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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?
;>)
Billy_TParticipantJalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee
Hyatt is often described by analysts as a “home run hitter,” but do you draft that player in the second round with so many needs elsewhere? If you’re the Rams, you might consider it if you’re still unsure about Tutu Atwell, plus No. 2 receiver Van Jefferson is in a contract year.
Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
The Rams have struggled to find a place for Atwell, another undersized prospect (though Downs has almost 20 more pounds on his 5-foot-8 frame), but the intriguing aspect of Downs’ game is his utter control of all his gears, which helps him get very, very open even in the crowded middle of the field. The Rams don’t need to find a replacement for Cooper Kupp’s slot production just yet, but eventually they will.
Cedric Tillman, WR, Tennessee
Tillman is a big, friendly quarterback target with great hands but he may be more suited for downfield (or as Brugler puts it) “linear” concepts.
Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska
Palmer is a deep threat with blazing speed but a longer, larger frame. His skill set is the type I keep an eye on with Jefferson entering a contract year.
Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northwestern
I love Adebawore’s versatility and potential in the NFL. He seems like an ideal rushing partner for Donald, plus he could really develop into a unique pass-rushing threat himself. I think scouts will look more at the projection of what he can become (Adebawore totaled a 9.83 raw athletic score, which puts him No. 46 among all defensive linemen since 1983 in terms of athletic traits) than what his numbers were at Northwestern. Analysts say he’s a high-character guy, too. Adebawore is “my guy” in this draft class and a player I don’t think the Rams can miss out on if he’s anywhere near a pick point.
Keeanu Benton, DL, Wisconsin
Benton plays with a ton of power and maneuvers space, which is what the Rams need on the interior alongside Donald.
Siaki Ika, DL, Baylor
The Rams do not have a space-eating nose tackle, and Ika could plug into their defensive line pretty early in his career.
Zacch Pickens, DL, South Carolina
Pickens blends strength and quickness at the position and could develop into a steady pass rusher.
Cody Mauch, G/T, North Dakota State
Brugler notes that Mauch has above-average hands and competitiveness, two hard-to-come-by traits for a prospect who could start early in his NFL career.
Steve Avila, G/C, TCU
Avila is less of the mold of undersized centers that the Rams have gravitated toward in recent years but can also be a stout guard if need be.
Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
Tippmann’s range as a blocker seems like an ideal fit for the offensive system (especially the run game) traditionally run by Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay. But does his skill set translate into the Rams’ offensive plan in 2023? If he’s a true target, that tells us a lot about the schematic direction of that offense.
John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
Ya da da da da da da … (let me know in the comments if you get this one). Schmitz’s tenacity and wrestling background remind me of Rams center Brian Allen, whose injury history has created a need to explore more depth at the position.
Billy_TParticipantMichael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Mayer skews at the moment as a pass-catching tight end who could use a little more development but has a lot of potential in that phase that will be hard for a team to pass on early in the second round.
Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State
Kraft’s size, versatility and ability to create yards after the catch all fit a major Rams position need, even if he’s still in need of development.
Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
LaPorta has picked up just about every job a skill player can do on the field (including wildcat snaps) and is quick to create space in the short and intermediate layers of the field.
Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
Washington is still raw as a prospect but has all the versatile traits a team could want out of a do-it-all tight end.
Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan
Schoonmaker isn’t the flashiest of the tight end class (he does many things fine instead of a few things at an elite level) but has enough size and speed to project as a steady contributor.
BJ Ojulari, edge, LSU
Ojulari’s length and speed are a good match for a defense that needs at least one pass rusher to help take attention off of Aaron Donald.
Keion White, edge, Georgia Tech
Brugler calls White “scheme-proof” and solid against the run as well as a player with high upside as a pass rusher.
Derick Hall, edge, Auburn
Analysts say Hall is a high-character player, which would be a great fit for a defense that will be super young and untested in 2023. He may be more of a “power” rusher, which is fine if the Rams are married to the combination of Daniel Hardy and Michael Hoecht as speed rushers on the other side.
Isaiah Foskey, edge, Notre Dame
Foskey was a popular match for the Rams from another of our draft analysts, Diante Lee, because he could plug in immediately even while still developing (and he wouldn’t be a reach, so the Rams could still trade back and grab him).
