Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › Rams 2023 draft
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March 30, 2023 at 9:35 am #143342Billy_TParticipant
Trade value chart:
March 30, 2023 at 9:41 am #143343Billy_TParticipantApologies for flooding the zone here, but multiple links per post will likely trigger the software.
Wanted to post an aggregate site for the Big Boards. There’s never consensus among the scouts for all players, of course, and the differences grow the further down the list of players you get. All over the map sometimes. Wildly different, etc.
https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/big-boards/2023/consensus-big-board-2023
Click on the individual players and you get an extensive breakdown of those differences from the major draft sites.
March 30, 2023 at 9:47 am #143344znModeratorApologies for flooding the zone here,
Flood away!
March 30, 2023 at 9:48 am #143345znModeratorI can see that view. But the O-line draft is really loaded this year, even late into the draft. The Rams have the opportunity to get more athletic there, and at least find better depth. But in the real world, they probably have other priorities, at least early. I’d rather they get a couple of edges and two corners early, and go Defense. They need safeties too. But I’d be shocked if McSnead avoid the Offense. Likely a receiver or two. Abanikanda (RB), as mentioned (and Mitchell) would be great picks, IMO
Well I agree with that. Odds are they don’t just pass OL up completely.
March 30, 2023 at 4:03 pm #143348znModeratorDraft Hint: when a team is in the bottom $ percentile at a position…expect a draft pick to address the need. 🙏 it works! #NFLDraft2023 🐏 ⬆️
…Where Rams rank in spending at each position: https://t.co/WB6shXu3Jl— 𝒥𝒾𝓂 𝐸𝓋𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓉𝓉 (@Jim_Everett) March 30, 2023
March 31, 2023 at 9:12 am #143355Billy_TParticipantHere’s another of my mock drafts, from . . .
https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/
Trade Recap
Los Angeles Receives:
2023: Round 2, Pick 43
2023: Round 4, Pick 112
New York Receives:
2023: Round 2, Pick 36
Los Angeles Receives:
2023: Round 2, Pick 45
2023: Round 5, Pick 170
Green Bay Receives:
2023: Round 2, Pick 43
Los Angeles Receives:
2023: Round 2, Pick 49
2023: Round 4, Pick 120
Pittsburgh Receives:
2023: Round 2, Pick 45
Los Angeles Receives:
2023: Round 4, Pick 128
2023: Round 5, Pick 172
2023: Round 7, Pick 240
2023: Round 7, Pick 243
2023: Round 7, Pick 254
New York Receives:
2023: Round 4, Pick 120
2023: Round 6, Pick 189My Selections
49
Trenton Simpson
LB | Clemson LogoClemsonTRADE69
Gervon Dexter
DL | Florida LogoFlorida77
D.J. Turner
CB | Michigan LogoMichigan112
Blake Freeland
OT | BYU LogoBYUTRADE128
Israel Abanikanda
RB | Pittsburgh LogoPittsburghTRADE167
Jonathan Mingo
WR | Mississippi LogoMississippi170
Braeden Daniels
IOL | Utah LogoUtahTRADE171
Jon Gaines
IOL | UCLA LogoUCLA172
Carrington Valentine
CB | Kentucky LogoKentuckyTRADE177
Jason Taylor II
S | Oklahoma State LogoOklahoma State182
Keaton Mitchell
RB | East Carolina LogoEast Carolina191
YaYa Diaby
EDGE | Louisville LogoLouisville223
Brandon Hill
S | Pittsburgh LogoPittsburgh240
Elijah Higgins
WR | Stanford LogoStanfordTRADE243
Yasir Abdullah
LB | Louisville LogoLouisvilleTRADE251
Rejzohn Wright
CB | Oregon State LogoOregon State254
Bryce Baringer
P | Michigan State LogoMichigan StateTRADEMarch 31, 2023 at 9:21 am #143356Billy_TParticipantI did my best to make every trade comply with the standard trade value chart. Again, on that particular mock simulator, unlike most of them, you get flooded with amazing offers that tend to be far too generous. Even later in the process, all kinds of offers for 2024 early round swaps for late 2023 picks, which I’d jump on if I were GM.
