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Billy_TParticipantRegardless, I like a lot of the picks, but I think they could have maximized their haul better, even if we just go by their own criteria. The usual caveats, of course. They have their own board. They have far more info, especially about medicals, backgrounds, interviews of coaches, friends, etc. etc.
I get all of that.
We all hope they did (and do) the right thing and the Rams make a swift comeback this year.
Billy_TParticipantGood thoughts, ZN.
I get that view regarding the Ramsey trade. To me, it’s not so much that they made the trade, as it was their comp. And, of course, there’s a ton we just don’t know. Like, is Ramsey right when he says he never asked for a fat contract with huge guarantees? That he wasn’t trying to pressure the Rams about that? The gossip tried to paint him in a poor light, sparking his response, etc.
Anyway, your point about being sick of the quick passing game screwing over the defense is well taken. I agree with that. They had to get faster, quicker, and more athletic along the front seven. Thing is, they could have helped their back end at the same time, IMO.
Darius Rush (#138 to Indie), for instance, is a potential shutdown corner with excellent size and speed. Nearly 6’2″, long, 4.36 speed (21.65mph at senior bowl), Brugler had him as the #63 prospect overall and 9th best corner. He was there when they chose the QB at #128. I would have taken Rush instead.
Also, Adebawore is roughly the same size as Turner, but a truly freakish athlete. He would have radically increased the speed, quickness, and athleticism of the Rams front seven, above and beyond Turner, who’s no slouch. The more I read about Turner, and see his interviews, the more I like him, but I think Adebawore is just Next Level, especially given the criteria Jourdan mentions. You just don’t come across guys like him every day. 6’1.5″, 282, running a 4.49 forty, with a 1.55 split, 37.5 vert, and a 10.5 broad. Just crazy stuff. Plus, he had 28 on the bench.
. . . .
Billy_TParticipantThought I should add this to the strategy deal. If it’s not already assumed, etc. etc.
I wouldn’t want to do that massive class every year, obviously. Hopefully, the Rams would hit on enough really good picks to cancel the need to go the quantity route more than once or twice. If all goes well, each year within the start of that first window, you’d need fewer and fewer upgrades. That lets them narrow their focus. Really, really need an Edge? Maybe change-up and trade up for the best. Wideout? Left Tackle? Etc.
I’m betting that in the age of AI, NFL teams have software/algorithms to figure out optimum years for this sort of ongoing process. We could even give it a name, like the AD Window. Anno Domini/Aaron Donald, perhaps. I don’t think any team is really doing this yet, but they should, IMNSHO.
Ideally, however, you’d want to build your team with a large influx of talent, all at the same time, and then add on with more and more focus until you lose enough of your first wave to do it all again. Keep the guys you should/can. Be smart about that, not emotional, etc.
Lotsa Super Bowls will result.
;>)
Billy_TParticipanthttps://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/trade-value-chart-2023?rd=1
This is the standard value chart. Apparently, there are others. Updates that try to incorporate aggregate production for each round/range too.
Just a guess. But I think the various mock simulators use different criteria for trades — not the standard — with some more permissive than others.
Anyway, interesting draft-takes here. Appreciate the responses.
Billy_TParticipantSomething to consider. Unless I’ve mixed up the picks, the Rams traded Jalen Ramsey, essentially, for Byron Young and Hunter Long.
Also, on strategy. I think it’s very smart to try to trade down within your board’s “clusters,” whenever possible. If you have takers, do it often — again, within your clusters. I wouldn’t do that if I’m thinking my team is one or two players away, at one or two positions, etc. I’d stick and draft “my guys,” with few exceptions. But few teams exist in that realm. The Rams certainly don’t. The trick is, of course, turning quantity into quality. If you can’t, it’s usually better just to stick and pick.
