The Los Angeles Rams will likely prioritize this need as the new league season approaches.
The Los Angeles Rams are off to a hot and fast start this offseason. L.A. made a big splash this offseason by acquiring All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie.
The Rams addressed their biggest need, but they aren't stopping there. The team still needs reinforcements at the cornerback spot and will need to make slight upgrades at the wide receiver spot and the offensive line. The front office will surely focus on that in the draft and free agency.
While the Rams have clear needs on the roster, their biggest need this offseason may be retaining their current crop of players. The Rams have a ton of elite players from their 2023 draft class, who will be extension-eligible this offseason.
ESPN Rams insider Sarah Barshop suggests L.A. should prioritize its current crop of players rather than signing the top free agents on the market.
"Prioritize their extension-eligible players over splashy free agent signings. The Rams had a very strong 2023 draft class, which means Nacua, outside linebacker Byron Young, defensive end Kobie Turner, and guard Steve Avila are extension-eligible. Though the Rams will enter free agency with cap space, expect them to save most of it to keep their existing players."
Rams general manager Les Snead has indicated that he wants to prioritize signing free agents rather than addressing 2023 draft class extensions.
The Rams nailed their 2023 draft class, led by their star wide receiver and arguably the best in the league, Puka Nacua.
L.A. will likely make Nacua the highest-paid receiver ever. He has lined himself up to sign a massive, market-setting extension, and he will have earned every penny of it.
Nacua is coming off the best season of his career, and that's saying something. In 2025, the 24-year-old set a career-high in receptions with 129 for 1715 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns and averaged 107.2 yards per game.
The Rams struck gold with Nacua, but also their other 2023 draft picks like Kobie Turner and Byron Young. Those two are responsible for L.A.'s formidable pass rush and have been since they first donned the horns.
It doesn't stop there. Rams offensive guard Steve Avila has become a key member of the offense. L.A. views Avila highly, and the team is considering a long-term role.
Other players whom the Rams could sign to an extension are fellow offensive lineman Warren McClendon Jr. and punter Ethan Evans. The Rams may not address every single player from the 2023 draft class, but they will soon take care of that sometime this offseason.