Thought 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.

;>)

Something 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.

Brugler 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.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2023-nfl-draft-insider-notes-steelers-could-be-key-to-ending-will-levis-fall-plus-jaguars-impress-in-round-1/

This 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.

Jalin 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.