St. Louis Rams: Top 6 Starters to Target in Free Agency and the NFL Draft

Steven GerwelJun 3, 2018

In an attempt to integrate my January mock draft with my article on players to target in free agency, this piece will combine some of the players mentioned in each article in an attempt to clarify what the starting lineup would look like in such a scenario.

The draft focused heavily on offense, as the Rams were the worst scoring offense in the NFL with an average of 12.1 points per game.

Free agency, on the other hand, also brushed up on offense, but gave considerable attention to some defensive positions such as defensive tackle and cornerback as well.

So with that, here is what the Rams' offseason would look like if it were to resemble the scenarios brought forth in the previous articles...

Justin Blackmon, WR (First-Round Draft Pick, Oklahoma State)

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2011 Stats: 121 receptions, 1522 yards, 12.6 yards/rec, 18 touchdowns

Justin Blackmon is the obvious pick for a Rams team that scored 20 points or more only three times in 2011.

A case can certainly be made for USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil. However, adequate linemen can be found in the later rounds of the draft, while elite playmakers are hard to come by outside of the first or second round.

Even if the Rams can re-sign 30-year-old Brandon Lloyd to a new contract, it would still make sense to add Blackmon for the sake of the future.

Roster Spot: No. 2 wide receiver

Brandon Lloyd, WR (Free Agent, St. Louis Rams)

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2011 Stats: 70 receptions, 966 Yards, 13.4 yards/rec, 5 touchdowns

Drafting Blackmon would be a smart decision, but it would be wise to re-sign Brandon Lloyd as well, as he would be able to serve as a mentor for Blackmon.

Also, Blackmon will likely encounter a rookie learning curve, so keeping a veteran like Brandon Lloyd around will ensure that the Rams have a No. 1 wide receiver on the roster no matter what.

It's also worth noting that Sam Bradford and Lloyd have already developed somewhat of a chemistry on the field, so it would be beneficial to Bradford if he had at least one capable receiver whom he's already familiar with.

Roster Spot: No. 1 wide receiver

Cortland Finnegan, CB (Free Agent, Tennessee Titans)

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2011 Stats: 75 tackles, one sack, 11 passes deflected, one interception

Ron Bartell and Bradley Fletcher are a capable duo of starting cornerbacks, but neither can be trusted to stay healthy—unlike Cortland Finnegan, who has started 77 out of 80 possible games over the last five years.

Finnegan makes a lot of sense for the Rams, who just hired Finnegan's former coach in Jeff Fisher.

Also, Finnegan's tenacity on the field would be a welcome change.

Roster Spot: starting cornerback

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Jerel Worthy, DT (Second Round Draft Pick, Michigan State)

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2011 Stats: 30 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, one pass deflected

With Fred Robbins turning 35 years old in March and no other starting-caliber defensive tackles on the roster, the Rams will be forced to use a high pick on a run-stuffing tackle such as Jerel Worthy.

Worthy would immediately improve a defense that surrendered 151.1 rushing yards per game, and he would instantly provide the Rams with a starting tackle alongside Robbins.

Roster Spot: starting defensive tackle

John Carlson, TE (Free Agent, Seattle Seahawks)

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2010 Stats: 31 receptions, 318 yards, 10.3 yards/rec, one touchdown

There is no such thing as too much firepower for a Rams offense that was nothing short of pathetic in 2011.

On top of re-signing Lloyd and drafting Blackmon, the team should look for a legitimate red-zone threat. This is exactly what they'd be getting in tight end John Carlson, who weighs in at 6'5" and 251 lbs.

Carlson missed the entire 2011 season with a shoulder injury, but he proved to be productive during his first two years in the NFL, as he combined for 1,201 yards and 12 touchdowns during those seasons (2008, 2009).

Roster Spot: starting tight end

Lucas Nix, G (Third-Round Draft Pick, Pittsburgh)

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While the Rams certainly need lots of weapons in the passing game if they want to drastically improve next season, it's also important that they find at least one offensive lineman in the draft who is capable of starting.

Rams quarterbacks were sacked a combined 55 times in 2011, which has to be fixed if they want to improve their point production.

Lucas Nix would be a solid pick in the third round—his ability to play either right guard or right tackle would only improve his chances of becoming a starter from day one.

Roster Spot: starting right tackle (Jason Smith moves to left guard.)