Will the Rams’ acquisition of free agents make up for Aaron Donald’s loss?
The Los Angeles Rams have at least had a few months to try, but no team could truly prepare for the loss of a great like Aaron Donald, especially considering that he was evidently still capable of being among the NFL’s best defensive tackles last season. The Rams doubled down by adding Jonah Jackson and Colby Parkinson on the opening day of free agency after re-signing guard Kevin Dotson to a deal close to the top of the market.
In the intervening period, Les Snead and crew have upgraded the backup quarterback and recruited a few secondary players. Do the 2024 Rams appear better than the 2023 Rams thus far, considering all of the additions and losses, before the draft?
Added: G Jonah Jackson, TE Colby Parkinson, CB Jimmy Garoppolo, CB Tre’Davious White, CB Darious Williams, S Kamren Curl
It’s clear that the Rams intended to strengthen the offensive line and completely restructure the secondary. The team may have improved two interior offensive line positions with the addition of Steve Avila, who can now play centre thanks to Jackson’s signing. Avila should theoretically be a better player than Coleman Shelton.
Deductions: DT Quarterback Carson Wentz, CB Ahkello Witherspoon, QB Aaron Donald, C Coleman Shelton, S Jordan Fuller, DE William Jonah, S. John Johnson, LB Royce Freeman, TE; Troy Reeder, RB Tremayne Anchrum, G. Trecen Hopkins
Do Williams and White, if healthy, constitute a substantial improvement over Witherspoon in the secondary?
The enormous hole that Donald left behind is still as big as it was the day he retired since there hasn’t been any work on adding a defensive end or defensive tackle. Is this a sign that Snead won’t be rushing to accomplish the impossible, or does it point to a defensive tackle in the first round?
Remarkably, Joseph Noteboom is a name that has remained relevant over time. Although the $20 million utility backup could be too costly to release for just $5 million in savings, that name might be up for grabs throughout the summer.
