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Signs point to more moves after Rams’ free-agent losses

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The first wave of NFL free agency brought the Rams one new player and a bunch of new questions.

Even the addition of wide receiver Allen Robinson, in the Rams’ first signing as Super Bowl champions, created a question.

Namely, after adding Robinson to Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Van Jefferson and maybe Odell Beckham Jr., will they keep all of those receivers or spend a little of the apparent surplus in a trade for other necessities?

A round of speculation the Rams would consider trading Robert Woods or Van Jefferson began with an ESPN report that other teams began asking about Woods as soon as Robinson moved over from the Bears.

“You don’t ever replace a player like him,” Rams coach Sean McVay said of Woods in November, right after his season ended with a torn ACL.

But a chance to get something in return for the soon-to-be-30-year-old could take precedence over the Rams’ love of Woods, the Serra High (Gardena) and USC product and team captain to whom they gave a four-year, $65 million contract extension 18 months ago.

Before trading Woods, it would help if the Rams knew they could re-sign Beckham, a free agent who is likely to miss the first half of the season after tearing an ACL in the Super Bowl victory.

Beckham was the Rams’ top remaining free agent after five days of NFL transactions this week saw the departures of six free agents as well as the retirement of left tackle Andrew Whitworth, the release of punter Johnny Hekker and the non-tendering of inside linebacker Troy Reeder.

They moved to prevent a mass exodus from the offensive line by re-signing starting center Brian Allen as well as new left tackle Joe Noteboom and guard/center Coleman Shelton.

Whether Shelton should be penciled in at right guard after starter Austin Corbett signed with the Carolina Panthers is another question for the offense going into the second wave of free-agent signings and the NFL draft April 28-30.

Another question on offense is who should step in as the No. 2 tight end behind Tyler Higbee after the Minnesota Vikings signed Rams free agent Johnny Mundt. Kendall Blanton and Brycen Hopkins had big moments in the playoffs and Super Bowl.

Free-agent week left bigger questions to answer on defense.

There’s a hole again at outside linebacker after Von Miller, who will be 33 on March 26, signed with the Buffalo Bills for a whopping $120 million over an even more whopping six years.

With backup Ogbo Okoronkwo gone to the Houston Texans, Miller’s replacement won’t come from within the Rams’ ranks unless Justin Hollins earns a lot more snaps or 2021 seventh-round pick Chris Garrett earns a chance after a COVID-19-ravaged rookie year.

If the Rams are lucky, that’s the biggest issue raised by Miller leaving.

Aaron Donald, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, hinted before the Super Bowl that he could retire if the Rams won it, and indicated the following week that he wanted to see the team bring back Miller and Beckham.

General Manager Les Snead said earlier this month the Rams were “in discussions with Aaron” about a new contract, while also planning an extension with quarterback Matthew Stafford before his current contract’s final season. Rams executives have sounded confident Donald will keep playing. But that was before Miller, his pass-rush partner, walked away.

It’s worth remembering that a year ago, Rams fans were worried about the defense after lineman Michael Brockers was traded and safety John Johnson and cornerback Troy Hill both signed with the Cleveland Browns.

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The remaining defense pulled through. It did so without any veteran acquisitions before the 2021 season and with only a little help from the draft in the person of fourth-round defensive back Robert Rochell.

In 2022, the Rams are prepared with successors at most of the positions hit by free agency, but they could upgrade with signings, trades or draft picks at some of those spots, and definitely need a new punter.

They have more question marks than they did in the glow of the Super Bowl or even a week ago. Still, it’s not time yet to fret. Opening week is 5½ months away.

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