Good discussion.

Might be interesting to differentiate between starters (I’d include the nickel guy with starters) and bakups/roll players.

Then again maybe not, could become too complicated. 🙂

Teams had to account for Tavon a couple years ago because he was the best of the worst, not because he is good.

A well above average returner whose ball security brings him down to above average.

A below average runner whose change of pace skills are helpful, but he is still below average.

A below average wide receiver.

He is not a trung candidate level bust, but imo opinion career backups who can’t get on the field much are not hits.

Possible, but it is well documented over many years that you are optimistic this time of year. 🙂

All these folks have time to develop and we may have filled out our practice squad with draft picks alone and given the upside of some, that could turn out to be a good thing.

Meat and potatoes draft of lineman and linebackers. I like it in that I think it was exactly what they needed given all the sparkle was picked up in the off-season.

Saving a couple million by trading tavon may help with a signing or two, so we have that going for us.

Athletic ability of an early pick so if he can be taught (he seems coachable) then he has the chance to be a good LT. I thought they might go Crosby, but they probably like Joe’s upside better.

I bet they take at least one more online man in the 6th since they will have so many opportunities.

Bets for the 4th round? I’m going to say two linebackers or edge rushers and a DB.

Unless Crosby drops, he could play guard or tackle, provided he tackle if healthy and would push Havenstein and brown even his rookie year imo..

• This reply was modified 6 years, 8 months ago by Hram.

I don’t think you draft players to be on your team anymore.

I think you acquire players, one way is through the draft, to be on your teams for their current (or pendimg like Cooks) contract.

It’s a subtle difference that may cause draft picks to be more or less important depending on a couple things like where you are at on the “really actually competitive window” curve.

Enough draft picks don’t pan out that in some ways it negates the cheap labor on the rookie deal that you drafted yourself argument. Maybe, somewhat.

I believe cooks is a number one wide receiver. He gained 1000 yards and had seven touchdowns for the last three years with two different teams that spread the ball around

I hope they can sign him to a long term deal

They traded a lower 2nd round pick this year for a comp 3rd round pick next year to get Watkins services for last year.

I think we struggle to make the playoffs last year without Watkins and therefore believe it was worth the one year rental price to assist in building the winning culture.

For this year, given Kupp’s performance last year, I think Watkins is a nice to have, but not a need.

Need is signing AD.

Based on reports from a couple years ago compared to last year, I believe he is maturing. I believe on a team with good coaches who will explain to him the why, and given a complete offseason with the Rams, he will become that much more lethal.

He draws coverages because he both stretches the field and makes tough catches in traffic. He a physical receiver. His combination of traits makes a difference in opening things for everyone else even when he personally does not get have a high level of production.

I recommend keeping him if it doesn’t break the bank because I don’t think you can replace him with one person and having him on the field makes things better for everyone else.

It appeared that the rams inexperience showed pretty strongly on offense until partly through the second quarter. Defense came to play the whole game.

The Falcons were slightly better today imo, but not by a lot. The two turnovers sealed it for them.

Donald was a beast. The new kicker came through.

The rams will be better next year even if they came back with the exact same team. McVay will also be better.

I think they need another Dlineman, linebacker and an OT who can move to the left side in a year or two. If we can’t sign trumaine, we’ll also need a CB.

Might want to draft a QB to groom as future #2.

I sign Watkins, see what happens when he participates in the offseason. I think it will make a positive difference in his game.

Time to say goodbye to Tavon. Not with what we are paying him.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 11 months ago by Hram.

I agree!

Lot of worse things you can do with a 6th round pick than select the best full back in the draft.

Heck, I’d do it every 6-8 years just because. Particularly if they are special teams demons and have a great heart with incredible work ethic.

Experience matters. He is likely to be a better HC five years from now compared to what he will be next year .

I’m sure the money helps, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t be stressful. Expectations are high and the job requires a lot of hours.

It is true that they do not need to be concerned where they are getting their food for that day.

Humans are interesting creatures and stress is a difficult topic to understand.

I agree with ZN although we may not agree on all of the position groups and reasons.

IMO, the only thing that truly needs fixing is the online. Defense is decent. Health and a couple additions wouldn’t hurt. We’ve got a bunch of young WRs and a couple TEs. Could be the third year before we determine with of them are keepers, but we have enough to sort through. Would be nice to add a vet mid-tier receiver or receiving TE.

If Goff progresses, the online if fixed and the coaching and play calling on offense improve, we’ll be competitive for the playoffs next year.