WR/TE Jacob Harris was my highest-ranked sleeper in the draft. Former soccer player who is a freak talent. Will be a standout on special teams while he develops on offense. #Rams https://t.co/8ysTUYosRu

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) May 1, 2021

I don’t what else he says about him in The Athletic.

Thanks for the explanation, zn. We’ve had a lot of weird things happening with the wifi in our house so I just assumed that it was something on my end.

As far as the second round of pictures go….hoo boy…he’s so tiny. I don’t care how fast he is, I am going to have to go into some heavy duty self deception to convince myself that this pick isn’t so bad. Pre-draft I had read about the Rams supposedly having some interest in Atwell, but I just assumed that he’d be a potential day 3 target or maybe at worst he’d be one of their 3rd round picks. I realize that the front office knows waaaayyyyy more about this stuff than I do and I rarely get too riled about what I perceive as surprising draft picks, but this pick really annoys me.

zn wrote:

Ram49

Tutu Atwell vs. Tyreek Hill……in photos, same size?

It seems impossible that an adult’s legs could look so thin and frail. Are we sure that this picture hasn’t been altered or maybe that it was taken at such a strange angle to make his legs look like a canoe paddles that have had both paddles broken off so that only the shafts remain? I really can’t get over that the Rams made a tiny WR their second round choice when such strong center prospects were still available.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by canadaram.

Jake Funk RB/ST Maryland
by Drew Boylhart • March 26, 2021

STRENGTHS
Jake has the type of talent and running back skills, similar to former Broncos/Texans Philip Lindsay but Jake is bigger. If you don’t tackle Jake, before he hits the line of scrimmage you won’t catch him for another 20 or 30 yards down the field. He has excellent quickness to reach his top-end speed within the first 10 yards and that is very unusual. Jake has solid vision and solid balance but what he brings to the next level is that ability to play bigger than his size because of his lower body strength and pad level. He is smart and shows leadership skills through his play on the field at running back and on the cover units on special teams. Jake can catch the ball out of the backfield as well as any running back in this draft and although he is not that elusive in the open field his opponents better bring their big boy pants to tackle him in the open field. Jake is not a change-up running back, he has the potential (even at his size) to be a starting running back and a fan favorite for the team that selects him. He’s a sleeper for sure because Jake, has more than just talent, to play at the next level.

CONCERNS
He is fast and quick but he is not elusive and you can catch him from behind. He’s the type of football player who is just good.

BOTTOM LINE 2.53
If your looking to add talent to your offense that will impact and is smart and is the type of player who will compete on every play and never let you down, then you should be selecting Jake earlier in this draft. I like Jake’s consistency to show up on every down and do his job. I like Jake’s athletic talent and intelligence to make plays. I like Jake’s ability on film to make opponents think he will be no problem, and we don’t need to game plan for him, and then once the game starts, after the first play, know right away the mistake they made. Jake has that “Christian McCaffery” type of attention to detail and work ethic. He is not as fast and just maybe, he is not as good at catching the ball down the field as Christian but, he does get up to his top speed as quickly as Christian gets up to his top speed. The difference is in the top speed but not, in the impact and production. Check Rob’s value board as too if…or even what round, Jake could be selected in because right now he is on no one’s radar but mine.

Ourlads on Alaric Jackson

Four-year starter, Detroit, MI. Earned All Big 10 honors three straight years, including first team in 2020. Started at left tackle right off the bat as a redshirt freshman and never looked back. He paired with current Tampa Bay right tackle Tristan Wirfs to create a formidable duo on the outside for a couple of seasons. Early on, Jackson was considered the better of the two before Wirfs’ athletic tools took over during his development. He is a powerful and physical player who has flashed dominant stretches over his career. His lower body mechanics need to be cleaned up and there may be an issue with his length as an exterior pass blocker, but he should fit into a backup role with the potential to be a starter down the road. Heavy-contact blocker that can play the power game and create an enforcer’s mentality with his ability to overwhelm his man. Excellent grip strength. Can render a defender completely ineffective when he gets that inside position and feet underneath his hips with good knee bend. Can anchor himself against well against a big bull rush. Uses his wide frame to create extra space between him and a pass rusher. Can turn his torso and long-arm up the edge. Recovers well and will always be able to call on his natural power on the move. Foot speed and balance are inconsistent. Doesn’t adjust well on the outside against speed. Will overextend and show his numbers to the ground. Arm length is an issue and will need to be hidden with more consistent attention to his footwork and torso positioning. Fourth/Fifth round.

