Rams Sign Fourth-Round DL Bobby Brown III
The Rams continue to make progress on signing their rookie class. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports (via Twitter) that the team has signed fourth-round nose tackle Bobby Brown III.
The six-foot-four, 321-pound rookie established himself as one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the draft following three standout seasons at Texas A&M. The lineman took it to another level in 2020, finishing with 5.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss, resulting in him being selected with the No. 117 pick in the 2021 draft.
Brown earned high marks from scouts thanks to his size and versatility, although some pundits questioned his energy. He’ll likely find himself behind Aaron Donald, Sebastian Joseph, and A’Shawn Robinson on the depth chart.
The Rams have just about signed their entire draft class. Following today’s move, the team only has two unsigned draft picks remaining: third-round linebacker Ernest Jones (South Carolina) and fourth-round wide receiver Jacob Harris (UCF).
Ravens “Done” With Julio Jones Trade Talks
It sounds like we can cross another Julio Jones suitor off the list. During an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up, Kimberley A. Martin reported that the Ravens are “done” with negotiations and are not in the market for the wide receiver (via Twitter). Martin offered a similar sentiment about the Rams, confirming a report from earlier this week.
The Ravens have been connected to a host of big-name receivers this offseason, so they were naturally connected to Jones when he publicly landed on the trade block. In fact, it was only the other day that we learned that the organization was willing to get involved in negotiations with the Falcons if the price was right.
There’s no denying the Ravens could use another top wideout. While quarterback Lamar Jackson‘s game doesn’t necessarily revolve around his arm, there’s no denying that his numbers took a step back in 2020. After throwing for 3,127 yards and 36 touchdowns during his MVP campaign in 2019, the 24-year-old threw for only 2,757 yards and 26 touchdowns (along with a career-high nine interceptions) this past season.
To the front office’s credit, they did do some work to improve their receiving corps this offseason. They drafted Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman in the first round, pairing him with 2019 first-rounder Marquise Brown atop the depth chart. The organization also signed veteran Sammy Watkins, and he’ll provide some experienced depth in front of the likes of Miles Boykin, James Proche, and Devin Duvernay. While the depth chart has obviously been improved, a player of Jones’ caliber could still take the team to new levels.
Meanwhile in Atlanta, reporters had a chance to ask Falcons coach Arthur Smith about Jones’ trade request (and his anticipated absence from mandatory minicamp).
“We have conversations all the time with all our players,” Smith said (via Adam Maya of NFL.com). “There’s good communication going back and forth through multiple avenues, so we’ll see what happens next week, where we’re at, you know? I can answer that for you next week.”
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/2/21
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Released via injury settlement: DT Braxton Hoyett
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on reserve/retired list: LS Dan Godsil
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DB Dayan Lake
Rams Sign Fourth-Round CB Robert Rochell
The Rams are just about finished signing their draft class. The team announced this evening that they inked fourth-round cornerback Robert Rochell to his rookie pact.
The six-foot-two, 195-pound defensive back spent five seasons at Central Arkansas (including a redshirt freshman year), earning First team All-Southland honors in 2019. He ultimately finished his collegiate career having collected 77 tackles, 10 interceptions, and 25 passes defended. Despite being limited on only seven games in 2020, Rochell still participated in the 2021 Senior Bowl.
Jalen Ramsey and Darious Williams are atop the Rams depth chart, but Rochell should have an opportunity to compete with the likes of Donte Deayon and David Long for backup reps.
With the signing, the Rams have signed all but three of their rookies:
Round 2: No. 57 Tutu Atwell, WR (Louisville) (signed)
Round 3: No. 103 Ernest Jones, LB (South Carolina)
Round 4: No. 117 Bobby Brown, DT (Texas A&M)
Round 4: No.141 Jacob Harris, WR (UCF)
Round 5: No. 174 (from Bills via Texans) Earnest Brown IV, DL (Northwestern) (signed)
Round 7: No. 233 (from Bengals via Texans) Jake Funk, RB (Maryland) (signed)
Round 7: No. 249 (from Titans via Jaguars) Ben Skowonek, WR (Notre Dame) (signed)
Round 7: No. 252 Chris Garrett, LB (Concordia-St. Paul) (signed)
This Date In Transactions History: Rams Release Kurt Warner
One of the best rags-to-riches tales in NFL history (temporarily) came to an end on this date 17 years ago. While no one knew it at the time, the story still had years to go before its conclusion. On June 1, 2004, the Rams released veteran quarterback Kurt Warner.
Warner, of course, went from an undrafted free agent and Arena Football League standout to NFL MVP. By the end of the 2003 campaign, Warner had easily cemented himself as one of the top athletes in St. Louis history. After getting thrust into the Rams starting lineup in 1999, the QB would go on to win a pair of MVPs, twice lead the NFL in touchdowns, and win a Super Bowl (along with a Super Bowl MVP). However, the wheels started to come off a bit during the 2002 season. Warner was limited to only six starts that season, with the Rams going 0-6 in those contests.
