LA Times mailbag chat, 4/23 … & JT NFL chat (selections)

Rams mailbag: NFL draft, Jared Goff, Trumaine Johnson, personal-seat licenses and Breaking Bad

Gary Klein

http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-rams-mailbag-goff-nfl-draft-20170421-story.html

The Rams will make their first pick in the NFL draft on Friday.

That will be one day after the start of the event in Philadelphia as the Rams must wait until the 37th pick — the fifth of the second round — to make their first selection. The Rams will also make a third-round pick on Friday.

The Rams have six more picks in rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday.

Now, on to your questions. Keep them coming at @latimesklein or gary.klein@latimes.com.

Joey Drillings @JoeyDrillings
@LATimesklein Where do you believe Jared Goff would slot into this year’s draft?

That’s a great question.

One of the factors that spurred the Rams’ decision to trade up last year to consider taking Goff or Carson Wentz with the No. 1 overall pick was the projected weakness of this year’s quarterback draft class.

With the quarterback-needy Browns picking No. 1, Goff would have been in the conversation again.

The Rams are not in the market for a quarterback, so I have not intensely studied the quarterbacks this year.

Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney said in January that if the Browns passed on drafting Deshaun Watson, “they’re passing on Michael Jordan.”

That’s an overstatement, of course, but you cannot argue about Watson’s ability to make plays in crucial situations.

Gabe Hernandez @gnh166
@LATimesklein When r Rams gonna extend olgltree

Seemingly soon, though it might not be until training camp or shortly afterward in recent history is any indication.

Last year, the Rams announced an extension for receiver Tavon Austin in August. In September, they announced an extension for defensive tackle Michael Brockers.

Frank-O @3_wide
@LATimesklein How tempting will it be to take Adoree’ if he’s there in the 2nd?

It depends on what happens in the first 36 picks and what other players remain available.

USC’s Adoree’ Jackson is one of the most intriguing players in the draft because he can conceivably contribute as a cornerback, receiver and kick returner.

Sean McVay has said he is looking for explosive playmakers. Jackson fits that description.

In a way, Jackson is a victim of his own versatility. He has never had the opportunity to focus on and really master a single position.

Robert Schaeffer @MynamesPierce
@LATimesklein 2. Who ends up the better pro at their position Juju or Adoree?

I can’t predict. Or won’t. So much depends on who selects them in the draft and what system they play in.

USC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was productive in college and could very well continue to be in the NFL. He is only 20 years old. But celebrated former Trojans receivers of late have not, for the most part, enjoyed similar NFL success.

Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, as noted above, is gifted enough to become a solid pro player if he is allowed to master a position.

@LATimesklein Will they be able to trade Tru? If not, they will have to sign him to an extension to bring that number down.

With a salary of nearly $17 million for this season, it is no doubt difficult to find takers for cornerback Trumaine Johnson. But the Rams are not averse to it.

The real market will not be known until after the draft. Or perhaps in training camp.

If a team regarded as a contender loses a marquee cornerback because of injury or other issue, that could change things in a hurry.

The Rams want defensive coordinator Wade Phillips to evaluate how Johnson fits in before they decide whether to make a long-term commitment. Perhaps Johnson feels the same.

dio starrett @GthoopsDio
@LATimesklein No one is talking about Brockers. Where will he fit? Is he coming off the bench now?

OK, a second bonus question.

With Phillips installing a hybrid 3-4 defense, many are wondering how tackles Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers will be deployed.

Phillips has said that there really won’t be a lot of difference from a 4-3: There will still be at least four players rushing the quarterback. That includes Donald and Brockers and linebackers/edge rushers Robert Quinn and Connor Barwin.

Phillips is not expected to mess with Donald, a Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons. So don’t expect to see him playing over the center as a nose tackle.

The Rams are due to pay Brockers $11 million in salary and bonuses this season, according to spotrac.com. That’s a starter.

@GthoopsDio
@LATimesklein Do you think Robinson will be able to beat out Haverstein? I don’t see that happening. Who will be back up LT? Saffold?

And a third for your effort.

I’m not sure Greg Robinson is going to have to beat out Rob Havenstein, a two-year starter at right tackle.

The Rams want to see Havenstein at right guard. My guess is that Robinson will get a look there as well.

New offensive line coach Aaron Kromer will determine which combination works best.

Rodger Saffold, the projected starting left guard, could back up Andrew Whitworth at left tackle. Andrew Donnal actually did a decent job when called into service last season.

Harro @chrisharro1
@LATimesklein Gary, will #Rams look to draft to strengthen the safety positions for defence? Also, is Trumaine Johnson still possible trade option?

The Rams will look to strengthen all positions except quarterback in the draft.

