ESPN REPORTS; Rams On The Verge To Boost Pass Rush, But Cap Space And Roster Needs May Lead To Other Priorities

 

The Los Angeles Rams finished the 2024 regular season ranked 11th in the league for sacks, and USA Today’s Tyler Dragon believes the team needs to improve in this area. He suggests that the Rams should target Philadelphia Eagles EDGE rusher Josh Sweat to bolster their pass rush.

During the 2024 season, Sweat registered 8.0 sacks for the reigning Super Bowl champions and added 5.0 more during the playoffs. Dragon highlighted his dominant performance in Super Bowl 59, where Sweat posted a game-high 2.5 sacks. Sweat also recently changed his representation, signaling that he is likely looking for a significant pay raise. With his impressive postseason performance, Sweat will have plenty of suitors on the market, especially if the Eagles are unable to re-sign him. Pairing Sweat with defensive rookie Jared Verse could form a fearsome pass-rushing duo for the Rams.

Sweat, 27, recorded 11.0 sacks in 2022, and his last season of double-digit sacks for the Rams came in 2021, courtesy of Aaron Donald. Sweat could add much-needed firepower to the Rams’ defensive line if he isn’t retained by the Eagles. Currently, Sweat is set to become an unrestricted free agent after a one-year, $10 million contract with Philadelphia for 2024.

With a career earnings of $39.8 million, per Over The Cap, Sweat is expected to secure a substantial contract. Spotrac projects his market value at $18.8 million per year, with a potential three-year, $56.4 million deal.

As of February 11, the Rams are projected to have $38.3 million in cap space for the 2025 season, with the flexibility to free up additional funds through contract restructures or other roster moves. However, it may not be a priority for them to pursue Sweat, given their current needs.

The Rams added EDGE rusher Jared Verse with the No. 19 pick in the 2024 draft, which gives them a promising young pass rusher on the outside. They also have Byron Young, a third-round pick from 2023, who posted 7.5 sacks as a rookie, outperforming Verse’s 4.5 sacks. Young is entering the third year of his four-year, $5.5 million deal. Additionally, versatile defensive lineman Michael Hoecht, a former undrafted free agent, logged 3.0 sacks in 2024 and is set to hit free agency.

Given their depth at the position, the Rams may be better off adding another depth option or possibly selecting another edge rusher in the upcoming draft rather than pursuing Sweat, especially with other priorities, such as addressing the quarterback position with Matthew Stafford and the wide receiver spot with Cooper Kupp. 

Speaking of Kupp, the Rams have informed him that they are open to trading him during the offseason, which could leave a significant void in their receiving corps. In response, Dragon also suggested the Rams might consider adding veteran receiver Keenan Allen from the Chicago Bears. Allen, 33, experienced a dip in production during his first year with the Bears but remains a skilled route runner. He has reportedly stated that he would only play for the Bears or the Rams in 2025.

Allen could provide a more affordable alternative to Kupp, who is under a three-year, $80.1 million contract and has dealt with persistent lower-body injuries. However, Allen would represent a step down from Kupp in terms of overall production.

In summary, while Sweat could be an appealing addition for the Rams, their current roster construction and cap space may make him an unnecessary luxury. Instead, focusing on depth and other positional needs, such as the wide receiver spot, could be a more prudent move for Rams general manager Les Snead.