draft assessments, grades, and analysis

zn wrote:

Albert Breer@AlbertBreer

A reminder for Day 3 of the draft: Most NFL folks I’ve talked to believe the quality of the class collapses after Round 4. It’s the effect of NIL & the portal, keeping guys in school—just 58 underclassmen declared (was 130 in ’21). Expect scrambling to get targeted guys today.

Rams 2024 NFL Draft takeaways: Patience pays off with meat-and-potatoes additions

Jourdan Rodrigue

https://theathletic.com/5452706/2024/04/27/los-angeles-rams-2024-draft-picks-takeaways/

HERMOSA BEACH, Calif. — The best way to describe the 2024 Los Angeles Rams draft: meat-and-potatoes picks. While the Rams explored opportunities to make a splash into the top 10 the morning of the first round, they decided to stay put as the draft began and let the board fall. In doing so, their course seemed set: They selected an immediate impact player at edge/outside linebacker in Jared Verse, then his partner in college in Braden Fiske via a trade up (the cost of which raised a few eyebrows).

From there, the Rams filled what they believed were needs, with players they liked. Coach Sean McVay wanted to find a second running back, and he and position coach Ron Gould hoped to bring in a player similar to lead rusher Kyren Williams so that nothing schematic would need changing if Williams (who has dealt with injuries the last two seasons) were to miss any time or has to keep fresher legs through a long season.

With later picks, the Rams added depth at safety, along the defensive and offensive line and — joy of joys for the fan base — a kicker.

Best value pick

Verse will be expected to start right away, and in seeing him in person at the Rams’ draft house in Hermosa Beach on Friday, it’s clear why he will fit in on an NFL practice field. He has a huge frame — he is built more like a pure defensive end than an outside linebacker, although the Rams will start him out as a true edge — and a larger-than-life personality with energy to match.

The Rams’ biggest need in the previous two offseasons (until Verse’s arrival) was a second outside pass rusher. They found a full-time starter in 2023 in Byron Young, who will now enter his second NFL season. Verse is a great power/versatility complement to Young’s speed, but the coaches think each having a partner on the opposite end could unlock more opportunities for both players to develop other elements to their rush, not just their trademark tools.

Most surprising pick

Actually, the biggest surprise here is that the Rams went with a patient draft strategy for a second consecutive year, matching clear needs with some of their favorite players in the class. Before 2023, it was not unusual to see their early picks gravitate toward offensive-skill players. Two years in a row, the asking prices for potential trades up in or into the first round were steep enough — and evaluations of non-skill players were high enough — to keep them on what I earlier referred to as the meat-and-potatoes track.

In terms of specific players, Jordan Whittington ultimately could prove to be a surprise. He is a strong yards-after-catch player who might find an immediate role on special teams. Generally, when the Rams use a pick on a skill player late in the sixth or the seventh rounds, it’s because they believed he would be a high-interest undrafted free agent they might not be able to sign, or another team could draft them to poach them.

Biggest question mark

Questions remain about the cornerbacks, despite several veteran signings, because Tre’Davious White is still recovering from an Achilles repair surgery. In the future, the Rams will need to look higher in the draft at tackle (Rob Havenstein is a veteran, and Alaric Jackson is essentially playing on a one-year deal) and at receiver.

Remaining needs

The Rams could still use depth at inside linebacker, and I would expect their undrafted free-agent class to include a few players at that position.

While the Rams have a full room at receiver this season (including a healthy Cooper Kupp), it would not have been surprising to see them select players at the position with higher draft picks.

Post-draft outlook

The Rams discussed the price to trade into the top 10 at the start of the draft and looked into trading back from No. 19, but they quickly decided to stay patient as the board fell with a unique opening run on offensive players.

In doing so, they spent picks on specific priorities, continued to build their identity along the defensive line, identified a true complement to lead running back Williams in Blake Corum and shored up depth in other areas with later picks.

zn wrote:

They have a good back in Kyren Williams, who they got in the fifth round. They could have waited to take a back.”

