Dan Feeney To Visit Rams
- Indiana offensive lineman Dan Feeney could be a late first-rounder or an early second-rounder, according to Pauline, who reports he has visited the Vikings, Bears and Colts. Feeney also has meetings with the 49ers and Rams on tap. The Dolphins have also worked out Feeney, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, who adds Miami has also spent “considerable time” with Western Kentucky guard Forrest Lamp.
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Rams Notes: Scouting Director, Position Changes
- Ravens college scouting director Joe Hortiz is the Rams’ top choice to take over the same position in Los Angeles, reports CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora (all Twitter links). The Rams have shown interest in Hortiz in the past, notes La Canfora, who adds that Baltimore wouldn’t be able to prevent him from leaving. Los Angeles started reshuffling its scouting department when it dismissed four evaluators on April 9.
- The Rams are also making changes on the field, with several familiar names apparently set to switch positions as the Sean McVay era begins, according to Myles Simmons of the team’s website. Contrary to a prior report, the signing of left tackle Andrew Whitworth will not force Greg Robinson to shift to guard; rather, Robinson will head to right tackle, leaving Rob Havenstein to move inside. Elsewhere, cornerback Lamarcus Joyner will play free safety and Maurice Alexander will take over at strong safety in the wake of the team’s addition of Nickell Robey-Coleman, who’s primed to handle Joyner’s old job as a slot corner. Finally, Robert Quinn is transitioning from defensive end to outside linebacker, though his role as a pass rusher will remain the same.
Rams To Meet With Adoree' Jackson
- In more cornerback news, USC’s Adoree’ Jackson has a busy schedule lined up this week. The former Trojans standout will meet with three teams — the Eagles, Rams and Texans — in the coming days, per Rapoport (on Twitter). Jackson’s first stop this week will be in Philadelphia, where cornerback is a need area.
Opinion: Deal To Come Soon For Donald
- The Rams extension timing with first-round picks Robert Quinn, Tavon Austin, and Michael Brockers suggests that Aaron Donald will have a new deal by October, Joel Corry of CBSSports.com opines (Twitter link). This week, the Rams exercised Donald’s fifth-year option, but many expect the two sides to hammer out a long-term extension before that kicks in.
Rams To Decline Greg Robinson’s Option
The Rams are exercising the fifth-year option for Aaron Donald, but they won’t be doing the same for another 2014 first-round pick. Offensive tackle Greg Robinson, taken No. 2 overall that year, will not have his 2018 option picked up, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times tweets. The fifth-year option is guaranteed for injury only, but that’s not a risk the Rams are willing to take. 
Robinson entered the league with huge promise, but so far he has been a massive bust. Last season, he was assigned a dreadful 38.0 overall score by the metrics at Pro Football Focus, ranking him as one of the seven worst qualified offensive tackles in the NFL. He had roughly similar showings in his previous two campaigns.
This year, the Rams are moving Robinson to the inside with the hope that he can finally produce. Free agent pickup Andrew Whitworth will hold down the left tackle spot while Robinson will have to fight for playing time behind projected starters Rodger Saffold and Cody Wichmann.
Just as the decision to trigger Donald’s option was a no-brainer, the same goes for the decision to decline Robinson’s option.
Rams Exercise Aaron Donald’s Option
The Rams have exercised Aaron Donald‘s fifth-year option for the 2018 season, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The option is worth $6.892MM and is guaranteed for injury. The move was an absolute no-brainer for Los Angeles. 
Donald has been playing at an elite level in each of his three NFL seasons. Last year, Donald finished out as Pro Football Focus’ top ranked interior defender with a score of 95.8. Even Calais Campbell‘s career year (90.4) didn’t come close to taking the No. 1 spot from the Rams star. Remarkably, Donald had an even stronger showing in 2015 when he had a 96.6 score.
Donald, the No. 13 overall pick in the 2014 draft, is slated to play out 2017 at a $3.225MM cap figure. He’s on the books for roughly $6.9MM in 2018, but it’s more likely that the two sides will hammer out an extension between now and then.
A new deal for Donald should reset the market for defensive tackles. Currently, Ndamukong Suh has the top deal at six years and $114.4MM with $60MM guaranteed. Unlike Suh, Donald will not be negotiating his deal on the open market. However, a new pact this year would make him two years younger than Suh at the time of signing and the salary cap has increased significantly since Suh’s deal in 2015. There’s also this: Donald is arguably an even better player than Suh was in his prime.
While the Rams will be switching from a 4-3 to a hybrid 3-4 under Wade Phillips, the scheme change likely won’t impact Donald’s role in the defense or his ability to stifle opponents.
Rams Researching Josh Jones
- North Carolina State safety Josh Jones is drawing the interest of multiple teams, reports Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (Twitter link). Clubs are digging deep: the Rams have visited Jones’ high school, while the Colts and Cardinals both contacted the high school to ask about Jones. Thus far, Jones has also been linked to Baltimore, Miami, Tennessee, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Chicago.
Linebacker James Laurinaitis Retires
James Laurinaitis is calling it a career. The linebacker announced via social media that he will retire instead of seeking an NFL home for the 2017 season. 
“The thing I’m going to miss the most is the locker room,” Laurinaitis wrote. “The conversations and relationships I built with all that I’ve battled with will be my favorite memories. Players, coaches, equipment staff, medical staff, community outreach, marketing, you name it, the people I’ve met through this game is what I’ll take with me. I’ve been blessed way more through football than I could’ve ever imagined.”
Laurinaitis was with the Rams for the first seven years of his career but the team left him behind before playing its first game in Los Angeles. Prior to the 2016 season, Laurinaitis hooked on with the Saints, but things did not go according to plan. After six games, the 30-year-old was placed on IR just as rookie Sheldon Rankins was designated for return from IR. The move meant that Laurinaitis could not take the field for the Saints again in 2016.
As a courtesy, New Orleans granted him his release, but he was unable to find work. Late-season auditions with the Lions and Chiefs did not result in an offer from either squad.
Laurinaitis will be best remembered for his many years as a starter in St. Louis. From 2009 through 2015, he was first string in every possible regular season game. The former second round pick had 16.5 career sacks and 870 total tackles.
Rams Make Several Minor Transactions
- The Rams are keeping defensive end Ethan Westbrooks, who signed his original-round RFA tender, relays Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com. Westbrooks, undrafted in 2014, was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence last month, but the Sacramento County District Attorney chose not to file charges. Los Angeles is also retaining exclusive rights free agents Matt Longacre (DE) and Louis Trinca-Pasat (DT). Meanwhile, the team has officially waived wide receiver Stedman Bailey, whose career likely ended when he survived two gunshot wounds to the head in 2015.
Rams Make Changes To Scouting Department
The Rams have made some major changes to their scouting department. According to Jason La Canfora (via Twitter), the team has informed four evaluators that they won’t be back next season. This includes Director of Pro Personnel Ran Carthon, who had held that role for the past five seasons.