I’d also say that the Rams’ 14 picks shouldn’t be seen as the top end. Lotsa ifs here . . . but if you have the cap room to sign a large rookie class, there are huge advantages to grabbing a very large group all at once, most of them pretty obvious. First and foremost, perhaps, you control your own window of opportunity for at least four years, and you can supplement the youngins with key vets (and vet holdovers).
The above strategy is maximized if you have a First, especially an early one. There is a massive difference in pick value from Round One on down. For instance, the first pick is worth 3000 points. The Rams’ pick at #36 was worth 540. Once you get into the 5th round, the range has fallen to 37-18. The vast majority of the 7th round has just 1 point per pick.
In the real world, that trade chart isn’t always used, or used to the letter. But it is a rough guide.
Billy_TParticipantThanks for posting UDFA news. I think the Rams likely found their specialists, a backup corner or two, some backfield help, and a gadget guy who may get a few snaps a game. Wish the latter could have been Keaton Mitchell, though, signed by the Ravens after the Draft. He would have been a great addition to the McVay offense.
Just a side note on the use of those RAS scores. IMO, the total score isn’t all that useful, because of the impact of height and weight, especially, and some players not being tested on some of the metrics. To me, it makes more sense to use the individual tests listed instead.
That’s helpful info. Focus on the vert, broad, forty time, 10-yard split, 3-cone, shuttle, etc. Hand size is relevant for obvious reasons, depending on position. Wideouts, running backs, centers, QBs seem obvious candidates. Arm length matters for some positions, but not really others, etc. Wideouts, TEs, corners, safeties, edges, tackles, linebackers, etc. Who really cares about arm length when it comes to QBs, running backs, and so on? Seems to matter to coaches/staff in deciding whether a player should be a tackle or move to guard, but most are gonna be smart enough to go case by case there.
Anyway, the reason I bring this up is that I’ve noticed some of those RAS scores seem to be lower for some players who really did great in areas that matter most to their own positions. But they get dinged for the height/weight stuff, etc. I’ve also noticed that small differences there seem to matter a lot. Too much, in my view.
Just my two cents . . .
Billy_TParticipantBrugler has Allen as a 3rd-4th rounder. Should be an excellent Red Zone TE for the Rams. Highly skilled at contested catches, with a 38.5 vert.
Less high on McClendon (6th rounder), but others liked him more. Consensus was 5th rounder. Should improve their depth at guard and right tackle, at least.
Billy_TParticipantFrom Brugler’s scouting review. Had him as a 3rd-4th rounder:
COMBINE 6022 236 33 5/8 9 1/2 80 5/8 4.58 2.61 1.55 35 1/2 10’0” – – – (no shuttle, 3-cone, bench – right toe)
PRO DAY 6023 239 33 9 1/2 81 – – – – – – – – (no testing – right toe)STRENGTHS: Explosive first step, and his race to the corner can get tackles off balance … instinctive snap anticipation and rarely loses sight of the football … displays
the lower-body flexibility to bend and make sharp cuts in his pass rush … nimble, efficient looper … allows his length to work for him with a forceful long-arm move …
uses forward lean to access speed-to-power opportunities and free himself from blocks … outstanding pursuit from the backside … experienced peeling off and
defending zones … improved weight transfer as a tackler in 2022 boosted his finishing batting average … voted a senior captain … above-average backfield production
and his 11.0 sacks in 2021 was the most for an Appalachian State player since the school moved up to the FBSBilly_TParticipantJourdan said the Rams had interest in wideout Justin Shorter, an ironic name, given his 6’4″ height. He went sooner than many expected. I also liked Kyu Blu Kelly and Daniel Scott at corner and safety. Gone.
Dontayvion Wicks was another favorite at wideout. Gone. Antonio Johnson was considered a first or second round safety not that long ago. Also gone.
Billy_TParticipantthey need a backup qb. i just question whether he would have been available later.