YaYa Diaby, edge, Louisville
Diaby has a great speed/power combination but, per Brugler, definitely needs to develop more setup strategies for breaking down blockers.
Zach Harrison, edge, Ohio State
Harrison is Brugler’s No. 74-ranked prospect because he plays with some stiffness but has a ton of power and linear speed.
Billy_TParticipantI like Jourdan’s Best Available list, too. Has brief analysis on key players.
https://theathletic.com/4462849/2023/04/28/nfl-draft-best-available-rams/
Subscription necessary. Will copy and paste a couple:
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State
Many were surprised Porter fell out of the first round. The Athletic’s lead draft analyst Dane Brugler noted in his report on Porter that at times, he can be undisciplined and it’s not totally clear whether the Rams are even looking for a press corner. He’s hugely gifted and among the best available players left, so he is listed here.
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
Again, not sure Ringo would fall into the second round. He matches a great combination of athletic traits at a position of huge need.
Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
The Rams have previously dipped successfully into their South Carolina pipeline (Ernest Jones). Smith is athletic, smart, coverage-versatile and projects well into ideally a more aggressive match zone.
Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
I’ll be interested to see which round Brents is selected in, as the buzz on him has been all over the place. While Brents’ length and short-area speed projects well into a predominantly man-coverage cornerback, I’d be intrigued by what that skill set could mean in tightening up what is supposed to be an aggressive route-matching predominantly zone defense.
Cameron Mitchell, CB, Northwestern
Mitchell’s competitiveness and scheme versatility seem like a good fit for what will be a young Rams defense.
go-deeperBilly_TParticipantI think it’s pretty obvious that the Rams need edges, corners, DT, and O-line help. But they also really, really need another TE, a running mate for Kupp, two safeties, a punter, and a kicker . . . though some may think the latter two positions are best handled via Priority Free Agents. That’s definitely the case with long snapper.
A luxury pick, of sorts, but one that could pay major dividends, would be another running back. Would love if they could land Israel Abanikanda, Tank Bigsby, or Roschon Johnson.
As for the top section: Joey Porter would be a major, positive surprise at DB. He was supposed to go early in Round One. But I’d be very happy with Tyrique Stevenson if Porter is gone, and they can get him later, after a trade down. Darius Rush would probably be my second choice after Stevenson. Both players are big, fast, athletic. At Edge, I think they can get Isaiah Foskey or Zack Harrison later too, and fix that issue. Major upgrades for the Rams. Most rate Keion White, BJ Olujari, and Derick Hall before them, but they’d all be upgrades.
Jonathan Mingo is my pick for Kupp’s running mate, and he’s flown up draft boards in the last month. Rashee Rice is another option. Later, perhaps on Day Three, the Rams should try to snag Andrei Iosovas. Height, size, speed guy who has flown up draft boards.
More later . . .
Billy_TParticipantbut no guarantee of the superbowl. i think i would go with the superbowl and stafford. i don’t know if stafford comes back this year. i don’t know how he stays upright… hopefully, he’s got another five years in him…
Well, we’re talking about the thinking going into the trade, not after the fact. As in, there was no guarantee they’d win the Super Bowl with Stafford, and no reason to believe they couldn’t win it with Goff. Goff had a track record of making it to the Big Dance. Stafford didn’t.
In short, it was a gamble either way.
Billy_TParticipantInteresting. Just one ranking, of course. Lotsa different opinions elsewhere, especially as you get further down the list. But the obvious leap-off-the-page thing is Goff versus Stafford, at least for Rams fans. #5 versus #11.
All water under the bridge, etc. etc. But how much better would the Rams be right now if they had use of that 3rd rounder in 2021, and the first rounders in 2022 and this year?
Plus Goff.
Another 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.
Billy_TParticipantThought I’d post one more for good luck. This one yields two starters at Edge, DJ Turner falls to them, and they get their Deebo with Mingo. Two eventual starters at guard in Bradford and Daniels, with the latter having strong potential at tackle as well. Reid is a high ceiling dart throw, with freakish athleticism for tackle. Pappoe brings them incredible speed at linebacker (4.39), and I got ’em two solid QB backups, with Thompson-Robinson having solid upside as eventual starter. Fastest velocity among all the tested QBs this year (62mph).
