Rams Still Interested In Donte Whitner
It’s been more than a month since free agent safety Donte Whitner paid a visit to the Rams, but Whitner continues to be “in play” for L.A., tweets Vincent Bonsignore of the Los Angeles Daily News. Since the veteran safety was cut by Cleveland, there was no need for any team to wait until after May 12 to sign Whitner — he wouldn’t have counted toward the compensatory draft pick formula either way.
Rams Hosting Dashon Goldson On Visit
The Rams are hosting Dashon Goldson on a visit today, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Goldson, 32 in September, was released by Washington in early March and has remained on the open market ever since. 
Goldson first came into the league as a fourth-round pick of the Niners in the 2007 draft. Goldson eventually took over as the team’s full-time free safety and he was recognized for his play in 2011 when he earned his first Pro Bowl selection. In 2012, his contract year, Goldson was once again named to the Pro Bowl and also earned First Team All-Pro honors. Goldson parlayed that performance into a five-year, $41.25MM contract with the Bucs which included a hefty $22MM guarantee.
By 2015, it was clear that the deal was not working out and the Bucs traded Goldson to Washington in a salary dump. Goldson was slated to make $8MM with Washington this season, a price tag that was far too rich given the level of production he currently provides. His entire salary was non-guaranteed, making it a pretty easy decision for the team.
This offseason, Goldson was a part of a deep safety class which was headlined by guys like Rodney McLeod, Tashaun Gipson, and George Iloka. But, even when those players came off of the board, interest for Goldson proved to be mild. The Cowboys were said to have some level of interest in Goldson and Washington reportedly didn’t rule out a reunion at a lesser rate, but it’s not clear if either team still has interest.
Goldson recorded 70 tackles and one interception in 2015, grading as the No. 70 safety among 88 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Rams Sign Washington, Cut Toon
Jared Goff Likely To Start Sooner Rather Than Later
- The Rams don’t want to rush No. 1 pick Jared Goff into anything, but as Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com writes, there’s a good chance the former Cal quarterback will be under center for the team sooner rather than later — perhaps even by Week 1.
Rams’ T.J. McDonald Arrested For DUI
Rams safety T.J. McDonald was arrested on DUI charges on Tuesday morning, according to TMZ Sports. McDonald allegedly crashed into a parked car and, when police arrived, they noticed that McDonald seemed inebriated. 
McDonald was eventually arrested for DUI, though TMZ hears that the incident was not alcohol related. Instead, police suspect that there was medication involved. The 25-year-old has been released on his own recognizance. Depending on where things go from here, McDonald could face discipline from the league office. If McDonald is suspended by the NFL, it will be yet another blow to a Rams secondary that has already lost star cornerback Janoris Jenkins and safety Rodney McLeod this offseason.
McDonald, a former third-round pick, has appeared in (and started) 37 games for the Rams since 2013. Last season, McDonald recorded 62 total tackles, one sack, one pass defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 11 games. McDonald’s season ended in December when doctors recommended surgery for his badly injured shoulder. McDonald graded out as just the 62nd best safety in the NFL amongst 89 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus (sub. req’d).
McDonald is the son of six-time Pro Bowler Tim McDonald, a former NFL defensive back who enjoyed a 13-year career with the Cardinals and 49ers.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Rams Cut Ferguson, Claim Worton
- The Rams released wide receiver Isiah Ferguson, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (on Twitter). To replace him, the Rams have inked wide receiver J.J. Worton (link).
- The Rams signed former Auburn wide receiver Duke Williams after his recent tryout, Vincent Bonsignore of the Daily News tweets.
Jared Goff Looking Good In Practice
We’re only a few days into rookie minicamp, but it sounds like Jared Goff might be setting himself up for the Rams‘ starting job already.
Rams Sign 19 Undrafted Free Agents
After including a handful of their 2016 draft picks in the trade package that allowed them to move up to No. 1 to snag California quarterback Jared Goff, the Rams only drafted six players last week, with all of them but Goff coming off the board on Day 3. However, Los Angeles has supplemented its draft class by adding 19 undrafted free agents to its roster.
Here’s the complete list of new Rams from Myles Simmons of TheRams.com:
- K Taylor Bertolet (Texas A&M)
- LB Brandon Chubb (Wake Forest)
- DE Morgan Fox (Colorado State-Pueblo)
- S Rohan Gaines (Arkansas)
- RB Aaron Green (TCU)
- LB Nicholas Grigsby (Pitt)
- LB Darreon Herring (Vanderbilt)
- DB Michael Jordan (Missouri Western)
- LB Cory Littleton (Washington)
- FS Jordan Lomax (Iowa)
- WR Paul McRoberts (Southeast Missouri St.) ($10K signing bonus, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
- OL Pace Murphy (Northwestern St.)
- WR Marquez North (Tennessee)
- LB Kache Palacio (Washington St.)
- S Brian Randolph (Tennessee)
- CB Winston Rose (New Mexico State)
- DE Ian Seau (Nevada)
- WR Nelson Spruce (Colorado)
- OL Jordan Swindle (Kentucky)
Rams Waive Eric Patterson
- Clearing room for their undrafted free agent class, the Rams have waived cornerback Eric Patterson, tweets Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. A Ball State product, Patterson saw the field briefly last season for the Rams and Colts.
Silver On Rams' Decision To Make Jared Goff Franchise QB
- Michael Silver of NFL.com took an interesting, in-depth look at how the Rams decided they wanted to make California quarterback Jared Goff their QB of the future.