Iowa starting left tackle Brandon Scherff is out for a few weeks. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
EARTH CITY, Mo. — Aside from the blockbuster trade that sent quarterback Sam Bradford to the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Nick Foles on the first day of the league year, it’s been a relatively quiet offseason for the St. Louis Rams.
Of course, that deal rocked the NFL work when it was announced March 10. The Rams and Eagles had been talking for a while, but the deal was consummated only after Philadelphia head coach Chip Kelly agreed to include Foles.
Bradford was the first overall pick in the 2010 draft, but started just 49 of a possible 80 games and missed the last 25 with two torn ACLs. Throughout the offseason, head coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead insisted “deleting” Bradford was not the answer.
But in making the trade, the Rams shed Bradford’s just under $13 million salary, while now being responsible for the $1.542 million salary Foles has entering the final year of his contract.
Achieving additional salary-cap space with that move, as well as releasing tackle Jake Long, center Scott Wells and defensive tackle Kendall Langford, enabled the Rams to concentrate on re-signing some key players including tight end Lance Kendricks and wide receiver Kenny Britt. However, there has still been no movement on right tackle Joe Barksdale, who was hoping for a big-money deal that never materialized.
Barksdale remains unsigned, and what the Rams do on draft day could be a strong signal to whether they still have hope of bringing him back. The Rams dabbled with guard Justin Blalock and center Stefen Wisniewski in the early stages of free agency, but Wisniewski signed with Jacksonville, and Blalock remains unsigned.
Without Barksdale, the Rams are still looking for three potential starters on the offensive line, with only left tackle Greg Robinson and left guard Rodger Saffold as returning starters. They added Garrett Reynolds as a free agent, but he is seen as a good backup swingman at guard and tackle.
With needs on the offensive line and just six picks in the draft, what will be intriguing is whether the Rams decide to draft a quarterback who would compete with Foles, Austin Davis and Case Keenum, who was acquired from Houston for a seventh-round pick in 2016.
Also in the draft, the Rams could be looking for depth at cornerback, defensive tackle and running back.
They did add depth by signing talented but enigmatic Nick Fairley at defensive tackle for one year and linebacker Akeem Ayers for two. Those two, along with Reynolds (two years), signed for a total of only $13.2 million with $4.75 million guaranteed.
2014 Record: 6-10, 4th in NFC West
First Draft Pick: #10 Overall
BEST FIT: T/G Brandon Scherff, Iowa
With right tackle Joe Barksdale still an unsigned unrestricted free agent, the Rams could be in the market for a potential day-one starter at the position. But they also need a starter at right guard, where Scherff would also fit. That versatility makes Scherff a good pick with the 10th choice in the first round.
TEAM NEEDS
–1. Guard: With Davin Joseph unlikely to be re-signed, the Rams will surely be searching for someone to start. Rodger Saffold is entrenched as one guard, whether it be on the left or right side. Untested Brandon Washington is on the roster along with free-agent addition Garrett Reynolds, but they are not viewed as to-line starters.
–2. Tackle: The need on the right side is dependent on whether Joe Barksdale leaves in free agency. If he does, the position is wide open. Even he stays at this point, it might be on a one-year contract, so a drafted tackle would add depth and also help for the future.
–3. Center: With Scott Wells a cap casualty, the need there depends on what the team believes the future is for Barrett Jones, Demetrius Rhaney and Tim Barnes. Jones was a fourth-round pick in 2013, but has had injury issues. Rhaney was a seventh-round pick last year and missed the entire season because of a training camp knee injury. The Rams are intrigued by Florida State’s Cam Erving, who was a tackle before playing center for the second half of last season.
