new thread (March): Rams draft

[zn]

Daniel Jeremiah@MoveTheSticks
·
Feb 20

Mock Draft 2.0
https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jeremiah-2024-nfl-mock-draft-2-0-four-quarterbacks-selected-in-first-eight-picks

Los Angeles Rams: Jackson Powers-Johnson
Oregon · IOL · Junior

The Rams get one of the steadiest players in the draft. Powers-Johnson can anchor their offensive line for the next decade.

[Billy_T]

Saw the results online (not “live”) soon after they happened. Unlike past years, though, didn’t get to watch many of the on-field drills, which can be enlightening. Anyway, it looks like mph is integrating well with the 40 time, as they’re using it to measure the kids during their 40, the gauntlet drills, and go-routes too. That’s smart. Down-side, of course, is they don’t have full gear on.

Some surprises: I thought Brenden Rice would fly in the 40, the 10-yard split, and pretty much everything else. Something must have happened to him between the time he clocked above 23mph in pads to now. He was also in the 1.4s for his 10 when Feldman put him on his freak’s list. Someone that fast, in game gear, should run better than 4.5 in gym clothes, and his combine 1.55 split doesn’t track, either.

Combine testing still has its place, and should be used as a part of overall eval. But I’d bet no team uses it as its primary metric any longer, if they ever did.

Quinyon Mitchell* would be a great 1st rounder. Could be the Rams’ lock-down corner for years. But I’d take Dallas Turner, the edge rusher, before him, if he falls. But that’s unlikely. He’s probably Top Ten. Hoping the rumors of the Rams being infatuated with Xavier Worthy are just rumors. His 4.21 doesn’t help make up for his 165 pounds, and his frame doesn’t look like he can add much more weight. I think that would be a terrible 1st rounder. They also reportedly love Rome Odunze, but he has great size, good speed, catch-radius, etc. Wrong round for the Rams to take a receiver, given their other needs, regardless.

 

*Max Melton is another corner who looks like he could really help the Rams.

[Billy_T]

I’d be happy with the Powers-Johnson choice, too. They obviously need a center. But not at #19. I think the Rams could trade down a few spots and still get him. Just moving back to #24 or #25 could give them an extra pick in the #86/88 range, plus a late 7th, perhaps.

They need to be open to move down, if the elite guys at their need-positions are off the board. Taking a center after a trade? I’d be fine with that. But, again, still hoping they can find a game-changing corner, edge, or tackle, etc.

[InvaderRam]

Billy_T wrote:

Quinyon Mitchell* would be a great 1st rounder. Could be the Rams’ lock-down corner for years. But I’d take Dallas Turner, the edge rusher, before him, if he falls.

 

i would love to see those guys on the rams. but yeah. i don’t see them being available at 19. but who knows. maybe a trade up? personally i’d want turner.

 

the offensive tackles look really good. and there should be one available at 19.

 

it sounds like shelton is likely to come back so i’d prefer a tackle.

[Zooey]

What do Rams draft projections look like post-combine? ⤵️

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 5, 2024

[Zooey]

Too fuqin slow.

The only rookie to play every snap for the Rams this season!@Stevelavila at the #NFLCombine

📺 @nflnetwork | Begins Feb. 29 pic.twitter.com/1iyWvaBUeg

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 28, 2024

[InvaderRam]

there’s at least five tackles worthy of a first round pick and maybe 2 or 3 more who are worthy of a second round pick.  lots of talent.  i know the rams have at least interviewed taliese fuaga although he reads more like a right tackle prospect.  pff ranks him as the 12 best player in the draft.  OVERALL.  third best tackle prospect.  arms only 33″.  but maybe they plug him in at right guard to replace dotson and eventually right tackle with alaric and avila on the left side.  supposed to be a mauler in the run game.  he’s athletic.  ran a 5.13 40.  scouts do seem to think he can play either side.  so versatility is a plus.

[InvaderRam]

Taliese Fuaga met with the #Rams over the last few days. Watching him handle Laiatu Latu with ease during the Senior Bowl makes this stuff so difficult. The difference in a top-10 pick, and a pick in the 19-20 range. pic.twitter.com/8x1kX7cjbe

— Rams Brothers (@RamsBrothers) March 4, 2024

[InvaderRam]

Taliese Fuaga is going to be a MONSTER in the screen game 😤pic.twitter.com/opFkQpuvYC

— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) March 3, 2024

[InvaderRam]

Taliese Fuaga was moving #nflcombine pic.twitter.com/J2aBOCsjW0

— East Coast Gridiron (@ECG_Pod) March 3, 2024

[zn]

2024 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: What do Rams projections look like post-combine?

