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According to Overthecap.com, the St. Louis Rams currently have about $6.8 million available in salary cap space.
Perhaps that's why general manager Les Snead said it's likely that offensive lineman Joe Barksdale will test the free-agent market, as tweeted by Nick Wagoner.
Though Barksdale played well for the team last season, it appears as though the Rams will need to start developing a backup plan.
With free agency and the NFL draft fast approaching, there will be several viable options for the Rams to not only replace Barksdale, but in some cases, possibly upgrade the position.
So what will the Rams be looking for in replacing Barksdale?
If they bring in a free agent, he will have to be one they can comfortably afford. If they decide to look for a player in the draft, they should be looking for a player that can anchor the offensive line opposite Greg Robinson for many years to come.
With that in mind, here is a list of five players the Rams could target to be the team's new right tackle.
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There aren't too many viable options on the free-agent market at the right tackle position—at least not affordable ones.
Eben Britton could be a player the Rams target as an affordable option to fill in at the right tackle position as a way to bring a veteran presence aboard.
A former second-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Britton has spent the past two seasons with the Chicago Bears. He wouldn't be a long-term solution, but if the Rams don't feel like they can get what they want in the upcoming draft, Britton could be an option.
Britton has started 34 games in the NFL. He is versatile enough to also line up at the guard position. Most importantly, the Rams could get him cheap.
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Since there won't be much to choose from among the list of free agents, the Rams will be better served finding Barksdale's replacement in the draft.
The Rams pick at No. 10 in the first round. That may seem a little high to select Ereck Flowers out of Miami, but there are some good tackles to choose from in the upcoming draft.
Watching Flowers, the two things that immediately stand out are his quickness off the snap and ability to get to the second level. He could be especially useful in the running game, where the Rams began to establish a powerful attack last season.
In pass protection, Flowers could use some coaching to refine some of his skills. However, he shows good balance and lower-body strength.
He may be susceptible to speed off the edge, and that would be a concern. However, Flowers is a player who can certainly become a strong part of a team's offensive line at the next level.
David J. Phillip/Associated Press
If Brandon Scherff is available at No. 10, the Rams must absolutely select him with that pick. He is the type of player who could completely transform the offensive line.
Scherff is an incredibly strong player who can easily overpower opponents. In the running game, he can be a force, particularly if he reaches the second level.
But Scherff isn't only strong, he's also quick and athletic for a player his size (6'5", 319 pounds).
Losing a player like Joe Barksdale would be a tough blow for the Rams, but it would be hard to complain about replacing him with Scherff.
However, the Rams would have to hope Scherff falls to them, as several teams potentially looking for a tackle will pick before them.
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Jake Fisher, who played for the Oregon Ducks, would be an interesting draft choice for the Rams if they choose not to draft a tackle in the first round.
Fisher had an impressive showing at last week's scouting combine. In fact, as Chase Goodbread of NFL.com writes, he was one of the standouts of the pre-draft drills.
Fisher is a very technical lineman with long arms. He uses his hands well and displays very good balance.
At the combine, his 5.01-second 40-yard dash was second-best among all offensive lineman. His 4.33 shuttle drill was the best among offensive lineman.
Those numbers are very impressive when you mix in Fisher's ability to control and push around defenders with his strength.
He would be an excellent choice for the Rams in the second round. However, his recent showing at the combine likely has him shooting up draft boards.
He would be a solid fit in St. Louis if the team can find a way to draft him.
Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press
Let's throw a sleeper into the mix. Tayo Fabuluje certainly fits that bill, as many people may have never heard of him. If that's the case, you will soon.
Though he dealt with weight issues in college and couldn't seem to decide between BYU and TCU (he transferred between the two schools multiple times), he has the skills NFL teams will love.
Fabuluje is a very big man at 6'6" and 353 pounds. He is incredibly strong and also displays good feet and good hands to play at the next level.
He also has good lateral movement and, unlike higher ranked prospects such as Ereck Flowers and Brandon Scherff, he doesn't seem to have as much trouble with speed rushers off the edge.
Fabuluje will have to show he is dedicated to his conditioning as a pro, but the team that drafts him will be getting a steal.
That might as well be St. Louis.
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