media etc. on the Rams 2021 draft

With the Rams adding nine players through the draft, there are some winners and losers when looking at the team’s roster

Matthew Stafford stock 📈 https://t.co/kyB61Qp5wC

— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) May 2, 2021

Los Angeles Rams draft grades: Mostly thumbs-up
L.A. for the most part praised for nine selections in this year’s draft

https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/news/la-rams-draft-grades-mostly-thumbs-up

The Los Angeles Rams received mostly solid reviews from the work they did on this year’s draft class nationally.

Draft analysts praised Rams GM Les Snead for taking value picks and adding players with upside.

However, Pro Football Focus took the Rams to task for adding players with potential based on size and speed that had not necessarily shown they can execute and produce at the next level based on how they performed in college.

Here’s a roundup of evaluations on L.A.’s draft class.

Connor Orr of Sports Illustrated hands out a solid B grade for the Rams, which you can find here. https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/05/02/nfl-draft-2021-grades Orr: “Tutu Atwell was a fascinating way to kick the draft off. Like Devonta Smith, a lot of people are making a big deal out of the weight (155 lbs) but he could be a difference maker behind the line of scrimmage. Their best pick, though, may have been securing the likes of Ernest Jones, who can finally help bring some stability to the middle of their defense. Losing Brandon Staley is a massive hit for the Rams, but bringing in an off-ball linebacker who can cover and play tough against the run is a good way to start the rebuilding process.”

Draft analyst Chad Reuter of NFL.com was even more impressed, handing out an A grade for the Rams. Click here. https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-final-quick-snap-grades-for-all-32-teams Reuter: “While I’m usually not a big fan of parting with multiple first-round picks for a non-quarterback, cornerback Jalen Ramsey is an exception to the rule as one of the top defenders in the NFL. His presence is one reason the Rams have one of the top defenses in the league, so allowing the Jaguars to pick at No. 25 (and in the fourth round, as well) this year was a worthwhile deal. Atwell’s an explosive player whose extremely small frame (5-9, 155) is a bit worrisome. GM Les Snead traded one of the Rams’ two third-round picks for two fourths, which made sense, given the team’s lack of overall draft capital. Using their third-round comp pick on Jones addressed a big need on defense.

“The Rams picked two defensive lineman with the last name Brown (Bobby in the third, Ernest in the fifth) to help replace Michael Brockers (traded to the Lions). Rochell was expected to go in the fourth round, and the Rams needed depth at the position; that’s a good marriage of need and value. Harris won over teams at his pro day and projects as a stand-up receiving tight end. Garrett is an edge rusher prospect who will bring it hard in training camp.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper gave the Rams a B-plus here.https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2021/insider/story/_/id/31344964/nfl-draft-grades-mel-kiper-picks-steals-sleepers-favorite-2021-classes-all-32-teams Kiper: “Ernest Jones (103) will compete to start at middle linebacker. I thought he could have snuck into the second round, so the Rams got value. Bobby Brown (117) will get snaps at nose tackle. Robert Rochell (130) went under the radar because he played at Central Arkansas, but he had five picks in 2019. Jacob Harris (141) is a 6-foot-5 receiver who hasn’t played much football – he’s a former soccer player — but had eight touchdowns and averaged 18 yards per catch last season. Running back Jake Funk (233) is going to make this team.

“This is an impressive haul for a team without a first-round pick, and it’s a case of drafting for value and not reaching for needs. What keeps it from an A is the lack of an offensive linemen. I was surprised they didn’t try a late-round flier or two.”

ESPN’s Todd McShay favorite player the Rams drafted is Tutu Atwell. Click here. https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2021/insider/story/_/id/31351806/best-nfl-draft-2021-value-picks-steals-all-32-teams-todd-mcshay-names-favorite-selections McShay: “Atwell excels on screens, where 40 of his 140 career catches have come. The Rams’ offense utilized screen routes at the fifth-highest rate last season, so expect to see plenty of that with Atwell. Between Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, DeSean Jackson, Van Jefferson and Atwell, the Los Angeles receiving group is going to be pretty solid.”