He would have. And most scouts would argue he wasn’t the best available QB. They had much bigger needs to fill at that spot, and several talented players sitting there who won’t be there when the Rams draft again at #161.
no i agree with you. that’s why i disagree with the pick. i think the rams could have waited. i thought this was pretty funny.
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Hopefully that’s sarcasm, from a Bengal fan?
;>)
Billy_TParticipantSome more of my favorites now off the board:
Darius Rush, Cam Mitchell, Abanikanda, Abdullah. The first two are likely upgrades at corner; Abanikanda likely upgrade the running back position; Abdullah likely upgrades the linebacker/edge position.
Oh, well.
Billy_TParticipantZN,
They don’t know other teams’s boards and they have no idea if he would be there at the bottom of the 5th.
I’d argue that focusing on just one player makes the drafter a “purist.” Being open to a wide range of players, positions, needs, and “scheme-versatility,” guards against that.
Zeroing in on just one guy can’t help but blind the drafter to the dozens of quite possibly better players, who may offer the potential for immediate upgrades.
Do you think the Rams see Stetson as a potential upgrade to Stafford? I’m betting no. Whenever possible, with each pick, that should be first and foremost on the minds of the FO. Does this player offer a good chance at an upgrade?
Of course, if a team is stacked with a ton of talent, they can move on much sooner to “depth.” But the Rams aren’t one of those teams right now. They have multiple holes at starter. They shouldn’t worry about depth until they upgrade their starters.
Triage. The Draft is kinda like a triage unit. Take care of the most immediate needs first, in descending order through each pick, each round.
Billy_TParticipantThe thing is when you take him. His potential “fit” is beside the point. Take him in the 4th and you lose out on players at positions of immediate need. As in, potential starters. Wait for known backups. Those guys will still be there after the potential starters are long gone.
i agree.
And just a side-note on critiquing these picks. Looking at comments on another board made me think about this again . . .
I fully realize that the Rams . . .
A: Have their own players’ board
B: Have inside knowledge we’ll never know
C: Understand their own schemes and fits and needs better than we fans.I get all of that. However, they’re human, and they make mistakes, and their track record in recent years isn’t exactly all that great, having cut a ton of their own draft picks, etc. etc. How many picks have even made it through their rookie contracts in recent years? Not many. And they tend not to re-sign most of the rest.
(Plus, schemes change. Coaches leave. Nothing is forever in the NFL)
In short, I think criticism is warranted at times, and no team’s FO is above it. IMO, the Rams’ FO all too often plays poor chess on Draft Day, and we see the results. In relative terms, not that many guys left from the Super Bowl team, which still kinda stuns me when I think about it . . .
Billy_TParticipantBennett has backup potential for a timing-based passing attack that includes concepts often seen in the Shanahan offense.
There’s your answer.
The thing is when you take him. His potential “fit” is beside the point. Take him in the 4th and you lose out on players at positions of immediate need. As in, potential starters.
Wait for known backups. Those guys will still be there after the potential starters are long gone.
Billy_TParticipantthey need a backup qb. i just question whether he would have been available later.
He would have. And most scouts would argue he wasn’t the best available QB.
They had much bigger needs to fill at that spot, and several talented players sitting there who won’t be there when the Rams draft again at #161.
Billy_TParticipantBrugler gives him a 6th round grade, and he’ll turn 26 this year.
So, I guess the Rams are just fine being awful in the secondary. One starting-caliber corner, in Durant; a starting-caliber safety in Fuller; and then, basically, a bunch of JAGs.
Still no #2 for Kupp, and Akers is still a question mark. Which Akers will show up? etc. etc.
I don’t think the Rams’ Draft room knows what it’s doing, and with their recent track record of cutting a lot of their picks, that’s borne out in the real world.
Billy_TParticipantStupid pick. Truly stupid. With all the holes they have on this team, and all the starters they still need to add?
They go for a backup QB, under six feet?
Billy_TParticipantGot to take Darius Rush. Second choice, Israel Abanikanda.