I ignored all of those and made my own trades.
The above draft makes the Rams faster, far more athletic, and fills most of their needs. The only spot I probably missed is the TE position, which I thought I could deal with later. Davis Allen is often still there late but wasn’t this time. So I picked Elijah Higgins instead . . . a really big wideout who probably should convert to a smallish move TE. He’d be the Rams’ Gerald Everett, etc.
Also, I think most of the picks are possible for their timing, except for DJ Turner. He’s likely gone in the 2nd round. Mingo is another one who may go earlier. Big receiver, with speed, toughness, and athleticism. He could be the Rams’ Deebo.
March 31, 2023 at 9:32 am #143357Billy_TParticipantQuick sidenote: I’ve seen some reports that the Rams are high on Calijah Kancey, at DT.
Personally, I’d much rather wait and take Gervon Dexter instead. Most boards have the latter going a round or two later than Kancey. Much bigger, taller, and has more upside, IMO. I think they should grab the best edge first, IMO — unless Deonte Banks falls to them at 36.
It’s also interesting to me that Adetomiwa Adebawore, an edge, is basically the same size as Kancey, roughly 6’1″, 280, but far more athletic, quicker, faster. Strong, too. Put up 27 for the bench. Makes sense to me to move him to DT. Get him to add a bit of good weight, and you have your Donald clone.
March 31, 2023 at 10:06 am #143358Billy_TParticipantAdetomiwa Adebawore’s numbers are truly freakish.4.49Seconds10-Yard Split1.61SecondsVertical Jump37.5’’Broad Jump10’ 5’’3-Cone Drill—20-Yd Shuttle—Bench Press27Rep_____Jonathan Mingo’s numbers are crazy, too. Much better than Deebo’s. He’s 6’2″, 225:40-Yard Dash4.46Seconds10-Yard Split1.54SecondsVertical Jump39.5’’Broad Jump10’ 9’’3-Cone Drill—20-Yd Shuttle—Bench Press22April 2, 2023 at 12:38 am #143375znModeratorBrett Kollmann@BrettKollmannI’ve been trying to finalize my edge rankings for like a week and I just can’t. At this point, just throw a dart. It doesn’t even matter that much who you take among the top 10 guys they are all good.April 3, 2023 at 2:49 pm #143396znModeratorTCU running back Kendre Miller has a visit with the Rams scheduled https://t.co/U6WdWSdzbq
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) April 3, 2023
April 3, 2023 at 2:59 pm #143397znModeratorOne way to stabilize a team that needs to restock its defense and also needs to fix its OL after injuries is to bolster the running game, and that would include drafting a back this year.
And as it turns out, if you don’t have a first round pick, you draft a back in rounds 2 or 3.
There’s a persistent belief that you can draft backs lower than that. But the numbers don’t bear that out.
I will look at 10 years, ending in 2021 (far enough back to get a good picture) and starting in 2012. I will count as a “hit” anyone who was productive at RB for at least 2 years.
Rounds 2 & 3. Backs drafted: 54. Hits: 22. Percent: 41%
Rounds 4-7. Backs drafted: 158. Hits: 20. Percent: 12.6%
You’re more than 3 times more likely to get a productive back drafting them in rounds 2 and 3.
April 3, 2023 at 3:42 pm #143399Billy_TParticipantOne way to stabilize a team that needs to restock its defense and also needs to fix its OL after injuries is to bolster the running game, and that would include drafting a back this year. And as it turns out, if you don’t have a first round pick, you draft a back in rounds 2 or 3. There’s a persistent belief that you can draft backs lower than that. But the numbers don’t bear that out. I will look at 10 years, ending in 2021 (far enough back to get a good picture) and starting in 2012. I will count as a “hit” anyone who was productive at RB for at least 2 years. Rounds 2 & 3. Backs drafted: 54. Hits: 22. Percent: 41% Rounds 4-7. Backs drafted: 158. Hits: 20. Percent: 12.6% You’re more than 3 times more likely to get a productive back drafting them in rounds 2 and 3.