That’s Prisco. And I strongly disagree. If you look at past drafts, the percentage of backs taken after round 3 who are in the same tier as KW is very, very small. Your odds of getting a good, load-carrying back after round 3 are slim. Rams lucked out with Kyren (though they did trade up for him which suggests they had some idea who and what he was). Still, by far the largest percentage of load-carrying, top caliber backs are taken in rounds 3 and up.

Honestly, what Prisco said is like declaring that the Rams should not have traded so much for Stafford because the Rams showed in 99 that you can get a qb from the Arena League.

from https://www.the33rdteam.com/2024-nfl-draft-grading-every-teams-draft-class/

 LOS ANGELES RAMS: B+

Following Aaron Donald’s retirement, the Los Angeles Rams focused on the defensive front seven with their first two picks of two Florida State teammates — EDGE Jared Verse and DT Braden Fiske. The Rams were without a first-round pick since 2016 before taking Verse, who has speed and power as one of the top edge rushers. He was taken at the bargain spot of No. 19.

The Rams paid a high price (No. 2 picks in 2024 and 2025 and a 2024 fifth-rounder) to move up 13 spots in the second round) for Fiske, who is strong and quick but needs to become more consistent as a pass rusher.

On Day 3, the Rams added Brennan Jackson, who has pass-rushing skill from the edge, while DT Tyler Davis is a strong run-stopper up front. Joshua Karty fills the need for a new accurate kicker. Beaux Limmer should stick as a solid center.

Deadpool

1.19 Jared Verse – EDGE – FSU – 6′-4″ 254 lbs. – Twitched up, speed to power merchant that can really apply pressure to OL early in the rep. Solid setting an edge as well.

He was my 15th overall rated prospect, and my 7th overall Rams specific board prospect (and the top one available at 19) He was also my 3rd rated EDGE.
He was in my other names to watch in my 2nd mock with the 19th pick, but I didn’t expect him to be there.

From a post I made 11 months ago on prospects to watch for next year, since the Rams had a 1st round pick:
Jared Verse, FSU – Shocked he didn’t come out, he had to have had a 1st round grade. Played for Albany, then transferred to FSU, so maybe he wanted 2 years of production at a high end school 6′-4″ 250 lbs of relentlessness. In the run and pass game. Flexible enough to flatten around the corner to the QB, but strong enough to hold his own at the PoA.

He is strong, athletic with a nonstop motor and high character marks. His RAS score was 9.60, putting him in the “Elite” category. His speed and explosion grades “Elite”
He can set an edge in the run game and is a speed to power QB hunter. His explosion off the snap combined with violent hands put OL on the defensive immediately. He needs to add some pass rush moves, but he is further along in development than Byron Young was last year. And stronger. My only question is can he drop into coverage?

I love the value of this pick meeting need and I think fit. We can thank all the QBs going, pushing down the defensive guys. In a normal year 6 QBs and 3 WRs in the top 10 will not happen and Verse is gone my 12 at the latest IMO.

I truly think if Verse is gone, the Rams trade out or at the least down. Did they like Robinson? Maybe. Would have they traded down and went Fiske early in the 2nd and then went edge rusher later? That’s the most likely scenario, followed by trading back to the end of the 1st and grabbing a WR, then moving back up for Fiske. I like how it worked out TBH.

2.39 Braden Fiske – IDL – FSU – 6′-5″ 292 lbs. – Good athlete that is a super smooth mover, big time motor and quick.

He was my 35th overall ranked prospect, my 25th ranked Rams specific prospect and my 4th overall ranked IDL (top 3 were off the board ) He was also in my other names to watch in my mock 2.0 second round.

