Could Rams Target Free Agent LB Justin Houston After Cooper Kupp Deal?

The Los Angeles Rams have opened up $11 million in cap space with Cooper Kupp's restructured deal, and it's time to use it.

The Los Angeles Rams have just over $11 million to throw around after Cooper Kupp's contract was altered, the organization can target more expensive free agents. And USA Today has labeled linebacker Justin Houston as a top candidate.

"He’s 34 years old... and played a little less than half the Ravens’ snaps last season. Yet, he still had 9.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits in just 14 games, showing he’s still more than capable of applying pressure on the quarterback," USA Today wrote. 

Houston's trajectory truly is intriguing. He totaled just 4.5 sacks in 2021 but rebounded with the aforementioned 9.5 sack performance last year. He may be old, but he's still got it.

Regarded as a top linebacker in the NFL while playing for Kansas City, Houston has 12 seasons under his belt and 506 tackles, 130 tackles for loss 111.5 sacks and an All-Pro season to show for it.

"He’d be a perfect addition to the Rams’ inexperienced and unproven pass-rushing group and also give Aaron Donald some help on the edge," the article continued. 

As the piece also notes, Daniel Hardy, Byron Young, Nick Hampton and Michael Hoecht line up as outside linebackers for the Rams. That group isn't quite striking fear into opposing signal callers. 

Granted it's a young group, but the four have combined for just 4.5 sacks all-time... all of them coming from Hoecht last season. 

While dreams of Deandre Hopkins and Dalvin Cook dance in the heads of other fans, the Rams need to look in practical places and spend the excess on a need like Houston.

---

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Rams? Click Here

Want to join in on the discussion? Click here to become a member of the Ram Digest message board community today!

Follow Ram Digest on Twitter and Facebook.

Want even more L.A. Rams news? Check out the SI.com team page here.