LA Rams to focus mostly on own players for next 48 hours

With 11 unrestricted free agents, almost all of whom they have an interest in retaining, the Rams will spend most of the first day of the 48-hour legal tampering period of free agency focused on their own players.

The tampering period begins at 1 p.m. PST,

That doesn’t mean they won’t reach out to other unrestricted free agents across the NFL — with whom they can negotiate all aspects of an NFL player contract over the next two days but can not technically agree to anything — but their primary focus is on their own free agents.

The bulk of those players are on defense, which means retaining starting coerback Janoris Jenkins, free safety Rodney McLeod, outside linebacker Mark Barron and defensive linemen William Hayes, Eugene Sims and Nick Fairley.

Among the other unrestricted free agents are kicker Greg Zuerlein, receivers Brian Quick and Wes Welker, tight end Cory Harkey and center Tim Baes.

The Rams have already addressed one of their unrestricted free agents by applying the franchise tag to starting coerback Trumaine Johnson. Johnson signed the designation and will ea $13.9 million in 2016. The Rams will continue to work with Johnson on a long-term extension.

Barring an agreement with Johnson, the Rams have approximately $45 million to work with under the salary cap.

The Rams also have six restricted free agents: linebacker Daren Bates, safety Cody Davis, quarterback Case Keenum, ruing backs Bey Cuingham and Chase Reynold and offensive lineman Brian Folkerts.

The deadline to extend qualifying tenders on restricted free agents is Wednesday.

Free agency officially opens Wednesday, at which time any “agreements” reached during the 48-hour legal tampering period can be aounced.

One player the Rams can officially talk to is quarterback Robert Griffin III, who was released Monday by the Washington Redskins. Griffin is immediately free to talk to, visit and sign with any team.

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