Rams: Focus During Legal Tampering Period Is On Own Players

With 11 unrestricted free agents left on the board, almost all of whom they have an interesting in retaining, the Rams will spend most of the first day of the 48-hour legal tampering period of free agency focused on their own players.

The legal tampering period begins today at 1 p.m. PST.

That doesn’t mean they won’t reach out to other unrestricted free agents across the NFL – with whom they can negotiate all aspects of an NFL player contract” over the next two days but can not technically agree to anything – but their primary focus is on their own free agents.

The bulk of which is on defense, which means retaining starting cornerback Janoris Jenkins, free safety Rodney McLeod, outside linebacker Mark Barron and defensive linemen William Hayes, Eugene Sims and Nick Fairley.

Among the other unrestricted free agents are K Greg Zuerlein, WR Brian Quick, WR Wes Welker, TE Cory Harkey and C Tim Barnes.

The Rams have already addressed one of their UFA’s by tagging starting cornerback Trumaine Johnson with the franchise tag. Johnson agreed to the designation and will earn $13.9 million in 2016. The Rams will continue to work with Johnson a long-term extension, though.

Barring an agreement with Johnson, the Rams have approximately $45 million to work with under the 2016 salary cap.

The Rams also have six unrestricted free agents: LB Daren Bates, S Cody Davis, QB Case Keenum, RB Benny Cunningham, RB Chase Reynold and OL Brian Folkerts.

The deadline to extend qualifying tenders on their restricted free agents is on Wednesday.

Free agency officially opens on Wednesday, at which time any “agreements” reached during the 48-hour legal tampering period can be announced.

One player the Rams can officially talk to is quarterback Robert Griffin III, who was released on Monday by the Washington Redskins. RG3 is immediately free to talk to visit and sign with any team.