Warner was the starter to begin the 2003 campaign, but it somehow got worse. During his lone start, he had six fumbles, leading to his official benching. Meanwhile, fill-in Marc Bulger guided the Rams to a 12-3 record as a starter, cementing his spot as the Rams’ QB of the future. As a result, Warner found himself on the outs in St. Louis.
The writing was on the wall during the 2004 offseason. The Rams organization continued to work on a long-term pact with Bulger, and they also signed Chris Chandler to serve as the backup play-caller. So, with the June 1 deadline officially passing, the Rams decided to move on from Warner on this date in 2004. The move saved the Rams about $4.8MM in cap room while costing them about the same amount in dead cap, and they had to eat another $6MM-plus in 2005.
While Warner was reportedly seeking a starting gig following his release, he ultimately settled into a backup role as Eli Manning‘s mentor with the Giants. Warner actually had a chance to start at the beginning of the year, and he showed some improvement from his dreadful 2002 and 2003 campaigns. Still, he only finished with six touchdowns in nine starts, and the Giants voided the second-year of the QB’s contract at the conclusion of the season.
Warner added another chapter to his story in 2005. The veteran joined the Cardinals, and while he’d eventually earn a place in Arizona lore, it took a while for him to fully secure the starting gig. Thanks in part to injuries and the team’s desire to play top draft picks (including Matt Leinart), Warner only saw time in 16 games through his first two seasons with the organization, collecting a 3-12 record.
However, Warner experienced a career turnaround in 2007; his 27 touchdowns were his highest total since 2001. Then, Warner truly put himself back on the NFL map in 2008, earning a Pro Bowl nod after completing 67.1-percent of his passes for 4,583 yards and 30 touchdowns. More importantly, he guided his team to the Super Bowl, where he eventually lost to the Steelers. 2009 was another standout season for Warner, as he tossed 26 touchdowns while leading the Cardinals to a 10-5 record. However, that iteration of the Cardinals got blown out in the Divisional Round, and Warner announced his retirement soon after the season.
While no one thought Warner’s career was finished when he was released by the Rams on this date in 2004, few pundits probably envisioned him returning to the Pro Bowl, much less the Super Bowl. Just like Warner did during the early parts of his career, the QB managed to persevere and surprise during the second-half of his storied career.
Rams Out On Julio Jones?
The Rams have discussed Julio Jones, but they’re not currently in the mix for the wide receiver (via PFT). While things could change, the cost appears to be too high for a team that’s already short on draft capital.
[RELATED: Rams Discuss Julio Jones]
The Falcons are seeking a first-round pick in exchange for the multiple-time All-Pro. Meanwhile, the Rams have already surrendered their 2022 and 2023 first-round picks to the Lions in order to acquire Matthew Stafford. And, similar to Atlanta, they’re tight against the cap. Jones is due a guaranteed $15.3MM this year. Beyond that, he’s set to make $15.5MM in 2022, with a couple million already locked in, followed by another $11.5MM in 2023.
The Rams would love to have Jones (who wouldn’t?) but going the next three seasons without a first-round pick would be a challenge, especially when considering that Jones is 32 and coming off of injury. They also don’t need Jones as badly as, say, the rival Seahawks, who are hoping to placate Russell Wilson with a top-tier target.
For now, the Rams’ WR group is headlined by Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, legendary deep threat DeSean Jackson, 2020 second-round pick Van Jefferson, and 2021 second-round pick Tutu Atwell.
Rams, Titans Have Discussed Julio Jones Trade; Titans Now The Frontrunner?
10:35am: Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk says that the Titans, not the 49ers, are currently expected to land Jones, and that a second-round pick will be headed to Atlanta in exchange. Florio was clear that he is not reporting the Titans have offered or will offer a second-rounder, or that the Falcons — who are still holding out for a first-round choice — will accept it. He is merely pointing out that the general consensus among league execs is that a Tennessee-Atlanta trade featuring a second-rounder is the most likely outcome.
09:06am: Yesterday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the 49ers are the team that has been most connected to Falcons receiver Julio Jones in league circles. Fowler also indicated that the Rams were in the mix, which was the first time we had heard Los Angeles pop up in Jones rumors.
Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network has taken that one step further, reporting that the Rams have discussed a Jones trade with Atlanta (via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk). Like the Niners, the Rams would be unable to send a 2022 or even a 2023 first-round pick to the Falcons in exchange for Jones, as their top selections in the next two drafts have been traded away in separate transactions. So if Atlanta really does have an offer in hand that includes a 2022 first-rounder, it would seem that both San Francisco and LA would be out of the running.
However, there has been plenty of skepticism that a club has actually ponied up a first-round pick for Jones, especially given Atlanta’s limited leverage. Garafolo also expressed doubt that the Falcons will end up getting a first.