Cam Mitchell should be able to start next to Turner, and Durant can move to nickel.
Strong draft, IMO.
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Felix Anudike-Uzomah
EDGE | Kansas State LogoKansas StateTRADE74
D.J. Turner
CB | Michigan LogoMichiganTRADE81
Jonathan Mingo
WR | Mississippi LogoMississippiTRADE135
Isaiah McGuire
EDGE | Missouri LogoMissouriTRADE142
Colby Wooden
DL | Auburn LogoAuburnTRADE147
Braeden Daniels
IOL | Utah LogoUtahTRADE151
DeWayne McBride
RB | UAB LogoUABTRADE152
Owen Pappoe
LB | Auburn LogoAuburnTRADE167
Anthony Bradford
IOL | LSU LogoLSU171
Cameron Mitchell
CB | Northwestern LogoNorthwestern177
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
QB | UCLA LogoUCLA182
Clayton Tune
QB | Houston LogoHouston189
Keaton Mitchell
RB | East Carolina LogoEast Carolina191
Terell Smith
CB | Minnesota LogoMinnesota198
Dontayvion Wicks
WR | Virginia LogoVirginiaTRADE223
Jerrod Clark
DL | Coastal Carolina LogoCoastal Carolina228
Payne Durham
TE | Purdue LogoPurdueTRADE234
Jason Taylor II
S | Oklahoma State LogoOklahoma State237
Trevor Reid
OT | Louisville LogoLouisvilleTRADE245
B.J. Thompson
EDGE | Stephen F. Austin LogoStephen F. AustinTRADEBilly_TParticipantSomething I noticed with the mocks simulators. Lotsa very good players available when the Rams get their first shot at #36. Even if they stick and don’t trade down, they should be able to find three high impact starters before that massive gap after #77. But there will be plenty of surprises even from #167 on, when they have picks again. They could find a coupla starters (instant or eventual) late, especially at guard, center, TE, a gadget running back like Keaton Mitchell, and/or a stout DT like Cameron Young.
Should be able to find at least one WR for their rotation late, too. Not so sure about finding good edges late. Doesn’t look likely.
I do think they should trade down early, though, because the talent is rich enough even in the 100s for them to land several other starters. But they’ll have to strategize carefully. Even with my absurd number of trades, I still couldn’t get all the positions filled I wanted. As in, couldn’t get starting DBs, safeties, edges, a DT, and a first rate running back all together. If I included a wideout early — my favorite being Jonathan Mingo — that took away from somewhere else, etc.
The Rams will likely end up with a bit more than half the picks I managed in my mocks . . . so they’ll have to play much better chess. We may well have to wait until 2024 for them to fill in quality starters via the Draft and FA.
Billy_TParticipant50
Rams Logo
Adetomiwa Adebawore
EDGE | Northwestern LogoNorthwesternTRADE77
Rams Logo
Gervon Dexter
DL | Florida LogoFlorida85
Rams Logo
Darius Rush
CB | South Carolina LogoSouth CarolinaTRADE135
Rams Logo
YaYa Diaby
EDGE | Louisville LogoLouisvilleTRADE140
Rams Logo
Kendre Miller
RB | TCU LogoTCUTRADE147
Rams Logo
Dorian Williams
LB | Tulane LogoTulaneTRADE149
Rams Logo
Wanya Morris
OT | Oklahoma LogoOklahomaTRADE152
Rams Logo
Terell Smith
CB | Minnesota LogoMinnesotaTRADE153
Rams Logo
Daniel Scott
S | California LogoCaliforniaTRADE156
Rams Logo
Emil Ekiyor Jr.
IOL | Alabama LogoAlabamaTRADE167
Rams Logo
Anthony Bradford
IOL | LSU LogoLSU171
Rams Logo
Juice Scruggs
IOL | Penn State LogoPenn State177
Rams Logo
Dontayvion Wicks
WR | Virginia LogoVirginia182
Rams Logo
Marte Mapu
LB | Sacramento State LogoSacramento State189
Rams Logo
Davis Allen
TE | Clemson LogoClemson191
Rams Logo
Nick Hampton
EDGE | Appalachian State LogoAppalachian State196
Rams Logo
Jon Gaines
IOL | UCLA LogoUCLATRADE210
Rams Logo
Darrell Luter Jr.
