Recent Forum Topics › Forums › The Rams Huddle › reactions to Rams 2020 draft
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April 25, 2020 at 1:07 am #114075znModerator
I think what the Rams did basically was fill the holes left over from their biggest off-season losses.
Gurley…–> Akers.
Cooks…–> Jefferson.
Fowler…–> Lewis.
Robey-Coleman…–> Burgess.
I like all the picks btw.
April 25, 2020 at 2:53 am #114079JackPMillerParticipantShould have drafted Josh Jones OT Houston and Kristain Fulton CB LSU at 52 & 57.
RB was not a major need. Could have gotten an RB at the end of the draft as a UDFA.
Too early to take a WR.
I like Lewis, but can he stay healthy.
Burgess to me, is a Free Safety, can play some Nickle CB on occasion. But we need a starting CB. Troy Hill will not be back next year. His contract is up after this year. David Long is a Nickle CB, not a starting CB. Next years draft to me at this moment only has two really great CBs, Patrick Surtain of Alabama & Paulson Adebo of Stanford. But it is strong with interior Linemen, both G and C.
April 25, 2020 at 4:05 am #114080HerzogParticipantI like the picks so far. I though linebacker and offensive line would be higher priorities…. but I like the picks.
April 25, 2020 at 6:57 am #114082AgamemnonParticipantI think what the Rams did basically was fill the holes left over from their biggest off-season losses.
Gurley…–> Akers.
Cooks…–> Jefferson.
Fowler…–> Lewis.
Robey-Coleman…–> Burgess.
I like all the picks btw.
Me, too. I would have drafted a Center, but I am fine with what they did.
- This reply was modified 4 years, 7 months ago by Agamemnon.
April 25, 2020 at 7:51 am #114084HramParticipantBPA at a position of need. Good draft. Love WRs with strong sure hands that are route running technicians and a solid workhorse running back that fits this scheme was a need imo.
Although I expected Oline, I’m not surprised they waited. They have a lot of young talent that has already been developed one or two years on the roster.
Lost of decent linebackers and lineman left for the 4th round.
April 25, 2020 at 7:55 am #114085wvParticipantThe RB certainly made sense. I hope he can add some fire to this offense.
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I’m always always always fine with a ‘route-runner.’ I dont care how slow he is. Jack Snow, Fred Belitnikoff, Howard Twilly, Steve Largent…
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A LB and a S/CB for the defense. Well, who knows.The Rams biggest problem last year was the demise of Gurley and the OLine.
So, we are back to the OLine. Their plan is to fix it without a premium draft pick?
Well….okey-dokey.w
vApril 25, 2020 at 10:02 am #114106ZooeyModeratorWell, I never heard of any of these guys before yesterday, but they were all needed, and Snead has a good track record drafting, so it looks good to me. I would have predicted the Rams would go for RB, LB, and OL, but those other positions have holes, too, and drafting is about getting bargains, and Jefferson appears to be a great value, so that’s how you do it. The Rams are good at that.
The Rams are weaker when it comes to keeping all the talent they acquire, and in logo design. It’s weird how they waited until after leaving St. Louis to incorporate the Arch into the logo.
April 25, 2020 at 10:25 am #114111InvaderRamModeratorscheme fit. i’m guessing a lot of it comes down to that. mcvay knows what kind of running back and receiver he wants. so i’ll trust him on this. but i was a little underwhelmed. my favorite pick is jefferson. he’s like robert woods and cooper kupp. sounds like a versatile receiver. a technician. precise.
they need a center and an offensive tackle. maybe they find them today.
April 25, 2020 at 12:10 pm #114122wvParticipantscheme fit. i’m guessing a lot of it comes down to that. mcvay knows what kind of running back and receiver he wants. so i’ll trust him on this. but i was a little underwhelmed. my favorite pick is jefferson. he’s like robert woods and cooper kupp. sounds like a versatile receiver. a technician. precise.
they need a center and an offensive tackle. maybe they find them today.