Their draft pick situation aside, the Rams also seem to be an unlikely fit since they have limited cap space and have already devoted considerable resources to the wide receiver position. The 49ers, on the other hand, have the cap space, the WR need, and an obvious connection to Jones in head coach Kyle Shanahan, Jones’ former OC in Atlanta. That is perhaps why the Niners are viewed as the clubhouse favorites for the seven-time Pro Bowler.
The Titans also have an obvious hole at wide receiver and would presumably love to have Jones on their roster. Garafolo says that Tennessee has indeed talked about a Jones swap with the Falcons. But if the Titans were to swing a deal, GM Jon Robinson would need to do a fair amount of maneuvering to create sufficient cap space, and Atlanta might need to absorb even more of a financial hit than it was planning on.
Right now, no deal is imminent, according to Garafolo. So even though the Falcons could realistically trade Jones this week — a post-June 1 transaction is the only way this ever made sense — it seems it will take a little longer than that to reach a resolution.
Falcons Setting High Price For Julio Jones; 49ers In Mix
Kyle Shanahan did not indicate a reunion with Julio Jones was off the table, and it now looks like the 49ers are involved in these sweepstakes.
The 49ers are the team coming up most regarding Jones around the league, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who indicated during a SportsCenter appearance San Francisco is in the mix for the seven-time Pro Bowler — to some degree. While the 49ers would not be able to match the reported offer of a first-round pick, they do have a strong roster equipped to contend in the NFC this season. A healthy Jones would certainly help the team do so.
[RELATED: Shanahan Discusses 49ers’ Potential Interest In Jones]
The Trey Lance trade stripped the 49ers of their 2022 and ’23 first-round picks, so building a competitive offer will be more challenging — if a first-round pick is indeed on the table for Jones. The Falcons are still holding out hope for a big offer, with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noting the team’s asking price is viewed as “outlandish” in league circles as of Saturday. Four days remain until a Jones trade can realistically take place, and a few teams remain in this somewhat blurry picture.
Tennessee emerged as the first rumored landing spot, and Fowler adds Baltimore could join the fray if the asking price is right. The Ravens have been connected to a host of big-name receivers this offseason, and while a few of them declined free agency offers, Jones’ attitude regarding their run-heavy offense would not matter in a trade for a player with a no-trade clause. The Rams, despite their crowded receiver room, also popped up in Fowler’s report. Los Angeles and Baltimore have done plenty to add at receiver this year; each franchise used its first draft pick to address the position and each signed a veteran (DeSean Jackson and Sammy Watkins, respectively). The Rams are often in the mix for high-profile trade targets, but they would not seem a fit. They have Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp signed to lucrative long-term deals.
Conversely, the 49ers’ top two receivers — Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk — are on rookie contracts. San Francisco has avoided splashy receiver signings since their 2017 Pierre Garcon deal did not work out, but Shanahan did sign off on sending third- and fourth-round picks for Emmanuel Sanders in 2019. That trade made a difference in the 49ers reaching Super Bowl LIV. Jones, 32, enjoyed his most productive season — a 136-catch, 1,871-yard 2015 showing — during Shanahan’s two-year Atlanta OC stay and would be in a better position than most late-summer arrivals due to his experience in the well-regarded play-caller’s offense.
The Falcons are still asking interested teams to pay all of Jones’ $15.3MM 2021 salary — a tough sell for most, given the limited cap space around the league — and $2MM in 2022 guaranteed pay, Florio adds. Jones is due base salaries of $11.5MM in 2022 and ’23. The 49ers hold more than $17MM in cap space, which ranks in the top 10. The Patriots have come up as Jones suitors as well, but they may be cooling on this prospect.
Rams’ Austin Corbett To Move To Center?
After losing Austin Blythe to the Chiefs in free agency, the Rams plan on replacing him internally. Guard Austin Corbett is practicing at the center position, according to head coach Sean McVay. 
“He and Matthew [Stafford] have established a nice rapport together,” McVay said (via Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times). “I know that Austin can play really well at guard, and we’re going to continue to see what it looks like at center and try to find the best combination of five to play up front.”
It’ll be an adjustment, but this is roughly what the Rams did with Blythe. Blythe was a full-time guard starter on the Rams’ Super Bowl LIII-qualifying team. Then, in 2020, they moved him to the middle, where he graded out as Pro Football Focus ninth-best center in the NFL.
Corbett, meanwhile, came to the Rams in a 2019 midseason trade with the Browns. Since then, he’s appeared in 24 games (23 starts) for the Rams, including 16 starts last year at right guard. Now, he’ll try his hand at center, working alongside Brian Allen and Coleman Shelton.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/26/21
Here are Wednesday’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: WR Lance Lenoir
- Waived: WR Tre Walker
Carolina Panthers
- Re-signed: DE Frank Herron
- Waived: DE Kendall Donnerson
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed (from Eagles): LB Joe Bachie
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: WR DeAndre Thompkins
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: DB Kareem Orr
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived/injured: DE Marcus Webb
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: OL Christian DiLauro