Billy_TParticipantI think his age lowers his eval a bit among scouts, even though as mentioned above, he likely hasn’t taken the punishment of his age peers. Far fewer snaps, etc. His height hurts him a bit, too.
If he were 23 and 6’4″, he’s probably top 10 among the edges, easily. Guessing 6 or 7 on Brugler’s list, instead of 17, with a 1st-2nd round grade, instead of 3rd-4th.
But, again, NFL team boards are waaay different from the boards we see from public draft gurus. Jourdan has been hinting about that difference lately, from her insider-access position, among other aspects of the Draft. Apparently, that access brings a lot of perks, but she can’t tell us about them — yet.
I like the pick, and Avila’s. Just wish Young really were younger, and could suddenly morph into 6’4″, 6’5″.
;>)
Billy_TParticipantThe interview vid in the last post…Turner is a very impressive guy.
Looks like they got a highly intelligent, creative, hard-working player, with very healthy interests outside of football. But I’m just not so sure they got the best football player possible at that moment in the Draft. Not sure he was the BPA, or fills the most pressing need for the team.
But he does seem like he has major intangibles all over the place. Should develop into a key locker-room guy, etc, and will lead by example. You can build a good team with guys like that.
Billy_TParticipantAnother way to go (pre-trade) might have been: Keep Goff, get him more weapons, protect him better, coach him up, and rebuild his confidence. Far less costly and better long term, IMO.
I think that’s all true but McV was not the patient coach who was going to coach Goff up. McV seems to be better with vets.
Agreed. McVay lacks patience. Brilliant coach, but impulsive and mercurial, at times. One might even say “fickle” in his football affections. But, I’m still very glad he’s the coach. Just hope he finds a way to smooth the rough edges.
He might be an excellent candidate for a Zen master to coach him up. Zazen can do wonders.
Billy_TParticipanti don’t like this pick. one year of so so production. meh. now hopefully he proves me completely wrong.
Also agreed. I always hope I’m wrong when I have a negative view of a pick. Want this kid to be great and make the doubters, like meself, eat proverbial crow, etc.
But, right now, I’m thinking the Rams had better options, even at DT, if they wanted to go that route. Colby Wooden or Moro Ojomo, for instance. I’m thinking the Rams fell in love with Turner’s story. They really, really need corners, though, and safeties, and another edge, and more O-line. Chandler Zavala might have been really good there. Avila was an excellent pick — at guard or center. Zavala is likely just a guard. Top flight. Like Braeden Daniels, Nick Salvideri, and Anthony Bradford too.
CB: Darius Rush, Bennett, and Cory Rice.
Billy_TParticipantJust a guess. But Young may be relatively young in football years, cuz he was away from the game for a bit. Doesn’t have the wear and tear of most players his age (25).
YEAR (GP/GS) TKLS TFL SACK FF PD INT NOTES
2017: Gulf Coast Sports Academy (Ala.) Only played in two games before leaving the program
2018: Out of football
2019: Georgia Military College
2020: Georgia Military College Season was canceled (COVID), but he practiced with the team
2021: (11/8) 46 11.5 5.5 0 2 1 Tennessee; Led team in TFL, sacks; Enrolled in January 2021; Missed first two games (ruled ineligible)
2022: (13/13) 37 12.0 7.0 0 0 0 Tennessee; First Team All-SEC; Led team in sacks
Total: (24/21) 83 23.5 12.5 0 2 1CONTENTSBilly_TParticipantLooks like the monster TE, Darnell Washington, finally came off the board, to Pittsburgh. If memory serves, more than a few Rams fans wanted him in horns. He does have massive potential, given his size and athleticism.
Billy_TParticipantThis draft has proven one thing. Well, it’s re-proven what we already knew: NFL teams don’t have the same boards as the draft “experts” and mock sims. All kinds of players went well before their supposed slot, and some, like Drew Sanders and Trenton Simpson, well after it.
