have the Rams drafted well? Below average, average, good, very good?

That’s not a “grade” though. You then have to factor in the quality of the players and so on.

Agreed. A draft that yields 2 superstars is better than a draft that yields 4 or 5 average starters. So it certainly can’t just be about percentage of players that make the roster – or even that start. That’s a factor but it doesn’t tell the whole story. There’s alotta’ stuff to consider.

I don’t know how anyone can look at the Rams’ last four drafts and think that they have not drafted well above average. They have managed to cull very good players at every stage of the draft, to the point where they have actually built depth at positions that are extremely difficult to obtain (e.g., cornerback). I understand that some people only want to look at records, and if the record is unsatisfactory then everything else must be lacking (coaching, drafting, players, etc.). Those willing to dig a little deeper understand that there have been circumstances that affect records beyond drafting. Fans who have suffered through so many losing seasons simply want results, and it is argued that anything that doesn’t further those results must be replaced. It doesn’t mean that good work hasn’t been done and continues to be done.

As Zack notes, you can objectively put the Rams’ drafts up against any team and it compares favorable. I did a post a while back comparing the Rams’ drafts to Green Bay’s and Seattle’s, and there are few who would pick either of those teams’ drafts as a whole over the Rams’. But the thing that has been lacking, and holding the team back, is a competent passing game. I believe this is the last piece of the puzzle, and I believe that they Rams began the task of fixing this element over the last two drafts where an offensive lineman has been picked in all seven rounds (Robinson (1), Havenstein (2), Brown (3), Donnell (4), Battle (5), Wickman (6), and Rhaney (7)). We will hopefully see the fruits of that effort this year and next as those young linemen blossom. They have the makings of a strong running game. The offense is poised to take a big leap, if they can just get the point guard to distribute the ball.

If the Rams had a Russell Wilson or a Ben Rothlesberger or a Drew Brees, I don’t think we would hear these grumblings about how Fisher has lost it or how Snead can’t draft. However, as about 18 other NFL teams are aware, there are simply not enough of these humans walking around on the earth and as badly as some fans want and expect this regime to conjure one up, it is a process that can take time. This does not take way the team that Snead and Fisher have assembled outside of QB, which is one of the youngest and most talented in the league. We used to look at this team in the offseason and bemoan the fact that there were just “too many holes” to fill with a draft or free agency. Does anyone feel that way now? A QB. A WR. A TE. That’s whats standing between this team and a strong playoff run. And in my opinion, it is in no small part thanks to the drafting acumen of the Rams over the last 4 years.
Isiah58

I think the Rams have drafted really well under Fisher/Snead. Unfortunately, there is one position that is an exception. And that exception involves the most important player on the field.

i like snead. he’s young too. question is. like winnbrad says. can he find a qb?

but this regime. it seems like their strengths are finding dlinemen, dbacks, running backs, and oline.