========================
Very interesting that they ignored the Oline. Maybe its a good thing. Maybe it means they already have talent. I dunno.
Anyway, i like to wait a half-hour after round four
before a grade a draft or a logo.w
vApril 25, 2020 at 12:36 pm #114126InvaderRamModeratorVery interesting that they ignored the Oline. Maybe its a good thing. Maybe it means they already have talent. I dunno.
i hope. but i also hope they use today to find some developmental prospects.
April 25, 2020 at 12:40 pm #114129Billy_TParticipantSo far, I don’t like this draft, at all, except for Terrell Davis. Love that pick.
I know, I know. The usual response to criticism — especially on the old Herd board — was anger at the nerve of dissent.
;>)
It could generally be boiled down into some version of “They obviously didn’t like the players you wanted, and they know better than any fan. They chose who they wanted, not who you wanted,” etc. etc.
Yes, that’s a very good assumption. They chose the players they wanted. Let’s at least hope that’s the case. It would be pretty unsettling if they chose players they didn’t want. So, um, well, that’s a given. My own critique has always taken that into account.
But no knee-jerk response ever accounts for this: The Rams have a tendency to draft players prior to their likely spot of drafting, year after year. And whether they like that player or not, this is not a good strategy. Why? On balance — and this is just math and common sense — teams go after the best players first. That, by definition, leaves “lesser” players for later rounds, with exceptions. So, if you want player X, but he’s likely slated for later rounds, find another player you like and take him first. Your guy will likely be there later. And, if he’s not? So? It’s just NEVER the case that this will mean NO player left on the board can help the team get better. IMO, it’s a really dumb rationale for “reaching.”
It’s a team sport. One player isn’t going to make or break a team, especially not a team like the Rams, and especially after the First Round, with so many holes. If you don’t get your guy later, you’ll find someone else who can help. Draft for value, now, always.
April 25, 2020 at 12:51 pm #114130Billy_TParticipantCam Akers? The Rams didn’t need a running back. They moved up further into the Third last year to draft Henderson. They should have waited, and filled areas of absolute need. Edge, center, OT, guard, ILB, even safety. I would have taken Okwara, Jeremy Chinn, Josh Jones or Ezra Cleveland at 52. Even Hennesy would have been solid, and the Rams really, really need an upgrade at Center.
But, then, to compound matter, they take Jefferson with Mims still on the board at 57. I just see this as dumb. Really, really dumb. Mims would give them the size/speed/contest catches guy they need.
Again, the Davis pick was excellent. If he’s healthy, puts on some good weight, I think he has Pro Bowl potential. Love the pick.
Burgess? Another baffling pick. So so athlete. Not big enough for safety. Not fast/twitchy enough for slot. David Long has the better athletic profile for that. Akeem Davis-Gaither or Troy Dye would have been excellent there.
It’s been a rough week for me, and likely for the vast majority of the world, to much greater or lesser extent. I was really hoping the Rams would hit home runs on each pick. Am truly disappointed so far.
(Aside from Davis, an additional bright spot, however, is that brief word that Jachai Polite might well be a force next season).
April 25, 2020 at 1:26 pm #114134ZooeyModeratorWell, I’m not going to get into arguing with you, Billy. It’s obvious you hate the Rams.
But maybe I will just argue with you a little bit. They needed a RB. imHo. The lack of a run game cost them a lot last year. Henderson did nothing last year (at a position where rookies can often immediately contribute). I wouldn’t want to hang the season on Henderson. I hope he can still turn out to be a serious threat, but I wouldn’t bet the season on it.
April 25, 2020 at 1:56 pm #114141Billy_TParticipantWell, I’m not going to get into arguing with you, Billy. It’s obvious you hate the Rams.
But maybe I will just argue with you a little bit. They needed a RB. imHo. The lack of a run game cost them a lot last year. Henderson did nothing last year (at a position where rookies can often immediately contribute). I wouldn’t want to hang the season on Henderson. I hope he can still turn out to be a serious threat, but I wouldn’t bet the season on it.
