think he respects the trenches as much as glory positions like WR, he needs to reexamine his process on what makes a great team. They just need to bring good/great players in, not stiffs, and build from the inside out. I'm hoping Vrabes and his guy can do a better job.

 

[imahobgoblin]

The more I think about I believe the organization likes Rham.. but I just sense he will likely be moved. Gibson fits more into the style of back that can thrive under Josh... I also think they may sign another back or draft one.

If the Patriots release Stevenson before June 1, they'd take a $12.4 million hit in dead money against the cap. If they trade him, they'd only take a $1.6 million dead money hit. So you are stuck with a loss and then need to replace him.

 

[dliverey44]

If the Rams don't compete for their starting left tackle, if they don't want him... neither do we.

ummm what?? this is some flawed logic my friend. Does this mean that every player that has been cut or allowed to walk is garbage? I am going to assume you are fekkin with me.

 

[dliverey44]

Once in a great while the Captain comes up with a golden nugget.

If I thought for one second Trey Smith would shift out to RT, or even come here to play guard and they kept Onwenu out there... I'd be on board with throwing the bag at Trey Smith.

He's a stud athlete, massive, strong, good length... next to Mike, Andrews, Strange, someone at left tackle and substantially better coaching from Doug Marrone and McD. They could get stronger and take from Kansas City. Brilliant.

Why throw the bag at Trey Smith cuz if the chiefs don't want him then neither do we....am I right..

Your logic there. We should also apply it to the draft and anyone passed on should not be our draft pick. Wozzy this is a super bad take about not wanting Jackson if the Rams let him walk.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I'm hoping Vrabes and his guy can do a better job.

That is a very low bar.

 

[DaBruinz]

Exactly what people told me about Chuks Okorafor last year... verbatim.

He's a poor athlete, an unathletic man... he will eventually get exposed and we'll be wondering why we signed him at all.

That isn't what people were saying about Chuks. People were saying he was a reclamation project because he was 26, Pitt benched him in favor of a draft pick who they were trying to get snaps and then they cut him in the offseason. Completely different situation than Jackson.

YOUR statements that Jackson is "a poor athlete, an unathletic man" is what the Buffoon Brigade said about Matt Light when the Pats drafted him. How'd that turn out?

Sorry, but an "unathletic man" doesn't get BETTER during his 2nde full year as a starter at the position at LT. . Not in the NFC West where he had to face the 49ers twice and the Seahawks twice. This year, in addition to those two, he faced Minnesota Twice and Philly Twice. No sacks allowed, 3 hits and 5 hurries in those 4 games.

He cut the number of QB hits he allowed from 7 to 4 and hurries from 33 to 18. The only team that Jackson has regularly had issues with is San Fran. I don't believe the Pats will face San Fran again until 2027 or 2028 as part of the Regular Season Schedule.

 

[JohnJH]

Elliot Wolf thought Okorafor and Lowe were starting tackles. He needs to reexamine his method of player evaluation for offensive and defensive linemen. I don't think he respects the trenches as much as glory positions like WR, he needs to reexamine his process on what makes a great team. They just need to bring good/great players in, not stiffs, and build from the inside out. I'm hoping Vrabes and his guy can do a better job.

I think (hope) Wolf is either no longer in his current role with the team next year, or off of the team altogether.

 

[imahobgoblin]

If the Rams don't compete for their starting left tackle, if they don't want him... neither do we.

Complete and utter foolishness coming from the guy who thinks Travis Hunter is 5'8" and played just a little WR.

 

[imahobgoblin]

Why throw the bag at Trey Smith cuz if the chiefs don't want him then neither do we....am I right..

Your logic there. We should also apply it to the draft and anyone passed on should not be our draft pick. Wozzy this is a super bad take about not wanting Jackson if the Rams let him walk.

Your biggest mistake is using Wozzy and logic in the same reply. I think the guy is half in the bag every times he posts.

 

[dliverey44]

Your biggest mistake is using Wozzy and logic in the same reply. I think the guy is half in the bag every times he posts.

LOL...Got Heeem

 

[TommyD4207]

We can get talent, we just have to pay a lot for it. The biggest problem with this franchise and fanbase in general is that too many people are cosplaying as Bill Belichick thinking we are mid dynasty and trying to get value deals and not do overpays when right now we just need warm bodies to get off the runway. If we have the option to get a decent player, we just have to get them and not screw around worrying about if it's the best deal.

Quoted in hopes people read it again.

 

[TommyD4207]

If the Rams don't compete for their starting left tackle, if they don't want him... neither do we.

I get why you'd say that, but if the Rams think they can improve the position with a guy who has actually played the position competently in the NFL, then that's on them.

The Patriots do not have a guy like that.

 

[TheRainMaker]

As far as Player Acquisitions are concerned, how many of you would trade Stevenson to another team even if they only gave you a late round pick, but it not only took most of his contract, but they signed A.J. Dillon instead (who's 3 months younger and a FA)? I'm just curious as to what folks on here would think about that.

I would wait to see how FA plays out. If they can make some serious upgrades on the OL, I'd just keep Stevenson for one more season. Also, let's see if McDaniels brings back the FB which I think Stevenson could use. They also need to ditch the zone blocking.