49ers vs. Rams: Who won the 2020 NFC West offseason battle?

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Defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers with DeForest Buckner #99 (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

49ers vs. Rams: 2020 NFL free agency

Both teams have made some interesting moves this offseason. I want to look at the way both of these teams have approached NFL free agency.

This is particularly interesting because the Rams are in an interesting cap position with just over $5.3 million available, per Over the Cap.

The Rams have lost a few key players in the offseason. They cut running back Todd Gurley after initially making him a cornerstone piece of their offense before he got hurt. The Rams also lost their very solid kicker, Greg Zuerlein. They lost a few big pieces on defense. They also have struggled to maintain the cap.

It’s safe to say the Rams have not had a particularly good offseason with some really big losses. They have signed replacements but time will tell if they will pan out.

The 49ers have had a very interesting offseason as well. They are also very tight with cap space and have not had the opportunity to go after big free agents, which was the main reason why veteran wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders walked. The team did re-sign saftey Jimmie Ward and defensive tackle Arik Armstead, which helped with continuity and maintaining what’s seen as an elite defense. But the 49ers’ trade of Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to free up cap space and obtain draft capital was quite the shocker. This move will have to be evaluated later in relation to who they chose to replace him, South Carolina defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.

The Niners also got a new left tackle to replace Joe Staley who retired, former Washington perennial Pro Bowler Tackle Trent Williams, for two mid-round draft picks. This is a fantastic move and they got a good deal as well.

In regards to who I feel had a better free agency period, I have to give it to the 49ers. They had a lot more positive moves and overcame some of the losses they had. They have done a great job of determining where to get and take players. The Rams have just too many losses and haven’t replaced them all at a similar level.

Now the Rams have had some positive moves in retaining some solid pieces to their teams, but their losses have overshadowed what good they have done.