After the Rams’ postseason loss to the Lions, GM Les Snead made it clear that their moves for 2024 would be mild at best. Finally relieving themselves of the financial burdens from their Super Bowl run, the Rams made a few moves that have moved the needle on another potential Super Bowl run.
Emphasizing offense, especially blocking, the Rams made five moves to supplement Matthew Stafford and the Rams’ offensive effort. Re-signing Demarcus Robinson and Kevin Dotson, and placing a second-round tender on Alaric Jackson, brings back key and depth pieces, supplemented by the surprise signing of Jonah Jackson.
With Tyler Higbee expected to miss time in 2024, the Rams bring in a veteran presence with the signing of former Seahawk Colby Parkinson, solidifying the tight end position.
On defense, the return of Darious Williams and the tender applied to Michael Hoecht gives the Rams a clear picture of their DB and edge rooms. I’d expect the Rams to add to those rooms in the draft with an early selection.
With these signing, the Rams draft picture begins to look ever more clear. There seems to be an interest in acquiring a project QB by the lack of a signing at this point. The same with the backup running back position. With their first-roundpick, it’s looking like tackle, corner, or edge. At those positions, the Rams lack either a clear star or long-term starter. I would expect players such as Laiatu Latu, Chop Robinson, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Nate Wiggins, Jordan Morgan and Cooper DeJean to be on the team’s shortlist.
The Rams will probably stay off interior offensive linemen until Day 3. With the signings of Jackson and Dotson, added to an excellent rookie campaign by Steve Avila, the Rams don’t really have a need for the position.
Rounds 2 and 3 could spell additions to the defensive tackle and linebacker position. Considering the depth at that position, if the Rams draft a defensive tackle, expect it by round two. We could see linebacker in Round 4, as well.
The Rams typically like to add a Day 3 wide receiver and/or tight end. Puka Nacua, Ben Skowronek, Davis Allen, Tyler Higbee and Brycen Hopkins are recent examples of this. By signing Parkinson, the Rams – unless Brock Bowers somehow becomes available – will most likely hold off on that position. The same case could be made for the wide receivers after the signing of Demarcus Robinson. Expect Jacob Cowing, Hayden Hatten, Jordan Whittington, De’Corian Clark, Luke McCaffery, Cornelius Johnson and Tahj Washington to be on the Rams’ day three shortlist.
In the 2024 Draft, the Rams are probably going to look for one to two Day 1 starters but more developmental pieces. With aging stars such as Aaron Donald, Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp, the Rams could be looking for their future replacements, as well.