:>)
I actually did want them to draft a RB. Just later. I think there was more talent elsewhere, at other positions, many of them being “needs” as well. Edge, center, OT, ILB, safety, etc. And, again, if they were determined to go skill guys on offense, I would have preferred a big, fast receiver like Mims.
Oh, well. It’s just my own vision for the Rams. Again, I fully realize McVay and company live, breathe and sleep this stuff and I don’t. McVay was probably born knowing more about football than I ever will. His father probably went over plays while he was in the womb. But we just have differing visions for the team . . . and I can at least hang this over his head:
I’ve been a Rams’ fan for nearly 54 years. What was he back then? -20?
;>)
April 25, 2020 at 2:37 pm #114146znModeratorBT, I am on board with the Rams taking a back, and I like Akers. They are going to be more “run by committee” or at least have a tandem of 2–an idea which I like. They depend on play action and McVay was very high on Akers. So I just vote differently on this one.
April 25, 2020 at 3:06 pm #114154InvaderRamModeratorBT, I am on board with the Rams taking a back, and I like Akers. They are going to be more “run by committee” or at least have a tandem of 2–an idea which I like. They depend on play action and McVay was very high on Akers. So I just vote differently on this one.
i agree that the rams needed a back. mcvay wants his play action offense clicking.
i just don’t agree with akers. but. i say this without having watched him play outside of some highlights.
mcvay knows what kind of back he wants. and maybe this was also a matter of system fit. and there are circumstances surrounding his mediocre play in college.
he does fumble at an alarming rate. that worries me. maybe he was trying to do too much. i don’t know.
April 26, 2020 at 2:26 pm #114267JackPMillerParticipantI still gave it a D.
We need a CB of the future to play opposite of Jalen Ramsey, and Kristain Fulton was there at 57, and we passed on him? Stupid.
In the 4th round, we drafted a TE, when Tyler Biadasz was staring at us. Another confusing pick. If not Biadasz, Keith Ismael and Nick Harris were still available.
We may get lucky next year. The Interior Line looks real strong for next years draft including G and C. CB is really weak though. Had our chance, to get a stud CB with this class, but blew it.
April 26, 2020 at 9:14 pm #114283AgamemnonParticipantApril 27, 2020 at 1:18 am #114298JackPMillerParticipantQuestion, will the Rams regret passing on Josh Jones & Kristain Fulton at 52 & 57, in future years?
April 27, 2020 at 2:05 pm #114308AgamemnonParticipantApril 27, 2020 at 3:01 pm #114310znModeratorQuestion, will the Rams regret passing on Josh Jones & Kristain Fulton at 52 & 57, in future years?
I think instead about how they won’t regret taking Akers and Jefferson.
April 27, 2020 at 7:59 pm #114326znModeratoralyoshamucci
I like to come at things from my angle, so hopefully you’ll get something out of this that you haven’t seen elsewhere.
If you know my style, I follow players their entire collegiate career. I start watching them as freshman … or whenever they show up on the big screen. Because I do this, I have expectations for their growth as a big part of my analysis.
Case in point …
Deandre Hopkins vs. Sammy Watkins. They shared the field. One player was a polished amazing freshman and the other not so much. Watkins was the better talent to begin with. Deandre Hopkins though, he outpaced him in work ethic, route running, and focus. So predicting who would be the better pro was leaning toward Hopkins form early on.I also follow programs who regularly churn out players coming through position coaches … Not just Wisconsin and Iowa O lines or Clemson and Ohio State D lines.
So I will give you my player analysis along with my relationship with the player and what the pick means to me about Snead and McVay’s perspective of the team. I think we can all say that their picture of the O line strength is not what ours had been.
I’ll say in advance, this is one of my favorite Rams drafts, if not the favorite. First 5 picks were all what I wanted. (though its true I wanted Dobbins and Mims)
52) Cam Akers FSU RB
I think like many of us, my pick would have been Dobbins here based on what I thought we needed. So, I had to think about what I liked about Akers and watch some tape to see what differences had them leaning toward him.