From 2 months ago on my 1st round prospects after the combine:
Fiske is having himself an offseason, I oriiginally had him as 3rd rounder, because his play speed seemed sluggish, but he dominated the Senior Bowl and the combine and I will have him locked in as 2nd rounder, he could, in theory push himself into the back of 1st.

Really active hands
Explosive out of his stance
Agile enough to be effective in stunts
Red hot motor
Won’t eat double teams, but is quick enough to split them
Bigger, longer OL can neutralize him

This was a pick I was hoping they would make after Friday night. I knew they would have to move up for him, but like I said in trade section above, with the way WRs and DTs were going, they were going to have to move up for a target, or take the best fitting CB. Adding Fiske with his relentless motor to guys like Turner, Young and Verse, and you have 4 high motor, relentless QB hunters. Its going to be a fun front 7 to watch. I think

3.83 Blake Corum – RB – Mich. – 5′-8″ 205 lbs. – He will wear you down and grind out yards despite his size. Excellent contact balance and good vision. Lacks a HR gear, seemed to have a down season.

He was my 106th overall prospect on my 220 big board, my 86th prospect on my Rams specific board and my 6th rated RB.

I had heard someone comment on NFL radio (cannot remember who) that he may have played the season dinged, accounting for his down year from the previous year.

45 TDs in last 2 seasons, he has a nose for the endzone
Great contact balance
good vision
Good patience for the most part
Long speed is missing
Not the shiftiest or most elusive RB
Solid hands as a pass catcher, not a dynamic route runner
Pass blocking is a work in progress

He’s more of the same with Williams, I guess if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. Fans will love him the same way I said fans will love Williams when htey drafted him. He is just an angry, tough runner with a lot of dog in him. I was hoping for a HR style back for a change of pace, but he will work really well in the Rams offense. Overall, in a weak RB class, I’m happy with this pick, considering who was available.

3.99 Kamren Kinchens – SAF – Miami – 5′-11″ 203 lbs. – Turnover machine, brings it when in the box. Not the rangiest SAF in the class.

He was my 85th rated prospect on my 220 big board, my 64th rated prospect on my Rams specific board and my 6th rated safety.

Excellent instincts
Ballhawk
tough and willing to do work in the box
Likes to punish ball carriers
lacks the range to play single high
Can work in man or zone, but I liked him better in zone

He was in contention for the top SAF taken in the draft with Nubin, but a sub-optimal combine really dropped him down a few pegs on the safety rung. And really, the Rams aren’t that concerned with 40 times, its play speed, and he is more than athletic and fast enough to play in a split zone system, he can also play big nickel. He plays a smart brand of football and his ability to create turnovers is 2nd to none in the safety class. I was working on a 3rd mock before I ran out of time, but he was going to be my pick at the end of the 3rd round. Love this value.

5.154 Brennan Jackson – EDGE – Washington State – 6′-4″ 264 lbs.

I had no ranking on him in my top 220 prospects, he was on my list but missed the cut by 10 or so names, so I had a late 6th, early 7th round rating on him.

Great power and size for the position
Really powerful – combines that with a devastating bull rush
Excellent edge setter against the run
Another red hot motor
Lacks fluid change of direction, a bit stiff in his lower half.
Needs to develop more pass rsh moves and a pass rush plan

I missed on him. Alyo nailed this kid, which is not surprising, since he is the best at this. I struggle with the guys in that upper 260 lb range to 275ish. That said, this is an interesting pick. They announced him as a LBer, so they are planning on him playing standing up on the edge, maybe he can reduce down to a 5t on passing downs. I can see a front 3 of Jackson, Fiske and Turner with Verse and Young on obvious passing downs. Thats a relentless front 5.

6.196 112. Tyler Davis – IDL – Clemson – 6′-2″ 301 lbs. – Explosive NT with powerful hands and a good understanding of leverage. Pass rush needs refinement.

My 112th ranked prospect on my 220 big board, my 91st ranked prospect on my Rams specific board and my 11th rated IDL.

