Rams: Kendall Langford released

As the opening of free agency draws into view teams are making moves, creating cap space for new signings and re-signings. The latest to do so are the Rams, who are jettisoning defensive tackle Kendall Langford after three seasons in St Louis. The move pushes the Rams a further $6 million under the cap. It comes at the expense of a player who had become marginalized, thanks to the spectacular rookie season from 2014 first rounder, Aaron Donald.

Langford played 2,019 snaps during his three seasons in St Louis and departs after his best season (+0.4) with the Rams. A solid contributor as a pass rusher in Miami (who drafted him in 2008), Langford couldn’t build on that in St Louis, he accumulated just 58 pressures in three seasons despite seeing increased playing time. Instead his best contributions came as a run defender in his second (+4.6) and third (+0.7) seasons.

In Donald and Michael Brockers, the Rams should have two former top 15 picks starting at defensive tackle next season. That pair will dominate the snaps at the position, allowing the team to pursue a cheaper alternative to Langford as first man off the bench.

For Langford, offers should still be forthcoming to allow him to continue his career. Though his pass rushing production failed to increase in step with his playing time in St Louis, he has still been a solid all round contributor over the last two seasons, compensating for his declining impact as a pass rusher by maturing as a run defender.