Rams tweets … 5/30 – 6/5

Personally, I’m not a fan of drafting a wideout in the 1st or 2nd round, unless they’re truly special, match-up nightmares. That usually means big, fast, quick, explosive, great hands, great at contested catches, and can block. That doesn’t happen often, and there were no receivers like that this year. None of the guys who went in the 1st checked all of those boxes. I think Jonathan Mingo (2nd round, #39) is close, but he’s not super-fast, at 4.46, and not exceptionally tall, at slightly under 6’2.” I think he has the makings of a really good receiver, and I wish the Rams had drafted him, but not with a 1st rounder.

For me, the main reason I’d avoid spending a top pick on a wideout is cuz they don’t impact the game on every play, or most plays, like a lineman or a QB. Even a running back has more touches. Probably twice the number, at least. Using a 1st on running backs now is frowned upon, but I think they have more value overall than a receiver. The downside, obviously, is they have shorter careers.

Anyway, I’m very glad they didn’t trade up for another wideout. I would have been less opposed if they had grabbed a plug and play LT. But the pickings there were slim by the time #25 came around, if that was the move-up point. They also tend to give up too much in those trade up scenarios, and they didn’t have much draft capital to give.

zn wrote:

Billy_T wrote:

Using a 1st on running backs now is frowned upon, but I think they have more value overall than a receiver. The downside, obviously, is they have shorter careers.

Just taking off and running (so to speak) with that point. I agree with the sentiment that a 1st round RB isn’t worth it really. But then this discussion reminds me of people who have said you can wait for a back in the lower rounds (after the 3rd). (You did not say that, this is not addressed to you personally BT, just me thinking out loud.) I’ve done the numbers on that before…and, your chances of getting a starting RB after rounds 2 and 3 go way down. Yet having said that, the Rams have 3 backs in camp that could pan out, and they’re all either low picks or a UDFA. This is 3 guys after Akers of course, who as we know was a 2nd rounder. They are Evans (round 6 23), Wms (round 5 22), and T.Evans (UDFA 23). I don’t think it’s a stretch to think one of them will come through. …

You make good points. Can’t argue with any of it.

I posted a similar break-down earlier, can’t remember when or where, of the best rounds for each position. If memory serves, running back was one of the few where 2nd and 3rd rounds were actually better than the 1st. For most positions, the first round was the best, but not all. If you can remember where I posted that, please let me know.

I feel good about the Rams running backs now, after the Evans pick. We won’t know until Sundays, of course, but right now I’m thinking they got a steal there. Don’t know what to think yet about Williams, but I can admit to a bias against rather slight runners who run in the 4.6 to 4.7 range. Testing isn’t destiny, obviously. But I think it can give us a basic idea, relative to other backs. They ran under the same conditions, after all. Would be another issue entirely if the Combine had some players run in full gear, and others in gym clothes.

Anyway, I was just thinking out loud too, regarding a general idea of best way to maximize a 1st. If the player is just crazy good, a match-up nightmare, and has Aaron Donald type drive and intangibles . . . those theories go out the window. I’d run up to the stage and hand the Commish the player’s card, etc.