On March 13, NFL free agency won’t begin for a couple more weeks. Nevertheless, free agency projections and predictions take center stage when the postseason comes to an end and the new league year gets underway. Additionally, free agency may appear somewhat different for the Los Angeles Rams this year than it did last. The Rams are expected to have roughly $35.3 million in salary space, which is unusual for a team that endured cap horrors for several years, according to Spotrac.
However, this puts them in the running to quickly complete their retooling by signing one or more elite free agents this summer. Danielle Hunter, an edge rusher with the Minnesota Vikings, is one name that would make a lot of sense. Hunter, 29, is finally reaching free agency after playing with the Vikings for the entire eight seasons of his NFL career.
In the previous five seasons, Hunter has been selected to four Pro Bowls, and in 2018, he was a member of the All-Pro Second Team. But he is coming off a career year when it comes to getting to the quarterback, and ESPN’s Matt Bowen reports that the Rams are his best fit as a free agent:
The Rams should prioritize filling the need for an edge rusher since they have money to spend in free agency. In 2023, Hunter led the league in sacks with the Vikings (16.5), and he also forced four fumbles. By adding Hunter, the Rams would have Aaron Donald on the inside and Byron Young, who produced eight sacks in his debut season, as their productive experienced force. You may improve a pass rush in this way.
On a defensive line that is already formidable, Hunter would undoubtedly affect the game. In addition to Hunter’s experience and insight, the dynamic Aaron Donald, along with youthful players Byron youthful and Kobie Turner, would exert pressure on quarterbacks and disrupt running games.
Hunter’s yearly average value is estimated by Spotrac’s market value calculation to be $20 million, which means Los Angeles would have more than enough cap space to complete a deal. Additionally, they have come up with other inventive ways to use the cap to free up even more room when it’s needed.
Chris Shula: Rams defense structures are the same
Chris Shula began his tenure with the Rams in 2017 and has since filled a number of positions. At the age of 29, he started his NFL coaching career in 2015 with the San Diego Chargers as a defensive quality control coach.
Shula stated the team will employ a defense like to the one Morris led the previous season as he gets ready for his new role as defensive coordinator:
Shula predicted that they would employ “a lot of the same structures, the same 3–4 structure and some of the same core beliefs.” But the players are everything. We will therefore do whatever the players can perform at a high level, allowing them to play confidently and quickly. They can go be the best version of themselves, and we will be able to find solutions to whatever the offensive brings.
