10 NFL free agency signings for 2021 that could backfire
By Randy Gurzi
4. Leonard Floyd, EDGE, Los Angeles Rams
This offseason, the Los Angeles Rams decided it was time to give up all their future assets for a run at the Super Bowl. Oh, who are we kidding, this is what they do every year.
There’s not a team in the NFL who hates first-round picks nearly as much as the Rams do as they continue to trade them away year after year. This offseason, they sent multiple to the Detroit Lions for Matthew Stafford and even including former No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff.
Stafford is an upgrade over Goff but with his recent back injuries and age, it’s debatable if he’s a major upgrade. There are enough people who believe he is that it’s not worth fighting it at this point, but instead, we will have to see how it all plays out.
As for their free agency moves, the Rams did make one questionable signing — which was when they decided to retain Leonard Floyd on a four-year, $64 million contract. Floyd did put up great numbers in 2020 with 55 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and 19.5 quarterback hits but it’s also a far cry from what he did throughout his time in Chicago.
Floyd also benefited from the attention given to players such as Aaron Donald, which means they might have been able to get similar production from another player who wouldn;t have commanded such a high salary.