Safety, though, is among the main needs. The draft is deep in cornerbacks and safeties — and veterans annually become available after the draft.

Johnson’s status was addressed in a previous question.

Michael Chase @Michael_Chase23
@LATimesklein Any chance they could look at LeGarrette Blount for RB depth?

Seems like the price would be pretty high for LeGarrette Blount — and the Rams signed free agent Lance Dunbar to back up Todd Gurley.

The Rams, however, could draft another running back. He would come at a much cheaper price than Blount.

LA Rams Fan Zone @LARamsFanZone
@LATimesklein Are we undermanned, OK, or overstocked on the DL with Phillips new scheme? Seeing some mocks with Rams drafting a DL high, aren’t we good?

Given the physical nature of the position — and the chance for injury — can a team ever have enough defensive linemen?

Tackles Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, edge rushers Robert Quinn and Connor Barwin and backup linemen Dominique Easley, Tyrunn Walker and Ethan Westbrooks give the Rams a solid nucleus.

I would be surprised if the Rams chose a defensive lineman with their second-round pick. But if he’s the best player available and improves an already strong unit for the long term, I could see it happening.

Evan Bailey @Ebay1989
@LATimesklein What WR will we take in the second round? How does our front office rank them?

I’m not privy to the Rams’ draft board. And the Rams can project — but don’t know — who might still be available when they make the 37th pick.

Based on history, it’s pretty safe to say the draft will have all kinds of twists, turns and trades never considered in mock drafts.

Mike Williams, John Ross and Corey Davis came off the board in the first round of the Los Angeles Times NFL beat writer mock draft.

Doug Frierson @frierdo60
@LATimesklein Any general update on receiver Nelson Spruce? I thought he was going to have a great season before injured in preseason.

I’ll know more Tuesday when the Rams hold the first day of a three-day voluntary veterans minicamp

My sense is that Nelson Spruce spent the weeks before off-season workouts began catching passes from Jared Goff and getting ready to make another positive impression.

Spruce would not be the first player you think about when Sean McVay mentions his desire for explosive playmakers. But Spruce showed in high school, college and during training camp that he can get open and catch pretty much anything thrown his direction.

Calvin Ward @CalvinW92709090
@LATimesklein What has been the player feedback on new Strength coach Tim Rath?

This is Ted Rath’s first job as head strength and conditioning coach for an NFL team. He worked last season as an assistant for the Miami Dolphins and for seven seasons with the Detroit Lions.

The Rams just concluded their second week of off-season workouts, which were limited to strength and conditioning and rehabilitation. Players have not been available since the first day.

So, again, I’ll know more about how players feel about Rath and his staff after Tuesday’s minicamp opener.

In my experience covering college and now pro football, players generally embrace changes in strength coaches if they believe the new regime can improve their performance.

LA Johnson @Iverepented2017
@LATimesklein do you have any clue what wrs we are interested in and are guards and centers a priority in draft?

First a disclaimer: Some friends, family members, colleagues and college and pro football fans have often told me that I don’t have any clue.

I addressed wide receivers in a previous question. The Rams will have to wait and see who’s available when it comes to pick No. 37.

I don’t think there is much of a premium on guards, but the Rams are in need of a long-term solution at center.

They signed veteran John Sullivan, an outstanding player for the Minnesota Vikings before he suffered a back injury. Sullivan did not play in 2015 and was a reserve for the Washington Redskins last season.

Danny Trust @TrustLawrence
@LATimesklein The super bowls, and all games, are won and lost on the line of scrimage. Do the Rams understand this?

The Rams understand that the offensive and defensive lines are important to a team’s success — and ending a 13-year playoff drought.

They targeted veteran free-agent left tackle Andrew Whitworth to improve the offensive line, though that is not regarded as a long-term fix.

So, while receiver, tight end and cornerback seem like the most pressing areas of need, you can’t rule out the possibility that the Rams might draft more linemen.

McVay is now the play-caller for an offense that ranked last in the NFL the last two seasons.

It stands to reason that he desires playmaking receivers and tight ends.

I’d be surprised if the Rams used one of their higher-round picks on a center. And I’d shy from draft reports about centers that supposedly can play immediately. Most can’t.

My family binge-watched every season of “Breaking Bad.” Unfortunately for me, it was during football season so I don’t think I saw more than a few minutes.

So enjoy and give me your report.

If the person who sits in Coliseum press box seat No. 132 broke, his crime would be …. Actually, I don’t think there are any statutes regarding overindulgence in Christmas cookies, so I’m probably safe there.

As for Smith-Schuster and Jackson being available at No. 37? Both positions of need for the Rams.

Thanks everyone for the questions and for your patience. Looking forward to next week’s mailbag.