USA Today’s Nate Davis also gives a B-plus grade to rams here. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/nate-davis/2021/05/01/nfl-draft-grades-teams-bears-giants-jets-cowboys-raiders/4904079001/ Davis: “Can’t argue sitting out the first round – once again – because the pick was used to get All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey. Can argue spending your top selection in Round 2 on a luxury item like WR Tutu Atwell given speedster DeSean Jackson had already signed on. Can’t argue using the third-rounder to get QB Matthew Stafford … though whether he’s worth a pair of future firsts remains to be seen. Can argue how well the rest of the selections were deployed given you’re distracted by the dazzling sunshine reflecting off the Pacific Ocean in your Malibu “Rams House” draft HQ.”

Count Pro Football Focus unimpressed with L.A.’s selection of nine picks. PFF says the Rams choose athletic potential over technique and production, giving the Rams a C grade here. https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-nfl-draft-grades-all-32-teams

PFF on Day 2 picks for Rams: “The Rams grab the speedster they’ve been coveting in Tutu Atwell, though this is yet another reach on a smaller receiver with some issues. Atwell raised eyebrows by weighing in at the medical combine at 149 pounds, which would make him one of the lightest receivers ever to hit the NFL. His route tree was extremely limited, but there’s no doubting his playmaking ability, and his best PFF grades came against man coverage.

(Ernest) Jones was a good run defender at South Carolina, but he falls because we don’t know much about him in coverage. He needs to anticipate and react faster if he is to stick at the NFL level. He brings it in the run game, but his change of direction and coverage skills leave a lot to be desired.”

CBS:

Los Angeles Rams: B-
Best pick: Fourth-round pick Bobby Brown III, a defensive tackle from Texas A&M, is a big, strong player who will look nice next to Aaron Donald.

Worst pick: I didn’t like the pick of Tutu Atwell in the second round. He’s tiny. Yes, he can run, but he’s little and that will be a problem.

The skinny: By trading their first-round pick to get Matthew Stafford, they had to wait to get into the action. But without using first-round picks the last four years, it puts more pressure to find good players. They really need Brown and fourth-round corner Robert Rochell to become starters in a year or two.

***** I don’t know how they get B- out of this draft. ******

alyoshamucci

Lipstick on a pig.

The good thing about knowing your coach got his guys for the changes he wants to make is that whatever vision he has can come to fruition (in theory). The bad news is that you can end up missing out on talent that could help the team.

As far as value, I think if you are allowing for the fact that we don’t have a first round talent, we may have had the worst draft of all 32 teams.

I almost just gave up on writing this, because I obviously was not on the same page as the brain trust.

2) Tutu Atwell
Has rare speed, and is faster on the football field than his 4.35 40 would suggest. He excels against man coverage. That’s a good sign that he’s not Tavon Austin. He has a chip on his shoulders. He held up okay in the ACC.
I trust McVay when he says that he had intel he’d be taken in the early 60s. So you have to take him at 57.
So if the offense hinges on this puzzle piece, then it does, and you have to take him here.
Bad news? I had him as a 4th round prospect at best. He’s never going to be a blocker so you lose a pair of hands when he’s in the game. He held up in the ACC, but the NFL is faster and we know what his weight is. He’s our 5th WR. And he’s not a returner. 4 attempts in his career at punt returning.

So I hated the pick. Especially with who was on the board … but if this is McVay’s “need” pick I’ll happily give him that mulligan on value. We need coach firing on all cylinders.

Trading from 88 when Meinerz was on the board hurt. My assumption is that they thought they could get him at 103 … thus making the Ernest Jones pick as a fall back … as the value there was low too.

