Kobie Turner, arguably the Rams' "lead dawg" on defense last year, is staring down a projected $32 million AAV contract. That eye-popping number is just one slice of the massive free agent pie general manager Les Snead has to figure out. He’s got a jaw-dropping 15 players the team wants to retain, but simply cannot afford all of them. The wild success of the 2023 and 2024 drafts means those sweet, discounted rookie deals are running out, and it's officially pay-up time.
Shelling Out for the Offensive Line
The Rams' offensive line has been straight-up elite, a top-ten unit, and it's no surprise they want to keep that core together. Kevin Dotson, their best O-lineman, is a definite keep, even with his $16 million current salary jumping to an estimated $19.4 million AAV. Warren McClendon, currently at a mere $1 million, is someone the writer is "sold" on, despite others adopting a wait-and-see attitude. He's predicting a hefty $14 million price tag for McClendon. And Coleman Shelton? He's the play-caller of that top-ten line, sitting at $6 million now, and definitely should be kept at a "reasonable price." Even Steve Avila, at $2.3 million, is due a "very nice raise" to an estimated $13.5 million AAV. That's four of their five starting O-linemen on the "absolutely keep" list, with Alaric Jackson's turn coming next year. This is a huge investment, but keeping the protection for Matthew Stafford is non-negotiable for that Rams offense.Defensive Headaches and Pricey Playmakers
The defensive side of the ball brings even bigger headaches for the Rams. The big one, of course, is Kobie Turner. He was "arguably the lead dawg on defense" last year, but after the Myles Garrett signing, has Coach McVay handed that title over to Garrett? His projected $32 million AAV is a monster contract regardless. Then there's Colby Parkinson, who morphed into Matthew Stafford's trusted target in '13' personnel, currently at $7.5 million and looking at $9.5 million AAV. While a lot of fans are hyped for Terrance Ferguson to take over that role this year, the writer just doesn't know. Davis Allen, another '13' personnel guy who frequently acted as an inline blocker, shifted for wham blocks, and was very effective in third-down and red-zone situations, is currently at $1 million and should be relatively inexpensive. Role players Josh Wallace and Jaylen McCollough, both at $1 million, are expected to be cheap options for Coach Shula's defense. But the real wild cards? Davante Adams, currently making $28 million, has had no talk about a new contract. The writer frankly "is surprised," adding that if Adams' performance outside the red zone doesn't improve, he wouldn't have him back for anything "close to this money." And Byron Young, who absolutely deserves a payday, but at 29 and a projected $30 million AAV, the writer passes at that price. Emmanuele Forbes, at $3.8 million with a $4.7 million AAV estimate, is another decision still up in the air. With 15 players up for grabs and only so much cash in the bank, the Rams' front office has some brutally tough choices ahead. Assuming Matthew Stafford is back in 2027, the pressure is on Les Snead to make moves that keep this roster competitive without breaking the bank. How he handles these negotiations will absolutely shape their trajectory for the upcoming season, and it’s going to be a tense few months in Los Angeles.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.