The Los Angeles Rams are ready to kick off an offseason focused on one primary goal: building a team capable of reaching the Super Bowl.

They came within a few yards of achieving that last season, when they lost 31-27 to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. A 12-5 regular season with the league’s most difficult schedule and Matthew Stafford’s MVP campaign give lots of hope for this year’s squad, but the Rams also know they have to improve on the margins to get to their ultimate destination.

The future certainly matters, too, especially with a quarterback who is now 38. So, between free agency, trades and the NFL Draft, the Rams will take a few avenues to plan for the present and future.

Salary cap

The 2026 league year begins on March 11. The salary cap has yet to be officially set, but the NFL projects that it will be between $301.2 million and $305.7 million. That would be an increase of between $22 million and $26.5 million from last year’s cap of $279.2 million.

The Rams are projected to have $44.3 million in cap space for 2026, out of a projected total salary cap of $303.5 million, per Over The Cap. As of now, that projection has them ranked No. 9 among NFL teams in available cap space for 2026.

The Rams must set aside a segment of that cap space to cover their draft picks. That allotment will change based on any trades they make, which seems likely given that they own 10 picks and have a team ready to contend now after a trip to the NFC championship. As it stands, if the Rams make the 10 selections they currently have, their available cap space will drop by $15.9 million.

So, the Rams enter the NFL Scouting Combine with a projected cap space of just under $30 million available for veteran players.

Los Angeles has other ways to clear cap space if it wishes. That could come through a release or a restructure. The team doesn’t have many clear-cut candidates, though cornerback Darious Williams ($7.5 million in potential 2026 savings) is an example. Any restructurings to save money would simply move some of a player’s 2026 cap hit to future years.

Pending free agents

The Rams have 18 players set to hit free agency next month. They already re-signed one player, giving offensive lineman David Quessenberry a one-year contract.

Here is how the rest of the free agents shake out:

Unrestricted free agents: Tutu Atwell, WR; Tyler Higbee, TE; Kamren Curl, S; Jimmy Garoppolo, QB; DJ Humphries, OT; Roger McCreary, CB; Ahkello Witherspoon, CB; Jake McQuaide, LS; Nick Vannett, TE; Troy Reeder, LB; Ronnie Rivers, RB; Cobie Durant, CB; Derion Kendrick, CB.

Restricted free agents: Keir Thomas, LB; Nick Hampton, LB.

Exclusive rights free agents: Xavier Smith, WR; Justin Dedich, OG; Harrison Mevis, K.

Draft picks

Unlike in recent years, the Rams are not lacking in draft capital. Not only do they have 10 picks, but also they own two first-round selections thanks to last year’s draft-day trade with the Atlanta Falcons.

That creates a very different world for a franchise that has made only one first-round pick in the past decade.

Round 1: No. 13 (via Atlanta)

Round 1: No. 29

The two first-round picks give the Rams a few options: They could move up for a difference-maker to try to put a contending roster over the top. They could select two impact players. They could trade back on one of them to add 2027 capital while still making a first-round selection. Or they could trade one for a veteran to address a need.

Round 2: No. 61

Round 3: No. 93

Round 5: No. 167

Round 6: No. 205

Round 6: No. 208

Round 7: No. 232

Round 7: No. 250

Round 7: No. 256

Los Angeles doesn’t have a fourth-round pick after trading it to the Chicago Bears last year to move up into the fifth round to take defensive tackle Ty Hamilton. But it does have two sixth-rounders and three seventh-rounders.

The Rams turned an extra fifth-round pick into a sixth-rounder last year by trading with the Tennessee Titans for McCreary.

Roster needs

Here are the Rams’ top five positional needs entering free agency:

1. Cornerback

The top need won’t be a debate with anyone who watched last season play out. The Rams have invested in every premium position except one. What became concerning at outside cornerback was the lack of draft picks in the pipeline to find answers once Williams and Witherspoon reached their 30s and began to decline in health and performance, both of which occurred last season.

Los Angeles could bring back Durant, but it needs a true No. 1 on the outside. Trades, free agency and the draft should supply multiple strong options here.

2. Safety

The safety room was deep and sound last season, but now it has a hole to address. Curl was second in the NFL among defensive backs in tackles (122) and was an engineer for the Rams’ run fits in addition to creating some key turnovers. He could return, but if the market gets pricey, the Rams need a strong plan here.

They could expand Jaylen McCollough’s role in his third season, but he doesn’t have the experience to take on everything Curl did, either. Los Angeles also likes to rotate free safety Kam Kinchens where it can, so it could use another reliable option.

3. Wide receiver

The Rams have one of the best 1-2 punches at wide receiver in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. But the depth thinned out incredibly last season once Los Angeles moved away from playing Atwell due to size and special teams concerns.

Atwell showed that a No. 3 receiving role is limited here with the use of three-tight end sets and Nacua’s and Adams’ high-volume roles. But a really good player who can be adequate enough in blocking or special teams can find his way on the field more.

Adams will turn 34 in December and is in a contract year, so finding an option who can be a lower-volume No. 3 before ascending into a No. 2 role would be a big win this offseason.

Davante Adams led the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns in his first season with the Rams. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)

4. Linebacker

Los Angeles found a diamond in the rough last season in signing Nate Landman to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum. He was so good in run defense, creating turnovers and with his leadership, the team extended him on a three-year deal by midseason. That solved one spot, but the others remain worth a look.

Omar Speights turned in a decent season, but the depth behind him was a concern. The group collectively could use a boost in coverage, too. After paying Landman, it makes sense for this to be a draft pick with at least rotational ability in Year 1.

5. Quarterback

This is a hard one to find a place for, as the Rams are returning the league’s MVP at the position. But Stafford is now 38 and has already contemplated retirement. Beyond that, the Rams need a backup with Garoppolo headed to free agency, and it doesn’t seem as if Stetson Bennett is ready for that just yet.

Los Angeles could look for a draft pick to develop as a potential heir to Stafford, but it could also use a more mobile option to convert short-yardage situations, something that hurt the offense last season.