From Ourlads

Junior entry, two-year starter, Waycross, GA. Played inside with occasional reps as an overhang player. Has been productive in the South Carolina defense leading the team in tackles the last two seasons. At his best in pursuit, he has sideline to sideline range and makes a lot of tackles chasing to the perimeter. Takes good angles to the ball and can square up and tackle in the alley. Above average agility he redirects well in short space and recovers if out of position. Flashes ability to get downhill with an open window on inside run fits but is more of a lateral reactor. Shoots his hands into blocker and can stun and separate. Can be physical with a push pull to shed. In limited reps over the tight end can set the edge. Gets depth in zone pass drops and keeps his head moving processing route combinations and the quarterback delivery key. Shows mirror ability in man coverage and can redirect on outside in cuts. Plays the flat and wheel routes well. Some hesitation on inside reads, he can be late on initial reaction. There are times when he hesitates and catches a block or tackle instead of attacking the blocker or driving through the tackle. Some inconsistency on working through blocks to the ball. While he has solid fundamental tackling skill he occasionally misses on a cutback. Sometimes on underneath coverage he will get too attracted to shallow crosser opening up the throwing lane to an intermediate route. At times slow to process pattern pressure and will take false steps. Not always quick reacting with the ball in the air. Has some tools but needs development. He should fit in well on special teams. Sixth/seventh round.

From my partner, who rarely watches football.

She said that she Tutu is so small that she “can take him down.”

From OURLADS

Junior entry, two-year starter, Miami, FL. A former high school quarterback earned All ACC honors both years. The 2019 conference and receiving yards leader is also a program single season record holder in both categories. Has the kind of speed that can change the game for an offense. He is in a rare tier of explosive playmakers that brings that superior burst and acceleration to the field as route runner and playmaker post-catch. A weapon that can knife through the top of a secondary, stretch the defense, and open things up for players around him. The lack of size and playing strength will cap the impact he can make individually, but if he is paired with a successful deep passer and there are other complementary weapons around him, he is the kind of playmaker that can bring an offense to another level. Top shelf explosive speed. Elite downfield burst that will match his elite timed speed. Shows plus-hands that will attack the ball away from his body. Extends himself in traffic. Easy turns and cuts as a route runner, has the joystick movement capabilities while moving at a high rate of speed. Not just a straight-line athlete. Will create space and separation consistently. Shows different gears as he works deeper into his route progressions. Shows an easy and smooth transition from catch to run. Lacks the desired size and playing strength. Will always be working with a limited catch radius and simply won’t get to balls outside of the limited window. Doesn’t play strong through contact, gets altered and thrown off his line. Strength is an issue. Fourth/Fifth round.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by canadaram.

That screen pass reminds me of the one Woods took to the house on 3rd and vs the Giants a few years ago.

Hram wrote:

Awesome prediction canadaram!!!!

You were all over that one!

zn wrote:

Everett going there is at least partly cause Seattle’s new OC is the former Rams coach, the young Mr. Shane Waldron.

Awe, shucks. Thanks, H.

I thought so too zn. It just seemed like the right move for Seattle. With Russell Wilson leading that offense, Everett should churn out some great numbers.

I am glad they’re keeping Williams and Floyd. Williams was great last year. Obviously keeping Johnson would have been nice, but I’d prefer keeping a good pass rusher over a good db. I am hopeful that the stable of young safeties will help to absorb the loss of Johnson. It seems as though the Rams have been planning for Johnson to be out of their price range for a couple of years. I’m still surprised that nobody has been a cap casualty yet. I keep expecting Brockers to be released, but it never happens.

BTW, I’m betting on Everett signing with the the Seahawks. Call your bookies now.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by canadaram.

Sometimes seeing pictures of Jack Youngblood makes me a little teary.

Interesting that neither Snead nor McVay will commit to Goff at this point. I am perhaps the least knowledgeable person on the planet when it comes to understanding the cap, but it seems nearly impossible to me that the Rams and Goff part ways due to the salary cap and his big contract. Am I wrong about this?

I thought Goff looked shaky at times this year, but I haven’t started to think that the Rams should move on yet. How likely is it that Goff isn’t a Ram next year? Seems bizarre to even ask that question.

I know some of his history. I remember that the Tampa DBs from the Ronde Barber era loved him as the secondary coach and talked him up as a DC to replace Monte Kiffin before he was made HC instead. That said, I don’t know what kind of system he will bring with him to the Rams. Obviously he has some history with the Tampa-2, but I don’t know what he was doing as DC in Atlanta this year before Quinn was fired. Anyway, I’m fine with the hire. The Rams obviously have some decent talent on that side of the ball, so hopefully he can make it work.