A ton of surprises, both for how early and how late, etc.
Billy_TParticipanti wanted adebawore. but what do i know? none of the other teams are selecting him.
Agreed. I think Adebawore should have been the pick. Or Ringo. Or Kelee Ringo. Or Jakorius Bennett, from Maryland. Or Dawand Jones, tackle. Lotsa better choices, IMO.
Billy_TParticipantThis mock gives the Rams Keion White, Nick Saldiveri, and Jonathan Mingo, with no trade downs. It also has Seattle taking
Adetomiwa Adebawore one pick later, after White. I’d much rather have Adebawore, but White will be a serious upgrade at edge.Adebawore is potentially an even more athletic Aaron Donald — who could also play edge — with roughly the same height/weight profile. But his testing, for what that’s worth, was otherwordly.
HT WT ARM HAND WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP
6015 282 33 7/8 10 1/2 81 5/8 4.49 2.62 1.55 37 1/2 10’5” – – 27
It’s a bonus that he’s just 22. White will turn 25 as a rookie, if the Rams make the playoffs.
Would be very happy with both 3rd round picks. Potential starter at offensive tackle, and a great running mate for Kupp, with #1 upside.
But I’d rather they trade down at #36.
Billy_TParticipantAll in all, if we’re talking about feeling really good about a team’s long term future via the QB? On the NFC side, I’m guessing just two teams feel honestly confident:
Philly and Chicago. And Philly had a crazy good 1st round yesterday, adding Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith to an already solid defense. Ray Charles in the City of Brotherly Love, with all of those kids from Athens. Chicago likely gave Fields a major upgrade at right tackle in Darnell Wright.
AFC does better on that score right now. First five teams listed, and the seventh, would be my guess.
Billy_TParticipantPlacing Stafford #11 is ridiculous. He has Trey Lance/Brock Purdy rated higher than Matthew Stafford, the ONLY name on that list to win a Super Bowl. Jordan Love is rated higher than Stafford. Jordan Love. The man with 606 yards passing in his CAREER. Jalen Hurts and Jared Goff are the only other QBs in the conference who ever played clutch in a game that mattered. Ever.
I think it’s too low for Stafford as well. Good point on Lance, Purdy, and Love. Lance and Purdy don’t really belong together, either, cuz the latter actually played enough to get an idea of his game. Lance hasn’t. I put Lance down toward the bottom, with a big old question mark. Stafford is better right now, from what we know. I’d say a lot better.
Also, Geno Smith has just that one good season. Yes, he was excellent last year, but it’s his first time, basically, showing up like that. I’d put Stafford ahead of him too. If we factor in age, recent injuries, etc. etc. I’d put Stafford at #6 going into this season (with a potential range up to #2). Would also move Murray up to #7. Geno goes to #8. Love, Lance, and Ridder round out the bottom.
The AFC side looks a bit more realistic, though I think the author has Wilson too low. He’ll snap back, I’m guessing. Maybe 8th or 9th.
Billy_TParticipantBig clusters of talent this year make it logical for trade downs, if the Rams can find partners. They may not be able to. But if they do, it’s key that they maximize the value. They shouldn’t be easy marks in those trades. Just keep the pick if they’re gonna be overly generous to other teams.
Tie breakers for me: Size/speed/athleticism, age, and leadership, etc. If the cluster has a bunch of guys rated in a similar way, I’m giving extra points to players with better size and athletic traits, then younger players, and intangibles. That’s not set in concrete, of course. The Rams should be flexible. As in, if the intangibles just fly off the charts . . . move them up. But, I think athleticism is a priority, and younger players typically give you a better window of time for peak performance, plus have room to grow, etc. etc.
Conversely, I’m going to ding ratings if a player is 25, has documented “character” issues, and a lack of athletic traits, etc.
I know. It’s kinda crazy to obsess about the Draft. There are worse vices, right?
;>)
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