Stu Jackson

https://www.therams.com/news/2024-nfl-mock-draft-roundup-what-do-rams-projections-look-like-post-combine

With the annual NFL Scouting Combine a wrap, it’s another chance for a timely look at experts’ latest draft projections for the Rams.

Here’s a look at some of those forecasts as of Tuesday, March 5. All projections are for the Rams’ first-round pick (19th overall) unless noted otherwise.

The Athletic
Date: March 5

Expert: Dane Brugler, NFL Draft Analyst

The pick(s): Florida State EDGE Jared Verse (pictured above)

Notes: A name that has come up in previous mock drafts for the Rams, the 6-foot-4, 254-pound Verse posted nine sacks, 41 total tackles, 11 QB hits, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick for the Seminoles in 11 games played last season.

NFL.com
Date: March 4

Expert: Lance Zierlein, Draft Analyst

The pick(s): Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton (23rd overall, via projected trade with Texans)

Notes:In this projected trade back with the Texans, Zierlein has the Rams address their offensive line by getting 6-8, 322 Guyton, who primarily played right tackle for the Sooners but also has experience at left tackle. Guyton was an honorable mention All-Big 12 honoree for his performance in 10 games played, with nine starts at right tackle, last season.

“While the Rams have a variety of spots to fill, they also have the projected cap space to attack free agency,” Zierlein writes. “The chance to upgrade the left tackle spot in the draft is too good to pass up.”

Pro Football Focus
Date: March 4

Expert: Gordan Guinness, NFL Analyst

The pick(s): Oregon QB Bo Nix

Notes: In this instance, PFF predicts the Rams to plan for the future.

“I ultimately think Nix — or whoever the fourth quarterback in this class winds up being — comes off the board earlier than this, but the fit here makes so much sense to me,” Guiness wrote as part of his analysis.

Nix departed the Ducks as their all-time leader in completion percentage at 74.9 (658-of-879), while also breaking Oregon’s single-season records for completions (364), passing yards (4,508) and passing TDs (45) in 2023. He also set the new NCAA single-season record for completion percentage last season at 77.45 (364-of-470).

USA TODAY
Date: March 4

Expert: Nate Davis, NFL Reporter

The pick(s): UCLA DE Laiatu Latu

Notes: Latu has been a popular projection for the Rams throughout the offseason. Last year’s Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, he led the FBS with 1.8 tackles per game en route to winning the Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Award (nation’s top collegiate defensive end).

Los Angeles Times
Date: March 4

Expert: Sam Farmer, NFL Reporter

The pick(s): Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson

Notes: Another common name amongst Rams projections, Powers-Johnson (6-3, 334) played four of the five offensive line positions in his three season at Oregon. In 2023, he didn’t allow a sack and gave up only one pressure across 471 pass-blocking snaps in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus, en route to unanimous All-American recognition and the Rimington Trophy (nation’s best center).

Pro Football Focus
Date: March 4

Expert: Gordan Guinness, NFL Analyst

The pick(s): Oregon QB Bo Nix

Notes: In this instance, PFF predicts the Rams to plan for the future.

“I ultimately think Nix — or whoever the fourth quarterback in this class winds up being — comes off the board earlier than this, but the fit here makes so much sense to me,” Guiness wrote as part of his analysis.

Nix departed the Ducks as their all-time leader in completion percentage at 74.9 (658-of-879), while also breaking Oregon’s single-season records for completions (364), passing yards (4,508) and passing TDs (45) in 2023. He also set the new NCAA single-season record for completion percentage last season at 77.45 (364-of-470).