1) Used to running behind an O line that did not open great holes for him. Regardless of how good an NFL O line is, they don’t open the kinds of holes the Ohio State O line does. So being used to making jump cuts in the backfield is a plus.
2) Duce Staley drill. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_YiXnESRmE These feet are epic.So that tells me they want explosiveness to the hole and the ability to sidestep players.
My first meeting with Akers was in 17′ and I noted “Dalvin Cook 2.0” … and honestly they are pretty similar. Lateral agility and power in one person. I think Akers was dinged a bit last year … then this year was just terrible for FSU. Wheels completely came off. So I was hoping he could be taken/stolen later … but he and my other candidate (AJ Dillon) didn’t make round 3.
He’s not Henderson 2.0 He can plow for short yardage and he can make a defender miss in a phone booth.
I think Dalvin Cook is his ceiling …57) Van Jefferson UF WR
Again, I thought based on meetings that this was likely to be Mims. I ALSO thought Mims was faster. This is based on tape and guesses. I had the assumption that Jefferson’s top gear was 4.55 or so. The analysis from the senior bowl puts him at low 4.4s or high 4.3s. I can guess that he was not sent deep much at UF because of his being the best route runner among the three of he, Swain (4.46) and Cleveland (4.46), but it’s still just a guess. We will certainly find out if this is accurate or not.
If it’s not, then Reynolds is our deep threat this year.
I started watching Jefferson in his freshman year when the “OMG trio” got to Ole MIss …He, DK Metcalf, and AJ Brown were all fighting for time. He transferred and I lost track of him a bit.
UF had QB injury issues and they did a lot of “short stuff” … not really highlighting WRs talents.
Then at the senior bowl he was simply uncoverable.
They started talking about him as a top 50 player. Route running was 2nd only to Jeudy (debateable). So if he had not found that injury and been able to run at the combine, and run in the low 4.4s … no way does he get out of round 1.What it tells me … Route running and hands come before “certainty” of speed. It also tells me they think he can run by people.
His ceiling is really high and his floor is also really high. Worst case scenario in my mind is that he serves as Woods replacement when his contract is up. Best case? He runs a legit 4.4 and can be Torry Holt 2.0
84) Terrell Lewis OLB Alabama
If you had told me he’d be available at 84 I’d have laughed. But? Without in person meetings to feel out whether or not you’d be willing to take a chance on his injury history, the level of risk changes. This is a pick that you can afford to make because you’ve been stockpiling talent and don’t need to make a pick out of need. That is one reason you build a strong roster. It gives you opportunities that other teams are not talent wealthy enough to take.
Lewis freaked me out the first time I saw him because I thought he was a safety wearing 24. Then I saw how big he was and looked up his numbers … 6-5 262. Long arms. Massive wingspan. Reminded me of Bud Dupree but longer and with more bend.
He’s made some amazing plays when healthy. He’s made some really talented kids on the O line look like fools Then I’d forget about him because he wasn’t on the field.
If he’s healthy, he could be a top talent at the position. If he gets hurt, we got a him for a 3rd. So be it.
I will say this … as far as his measurables, he looks to be the 2nd most athletic person on this team behind AD.104) Terrell Burgess S Utah
I mentioned above that I watch positions on certain teams … one of those is the Utah secondary. They can turn out 3 prospects one year and have 3 more ready the next year. Burgess was a monster … I liked him better than Blackmon, who went first, and honestly did not have him getting out of round 2. He played smart, fast, instinctive, and active in a conference that asks a lot of safeties and gives them a lot of opportunities to make plays.
Ex CB, that can cover, he looks to be a possibility at slot or backup FS. Because he can hit, playing near the LOS is good … and because he runs a 4.46, he can pivot and chase.
