The Los Angeles Rams had their most active offseason of the last few seasons, signing several free agents and making their first pick in the first round for the first time since 2016. Most of these moves were done to shore up their depth and fix any remaining holes on the roster. While some spots still need addressing, the Rams built up their roster well and addressed some key spots, namely in their secondary.
ESPN doesn't feel the same way. ESPN gave the Rams a B- in their latest offseason grades, putting them 20th out of 32 teams. Here's what ESPN had to say:
"The Rams spent free agency investing in veterans to improve their secondary (Williams and Tre'Davious White at cornerback and safety Kamren Curl) and the interior of their offensive line, as they brought in Jackson from the Lions and re-signed guard Kevin Dotson.
These signings aren't guaranteed wins -- White is coming off an Achilles injury and the guards probably were overpriced. They bought high on Williams, who is coming off a season in which he allowed just 1.0 yards per coverage snap (average for an outside corner is 1.3), but they only guaranteed him $7 million.
The message is clear. Despite losing Aaron Donald to retirement, the Rams are going for it again while they still can with quarterback Matthew Stafford. It makes sense. Between Stafford, coach Sean McVay and an excellent receiving duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the Rams can contend if things break right on defense and the offensive line.
The Rams did make one of the largest and most obvious errors in the draft, trading a fifth-round pick and a future second-round pick just to move up from 52 to 39 and select Fiske."
Calling the guards overpriced is a pretty good bit, as both of them were among the best guards in the league last season. The Rams also only gave Jackson a single year of guaranteed money, so they have the ability to move on next offseason if they choose to do so.
The concerns about Tre'Davious White's injury history are valid, as is the trade-up for Braden Fiske. Fiske's trade was a significant use of capital that felt like a desperate overpay instead of a rational move. Fiske would have to pan out in a major way to equal the value lost, as the 2025 NFL Draft is shaping up to be chock-full of talented prospects that the Rams could use, especially if their seemingly all-in approach doesn't work out.