[Billy_T]

This continues to look like the best O-line draft in ages, at least at the top, and that’s an obvious position of need for the Rams. Not so sure about “depth,” but there are all kinds of elite guys who seem to be switching places as the best of the best. It’s also among the best ever for wideouts at the top, especially size/speed freaks. As with the O-line, I don’t see the depth of previous years, but the top guys are more numerous. Stronger at the top for QBs as well, and corners. Depth falls off even moreso there. Which means if the Rams stick at 19, they’ll get a really good player. Good shot at Pro-Bowl type. They’d have to work hard not to. Edges would be a huge plus, too, relative to other years, if not for this (IMO): The top guys aren’t that big, and Latu has injury concerns. Apparently, he’s all clear from the neck injury that forced his early retirement, but that it happened it all would scare me as a GM. For his health, more than anything else.

My own view: Rams should not draft a QB in Round One. They have too many other immediate needs. Draft a backup later, re-sign Wentz, or trade for Zach Wilson. Don’t spend the first on Bo Nix. Go corner, edge, o-line, especially. Wideout, perhaps, if they trade down and add picks. But I think they need to upgrade both lines and corners first.

[InvaderRam]

Billy_T wrote:

I think they need to upgrade both lines and corners first.

 

i agree. and it just so happens this is a good draft to do it.

[InvaderRam]

one thing i could see them doing. if they are interested in taliese fuaga. they probably have to trade up for him. but if they were to draft him then they let dotson go. plug fuaga at right guard. hav at right tackle. alaric at left tackle. sign him to a multi-year contract. avila at left guard. shelton at center.

 

and what i like about it is you plug fuaga at rg but then he’s a logical candidate to replace hav the next year. his combine tape looks amazing. very quick. supposedly very impressive in interviews.

[zn]

InvaderRam wrote:

one thing i could see them doing. if they are interested in taliese fuaga. they probably have to trade up for him. but if they were to draft him then they let dotson go. plug fuaga at right guard. hav at right tackle. alaric at left tackle. sign him to a multi-year contract. avila at left guard. shelton at center. and what i like about it is you plug fuaga at rg but then he’s a logical candidate to replace hav the next year. his combine tape looks amazing. very quick. supposedly very impressive in interviews.

How does them signing Dotson impact your thinking on this?

[InvaderRam]

zn wrote:

InvaderRam wrote:

one thing i could see them doing. if they are interested in taliese fuaga. they probably have to trade up for him. but if they were to draft him then they let dotson go. plug fuaga at right guard. hav at right tackle. alaric at left tackle. sign him to a multi-year contract. avila at left guard. shelton at center. and what i like about it is you plug fuaga at rg but then he’s a logical candidate to replace hav the next year. his combine tape looks amazing. very quick. supposedly very impressive in interviews.

How does them signing Dotson impact your thinking on this?

 

i don’t think they go this route anymore. most likely draft a prospect in the lower rounds. i’m now leaning toward edge rusher, cornerback, wide receiver. i’m not as high on latu as some people are. but what do i know? and projections right now are leaning that way.

 

i like chop robinson. he’s toolsy to borrow a term from baseball. i wouldn’t mind seeing a cornerback either. wide receiver would be out of left field but it might make sense long term.

 

i could see a scenario where rams draft powers-johnson. now THAT would be intriguing… what a potentially scary iol THAT would be.

• This reply was modified 8 months, 1 week ago by InvaderRam.

[zn]

Gary Klein@LATimesklein

Rams receive a third-round compensation pick for Raheem Morris and three sixth-round and one seventh-round pick for loss of 2023 free agents.

.

Blaine Grisak@bgrisakTST

Rams comp picks officially coming in at:

3rd round – 98th overall
6th round – 209th overall
6th round – 213th overall
6th round – 217th overall
7th round – 254th overall

Good chance for Les Snead to find another quality starter in the 6th round with three extra picks there.
.
SeattleRams@seattlerams_nfl
The Rams now have four top 100 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.

***

Now that the Compensatory picks have been announced here are the full list of draft picks the Rams have in 2024.

Rams Draft Picks 2024

Round 1: #19
Round 2: #52
Round 3: #83
Round 3: #98
Round 5: #153
Round 5: #154
Round 6: #191
Round 6: #209
Round 6: #213
Round 6: #217
Round 7: #254

[Billy_T]

Thanks for posting the new pick order.

It looks like they did slightly better with the 3rd rounder than we thought (98), a tad better with one of the sixth round comp picks (209), but one sixer looks like it slipped into the 7th (254). Or I may just be confused by the entire process!