I like him as Johnson Insurance … in case we can’t lock him up. We missed a year of his rookie contract and that’s bothersome to me … but we have two more years and now a suitable understudy that should make an impact at least in sub packages in year one.All four of those players made my Top 2 rounds … The next one just missed.
136) Brycen Hopkins TE Purdue
I started watching Hopkins back when Purdue had 2 solid TEs … Brycen was the younger. the older was not as fast nor as athletic … so I shifted to Brycen and focused on him. I love this pick. You grab talent that slides and keep your team loaded. He was my 3rd TE and many liked him as their top TE. I had a high 3rd round grade on him and see him as having a low floor and High-ish ceiling if he wants to beast out. TEs are the craziest to predict because they need to decide that they’re a monster, and they need to take that onto the field. Mundt is unlikely to birth that kind of player, so we need someone in case one of our top 2 get injured because I want two TE sets. Having Higbee for Brycen to watch and train behind is like Goedert behind Ertz. Does Everett stay? I doubt it. He’s a great talent and I can’t see us investing another 10 spot in the TE position.
So liked this kid coming into this year and this is the kind of pick that makes me happy. I was thinking about spending a mid round pick on him in 2020 when I was watching in 2018.6) Jordan Fuller S Ohio State
Locker room pick. Does he make our team? The practice squad? Don’t know. But he was a team captain at Ohio state so he’ll be a good presence in the rookie rooms. I was surprised at this pick given some other players on the board … but I rarely argue with taking a team captain in the 6th round.Note … when the 7th round starts I imagine every team on the phone with potential UDFA targets … and the guys that they think they may not land, are the ones they draft … so these are UDFA level guys that we targeted for whatever reason.
7) Cody Johnston ILB Baylor
This guy had really good tape and then an injury … so my guess is that we wanted to have “first right of refusal” on seeing where he is in recovery and drafting him is the only thing that ensures that.7) Sam Sloman K Miami (Ohio)
HIs kicking was really solid from 40-49 this last year and that’s an area of focus more than distance from what I understand form what the brain trust has said …7) Tremayne Anchrum IL Clemson
There was competition for him in UDFA. He was a right tackle with some solid power that is likely to move inside. I liked his combine workout almost as much as Simpson who was drafted round earlier. He’s pretty smooth so we’ll see how much work he gets in preseason.CB Levonta Taylor – Florida State Small kiddo that can fly … slot … anyone remember if he returned punts? Likely found during Akers study. 5-9 190
DL Jonah Williams – Weber State 6-5 275 … Pretty sure this was the freak workout guy … with a 4.67 40 and a 6.77 3 cone. I don’t know how you want to address that level of athleticism … but it deserves a lot of attention and consideration before being cut.
WR Easop Winston – Washington State This kid could be a steal … 6-0 200 and low 4.4s …. crowded WR room at Washington state.
WR Trishton Jackson – Syracuse This kid can play … great WR class and we got 2 UDFA that can make the team. 4.45 guy 1.57 split 6-1 200
RB Xavier Jones – SMU Work horse pro back … smaller but do NOT count him out. Like Eno Benjamin, I wanted to not like him, but he was feisty and consistent.
OL Cohl Cabral – Arizona State Solid kid, unspectacular, a little slow footed but a decent blocker. Practice squad possible
CB Dayan Lake – BYU Pretty sure this is Dayan Ghanwoloku … hitter athletic safety. I had him about as high as Trishtan Jackson … 5th round talent. 5-9 197 …
This is a good class. While we may look at the Cards and 9ers rosters and compare them … I think most of what will bring this team together is rallying around new leadership on offense without whatever drag Todd Gurley had on the locker room. I think the execution will change. I think excitement will return and I think the Super Bowl hangover will not be ours.
April 27, 2020 at 9:06 pm #114330InvaderRamModeratorDL Jonah Williams – Weber State 6-5 275 … Pretty sure this was the freak workout guy … with a 4.67 40 and a 6.77 3 cone. I don’t know how you want to address that level of athleticism … but it deserves a lot of attention and consideration before being cut.
this guy. and terrell lewis. are the two prospects with the highest ceiling in this draft. at an important position. if these two can match athleticism with performance. wow. this defense would be something else.