CB | South Alabama LogoSouth AlabamaTRADE223
Rams Logo
Bryce Ford-Wheaton
WR | West Virginia LogoWest Virginia228
Rams Logo
Cameron Young
DL | Mississippi State LogoMississippi StateTRADE229
Rams Logo
Rakim Jarrett
WR | Maryland LogoMarylandTRADE234
Rams Logo
Chamarri Conner
S | Virginia Tech LogoVirginia Tech239
Rams Logo
Tre Tucker
WR | Cincinnati LogoCincinnatiTRADEBilly_TParticipantFinal mocks for me before the Draft. A couple. Thought I’d tweak my frequency of trades and their effects. Was being too generous to myself, even though it worked under the rules of the website’s software. Extended the gap between trade-downs, and took less compensation . . . in general, going from the early 100s to the mid-100s instead. The results are much less to my liking . . . but probably more “realistic,” if the Rams could find willing partners, of course.
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Rams Logo
Jack Campbell
LB | Iowa LogoIowaTRADE74
Rams Logo
Gervon Dexter
DL | Florida LogoFloridaTRADE82
Rams Logo
Tyrique Stevenson
CB | Miami (FL) LogoMiami (FL)TRADE133
Rams Logo
YaYa Diaby
EDGE | Louisville LogoLouisvilleTRADE140
Rams Logo
Kendre Miller
RB | TCU LogoTCUTRADE149
Rams Logo
Dorian Williams
LB | Tulane LogoTulaneTRADE150
Rams Logo
Nick Saldiveri
OT | Old Dominion LogoOld DominionTRADE153
Rams Logo
Kyu Blu Kelly
CB | Stanford LogoStanfordTRADE167
Rams Logo
Andrei Iosivas
WR | Princeton LogoPrinceton171
Rams Logo
Braeden Daniels
IOL | Utah LogoUtah177
Rams Logo
Brenton Strange
TE | Penn State LogoPenn State182
Rams Logo
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
QB | UCLA LogoUCLA189
Rams Logo
Cameron Mitchell
CB | Northwestern LogoNorthwestern191
Rams Logo
Jay Ward
S | LSU LogoLSU196
Rams Logo
Anthony Bradford
IOL | LSU LogoLSUTRADE207
Rams Logo
Dontayvion Wicks
WR | Virginia LogoVirginiaTRADE215
Rams Logo
Keaton Mitchell
RB | East Carolina LogoEast CarolinaTRADE218
Rams Logo
Nick Hampton
EDGE | Appalachian State LogoAppalachian StateTRADE223
Rams Logo
Keondre Coburn
DL | Texas LogoTexas232
Rams Logo
Carter Warren
OT | Pittsburgh LogoPittsburghTRADE234
Rams Logo
Bryce Baringer
P | Michigan State LogoMichigan StateApril 15, 2023 at 9:36 am in reply to: Do you guys make this trade? Kupp to the Giants for . . . #143480Billy_TParticipantSome context:
excerpt:
Detroit will acquire Goff, a 2021 third-round pick and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023 in exchange for Stafford, per Pelissero.
Pelissero also reported that multiple teams offered first-round picks in this year’s draft, but this deal will ultimately give both sides what they desired.
The trade became official on Thursday, March 18.
The Rams will inherit the two years, $43 million remaining on Stafford’s contract, and the Lions will carry a $17.8 million dead cap hit in 2021, per Pelissero. The expectation is that Stafford’s contract won’t need to be changed and an extension or raise was not part of the deal, according to Rapoport.
In return, Detroit will inherit the four years and $106.6M remaining on Goff’s contract. L.A. will carry a $22.2 million dead cap hit in 2021.
The Lions had more than six offers, including a few worth more than a first-round pick, Rapoport added. Detroit’s decision to take on Goff’s large contract ended up costing L.A. more.
The Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers, clubs that are among a handful of teams with questions surrounding the position heading into next season, were among those who inquired as the Lions had several offers, Rapoport reported Sunday.
Pelissero highlighted the particulars of Goff’s current contract: He has $43 million in fully guaranteed money left — $25 million in base salary in 2021, a $2.5 million roster bonus due on the second day of the 2021 league year in March and another $15.5 million roster bonus due on the second day of the 2022 league year.