;>)

Signing Dotson gives them some breathing room. I’d still draft a guard/center or two, but a bit later. I think corner and edge go to the top of the mountain now. If Dallas Turner is there at #19, the Rams should pounce. If for some reason there’s been a real run on corners and edges, and the best are gone, trade down a bit and grab that huge center Invader mentioned.

Would also love to see the Rams draft Jaylen Wright as RB2, but I think his strong performance at the Combine ended any chance of him being a later round sleeper. I thought he’d run in the 4.3s, and he did. Looks like he’s put on good weight, too. Up to 210. Since the Rams don’t have a 4th, he’s likely gone by the time they draft in the 5th. But if the Rams think RB2 is a big enough need for #98, it wouldn’t upset me, though that might be a good spot for Theo Johnson, the TE. Or perhaps Junior Colson, linebacker.

It’s a strong draft. They should do just fine.

 

 

[zn]

Been thinkin about it and I hope the Rams don’t trade up in round 1. If anything I would rather see them trade down.

[InvaderRam]

Billy_T wrote:

If Dallas Turner is there at #19, the Rams should pounce.

 

i would love for that to happen, but i think he’s gone by then. they’d have to trade up to get him.

 

as far as defensive backs. someone’s gonna slip. i still like cooper dejean and it seems like he’s a prime candidate to slip down the draft. it might be better for the rams to trade down and keep accumulating draft picks.

[InvaderRam]

one crazy thought that entered my head is the rams drafting brock bowers in the first round. edge rusher and cornerback are the obvious needs. but what if there’s a run on one or both positions in the first round?

 

and while it would seem to be out of character for the rams to draft a tight end that early the rams did attempt to trade up into the first round to select dalton kincaid. that’s widely known.

 

furthermore the rams are arguably in a worse position at tight end than they were last year. they do have allen, but higbee is now coming off acl surgery. and the rams were willing to draft a tight end in the first round last year WITH a healthy higbee under contract.

 

plus. bowers is a better prospect than kincaid was last year. a complete tight end prospect. imagine kupp, puka, robinson, and bowers running around in 3 wr sets.

 

if bowers falls out of the top 10 which experts are now predicting, is it inconceivable for the rams to attempt to trade up for him? especially when they were at least exploring trading up into the first round last year for kincaid?

[zn]

Rams are tied with the Bills, Cardinals, 49ers and Packers for most total picks entering the 2024 NFL Draft with 11 https://t.co/Rnc6uOSwIL

— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) March 9, 2024

[InvaderRam]

one guy i keep forgetting about. darius robinson. this guy could slot in at defensive end alongside kobie turner and aaron donald. and he’s supposed to be relentless. didn’t take off until his last season when they moved him outside.

[Zooey]

Last year’s draft was insanely good, and the Rams are going into this draft in a very good position. With their 11 picks, if the Rams strike gold on a CB and a pass rusher, they’re in the the hunt.

They are mostly set on the offensive side of the ball. The nailed the OL, they resigned Robinson, and they replaced Higbee. A complimentary RB would make them more dangerous, but the O is set. They will be drafting for depth and the future there, not immediate starter needs. That’s incredible, actually.

Looks to me like the draft will focus mostly on defense and STs.

On defense, they have some quality up front. Hitting on both Turner and Young was amazing. They got Jones in the middle, and Lake in the back looks pretty good. Williams is an upgrade at CB. I can’t imagine that anybody is going to bowl Johnson over with an offer, so the Rams can probably keep him. I have a feeling Witherspoon and Fuller are gone, but my feelings don’t amount to much in the way of evidence.

So there are plenty of places that could stand an upgrade. The Rams didn’t get much out of the non-Aaron Donald DE spot, or the LBs outside of Jones. If they could get a disruptive DE or strongside LB, that would be great. A top-notch CB would be great. If they could hit on those 2 picks, they can do whatever they like with the remaining 9, and I’ll be happy. Well…8. Because I would like a K who can hit FGs.

 

[InvaderRam]

Zooey wrote:

So there are plenty of places that could stand an upgrade. The Rams didn’t get much out of the non-Aaron Donald DE spot, or the LBs outside of Jones. If they could get a disruptive DE or strongside LB, that would be great. A top-notch CB would be great. If they could hit on those 2 picks, they can do whatever they like with the remaining 9, and I’ll be happy. Well…8. Because I would like a K who can hit FGs.