Nose tackle
Team captain
Non-stop motor
Grown man strong
Powerful and active hands
intelligent, understands leverage and angles
Explosive first step
Can eat up double teams
On the small side for a NT
Pass rush is lacking

He is a fun pick. Smart, leader on and off the field, productive and relentless. He will fit right in with the new Rams DL. I imagine he will rotate Brown at NT. This pick had tremendous value to match need and fit. Big fan of this pick.

6.209 Joshua Karty – K – Stanford – 6′-2″ 207 lbs. – Big time range with improved accuracy year after year.

My 175th overall prospect on my big board, my 173rd ranked player on my Rams specific board and my top rated K.

Big leg (career long of 61)
Accuracy has improved year over year

My favorite kicker since the season started. Love the value, love the fit. This was one of the most important picks in the Rams draft IMO. I think htey nailed down their punter and kicker for a while, and that feels good.

6.213 Jordan Whittington – WR – Texas – 6′-1″ 205 lbs. – Physical before and after the catch. Good run blocker and could be a monster on STs with the new rules. Lacks route running and HR gear.

He was my 205th rated player on my big board, my 160th player on my Rams spercific board and my 34th rated WR.

Team first guy willing to block, go over the middle, take jet sweeps
tough to tackle with the ball in his hands
Route running is a work in progress
good hands
PR/KR value
Lacks homerun speed
Works as an X or slot WR

I love this kid. I actually mocked him to us in my first mock draft at the end of the 5th round. He just has that Rams WR vibe. Tough, smart team oriented that is willing to block. Fun fact: he worked with Ricky Proehl to get ready for the draft. His teammates apparently love him. He is a hard worker. He is a beast after the catch and he adds ST value, which I hope lands him a spot on the roster. He won’t take the top off a defense, but he will do everything he can to help his team win on Sundays and thats good enough for me with a round 6 pick. I hope he makes the roster.

6.217 Beaux Limmer – OC – Arkansas – 6′-5″ 302 lbs. – Most of his experience is at RG, last year OC. He is an excellent run blocker that needs to improve his pass sets.

He was my 143rd rated prospect on my big board, and my 5th ranked OC. He did not make my Rams specific board (no OCs did)

Athletic OC with great length (9.80 RAS score)
A little light and could use some good weight
Has OC/OG flexibility
For all that athleticism, he isn’t the smoothest mover in space
Smart, can call line calls

After years of mocking OCs to the Rams, I finally quit doing it and they draft one. If I knew that was all it took, i would have quit drafting OCs years ago. This is a depth pc that most likely ends up on the PS. He needs to get stronger/bigger and work on his pass sets. His run blocking is good. Good news is he seems like a hard worker and smart, so he has a chance to carve out a nice IOL depth piece. I thought he would work better in a zone scheme, but he has heavy feet so maybe a gap/power scheme is his ticket. I had him pegged at 143, so late 4th, early 5th, so great value at the end of round 6.

7.254 KT Leveston – OG – Kansas St. – 6′-4″ 326 lbs. – OT that will probably end up as an OG. Mauler style that needs technical improvement. gap/power scheme.

He was my 169th rated prospect on my big board, my 143rd rated player on my Rams specific board, and my 17th ranked IOL.

Most of his snaps came at LT, but did have snaps at LG
He is a finisher, nasty personality
Can get a bit upright and has a tendency to lunge
A good mover, but not the smoothest
Has the length to stay at OT, but not the movement skills to survive on an island

He was one of the few OL I put on my Rams vertically stacked board because he fits what the Rams like. Positional versatility, nasty demeanor, lots of experience. He most likely lands on the PS. But I do like this pick.

***

Overall, this may be my favorite draft since I’ve been following it. Time will tell how it actually shakes out.