3) Ernest Jones … I don’t dislike the player. I had about 10 guys still available I had rated higher. Jabril Cox must have bombed the interviews.
Jones can thump, and my guess is his football IQ puts him in the green dot sooner rather than later. In this case Im guessing they drafted his mind and attitude. They know what they like at ILB.
Positive physical is his burst numbers … he can fight off an OG.
I had him as a 5th rounder though.

After those two they started drafting overall talent rather than need (yes, again, this is my assumption after seeing the difference in the picks)

4) Bobby Brown 3 … Had him as a second round value. Watched his entire career. He’s a beast and I was shocked he lasted until the 4th. Good burst, gets into guys fast … and his speed and physicality gives him upside. He’s also always been the guy drawing extra blockers … he’ll have less of that. And he held up well against SEC O lines.
Don’t have any negatives on this one, I smiled for the first time during the draft after the pick.

4-2) Rochell … This is an upside pick. Kid has ball skills and speed, but is going to need a redshirt. His burst numbers were nuts and he’s got some length to him. I had him in my top 100 so this is value.

4-3) Jacob Harris. Upside pick … and likely a position change. Special Teams ace, so now we’re switching to addressing that (again, assumption). You can’t coach the athleticism he has. 4.39 40 at 229 and 6-5 is wild, but a 6.54 3 cone is unbelievable.If I’m not mistaken that’s not only the best number in the class, but in the top 10 ever. So … let’s say over the next year or two you put 15 pounds on him. Teach him to block. Then you can have a 6-5 245 TE that’s likely still running under a 4.5 that has ridiculous agility. That’s a Waller style player. Waller took over like 4 games last year. They couldn’t cover him. So spending a pick at a chance to build one of those is worth it.

5) Earnest Brown 4. Not a fan. There was talent on the board here at edge and RB … as well as some Interior O line. I kept hearing how our squaddie players were making a jump this year and could fill for Fox. So … guess not? I honestly didn’t and don’t think this guy can make an NFL roster at his talent level. And if he could, it would have been on a 4-3 team.

7) Jake Funk … I liked this pick. This guy is a special teams pick obviously, but he runs well. He’s a 4.43 guy and 22 rep guy. 38 inch vert guy. He’s tough as nails. Blew his knee out twice and got himself back. He’s not a full career guy, at some point his body will give out, but you can get some good late game runs out of him … my guess is that he’ll break down before his rookie contract is up, but he’ll be a fun underdog to root for.

7) Ben Skowronek. I didn’t have him as capable of making a team unless there were injuries. So he’ll be fighting to be the 6th? 7th? WR? My guess is he’ll be on the practice squad. Again, there was talent on the board so it’s frustrating.

7) Chris Garrett … Don’t have an issue here. Late round take a flier on an edge guy with monster production from D2. Biggest stat for me was 15 forced fumbles. Can’t get to that number just with hits, that’s technique and focus and instinct working together. Highlights have him with a really crazy first step and a stunning ability to change direction mid rush. Put 10 lbs on him and get him used to the speed and he could be a situational rusher.

UDFA) Alaric Jackson … again I followed his whole career and going from a freshman AA to undrafted even though you’re playing at the best Oline school (not now, Wisconsin) for training players? Disappointing. So we’ll see if he can get himself where he needs to be.

UDFA) Meredith the OC … could legitimately compete after a redshirt year. It’s hard to say how good he was playing for WKY, but he aced the grades and looked the part.

UDFA) Troy Werner S … This kid can play. Gives our safety room the depth I like.

So what I’m seeing is that McVay is trusting Stafford’s good numbers under pressure, and his arm talent to make up for some question marks on the O line and he’s expecting to outscore people and play opportunistic defense rather than playing strength. Good for our fantasy football value, I guess.

This was the first draft in many years that put us in a position to have a hole at a pivotal position. OT. Puts us in a bind to have to pay Noteboom.

Okay, got that over with.

Questions and comments welcome.