It was a big day on the 53-man roster front for the Los Angeles Rams after trading for Jacksonville Jaguars EDGE Dante Fowler Jr. and waiving OL Jamon Brown to make room for him. While that obviously changes the immediate outlook for the Rams now halfway through the 2018 regular season https://www.ramsfanstore.com/Todd-Gurley-II-Jersey , it also changes things for the 2019 offseason and the 2019 NFL Draft.2019 free agencyHere are the current Rams that will be free agents in 2019 (along with those who were headed for the same outcome):2019 Los Angeles Rams Free AgentsPlayerPOSTypeOutcomePlayerPOSTypeOutcomeSome really interested decisions forthcoming. Brown and starting LG Rodger Saffold were already interesting in this respect since the Rams re-signed RT Rob Havenstein back in August (the key part being that they didn’t re-sign Saff or Brown then...or to this point).A bunch of key defenders in the mix here as well from guys I expect to be gone like DL Ndamukong Suh and S Lamarcus Joyner to a ton of rotational guys like Fowler, EDGE Matt Longacre, CB Sam Shields and ILB Ramik Wilson.And while QB Sean Mannion might not leap off the page as the biggest name, backup quarterback remains one of the most important positions to staff on the depth chart. Should the Rams opt to move on from the Human Somewhere on this Earth, that will be a major staffing decision.2019 NFL DraftSo the trade for Fowler will cost the Rams two picks: a third-round pick and a fifth-round pick.The third round pick will be the highest compensatory pick the Rams receive as long as they receive one in the third; otherwise, they will get the Rams’ natural pick in the third. They will also get the Rams’ 2020 fifth-round pick regardless of compensatory outcome. The Rams are expected to get comp picks for WR Sammy Watkins and CB Trumaine Johnson; both could net third-rounders. The Rams also have two other players to qualify for comp picks in S Cody Davis who signed with the Jags and TE Derek Carrier who signed with the Oakland Raiders. None of the Rams’ additions this year cancel out any picks as WR Brandin Cooks, CB Marcus Peters and CB Aqib Talib all arrived via trade while DL Ndamukong Suh was released by his previous team and thus does not qualify.Fowler, should he not be re-signed and leave in free agency https://www.ramsfanstore.com , would net a comp pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.So before getting comp picks, here’s the Rams’ current 2019 draft haul:2019 NFL Draft LA Rams OrderRd#Rd#PickRd#Rd#PickThe Rams’ second-round pick was part of the trade for Peters. The third-round pick is on the hook for Fowler, and the seventh-rounder was included in the package to send LB Alec Ogletree to the New York Giants.The Rams remain all-in on their effort to maximize their chances to succeed in this window built on the inexpensive rookie contracts from their stars they picked up in the last four years.So while we’re focused on the task ahead as the playoff picture begins to sharpen, keep in mind the Rams are concurrently developing their plans for the 2019 offseason to ensure the window stays open for years to come. Jacksonville Jaguars to trade EDGE Dante Fowler Jr. to Los Angeles Rams Welcome to LA, Dante!Green Bay Packers to trade S HaHa Clinton-Dix to Washington Trade MakersInteresting one here. Denver Broncos to trade WR Demaryius Thomas to Houston TexansFirst deal of the day sounds done.Detroit Lions to trade WR Golden Tate to Philadelphia EaglesThe Eagles really aren’t comfortable letting go of the NFC!Buzz building for Jacksonville Jaguars EDGE Dante Fowler Jr.Well, here we go. Not long now. The Los Angeles Rams have only a couple of hours left to Things to knowWhen?The NFL trade deadline is at 4pm ET/1pm PT.What do the Rams need?Obviously the lack of premier talent at the edge rusher position looms largest. I’d push against the idea that that’s an actual need right now since, in case you haven’t noticed, the Rams are 8-0. Our level of roster need just isn’t high. That being said Los Angeles Rams Customized Jerseys , it’s obviously a point of weakness that could be improved upon.We could also point to cornerback with CB Aqib Talib still out for a couple of weeks. Even when he returns, his play could well be affected (see: CB Marcus Peters playing through a calf injury...).Who could be available?NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport: Packers S Ha-Ha Clinton Dix, Browns LB Jamie Collins, Raiders LB Bruce Irvin, Giants CB Janoris JenkinsCBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora: Browns QB Tyrod Taylor, Eagles QB Nick Foles, Steelers RB Le’veon Bell, Broncos WRs Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders https://www.ramsfanstore.com/t-shirts , 49ers WR Pierre Garcon, Broncos DBs Chris Harris and Bradley Roby, Raiders DBs Gareon Conley and Karl Joseph, Giants CB Janoris Jenkins, Cardinals LB Deone Bucannon, Raiders LB Bruce Irvin, Broncos LB Shane Ray, Browns LB Jamie CollinsESPN’s Adam Schefter: Anybody on the Giants outside of RB Saquon BarkleyWhat are they saying?Rams General Manager Les Snead hasn’t been publicly available Los Angeles Rams Hats , but Head Coach Sean McVay spoke to the media yesterday.McVay on the upcoming deadline: “Yeah, there’s a lot of dialogue that goes on at this time of year. I’ve had a couple different discussions with (General Manager) Les (Snead) with regards to some things that we feel like might be able to upgrade our team. If anything ends up going through or not, not really sure. But, there are some discussions and there’s a possibility that some things could occur. There’s always discussions that go on and we’re always looking to see if we feel like it’s something that’s going to make our football team better and ultimately help us. As the season progresses, it’s something that, I think those guys have done an excellent job being able to make moves and if we feel like it’s going to help our team. There’s been a couple different things that have been discussed, but whether it ends up coming to fruition or not, I’ll probably have a better idea when I get with Les a little bit later on Los Angeles Rams Hoodie , based on how that dialogue has gone today.”McVay on the edge specifically: “Yeah, that could be something that we definitely would look into based on the availability of some of the players that we’ve looked into. That would be, yes, a possibility.”McVay on other positions: “That’s the main one that we’re kind of in dialogue about. But again, there’s always things based on what a team is looking for and how that might affect us or alter and ultimately, give us the ability to improve. I think Les and his staff do an excellent job at keeping a pulse around the league. Having that open dialogue that exists between the other 31 teams. If it’s something that fits, then that’s something that we’ll do.”
