I will be doing a series of articles that will be taking a methodical team by team approach to next year’s possible free agents. I will be starting with the team that has the least amount of salary cap space and ending with the team with the most. I will try to give a brief description of as many of the possible free agents as I can. I will also be looking for players that might be salary cap cuts in order for their teams to make room to sign some of these possible free agents. Any information anyone else can contribute on these players would be very much appreciated.
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The San Francisco 49ers will have a whole ton of money for 2017 NFL free agency. Head there to check out our breakdowns of all 31 other teams’ free agents and cap space.
The Los Angeles Rams projected to be $38,621,064 UNDER the cap (all salary info via Over The Cap) for 2017 and with 51 players under contract.
(EastBayNinerFan has the combined total of the salary cap surplus carry over from 2016 and the cap space for 2017 as $41,919,939).
Dollar figures listed are player’s 2016 cap hits.
CB Trumaine Johnson - $13,952,000
Trumaine Johnson is 26 years old and was drafted by the Rams in the third round of the 2012 draft. The Rams used the franchise tag on him this year after having a gigantic season in 2015 with 71 tackles, 17 passes defended, and 7 interceptions. Johnson has 52 tackles, 11 passes defended and 1 interception this season. PFF has him rated as the 30th best cornerback in the NFL this season mainly due to his low grades against the run. You would think that at 6’2” and 210 pounds he would be a good run stopper.
WR Kenny Britt - $4,850,000
Kenny Britt is 28 years old and was originally drafted by the Titans in the first round of the 2009 draft. Britt joined the Rams in March of 2014. He has 68 receptions for 1002 yards and 5 touchdowns this season. I had to check twice to see if he was really only 28.
QB Case Keenum - $3,635,000
Case Keenum is 28 years old and was originally picked up by the Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Keenum was acquired from the Texans for a seventh round draft pick in March. It is his second stint with the Rams. In 9 starts this season he has completed 196 of 322 passes with 9 touchdown, 11 interceptions and 5 fumbles. (Tosses this one in the round file)
WR Brian Quick - $1,703,125
Brian Quick is 27 years old and was drafted by the Rams in the second round of the 2012 draft. Quick has only 7 starts this season but he has 39 receptions for 549 yards and 3 touchdowns. He has often disappeared during his career. I wonder if better coaching could make a difference?
RB Benny Cunningham - $1,671,000
Benny Cunningham is 26 years old and was picked up by the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Cunningham has 21 carries for 101 yards this season.
K Greg Zuerlein - $1,250,000
Greg Zuerlein is 29 years old and was drafted by the Rams in the sixth round of the 2012 draft. Zuerlein has made 17 out of his 20 field goal attempts this season with a long of 54 yards. He is 3 of 4 for attempts over 40 yards.
RB Chase Reynolds - $862,500
Chase Reynolds is 29 years old and was originally picked up by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He is purely a special teams player.
43DT Cam Thomas - $600,000
Cam Thomas is 30 years old and was originally drafted by the Chargers in the fifth round of the 2010 draft. Thomas signed with the Rams in June. He has 14 tackles and 1 sack this season.
S TJ McDonald - $1,833,000
TJ McDonald is 25 years old and was drafted by the Rams in the third round of the 2013 draft. McDonald has 59 tackles, 5 passes defended, 1 sack, and 1 interception this season. PFF has him rated as the 61st best safety in the NFL this season.
WR Stedman Bailey - $818,095
Stedman Bailey is 26 years old and was drafted by the Rams in the third round of the 2013 draft. Bailey is taking the year off after being shot in the head a couple of times last summer. Another case of senseless violence.