Not wanting to waste a single second in their quest to close the gap on the Super Bowl champion Seahawks, the Rams aren’t waiting until next week’s opening of free agency to start making moves to improve their roster.
The aggressive tone they’ve set has already reeled inChiefs Pro Bowl cornerback Trent McDuffie, at the primary cost of one of this year’s first-round picks, and re-signedsafety Kam Curlandtight end Tyler Higbee.
McDuffie addresses their biggest need, as cornerback evolved into a liability as last season wore on, and Curl solidifies the back end of their defense as a solid all-around safety.
It comes at a cost, of course, with the Rams now expected to sign McDuffie to a new long-term contract extension. With some creative structuring, they can actually lower the $13.6 million cap hit he carries for this season.
If so, they can proceed in free agency with enough cap space to make even more moves.
Here is where things stand on the eve of free agency:
Salary cap space:$29.2 million (before Curl’s new deal)
WR Tutu Atwell, CB Cobie Durant, CB Ahkello Witherspoon, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, OT D.J. Humphries, CB Roger McCreary, LS Jake McQuaide, TE Nick Vannett, LB Troy Reeder, RB Ronnie Rivers, CB Derion Kendrick
LB Keir Thomas, LB Nick Hampton
The trade for McDuffie not only fills a need but also represents a significant upgrade from last season. A gifted all-around player who excels in coverage, tackling and blitzing, he can play all over the secondary.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