As you can probably tell, I’m high on Israel Abanikanda. A 4.3 back with excellent size. Roughly 5’11”, 216. Probably can carry 225 and still be fast. Want the Rams to draft him. But it’s going to take some great chess from McSnead, IMO. Gotta make some really good trades. Trade down a few times and bank some extra picks, cuz they have to get a coupla edges and corners too.
Looks like the consensus has Bijan Robinson as the only first-round-worthy back, but that may not stop some teams from going for others early. Personally, I think the next group of runners are too small or too slow. Hoping the Rams go in another direction.
https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/big-boards/2023/consensus-big-board-2023?pos=RB
You mention Kendre Miller. He’s not “fast,” but has good size and good tape as a Junior. Just 21 for the season is another big plus.
April 3, 2023 at 3:45 pm #143400Billy_TParticipantI also like Chase Brown, but he’s supposed to go before Israel. I’d rather have the latter.
Late in the draft, likely in the 170-192 range, hoping the Rams snag Keaton Mitchell. Gives them a speed back, good receiver, big play guy. Small. But that late in the Draft is where you should take that kind of chance. That’s where you draft a Tutu as well. Not in the 2nd round.
Hunter Luepke for a throwback fullback would help them too. Also in that range.
April 3, 2023 at 4:09 pm #143402znModeratorApril 3, 2023 at 10:27 pm #143407znModerator.@LanceZierlein ranks the strongest position groups ahead of the 2023 Draft. 👀 pic.twitter.com/0E5vPVFdmT
— NFL (@NFL) April 3, 2023
April 5, 2023 at 10:27 am #143411znModeratorRams 2023 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Cornerback, safety and wide receiver in focus in latest predictions
Stu Jackson
It is Mock Draft Monday on theRams.com, where we will be taking a look at experts’ projections for who the Rams will select in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Given the departures in the secondary since the start of the new league year, it’s no surprise that cornerback is one of the most widely-projected positions for the Rams to address in this year’s draft, with a couple safety projections in there as well. Wide receiver also pops up in two of the projections.
Here’s a roundup of the latest predictions:
230403_MockDraftRoundup_1600x900
AP/Artie Walker Jr.
Pro Football Focus
Date: April 3Expert: Gordon McGuinness, analyst
The pick(s): South Carolina CB Cam Smith (Round 2, No. 36 overall, pictured above); Illinois S Sydney Brown (Round 3, No. 69 overall); Stanford WR Michael Wilson (Round 3, No. 77 overall)
Notes: Smith (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) had 27 tackles, five pass breakups and one interception while starting nine of 11 games played last season, missing some time reportedly because of a concussion.
The 5-10, 2-11 Brown tied for third in the FBS in interceptions with six, also added 59 tackles and seven pass breakups in 12 starts to earn First-Team All-Big Ten recognition.
Wilson also missed time due to injury in 2022, missing the second half of the season, but managed to produce 26 catches for 418 yards and four touchdowns in six starts for All-Pac 12 honorable mention recognition.
NFL.com
Date: March 24Expert: Chad Reuter, draft analyst
The pick(s): Notre Dame edge Isaiah Foskey (Round 2, No. 38 overall in projected trade with Seahawks); Kansas State CB Julius Brents (Round 3, No. 69 overall); Illinois’ Brown (Round 3, No. 77 overall)
Notes: Foskey (6-5, 264) led the Fighting Irish with 14 tackles for loss, and his 11 sacks tied for sixth-most in the FBS as he started 12 games and earned Second-Team All-American recognition. He was also a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive end.
A First-Team All-Big 12 performer in 2022, Brents led the Wildcats with four interceptions, also adding 45 tackles and four pass breakups in 14 starts.
See the PFF section for notes on Brown.
CBS Sports
Date: April 3Expert: Chris Trapasso, NFL Draft analyst
The pick(s): Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison (Round 2, No. 36 overall); Tulane LB Dorian Williams (Round 3, No. 69 overall); Iowa State WR Xavier Hutchinson (Round 3, No. 77 overall)
Notes: Harrison (6-4, 315) was selected First-Team All-Big 12 by conference coaches and The Associated press after starting all 12 regular season games on the Sooners’ offensive line. He started the 2022 season-opener at right tackle before moving over to left tackle for the remaining 11 games.