April 27, 2020 at 9:30 pm #114332InvaderRamModeratormore on jonah williams. i found one website which listed his arm length. i have no idea whether this is true. or how to verify it.
http://www.draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1018582&DraftYear=2020
arm length 34 1/2″ arms 10″ hands.
wow. freak specimen.
he’ll be 25 years old this year. but there are circumstances around this. he was on a missionary trip before starting college. excited to see what happens with him.
April 29, 2020 at 11:47 am #114373CalParticipantscheme fit. i’m guessing a lot of it comes down to that. mcvay knows what kind of running back and receiver he wants. so i’ll trust him on this. but i was a little underwhelmed. my favorite pick is jefferson. he’s like robert woods and cooper kupp. sounds like a versatile receiver. a technician. precise.
they need a center and an offensive tackle. maybe they find them today.
It would be a nice to have a highly touted prospect on the line, but McVay may be happy to use the same line he did last year.
The first 2 games were probably the best games the Rams had running the ball all year.
In game 1 vs. the Panthers Brown and Gurley combined for 150 yards on 25 carries.
In game 2 vs. the Saints Brown and Gurley combined for 100 yards on 22 carries.
Injuries popped up in game 2 as Blythe sprained an ankle and missed game 3 vs. the Browns and may have been gimpy in that awful game against the Bucs.
The running game was rolling those first 2 weeks, and that includes Brian Allen who takes a lot of abuse from Rams fans.
I actually kinda like Allen and am rooting for him to be the starting center this year–he’s tough, strong, and moves pretty well. According to PFF he was the 15th best run blocking center. And that’s as a 24 year old with almost no experience.
- This reply was modified 4 years, 7 months ago by Cal.
April 29, 2020 at 8:58 pm #114403InvaderRamModeratorIt would be a nice to have a highly touted prospect on the line, but McVay may be happy to use the same line he did last year.
using the same line the rams used toward the end of the season would be good. the offensive line needs to find cohesiveness. which could be a problem this year with all the uncertainty.
i find myself more interested in the defensive side of this draft. from burgess to lewis to johnston to williams to hoecht. there’s some real athleticism being added to that side. really excited to see what staley comes up with.
April 29, 2020 at 9:08 pm #114404InvaderRamModeratorI actually kinda like Allen and am rooting for him to be the starting center this year–he’s tough, strong, and moves pretty well. According to PFF he was the 15th best run blocking center. And that’s as a 24 year old with almost no experience.
i’m not the biggest fan. but i certainly won’t root against him.
April 30, 2020 at 8:15 am #114411CalParticipantUsing that same line scares me because of the Cowboys game. That was basically a playoff game for the Rams and the offense could do nothing, especially the running game.
Blythe was pushed around and struggled big time as the Rams had their worst rushing game of the season. And that was against just an average defense–the Cowboys weren’t a dominant, top-5 type of defense.
We’ll see–The Rams have a lot of options, but I have faith that McVay and Kromer will figure something out.
I like what they have done with the defense this year, too. They are bigger and faster. The lack of speed at safety position scared me a little, so the addition of Burgess is definitely nice to see.
Lewis looks a lot like Floyd to me so he seems to be a pick for next year and a replacement for Floyd. I’m not expecting to see much of him this year.
But I like Snead’s thinking there and that type of approach for building a team.
April 30, 2020 at 10:40 pm #114449InvaderRamModeratorLewis looks a lot like Floyd to me so he seems to be a pick for next year and a replacement for Floyd. I’m not expecting to see much of him this year.
i expect floyd to start. but i also expect to see plenty of lewis in the rotation along with williams. polite should be in the mix as well.
ebukam and okoronkwo have their work cut out for them. neither of them have really impressed me.
May 29, 2020 at 12:49 pm #115412AgamemnonParticipant -
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