The St. Louis Rams are one team to keep an eye on this offseason. They've amassed an impressive array of young talent yet still haven't found a franchise quarterback and haven't enjoyed a winning season since 2003. There are pieces in place that make this team competitive - remember, they notched wins over the Broncos and the Seahawks last season - but still not enough to make them a consistent threat. As a franchise on the cusp of contention, free agency and the upcoming NFL draft will be critical if they hope to take that next step.
Aside from some of the offensive weak spots, the Rams will focus heavily on upgrading the secondary to compete in the NFC West. The team ranked just 19th in opposing passing yards per game (241.3) last season.
"The Rams have plenty of youth [at cornerback] - the oldest corner on the roster, Janoris Jenkins, turns 27 in October - but they need better results on the field," Vince Verhei of Football Outsiders wrote. "The Rams were 18th in coverage against No. 1 wide receivers last year, next-to-last in coverage against No. 2s, and 16th in coverage against all other wideouts."
So who on the open market could help the team address this glaring need? ESPN NFL Insider Matt Williamson believes San Diego Chargers cornerback Brandon Flowers should be St. Louis' top target.
"The Rams do not have a ton of needs, but could certainly use a feisty man coverage cornerback like Flowers as a leader of their young secondary," Williamson wrote. "St. Louis' cornerback depth chart is rather lean right now, and adding Flowers could bump everyone down one notch."
Flowers would provide an immediate upgrade in the secondary for the Rams but it is unknown how good the Rams' chances of landing him are. Flowers, 29, has said that he hopes to remain a Charger and the Rams are projected to have only $6.9 million in salary cap space. The team will have to do some financial finagling if they hope to try and lure Flowers to St. Louis.