Williams (6-1, 228) tied for ninth in the FBS last season with 132 total tackles, adding a team-high five sacks, plus two interceptions, seven pass breakups and a pair of forced fumbles for the Green Wave to earn First-Team All-AAC recognition.
Hutchinson (6-2, 203) broke his own single-season record with 107 catches for the Cyclones in 2022, also finishing with 1,171 receiving yards which ranked second-most in a single season in program history. Topped off by six touchdown catches, his 2022 campaign garnered First-Team All-American recognition from The Associated Press and Pro Football Focus, in addition to First-Team All-Big 12 recognition from conference coaches and the AP.
April 7, 2023 at 6:10 pm #143421Billy_TParticipantAnother recent mock from me. Again, I know in the real world there aren’t going to be all of these trades . . . mostly cuz the Rams won’t find the trade partners they need, even if they wanted to make them. But I do hope they move down a few times early, in small increments, pick up extra picks, and then, perhaps, move back up later. There’s a ton of value to be had after the 1st round, and, unfortunately, in the part of the draft without any Rams’ picks. As it stands now, there’s a void between #77 and #167. I hope they fill it.
The other issue is . . . I’m guessing . . . the Rams might not be able to pay all the guys I draft. They might prefer UDFA contracts instead. But I do think it would be great if they could draft more than a dozen. No team has fewer players under contract right now, etc.
____
48
Drew Sanders
LB | Arkansas LogoArkansasTRADE75
Gervon Dexter
DL | Florida LogoFloridaTRADE77
Julius Brents
CB | Kansas State LogoKansas State119
Jonathan Mingo
WR | Mississippi LogoMississippiTRADE135
Kendre Miller
RB | TCU LogoTCUTRADE147
Dontayvion Wicks
WR | Virginia LogoVirginiaTRADE152
Kobie Turner
DL | Wake Forest LogoWake ForestTRADE158
YaYa Diaby
EDGE | Louisville LogoLouisvilleTRADE167
Jon Gaines
IOL | UCLA LogoUCLA171
Brenton Strange
TE | Penn State LogoPenn State174
Riley Moss
CB | Iowa LogoIowaTRADE177
Israel Abanikanda
RB | Pittsburgh LogoPittsburgh182
Keaton Mitchell
RB | East Carolina LogoEast Carolina184
Jay Ward
S | LSU LogoLSUTRADE189
Chandler Zavala
IOL | NC State LogoNC State191
Braeden Daniels
IOL | Utah LogoUtah223
Carrington Valentine
CB | Kentucky LogoKentucky224
Yasir Abdullah
LB | Louisville LogoLouisvilleTRADE228
Andrei Iosivas
WR | Princeton LogoPrincetonTRADE231
Jason Taylor II
S | Oklahoma State LogoOklahoma StateTRADE245
Adam Korsak
P | Rutgers LogoRutgersTRADE251
Anfernee Orji
LB | Vanderbilt LogoVanderbiltApril 7, 2023 at 6:16 pm #143422Billy_TParticipantI think there are more than ten immediate or eventual starters in the haul above, and several depth-players would beat out current depth-players. The Rams get bigger, faster, more athletic. Athleticism is a major key to my choices.
Your comments are welcome, etc.
April 7, 2023 at 10:39 pm #143425znModeratorI think there are more than ten immediate or eventual starters in the haul above, and several depth-players would beat out current depth-players. The Rams get bigger, faster, more athletic. Athleticism is a major key to my choices. Your comments are welcome, etc.
Who is Drew Sanders
I will just pretend like I’m not a deeply and widely well-informed draft guru, and let you have the floor.
😎
…
April 7, 2023 at 11:39 pm #143427Billy_TParticipantI responded, ZN. But the post didn’t go through. Probably didn’t like one of the links. Will check back tomorrow.