As the the picks themselves, they are all team first, hard working, relentless on the field types. They all have plenty of experience as well, The Fiske/Verse paring is amazing as both should start, too bad they didn’t sign FSU NT Fabian Lovett to an UDFA contract. Instead they went with a NT thats a bit undersized, but relentless and a team leader, he will fit right in. Karty was my top kicker. Corum and Whittington both bring punt and kick return experience with them as well as flawless fits inside the offense, the 2 OL add depth and developmental OL. Kinchens was a steal in the 3rd and should push for starter minutes early and Jackson is a early down edge with the ability to squeeze down to the 5t on passing downs.

from https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2024/5/1/24145892/rams-draft-results-jared-verse-braden-fiske-schematic-fit

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The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen put together a list of best schematic fits of the 2024 class. Included in that list were Verse and Fiske with the Rams who are an odd front, pattern match team on defense.

Needing an edge rusher, Verse made too much sense after falling to 19. The Florida State edge rusher has quick get off and tested really well in explosive drills. He wins with both speed and power and should be able to provide a boost to the Rams pass rush. Said Nguyen,

“Losing one of the greatest interior pass rushers ever is tough. No one can replace Aaron Donald. But the Rams have to do something to mitigate the gaping hole left by his absence. Asking one rookie to try to fill his shoes is an impossible task, so the Rams are asking two Seminoles to try…The Rams use odd fronts with two stand-up edge rushers and Verse has experience rushing standing up or with his hand in the ground. Verse fits what they typically look for in an edge linebacker more than incumbent starter Michael Hoecht, who is a converted nose tackle. Verse has some experience dropping back, which he’ll be asked to do.”’

The Rams didn’t just add one Florida State defender, but took a second by trading up to 39 and selecting Braden Fiske. Fiske was a player pre-draft that I determined a fit due to his quick get off, elite explosiveness, and displayed good later movement. However, he is a scheme fit as well as a single gap penetrator. Nguyen said of Fiske,

“Fiske has one of the quickest get-offs in the draft. He was one of the best testers at the combine and that athleticism pops off the film. Fiske is an explosive, violent and unrelenting defender but he’s undersized at 292 pounds and has short arms. In the Rams’ odd fronts, he can kick out and line up at four-technique (head up on tackles) so he doesn’t have to hold his ground in the A and B gaps too often. It’ll remain to be seen how Fiske will hold up against the run, but the Rams hope the pair will be able to contribute to their pass rush immediately.”

from https://www.lafbnetwork.com/nfl-exec-identifies-los-angeles-rams-type/

The Athletic’s Mike Sando sat down with a handful of anonymous NFL executives to take their temperature on the drafts of NFL teams. When it came to the Los Angeles Rams, one of the execs identified what he believes to be the type of player they target in the draft.

“They get guys that are usually gritty, some of them are older, four-year type players, team captain types, high character, rugged,” an exec said. “You might give up some of the size and the athletic traits, so that the potential for development could be less. Verse doesn’t have the best agility; he’s a tighter-wound dude, but a good football player. (Kamren) Kinchens is a good football player who does not have excellent traits.”

From PFF, 2024 NFL Draft takeaway for all 32 NFL teams: https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-one-major-2024-nfl-draft-takeaway-all-32-nfl-teams#LAR

LOS ANGELES RAMS: AARON DONALD IS GONE, BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF DEFENSIVE LINEMEN TO WORK WITH

The Rams have decided to try to replace Aaron Donald’s production with an assembly line of defensive linemen. Four of their first six draft picks were defensive linemen, and they come in all shapes and sizes.

First-rounder Jared Verse has the potential to be the best defensive player in this class. Verse posted a 91.8 pass-rush grade during his two years at Florida State, the ninth-best mark in the nation. His Florida State teammate, Braden Fiske, brings athleticism on the interior.

Late-round picks Brennan Jackson and Tyler Davis add a physical presence to the unit, as well. Both players are incredibly strong and should help the Rams stay near the top of the league in run defense. There are a ton of pieces up front for new defensive coordinator Chris Shula to work with