 

i’ve been reading your posts. and i agree with what you say.

 

maybe they re-sign jj although i could see him going to atlanta. beyond that they’re probably done. so edge rusher will have to be in the draft. but also you’re counting on young to perhaps make improvements to his game.

 

so there needs are:

 

db (cb and maybe s depending on if jj comes back)

 

edge

 

de

 

ilb

 

rb

 

k

 

wr (for development in case kupp falls off a cliff)

 

maybe another db also for development purposes.

 

i don’t know that an edge rusher will be available at 19 who’s worth that pick so i’m leaning toward db or de. i like robinson there although some are now predicting he won’t even last that long. but if he’s off the board and the edge rushers are off the board a cb should fall to the rams.

[zn]

My 22 cents.

In the first 4 picks I want to see:

* a trade down making it 5 in rounds 1-3 (ie. they can get another 3 with a modest trade down)

* spend 4 of those 5 picks in rounds 1-3 on LB/edge, DL, and CB. If the players are there I would make it 2 CBs. 1st rounder is the best player at one of those 3 positions.

* spend 1 of those 5 picks (likely a 3) on RB. Why RB? They went 9/4 with WMs playing and 1/3 without. I don’t think any of the backs currently have on the roster after Wms is capable of carrying them if Wms misses time (and he was dinged up twice last year, including against the Lions). So another back, one with the potential to be a 1000 yarder. Wms is a rare find and they won’t find another Qms but they can find someone better than the other options they have right now.

After the first 5 picks, they need more OL, a qb, a K, and another WR. Maybe another DB.

I don’t want them taking an OT high. We already know AJ is solid. He came through in the 2nd half of the season last year. And with a strong IOL (which they now absolutely have), you can start a solid as opposed to elite LOT and have a great OL.

[Zooey]

zn wrote:

My 22 cents. In the first 4 picks I want to see: * a trade down making it 5 in rounds 1-3 (ie. they can get another 3 with a modest trade down) * spend 4 of those 5 picks in rounds 1-3 on LB/edge, DL, and CB. If the players are there I would make it 2 CBs. 1st rounder is the best player at one of those 3 positions. * spend 1 of those 5 picks (likely a 3) on RB. Why RB? They went 9/4 with WMs playing and 1/3 without. I don’t think any of the backs currently have on the roster after Wms is capable of carrying them if Wms misses time (and he was dinged up twice last year, including against the Lions). So another back, one with the potential to be a 1000 yarder. Wms is a rare find and they won’t find another Qms but they can find someone better than the other options they have right now. After the first 5 picks, they need more OL, a qb, a K, and another WR. Maybe another DB. I don’t want them taking an OT high. We already know AJ is solid. He came through in the 2nd half of the season last year. And with a strong IOL (which they now absolutely have), you can start a solid as opposed to elite LOT and have a great OL.

That’s fine, but the ante on this board has risen to a full quarter.

That aside, I agree with this – unless there is a guy at one of those positions who should have gone in the top 10-12, but dropped because there was an unexpected run at some other position.

I read somewhere today that AJ was tied for 1st in pass protection among OTs who played 500+ snaps. Apparently, AJ yielded one sack all year. I also read they were tendering him at 2nd round which means they will have him for $5M or so this year. They need a backup there, not a starter. They have a starter. So… yeah.

[zn]

Zooey wrote:

read somewhere today that AJ was tied for 1st in pass protection among OTs who played 500+ snaps. Apparently, AJ yielded one sack all year. I also read they were tendering him at 2nd round which means they will have him for $5M or so this year.

Yep. I posted info on that just now, in the March 12, 2024 at 10:09 pm post at the end of this thread: https://theramshuddle.com/topic/its-own-thread-ol-developments-this-off-season/#post-149834

So you’re living 20 minutes in the future. 😎

[Zooey]

zn wrote:

Yep. I posted info on that just now, in the March 12, 2024 at 10:09 pm post at the end of this thread:

So that must mean I’m living at least 20 minutes in the future.

 

• This reply was modified 8 months ago by Zooey.

[zn]

Zooey wrote:

zn wrote:

Yep. I posted info on that just now, in the March 12, 2024 at 10:09 pm post at the end of this thread:

So that must mean I’m living at least 20 minutes in the future.

I already said that.

😎

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