April 8, 2023 at 12:10 am #143428JackPMillerParticipantI ended up with this draft, with a mock draft simulator
R2-36: Steve Availa G/C TCU
R3-69: Zach Harrison Edge Ohio State
R3-77: Eli Ricks CB Alabama
R5-167: Davis Allen TE Clemson
R5-171: Jaxson Kirland OT/OG Washington
R6-177: Johnathan Mingo WR Mississippi
R6-182: Branden Joseph S Notre Dame
R6-189: Mekhi Garner CB LSU
R7-191: Chris Rodrigues RB Kentucky
R7-223: Brayden Willis TE Oklahoma
R7-251: Jake Moody PK Michigan
This would be an A+ Draft in my mind, if we got this draft.
April 8, 2023 at 11:22 am #143426Billy_TParticipantI think there are more than ten immediate or eventual starters in the haul above, and several depth-players would beat out current depth-players. The Rams get bigger, faster, more athletic. Athleticism is a major key to my choices. Your comments are welcome, etc.
Who is Drew Sanders I will just pretend like I’m not a deeply and widely well-informed draft guru, and let you have the floor. …
Drew Sanders is a linebacker for Arkansas, 6’4″, 235, but the Rams could use him as Edge . . . and/or. Good size, excellent athlete. Sub-4.6 speed. Will turn 22 late in his rookie year. Still time to grow, etc. Usually the top linebacker in most mocks/boards, he slots in at #40 on average.
Good breakdown here:
As others have mentioned, this is a pretty good draft for guys who can play Edge. So the Rams could do as I did, trade down a few times, and still get someone like Sanders, Uzomah, McDonald, Adebawore, White, Simpson, Foskey, or Wall. Any one of them could fall to them, even after moving down in the 2nd. On a coupla of my mocks, I lucked into two Edges. Sanders and Foskey in one. Foskey and Wall in another. I’ve kinda lost track at this point. ;>)
A general feeling, though, about the edge position this year: I think guys who can play all three downs and have an impact will mostly be off the board by the early 70s. So there’s a limit to trading down, if the Rams want one. They also need corners, badly, so they’re probably going to have to use their first three picks for them. Might be pretty smart to draft two corners and an edge, or two edges and a corner, early. If they don’t garner extra picks, they’ve got a long wait for another chance.
April 8, 2023 at 11:24 am #143430znModeratorI think there are more than ten immediate or eventual starters in the haul above, and several depth-players would beat out current depth-players. The Rams get bigger, faster, more athletic. Athleticism is a major key to my choices. Your comments are welcome, etc.
Who is Drew Sanders I will just pretend like I’m not a deeply and widely well-informed draft guru, and let you have the floor. …
Drew Sanders is a linebacker for Arkansas, 6’4″, 235, but the Rams could use him as Edge . . . and/or. Good size, excellent athlete. Sub-4.6 speed. Will turn 22 late in his rookie year. Still time to grow, etc. Usually the top linebacker in most mocks/boards, he slots in at #40 on average. Good breakdown here:
2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Arkansas ILB Drew Sanders” — Steelers Depot”
As others have mentioned, this is a pretty good draft for guys who can play Edge. So the Rams could do as I did, trade down a few times, and still get someone like Sanders, Uzomah, McDonald, Adebawore, White, Simpson, Foskey, or Wall. Any one of them could fall to them, even after moving down in the 2nd. On a coupla of my mocks, I lucked into two Edges. Sanders and Foskey in one. Foskey and Wall in another. I’ve kinda lost track at this point. ;>) A general feeling, though, about the edge position this year: I think guys who can play all three downs and have an impact will mostly be off the board by the early 70s. So there’s a limit to trading down, if the Rams want one. They also need corners, badly, so they’re probably going to have to use their first three picks for them. Might be pretty smart to draft two corners and an edge, or two edges and a corner, early. If they don’t garner extra picks, they’ve got a long wait for another chance.
Thanks, and that all makes sense.
