THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- T.J. McDonald, a reticent safety now headed for free agency, spoke candidly on Jan. 2, the day after the Los Angeles Rams finished a 4-12 season, when asked about the state of the organization.

"I think a lot of things need to change," McDonald said then. "A lot of things need to change."

A lot has changed. The Rams have since hired a new head coach, 30-year-old Sean McVay, who brought in a new defensive coordinator, 69-year-old Wade Phillips. New schemes will now be implemented on both sides of the ball, which will impact the kind of players the Rams target and create an extra layer of uncertainty with regards to their own free agents.

That includes McDonald, who attended USC and played out of the same venue, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, that the Rams will call home for two more years.

"I don’t know what the future holds for me here," McDonald said. "But if the organization will have me back here, I would love to be back. I always like to finish what I start. I started something here. We have started to build something here. On the defensive side of the ball, we feel like we’re starting something great here. We didn't get it done this year, but I’m not necessarily willing to say that it’s over, or things can’t be turned around. It’s also the business side of this game, and we’ll see what the future holds."

McDonald is one of nine notable unrestricted free agents for the Rams, and below is a categorical look at them all.

CB Trumaine Johnson

Age: 27

2016 base salary: $13.952 million

The numbers: Thirteen interceptions from 2013-15, one shy of the NFL lead during that time. ... Graded out 26th among 112 qualified cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus in 2016.

The future: Johnson played under the franchise tag this past season and was ranked 21st among all potential free agents -- and third among his position group -- in a recent post by ESPN's John Clayton . He will be pricey. But the Rams need to do their best to keep him and avoid a repeat of last year, when Janoris Jenkins left for the Giants and turned in one of the game's best defensive seasons. The Rams are thin throughout their secondary, and Johnson isn't only their best cornerback; he's their only tall one, too. Johnson is 6-foot-2 and long. The next three cornerbacks on the Rams' depth chart -- E.J. Gaines, Lamarcus Joyner and Troy Hill, respectively -- are no taller than 5-foot-10.

QB Case Keenum

Age: 28

2016 base salary: $3.635 million

The numbers: Won six of eight games in a stretch that included the last quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016. ... Finished 2016 with a 43.4 Total QBR, last among 30 qualified quarterbacks.

The future: It's a weird thought, but Keenum's value might have been helped by his benching, because people saw how much No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff struggled to navigate the offense and were suddenly forced to view Keenum's numbers in a different light. Chances are that Keenum will find work elsewhere, as a backup or perhaps even as someone who can compete for a starting job. He remained a mentor to Goff, even after becoming his backup, and perhaps the Rams value that enough to try to keep him. But it seems like both sides have moved on. The Rams can always give Sean Mannion, a third-round pick in 2015, a chance to be the backup.

WR Kenny Britt

Age: 28

2016 base salary: $3.6 million

The numbers: Had a career-high 1,002 receiving yards in 2016, becoming the Rams' first 1,000-yard receiver in a span of nine years. ... Started 41 of the Rams' 48 games over the past three seasons and hauled in 58 percent of his targets, a rate topped by 125 receivers.

The future: The Rams enter the offseason with about $40 million in cap space and a desperate need -- once again -- to beef up at receiver. Alshon Jeffery is the major prize in free agency, and DeSean Jackson seems like a natural fit now that McVay, his former offensive coordinator with the Redskins, is with the Rams. The Rams' preference probably isn't to bring Britt back as their primary receiver, but do they bring him back to supplement their depth? Perhaps only at the right price. Clayton has him fifth among available receivers.

RB Benny Cunningham

Age: 26

2016 base salary: $1.671 million

The numbers: Averaged 27.76 yards per kickoff return from 2014-16, fourth-best in the NFL. ... Averaged 4.8 yards on 21 carries in 2016.

The future: Todd Gurley struggled mightily behind a suspect offensive line, but Cunningham was actually able to find holes as a change-of-pace back. The Rams also like what he brings as a kick returner. With Tre Mason's future so cloudy, the only in-house options are Malcolm Brown and Aaron Green, who are far less experienced than Cunningham. But there are plenty of alternative options in free agency.

SS McDonald

Age: 25

2016 base salary: $1.671 million

The numbers: Started 43 of 48 games for the Rams from 2014-16, compiling three interceptions, 14 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, four sacks and 171 solo tackles. ... Graded out 58th among 90 qualified safeties by Pro Football Focus in 2016.

The future: The Rams don't have much depth behind McDonald and will probably do their best to keep him at the right price. After Eric Berry, there's a case to be made for McDonald being the best safety available. The hope for the Rams would be that he doesn't price himself out of their plans.

WR Brian Quick

Age: 27

2016 base salary: $1.25 million

The numbers: Has 105 catches for 1,499 yards and 10 touchdowns in 67 games for the Rams. ... Hauled in 51 percent of his targets from 2012-16. Only six receivers had a lower rate during that time.

The future: Quick hasn't lived up to the expectations of being selected 33rd overall, though a devastating shoulder injury suffered in 2014 certainly didn't help matters. Quick scored three touchdowns in the first four games of this season, but didn't produce much thereafter. The Rams signed Quick to a one-year deal for 2016, but chances are there won't be another one.

K Greg Zuerlein

Age: 29

2016 base salary: $850K

The numbers: Has made 18 50-plus-yard field goals in his five-year career, ninth-most in the NFL since 2012. During that time, Zuerlein attempted the second-most field goals of 50 or more yards (35). ... His career field-goal percentage of 79.4 ranks 45th among 56 qualified kickers since 2012.

The future: Zuerlein's field-goal percentage is hurt by the fact he attempts so many long field goals. The Rams -- Jeff Fisher's Rams, at least -- see Zuerlein's leg as a major asset. Now he enters a market that could include Phil Dawson, Steven Hauschka, Robbie Gould, Nick Novak and Connor Barth.

RB Chase Reynolds

Age: 29

2016 base salary: $775K

The numbers: Has played in 60 of 64 Rams games since 2014.

The future: Reynolds' numbers don't come close to capturing his value. He is a standout special-teams performer and a core guy in their locker room, regardless of his non-existent role in the offense.

DT Cam Thomas

Age: 30

2016 base salary: $760K

The numbers: Started 19 of 32 games for the Chargers and Steelers from 2013-14, compiling two pass deflections, an interception, a half-sack and 31 solo tackles. ... Received 373 snaps, 11th most among Rams defensive linemen, with one sack and 11 solo tackles.

The future: The defensive line remains the Rams' greatest area of depth, but they could start losing some of that. Two other key backups -- Dominique Easley and Ethan Westbrooks -- are restricted free agents. And Matt Longacre is an Exclusive Rights Free Agent, which means the Rams can keep him with a $600,000 tender.