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.
Rams May Explore Trumaine Johnson Extension
The Rams would have preferred to trade franchise-tagged cornerback Trumaine Johnson before their offseason program begins on Monday, and while a deal is still possible, Los Angeles may now attempt to work out an extension with Johnson prior to the July 15 deadline, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com.
Johnson, 27, quickly signed his free agent tender after it was assigned, and is now scheduled to earn a fully guaranteed base salary of $16.742MM. Because Johnson was also tagged last year, he’ll rake in 120% of his 2016 paycheck. That money will all come in the form of base salary, so any club that acquires Johnson would be responsible for that total.
A long-term deal, meanwhile, would allow the Rams to lower Johnson’s exorbitant cap charge by moving a significant amount of guarantees into a signing bonus, which would be prorated on the salary cap over several seasons. As Gonzalez notes, Los Angles has several important players set to reach free agency in the next two years — including Aaron Donald, Alec Ogletree, and Lamarcus Joyner — and the extra cap space would ease the task of retaining them.
The Rams were reportedly discussing Johnson with “multiple teams” when free agency opened, but no deal ever came to fruition. So far, the only club that’s even been tangentially linked to the Johnson talks is the Browns.
Rams Sign CB Nickell Robey-Coleman
The Rams have signed cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman, according to a team announcement. This marks yet another defensive upgrade for the Rams’ new coaching regime. 
The Rams project to start Trumaine Johnson and free agent pickup Kayvon Webster in the coming year. Behind those two, Robey-Coleman will provide depth along with Lamarcus Joyner, E.J. Gaines, Troy Hill, Blake Countess, and Michael Jordan (no, not that Michael Jordan). Both Joyner and Robey-Coleman come with slot experience, a position that is becoming more and more important in the NFL each year.
Many were taken by surprise when the Bills cut Robey-Coleman after he turned in a strong year. In fact, the corner earned a higher grade from Pro Football Focus than teammates Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby. Before signing with the Rams, the Vikings, the Chargers, Dolphins, Steelers, and Titans all showed interest in the 25-year-old.
Broncos, Cowboys, Rams Extended Offers To DeMarcus Ware
Less than a month after his retirement, DeMarcus Ware shed some light about what could have been had he sought to return for a 13th NFL season. The future Hall of Fame edge defender told Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post he received three offers this offseason as a UFA — from the Broncos, Cowboys and Rams.
Ware told the Denver-based reporter something changed between early February and mid-March, leading him to retire. The 34-year-old posted on social media on New Year’s Eve of last year he planned to play in 2017, but he reversed course. However, Ware told Jhabvala had he been under contract with the Broncos for another year he would be suiting up for them this coming season.
Denver’s right outside linebacker said retirement didn’t cross his mind during last season, but he did reveal that he played around three games with a herniated disc in his back. He underwent back surgery following the Broncos’ Week 16 game in Kansas City.
“I’d sit down in meetings not knowing if I’d be able to get up,” Ware said, via Jhabvala, about going through weeks with the herniated disc. “This is stuff people don’t know you go through because I love playing football. … That [Chiefs] game, I was hurting so bad. I told myself, ‘You need to just get yourself fixed.”
It wasn’t known until today how serious a possible reunion with Wade Phillips in Los Angeles was. Ware visited the L.A. in March, with the Rams joining the Broncos and Cowboys in the pursuit. Jane Slater of NFL.com reported multiple teams offered Ware at least $7MM per year. He finished out a three-year, $30MM contract with the Broncos last season.
Rams Sign Carlos Thompson
- The Rams have signed free agent linebacker Carlos Thompson, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Thompson went undrafted out of Ole Miss in 2015, and eventually landed a UDFA contract with Houston. After appearing in two games, Thompson spent the rest of his rookie campaign on injured reserve. Thompson was waived in 2016, and worked out for the Giants in October without landing a contract.
Rams To Sign C John Sullivan
The Rams have found their center. Los Angeles is signing veteran John Sullivan, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
The Rams cut former starting center Tim Barnes last month, leaving them without a quality option in the middle. Now, new head coach Sean McVay has brought in Sullivan, a player that he knows fairly well. Last season, the two were together in Washington where Sullivan mostly served as a backup to Spencer Long. Before riding the pine in D.C., Sullivan was the Vikings’ starter for many years.
It’s hard to quantify a center’s performance, but Sullivan was highly regarded by the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus for his work from 2011 through 2014. Sullivan’s strongest seasons placed him comfortably in the top ten. Even in 2014, a down year by his previous standards, he was still an above average starter, per PFF.
Perhaps more importantly, Sullivan anchored the offensive line for some of Adrian Peterson’s best years in Minnesota. He also offers familiarity with McVay’s offensive system, which should be valuable for this young Rams team.
Rams To Work Out Forrest Lamp
- The Rams will put Western Kentucky offensive lineman Forrest Lamp through a workout, tweets Jenna Laine of ESPN.com. Lamp, a collegiate tackle who projects as a pro guard, has met with a multitude of clubs in recent weeks, and is now expected to be drafted somewhere in the 20s. NFL teams are apparently high on Lamp’s versatility, given that he should be able to play inside and out, and could even slide to center in a pinch. At present, the Rams’ projected starters on the inside are guards Rodger Saffold and Cody Wichmann and center Demetrius Rhaney. Los Angeles attempted to lure restricted free agent Ryan Groy earlier this offseason, but failed when the Bills matched its offer sheet.
Rams Didn't Pursue Keenum, McDonald
- The Rams did not pursue T.J. McDonald or Case Keenum in free agency, according to the Los Angeles Times. An impending eight-game suspension reduced interest in McDonald, who landed with the Dolphins. Keenum signed with the Vikings.
Sean McVay Will Have Draft Input
- Although general manager Les Snead will make the final call on draft day, new Rams head coach Sean McVay and his staff will play a large role in setting the team’s board, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News (Twitter links). Los Angeles has needs all over the roster, but won’t make a selection until Round Two after trading the farm for Jared Goff in 2016. Under McVay and new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, the Rams will be running new schemes on both sides of the ball, meaning communication between the field staff and the front office will be crucial as the draft approaches.
T.J. McDonald Suspended For Eight Games
Free agent safety T.J. McDonald has been suspended for the first eight games of the 2017 season, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter links). McDonald, he adds, just had his first free agent visit with the Dolphins. The suspension stems his May 2016 DUI arrest, which included drug charges (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). 
McDonald is ranked as our No. 1 available safety in free agency and is one of the highest-ranked players remaining on my Top 50 Free Agents list, which ranked players based on projected earning power. Apparently, McDonald won’t be making anywhere near what we expected, thanks in part to the pending ban.
McDonald, a hard hitting defensive back, has been a starter for the Rams in each of the last four seasons. This year, he hit free agency and the Rams did not show any interest in re-signing him.
In 2016, McDonald had 62 total tackles, two interceptions, one sack, and six passes defensed. He graded out as as Pro Football Focus’ 58th best safety in the NFL last season.