April 9, 2023 at 11:48 am #143437znModeratorRams met with another OL ➡️ https://t.co/hHyGfsdnYj
— HoldenCantor (@HoldenCantor) April 9, 2023
April 13, 2023 at 5:04 pm #143463znModeratorThe Rams are looking for pass rushers and catchers, and have been "closely linked" to WRs Jayden Reed and Kayshon Boutte, per ESPN https://t.co/YWcmIKozyB
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) April 13, 2023
April 13, 2023 at 6:42 pm #143465Billy_TParticipantLatest mock I’m happy with. As per usual, I know the number of trades here would never happen in the real world, but I did stick to “fair” for all of them, rejecting offers that were far too generous in my favor. All of them landed roughly in the middle of “not enough and too much” range, left to right, and garnered “accepted.”
My Selections
48
Rams Logo
Trenton Simpson
LB | Clemson LogoClemsonTRADE75
Rams Logo
Cedric Tillman
WR | Tennessee LogoTennesseeTRADE77
Rams Logo
Gervon Dexter
DL | Florida LogoFlorida112
Rams Logo
Jonathan Mingo
WR | Mississippi LogoMississippiTRADE116
Rams Logo
Jartavius Martin
S | Illinois LogoIllinoisTRADE135
Rams Logo
Riley Moss
CB | Iowa LogoIowaTRADE147
Rams Logo
Israel Abanikanda
RB | Pittsburgh LogoPittsburghTRADE152
Rams Logo
Chandler Zavala
IOL | NC State LogoNC StateTRADE159
Rams Logo
YaYa Diaby
EDGE | Louisville LogoLouisvilleTRADE167
Rams Logo
Brenton Strange
TE | Penn State LogoPenn State170
Rams Logo
Keaton Mitchell
RB | East Carolina LogoEast CarolinaTRADE171
Rams Logo
Nick Saldiveri
OT | Old Dominion LogoOld Dominion177
Rams Logo
Yasir Abdullah
LB | Louisville LogoLouisvilleTRADE182
Rams Logo
Ricky Stromberg
IOL | Arkansas LogoArkansas183
Rams Logo
Cameron Mitchell
CB | Northwestern LogoNorthwesternTRADE189
Rams Logo
Daniel Scott
S | California LogoCalifornia191
Rams Logo
Keondre Coburn
DL | Texas LogoTexas194
Rams Logo
Clayton Tune
QB | Houston LogoHoustonTRADE223
Rams Logo
Carter Warren
OT | Pittsburgh LogoPittsburgh224
Rams Logo
Dylan Horton
EDGE | TCU LogoTCUTRADE225
Rams Logo
B.J. Thompson
EDGE | Stephen F. Austin LogoStephen F. AustinTRADE251
Rams Logo
Anthony Bradford
IOL | LSU LogoLSUApril 13, 2023 at 6:56 pm #143466Billy_TParticipantI know it sounds crazy for any draft, but I think there are more than a dozen immediate or future starters from the above haul.
Simpson, Tillman, Dexter, Martin, Zavala, Diaby, and Stromberg all have a good shot at starting right away. Mingo should play a lot as a rook (as the Rams’ Deebo), as will Moss, Abanikanda, and Strange. I think Saldiveri is a future starting tackle, Bradford a future starter at guard, and Scott at safety. Abdullah should be a part of the linebacker/edge rotation early. Same with Coburn at DT. Mitchell at corner, and the other Mitchell as a gadget guy/RB/slot receiver should also contribute early.
BJ Thompson is a freakish edge and may get some reps after some weight gain.
Overall, a very strong draft. Though I missed a few. Wanted Trevor Reid at OT, for example, and Korzak and Moody for punter and kicker, respectively. But ran out of picks, despite the huge numbers. I got greedy, I suppose.
;>)
Comments are welcome.
April 13, 2023 at 7:00 pm #143467Billy_TParticipantThis is the site I’ve been using:
https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/mock-draft-simulator
Am now in the habit of doing the mocks while I rewatch episodes of Friday Night Lights. Sorta fits the mood.
April 14, 2023 at 10:50 pm #143472znModeratorI know it sounds crazy for any draft, but I think there are more than a dozen immediate or future starters from the above haul.
Thanks for doing all this and communicating about it.
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