Best available at Rams need positions, experts say, as of March 31
linebacker
1) Bobby Wagner – Free Agent #5 Available on NFL.com Top 101, #3 on PFF Top 100 Best Available
Last season offered a glimpse of what an All-Decade talent associated with defensive lineman Aaron Donald could do, so why not pick another one? Wagner, 31, has been named to eight Pro Bowls and seven First-Team All-Pros and is the NFL’s active leader in total tackles (1,383), and could serve as a valuable veteran mentor to the linebacker. second year Ernest Jones. . Plus, it’s already been established that the Rams are interested in him.
2) Jadeveon Clowney – No. 6 (NFL.com), No. 2 (PFF)
The Rams have a few options internally to deal with departing Von Miller — Justin Hollins, Terrell Lewis and Chris Garrett — but if they decide to look off their roster, Clowney could be an option. The 29-year-old defenseman had nine sacks in 14 games for the Browns last season, his single-season high since 2018.
3) Melvin Ingram III – No. 8 (NFL.com), No. 8 (PFF)
Ingram recorded one sack in six games with the Steelers before being traded to the Chiefs, where he posted two sacks in 12 games between the regular season and the playoffs. Including his nine seasons with the Chargers, the 32-year-old point defenseman has totaled 385 tackles, 51 sacks, 15 forced fumbles and 29 pass breakups in 10 seasons.
Cornerback
1) Stephon Gilmore – No. 3 (NFL.com), No. 3 (PFF) (picture above)
Similar to Edge, the Rams could seek Darious Williams’ replacement on their own roster. If they choose to do it on the outside, they could turn to 31-year-old Gilmore. Although he didn’t play before being traded from the Patriots to the Panthers, he still managed to record two interceptions, three pass breakups and 16 total tackles in eight games before being sidelined by a groin injury.
2) Bryce Callahan – No. 18 (NFL.com), No. 22 (PFF)
If Los Angeles is looking for a close 1-to-1 replacement for Williams, Callahan, 30, could fit the bill. Although a knee injury and time on the Reserve/COVID-19 roster limited Callahan to 11 games (six starts), he still produced 29 total tackles and four pass breakups last season. At 5-foot-9 and 188 pounds, he has a frame similar to the 5-foot-9, 187-pound Williams. He also offers some versatility, having also spent time playing in the outside corner in 2020, per PFF, which would be helpful given the importance of Williams’ positional flexibility in how the Rams have deployed the halfback. defensive Jalen Ramsey last season.
3) Kevin King – No. 26 (NFL.com), unranked (PFF)
Hip and knee injuries limited the 26-year-old King to just 10 games (six starts) last season for the Packers as he finished with one interception, three pass breakups and 29 total tackles. However, at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, he would bring size and length to the Rams secondary.