at this point, how does this draft look for the Rams?

Agamemnon wrote:

I thought OT was strong?

wv wrote:

I have seen lists that make the OT class look pretty good.

w
v

Yeah I have the same impression. BUT there are no elite, surefire top of the draft LOTs. It’s more like, pick your guy to develop, with some intriguing possibilities.

Deadpool wrote:

mock 1.0 2018 edition

I will do 3 mocks–post senior bowl, post combine, and pre-draft.

As I learned last year, the Rams really liked senior bowl players as they drafted 6 of them? So now knowing their love of Senior Bowl players, plus Sneads comment about keeping this momentum going, it lead me to a few conclusions (that will 100% be wrong in a couple of months)

And with any mock before FA and cuts, some assumptions have to be made. Here are mine:

1. I mostly agree that the Rams will only have money to resign their guys. There might be some mid range deals, but no blockbusters.
2. TruJo is going to test the market. I have serious doubts he comes back.
3. I have to think Barron is in serious danger of being cut. I could care less about numbers. I know what I saw. he was always in the wrong place and frankly is miscast in any version of a 3-4.
4. Watkins stays this year.
5. The Rams are serious about upgrading the TEs
6. The Rams also are going to look for a future LT.
7. NT has to be a FA or draft pick.

I nailed Kupp and Johnson (1 round off on him) last year and had a LBer in the 7th round I had (Wooshing, they took Price) lets see how bad I can do this year.

Round 1: Mike Hughes – UCF – I have him as the top press corner in draft and with both NTs gone and Cbs Jackson and Ward also gone, the Rams take a 5′-11″ press corner with freakish athleticism. I think Harold Landry would have been an option if not for him measuring smaller then we all expected. Arden Key could be in play if his red flags slide him way down.

Honestly, the best thing that could happen is if a QB (at this point its Lamar Jackson) would slide so the Rams can slide down and still get their CB.

Round 3: Tyrell Crosby – Oregon – Before the Senior bowl I noted he was my #5 OT, not your typical Oregon OLman that he is nasty and strong. Like Alyo said so well, he wins ugly. Let him fight Havs for the RT spot and then slide him to the left in a year or 2. In all this winning season bliss, people forget the coaching staff moved Havenstein inside and Brown outside in camp, so its obvious they are not thrilled with what they have. Crosby fixes Rt until he slides over to LT. Its a win win IMO. Edge rusher is a serious consideration, I just think Lorenzo Carter is gone and no one else is worthy. ILBer? Not yet.

Round 4: Jeff Holland -Auburn / Uchenna Nwosu – USC – (edge) Ok so I cheated, sue me. They are both relentless pass rushers that have had really good college careers. they are both 6′-2″ 240 lbs. and frankly Alyo likes Nwosu (as I’m sure Laram) and I like Holland. They are not afraid of undersized pass rushers and i think they find a way to get Barwin resigned reasonably ( barwin wants to be here, I think the Rams like him here). OC makes a ton of sense here as well.

Round 5: Josey Jewell – ILB – Iowa – I really like how the Iowa players match Rams needs this year. Wadley @ RB, Josh Jackson at CB and Jewell @ ILB. he isn’t the most twitchy LBer or the most explosive LBer, but he really reminds me of Danny trevathon (Wade Phillips had him in Denver) I also think after watching tape this off season, the coaching staff is going to see Mark Barron out of position and / or looking the wrong way (not diagnosing) way too often. In a one gap 3-4 everyone need to be in position. (thanks B&G for all the stills and commentary on this point) I would so love to push Nick DeLuca into this spot (he was a senior bowl attendee) Other positions include TE, another CB, rush backers and a RB.

Round 6a: Durham Smythe – TE – Notre Dame – multiple reasons why he fits as of 1/27/18 – He fits a need at TE, he fits a need at blocking TE and he attended and was interviewed by the Rams. this season he caught 1 TD, in the Senior Bowl with a real QB, he caught a 27 yard TD. he checks all the boxes Higbee should have. I like Higbee, but I said he was a bonehead a couple of years ago and I still think it. Smythe, fits and makes sense.

Round 6b: Deadrin Senat – NT – USF – Rams have shown interest in him, he fits a need at NT. he’s built like a fire hydrant at 6′-1″ 320, but he gets it done. A front with Senat in the middle with Donald and Brockers with a inside backer package of Jewell (calling the defense) and Tree looks so much better for ’18.

Round 6c: Daurice Fountain – WR – UNI – Shrine game MVP gets his sot as the Rams draft another underrated FCS WR. He caught my eye against NDSU this year catching 2 TDs against them (the 1st TD of the game and 1 in garbage time) Decent size and speed for the position. Rams could need a WR if TA and Watkins are gone.

Round 7: Trayvon Henderson- S – Hawaii – Another Rams interest, could be some secondary help, had a monster 2016, not so much this year. Lets be real at this point the Rams have traded so many picks its pure magic if you ever nail a 7th rounder. RB, CB, edge, QB, OG, OC all make some sense.

…

As far as priority undrafted free agents, go get a RB, the class is so deep get yourself one. Get a QB for McVay and new McQbCoach. its obvious they don’t like Mannion. Get some LBers and a few interior OL that fall as well.