NFL free agency is off and running, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2024 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year begins March 13 at 4 p.m. ET, which means free agent signings can be made official after that. The first round of the 2024 NFL draft begins April 25 on ESPN.
Here's a breakdown of every 2024 NFL free agent signing by the Los Angeles Rams and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Tre'Davious White, CB
What it means: The Rams have revamped the cornerback position this offseason by adding White and bringing back Darious Williams earlier in free agency. While the Rams have two cornerbacks entering their third seasons in Derion Kendrick and Cobie Durant -- both Rams 2022 draft picks -- Los Angeles needed to find players capable of more consistent play at the position. The Rams also added safety Kamren Curl, so they it's unlikely they address their secondary high in the draft and instead are able to focus on other positions of need.
What's the risk: It is a one-year, $8.5 million deal with a max value up to $10 million for White, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The biggest risk is that the 29-year-old White is coming off a right Achilles injury. But it was Neal ElAttrache, the Rams' team doctor, who performed White's surgery, which likely helps Los Angeles feel comfortable with that risk.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB
Garoppolo will sign a one-year contract to be Matthew Stafford's backup.
What it means: The Rams were reminded last season how important it is to have a backup quarterback "that can help us win a game," as general manager Les Snead said in his end of season news conference in January. Snead referenced the Rams' Week 9 loss to the Green Bay Packers, and how close it came to costing the team a playoff spot, when discussing the backup spot. Stafford missed that game with a thumb injury and Brett Rypien and the Rams offense scored three points in the loss. By signing Garoppolo, the Rams have a solid option if Stafford misses time. In seven games with the Las Vegas Raiders last season, Garoppolo completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,205 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions.
What's the risk: The Rams aren't taking a huge risk, as it's a one-year deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Garoppolo will miss the first two games while serving a suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy.
Darious Williams, CB
Former Jaguars corner Darious Williams agreed to a three-year contract with the Rams on Tuesday.
What it means: The Rams entered this offseason needing to add talent in the secondary. By signing Williams -- who played in 43 games for them from 2018-21 -- Los Angeles adds a veteran presence at cornerback. Williams tied his career-high with four interceptions last season for the Jaguars. He also had 53 tackles and forced two fumbles. Although Williams won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams, Los Angeles has a new defensive coordinator in Chris Shula, after Raheem Morris was hired by the Atlanta Falcons. Williams is expected to be a starter for the Rams in his return and should be an upgrade at the position.
What's the risk: The terms of the deal haven't been disclosed, so it's hard to say whether it's a financially risky move. But the Rams are familiar with Williams and they addressed a position of need with the signing.
Kamren Curl, S
Curl agreed to a two-year deal with the Rams for $8.75 million that goes up to $12.75 million with incentives.
What it means: By signing Curl, the Rams added a versatile safety who spent his first four seasons with the Washington Commanders. He played both safety spots for Washington, as well as their hybrid safety/linebacker role. Last season Curl had a career high 115 total tackles and 74 solo tackles. He had three interceptions in 2020 -- his rookie season -- but hasn't had one since. The Rams likely aren't done adding at safety, either through free agency or in the draft.
What's the risk: Not much. It's a two-year, $8.75 million deal for Curl, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, that could go up to $12.75 million. Given that safety Jordan Fuller is a free agent who may not be back, the signing makes sense for Los Angeles.
Jonah Jackson, G
Former Lions guard Jonah Jackson is signing with the Rams on a three-year, $51 million deal.
What it means: The Rams continue to prioritize protecting quarterback Matthew Stafford by adding Jackson, as well as re-signing center Kevin Dotson before the negotiating window opened on Monday. Jackson was ranked 11th on ESPN Matt Bowen's list of Top 100 free agents. Signing Jackson could mean that the Rams plan to move left guard Steve Avila to center, a position he played at TCU.
What's the risk: Jackson signed a three-year, $51 million deal, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. While the Rams do have the financial flexibility to spend this free agency -- unlike last year -- they have now committed a significant portion of the approximately $40 million cap space they had on the offensive line. That's only a risk because Los Angeles has several positions of need, particularly on defense.
Colby Parkinson, TE
Former Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson intends to join the Rams on a three-year, $22.5 million deal.
What it means: By signing Parkinson, the Rams added depth to a tight end room that was hit hard when Tyler Higbee tore his ACL and MCL in January. The only other two tight ends on the roster before Parkinson's signing were 2023 fifth-round pick Davis Allen and 2020 fourth-round pick Brycen Hopkins. In 17 games last season with Seattle, Parkinson had 25 catches for 247 yards and two touchdowns.
What's the risk: The only risk is that perhaps Los Angeles could have depended on Allen instead as their TE1 until Higbee's return and spent the money elsewhere. Allen saw increased playing time toward the end of the season and could have a larger role in 2024, especially if Higbee misses significant time.
Kevin Dotson, G
The Rams are re-signing guard Kevin Dotson to a three-year, $48 million deal that includes $32 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN.
What it means: After Los Angeles dealt with instability on its offensive line in 2022, the group took a big step forward in 2023. Part of that was because the Rams traded for Dotson during training camp. The move was one of the biggest moves the Rams made last season, as Dotson started 14 games for Los Angeles.
At the end of February, Rams general manager Les Snead said negotiations with Dotson would probably "go into the window at minimum," meaning that the offensive lineman would likely test the free agent market. The fact a deal was done before the start of that March 11 window indicates the desire there was from both sides to get a new contract done.
What's the risk: With $32 million guaranteed, the risk is that Dotson can't replicate his 2023 season. This deal doesn't preclude the Rams from making other big moves, but it is a lot of money committed to the offensive line over two years.