Rams Rumors: Chris Long, Brandon Lloyd, Trent Richardson

Chris Long

Ryan Van Bibber of turfshowtimes.com, writes that Chris Long‘s rookie contract includes a “final-year escalator” that will increase his base salary from $2.56 million to $10.31 million.

That means that Long’s cap figure for the 2012 year will be a staggering $18.1 million. This could pose a problem for the Rams if they plan on targeting some big name free agents.

It’s definitely a possibility that the Rams could look to re-sign Long to a multi-year contract in the near future.

Trent Richardson

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Rams decision to trade down from the #2 overall pick could leave Alabama RB Trent Richardson as an option for them at #6.

St Louis is considering a best player available approach here. Thomas notes that “Cleveland has a pass-oriented head coach in Pat Shurmur” and that the Browns seemed very interested in Blackmon at the Oklahoma State University Pro Day which is a pretty strong indication that he could be gone off the board at #4 overall.

You would have to think that they would strongly consider Morris Claiborne at #6 but that’s assuming that the Buccaneers pass on him.

Brandon Lloyd

Thomas also writes that the he’s doesn’t expect to see the Rams make “a huge push for Brandon Lloyd.”

Thomas specifically mentions that Lloyd “gets next to no yards after the catch” which is reportedly a serious concern for the Rams.

Brandon Lloyd was the best receiving option for the Rams last season after the traded for him be before the deadline.  OC Josh McDaniels was the play caller when Brandon Lloyd had the best year of his career in 2010 and will now be calling plays for the Patriots. There have been numerous reports connecting Lloyd to the Patriots in recent weeks.

We have Lloyd listed as the #29 best available free agent in our Top 50 Free Agents list.