As the salary cap continues to rise and teams don’t allow homegrown talent to hit free agency, the classes in recent years have continued to get weaker. However, the Los Angeles Rams will have money to spend if they choose to do so and will likely look to bring in a handful of players. When it comes to free agency, player fit is just as important as it is during the draft. With that said, given the money involved, the consequences are much greater. A player’s schematic fit within a team’s infrastructure
is critical. It’s for those reasons that the Rams have had free agent busts such as Allen Robinson.
This is a weaker free agent class, but that doesn’t mean that the Rams won’t have options. Here are the best free agent fits for the Rams.
Quarterback
- Zach Wilson
- Sam Howell
- Marcus Mariota
There’s a chance that Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t return in 2026. Garoppolo could leave and have a chance to compete for a starting role for a team like the Arizona Cardinals or Miami Dolphins. There will be a lot of teams looking for a bridge quarterback, and with a weak quarterback class, it makes finding one in free agency that much more important.
The Rams could opt to draft a quarterback to be a backup, but an experienced starter with upside makes sense. A change of scenery has proven to be beneficial for quarterbacks in recent years. Zach Wilson is a former first-round pick and still just 26 years old. At the very least, Wilson could be a backup and then serve as the bridge quarterback post-Matthew Stafford. Sam Howell is a player who the Rams have had interest in previously. They were outbid by the Seattle Seahawks in 2024. Howell is just 25 years old and could play the same role as an experienced backup who could be an eventual bridge player. If the Rams go with experience again, Marcus Mariota has played under both Kliff Kingsbury and Brian Johnson.
Wide Receiver
- Alec Pierce
- Jauan Jennings
- Rashid Shaheed
- Wan’Dale Robinson
- Deebo Samuel
- Romeo Doubs
- Treylon Burks
- Kendrick Bourne
- JuJu Smith-Schuster
Outside of Alec Pierce, there aren’t a lot of exciting names here. If the Rams are looking for a reliable third wide receiver, Jauan Jennings could be an option. Jennings has been a reliable option for the San Francisco 49ers and has caught 50 or more passes each of the last two seasons. Jennings would be an upgrade over Jordan Whittington or Konata Mumpfield. Another player with size that has experience in a McVay-style offense is Romeo Doubs. Doubs could be a low-value free agent that pays off. While teams are focused on Pierce, Doubs might be the player teams should want. If Brandon Aiyuk gets cut, he’d be added here as well.
In the case that the Rams are looking for a Tutu Atwell replacement, they could take a gander at Wan’Dale Robinson. Robinson is only 5’8, 185 pounds, but he’s proven that he can produce in the NFL as he’s coming off of a 1,000-yard season. He ranked inside the top-15 in receptions, yards, and yards after the catch per reception. Robinson was also one of 16 wide receivers with 10 or more receptions of 20 or more yards. If the Rams are looking for an explosive playmaker, Robinson is an option. Shaheed also had success last season in a Shanahan-style offense under Klint Kubiak.
Tight End
- Cade Otton
- Daniel Bellinger
- Charlie Kolar
If the Rams want to continue adding at tight end, this isn’t a bad free agent class to do it. Tyler Higbee hasn’t been as productive and has dealt with injuries. In the case that the Rams want to use 13 personnel in 2026, they need to add to the position. There are two players here that would be great fits. The first of those is Charlie Kolar. Kolar hasn’t produced since being drafted in the fourth round by the Baltimore Ravens. With that said, he played at Iowa State while current Rams offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase was there. Scheelhaase wasn’t the offensive coordinator yet, but the two would have crossed paths. Additionally, Kolar is an 83.3 percent athletic match to Tyler Higbee. Kolar wouldn’t leapfrog Terrance Ferguson, but would be a good third option at tight end. He was one of the best blocking tight ends in football in 2025. According to PFF, Kolar’s 71.5 run-blocking grade ranked eighth among tight ends. He also didn’t have a single blown block or allow a stuff.
Otton makes less sense from the standpoint that he takes away some of what Ferguson does, but he’s a great fit. His most productive year came in 2024 under Liam Coen as the offensive coordinator. Otton has familiarity in the offense and is a very detailed route-runner for a tight end. This would be more of a direct replacement for Higbee’s role. He’s one of the best tight ends after the catch, ranking sixth in yards after the catch per reception. The issue with Otton has been efficiency in the passing game and overall consistency.
Offensive Line
- Alijah Vera-Tucker
- Trevor Penning
- Brady Christensen
- Josh Jones
Given that the Rams don’t have a lot of offensive line depth, it makes sense to sign a veteran. However, good tackles don’t just become available. Vera-Tucker has experience at right tackle and both guard spots. Penning can play both tackle spots and has some experience inside.
The player to watch here may be Josh Jones. Jones has experience at left tackle, right guard, and right tackle. He played against the Rams at left tackle last year and allowed just two pressures in Week 16. Signing a veteran and then drafting a tackle would put the Rams in a good spot.
Defensive Line/EDGE/Linebacker
- John Franklin-Myers
- Sebastian Joseph-Day
- Boye Mafe
- Leonard Floyd
- Quay Walker
- Devin Lloyd
- EJ Speed
It would be surprising to see the Rams sign a defensive lineman given how much they’ve invested at the position in recent years. With that said, an edge rusher wouldn’t be out of the equation. Boye Mafe or Leonard Floyd are the best fits here. Given the familiarity, the Rams may look to bring back Floyd. The Rams started to use Desjuan Johnson on the edge last year. While he performed well, Floyd could fill that role and give the position group a much-needed leader in the room. Floyd isn’t going to provide 10 sacks like he did in 2020. However, he provides size and experience in the run game on the edge.
The Rams signed Nate Landman last year and gave him an extension. It would be a surprise if they signed another linebacker this offseason. If they do try and find a cheaper option, EJ Speed is intriguing. He’d be an upgrade on special teams and has familiarity with Bubba Ventrone. Speed was a core special teams player for the Colts under Ventrone from 2019-2022.
Cornerback/Safety
- Jamel Dean
- Riq Woolen
- Montaric Brown
- Eric Stokes
- Cam Taylor-Britt
- Greg Newsome II
- Alontae Taylor
- Coby Bryant
- Rayshawn Jenkins
It would not be surprising to see the Rams add one of Jamel Dean or Riq Woolen. Woolen is younger and brings elite size and speed at the position. However, he’s dealt with some inconsistencies throughout his career. A change of scenery may be good for him and he has experience in the NFC West. Dean is older but profiles as a mid-tier CB1 or high-end CB2. He’s a player that the Rams could trust on the outside.
One other player to watch would be Rayshawn Jenkins. For the same reason as EJ Speed, Jenkins was a special teams ace for the Browns last year under Bubba Ventrone. If the Rams are going to improve their special teams, adding familiarity within the system is a step in the right direction.