April 15, 2023 at 9:30 am in reply to: Do you guys make this trade? Kupp to the Giants for . . . #143479Billy_TParticipanti’d do it. i love coop, but the guy can’t stay healthy. he’s had two good seasons out of the six he’s been with the rams? the rest he’s been injured. and he’s gonna be 30 soon. problem is no team in their right mind would offer that for him. maybe a team that thought he’d get them to a superbowl?
Good point about the injuries. Wonder if it’s his running style? He tends to fight hard for extra yards. Doesn’t run out of bounds, typically. And he hits the turf a lot, head first, it seems. I worry about his future health with all of those concussions, known and unknown.
I agree that the proposed offer is too good to be true, which is why I’d definitely consider it. Not likely a team would give up that much draft capital, considering age and, as you remind us, injuries. But stranger things have happened in the NFL. Ironically, it’s usually the Rams on the other side of that, offering far too much (in my view) for this or that player.
I still think the Goff for Stafford trade was absurd on the compensation front. Great for the Rams in results, obviously. Can’t evah take that Super Bowl win away, and that season was one for the books. Excellent, exciting games, throughout, with very smart pickups like OBJ and Michel to boot. Loved pretty much every second of it.
But I just didn’t see that big a difference between Goff and Stafford. The latter has the better arm talent, of course, and McVay obviously had lost confidence in Goff. But two 1sts and a 3rd, plus Goff? At most, I would have thrown in that 3rd rounder, but even that seems high to me. Apparently, Detroit picking up Goff’s contract in full (4 years, 106 million) was a major factor in increasing the required draft capital, from Detroit’s POV. Then again, who forced the Rams to extend Goff early in the first place?
I think a part of being a Rams fan, for as long as I have, is grumbling about stuff, even if it works out great. They seem to bring that out of me. Still love the horns.
;>)
Billy_TParticipantOf further interest to me. A coupla articles by Bo Wulf on The Athletic about where the best players come from, per round and school. Mostly what you’d figure, but with some surprises. Round One yields the most best players per position, but not all of them. If I read his graph correctly, looks like running back and guard do best in rounds 2-3.
Safety, corner, DT, and Edge do better in rounds 4+ than in 2-3, but not as well as the 1st. But that’s with two extra rounds (4,5,6,7, and a lot of comps) — again, if I read the graph correctly. Center is a tie after the 1st.
Getting well into the weeds: I want to know if there’s a correlation between late round hits and pre-draft rankings. As in, players who were graded much higher, pre-draft, than their eventual selection. Is it the round, or the original assessment, etc. etc.? I’m guessing it’s a mix, but I’d bet a lot of those hits are players who fell, often dramatically, for this or that reason.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by
Billy_T.
Billy_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.
Thanks for doing all this and communicating about it.
You’re welcome. Again, I’m kinda addicted to this stuff.
Some more notes and observations.
Am using The Athletic for a lot of my choices, especially Dane Brugler’s recent and seriously comprehensive guide, The Beast. He differs on a lot of players with the composite board at the nfldatabase site, which I use for my amateur GM mocks. If a player appears to be more athletic than a higher ranked guy, and/or Brugler has him higher, I tend to go with that. Height, weight, age are other factors. Good comments about their intangibles as well, which Brugler does here and there. Positional value is important, too, and I try to cover all the Rams’ bases.
Interesting changes on the composite board, regarding ups and downs. Israel Abanikanda is mostly rising now, after falling a bit — Scouts keep adjusting their boards all the way up to Draft Day, of course. He’s now averaging #108. Jonathan Mingo is no longer in sleeper terrain, slotting in on average at #88. When I first started doing these mocks, roughly a month ago, I could snag him in the 150-160 range.
Chandler Zavala is another ex-sleeper. Used to be able to nab him in the 6th or 7th round. He’s now often going well before his recent slotting, #131, and Brugler likes him even more. Gives him a 3rd round grade. Another large gap between Brugler and the composite board: Guard Anthony Bradford from LSU. He’s a 3rd to 4th rounder for Brugler, but waay down the composite board at #262. Massive guard/tackle, at 6’4″, 335, who tested exceptionally well at the Combine. Again, size/athleticism, and he’s just 22 later this month. I’d definitely give him a shot . . .
Billy_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.
Billy_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.
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