Los Angeles Rams Re-sign Kevin Dotson: Not Worth The High Price Tag
The Los Angeles Rams have reached a deal with right guard Kevin Dotson worth $48 million that includes $32 million in guaranteed money over three years. And for good reason, 2023’s interior offensive line unlocked Sean McVay’s in ways Rams fans haven’t seen in years.
But the question is, is that a good allocation of the Rams salary cap space?
Los Angeles Rams Salary Cap Breakdown
His year-one cap hit will likely be around $8-$9 million. The Rams currently have ≈$40 million in cap surplus, so on its face, it doesn’t seem like a terrible cost, but the Rams have some big fish to fry on the other side of the ball. And those fish could be costly. The Rams will have to trade for or sign an edge rusher, a cornerback, and possibly a safety. The Rams are also looking to extend linebacker, Ernest Jones, who deserves a hefty contract of, at least in the $8-$10 per year range.
They will also have to put enough in escrow to cover another large draft class and undrafted free agents, they usually hip-pocket about $10 million for that, a few extra with a first-rounder in the mix
An impending move to cut or restructure Joseph Noteboom‘s contract will help, but adding these things up, money starts to get tight quickly. A budget option at edge rusher will run around $15 million, $5-$10 million for a starting cornerback.
Better To Invest In The Defense
But that approach barely worked last season. The Rams defense was 19th in points and 20th in yards.
They could patch up the defense with cheap free agents as they did in 2023 with Ahkello Witherspoon and John Johnson. But how long can you ask the defense to hold itself together with duct tape? The defense deserves investment. The Rams rank dead last in defensive spending in the league at $57 million. Aaron Donald alone represents $34 million of that. So the remaining 22 or so players split $23 million.
