The Los Angeles Rams could be big players in free agency this offseason. They have more than $40 million in estimated salary cap space and could go all-in on the 2026 season after Matthew Stafford announced his return.
Not every player is a clean fit, though. The Ringer's Austin Gayle went through his top 50 impending free agents ahead of the official start of the offseason in a few weeks and pinpointed three players who could be fits for the Rams: current safety Kamren Curl, Indianapolis Colts tackle Braden Smith and Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely.
It's an interesting list, and one that would have ramifications on the Rams' draft strategy should it come to fruition. For reference, Gayle listed Smith as the No. 15 free agent, while Curl ranked No. 24 and Likely ranked No. 26.
S Kamren Curl
Curl has good size and range, and he’s a strong tackler in space. It’s a prerequisite to be versatile in Shula’s defense, and Curl fits the bill. He was an absolute steal for the Rams on his last contract. He didn’t even rank inside the top 30 among safeties in average annual salary after signing a two-year, $9 million deal with the Rams in 2024.
His pay should more than double this year, putting him in line with guys like Justin Reid, Josh Metellus, and Amani Hooker.
OT Braden Smith
On the field, he’s also ranked outside the top 20 qualifying tackles in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric in three of the past four years, and his 2025 run-blocking grade (58.0) was more than 10 points lower than PFF has recorded any other year of his career. Smith, who turns 30 years old in March, is clearly exiting his prime. But teams will always pay for a serviceable starting tackle, and if healthy, he can still be one.
TE Isaiah Likely
It was a down year for Likely. He caught just 27 passes, for 307 yards and one touchdown, in 14 games. He also fumbled the ball into the end zone for a touchback against Cincinnati in Week 13, and he had a touchdown called back when he lost the ball in the end zone against Pittsburgh the following week. ... Likely is a rare athlete and is only 25 years old, but he just hasn’t been consistent enough to warrant the monster multiyear extension many expected would be coming for him.
Curl makes sense for L.A., given his understanding of the defense, but he might be too expensive. Smith would be a quality signing if the price is right because he would give the Rams clear depth at tackle, even if the team doesn't need a bonafide starter right now.
Likely is the most intriguing name on this list. He caught just 27 passes, for 307 yards and one touchdown in 14 games, but looked like a fun offensive weapon the Ravens just failed to utilize well. The Rams would only need to a new tight end if they don't feel confident in Terrance Ferguson's development, if they cut Colby Parkinson for cap reasons and/or if they let Tyler Higbee walk in free agency.
No matter what happens, the Rams could be players in the open market this spring.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL analyst says Rams could be fits for these 3 impending free agents