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znModeratorNelson Spruce/WR/Colorado
Marquez North/WR/Tennessee
Paul McRoberts/WR/Southeast Missouri Statefrom off the net
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alyoshamucci
Cooper
M Thomas
M North
Spruce
McRobertsHonestly? I had those kids all draftable in the first 5 rounds. Cooper and Thomas in the 3rd … North 4th. The other two 5th …
North had one of the best freshman years I had seen, put him on my watch list. He had QB and coaching change issues … then he ran a 4.44 at 6-3 220 … kid is a freeeeaaaak.
znModeratorI think Seattle is running in place, trying to keep up with their losses. Right now it’s not clear who replaces Okung for example. They have to fix a creaky OL and fill in gaps on the front 7. I doubt they took a step forward. Not that they were bad before obviously but I don’t know if they staved off the erosion that much.
IMO the team to worry about after this off-season is Arizona.
znModeratori just fell in love. and his name is brian randolph.
Reminds me of the way McCleod played under Wms. Which I am sure is no accident.
May 1, 2016 at 12:39 am in reply to: How the Rams got a complete steal in UDFA safety Brian Randolph #43119znModeratorBrian Randolph/S/Tennessee
from off the net
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alyoshamucci
I have years of weird tape of this kid. I thought he was dropped out, but he apparently made it back for a huge pro day …
If you can believe it (and I friggin can’t) besides running a 4.45 and measuring well in agility and short burst … he put up … wait for it … 31 reps. At 6-1 204. I think one season I saw him he was playing at 220 … and up at LB and dropping back … the previous season he was full FS.
I don’t know .. he was all over. In fact he looked different each year, but he was #37 Randolph each year. And I had him marked.
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==If you’ve made it this far, you probably have no clue who this guy is. That’s fine because neither did I until someone I follow on twitter brought up what he did at the pro day. 31 reps on the bench and all of a sudden I found myself scrambling to find results from his pro day and to my delight I saw a 4.40 40 yard dash ranging as high as a 4.50 and a 3 cone drill under 7.00.
Now of course my first question was did he play like that on film and sure enough I saw a play against Alabama (you’ll see it in the video below) where he’s playing single high coverage and not only does Jacob Coker underthrow it on purpose to avoid getting picked off, this guy explodes to the ball and showed off some of the greatest closing speed I’ve seen from a safety in coverage in this draft class. Range is another word for it too.
Look out for Brian Randolph in the future because he’s going to make plays on special teams early that’ll get him noticed and don’t be surprised if you see him playing on defense and seeing him playing well.
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BRIAN RANDOLPH
Safety, 5’11This is the one player from the 2015 Tennessee football team who is a sure thing with his floor and has a ridiculously high ceiling. Brian Randolph was at Tennessee for five years, missing one year due to injury and starting every game in the other four years.
Randolph also played in three different defensive systems, and he emerged as a leader for Butch Jones’s teams along with being a consistently reliable player at safety. As far as his floor, Randolph may not be a star in the NFL, but he will definitely be a reliable player at safety for whomever takes him.
Then there’s his ceiling.
At his pro day, Randolph appeared to turn heads of NFL Scouts everywhere, and it helped his draft stock shoot up. If it was just his pro day, the safety would be much lower on this list. But the pro day raised the eyebrows of how amazing his potential is.
When you have a guy who has the chance to be great but will definitely be solid, he is certainly worthy of being taken in one of the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. Whether or not that happens remains to be up for debate.
Although many experts do not even have Randolph near the top of Tennessee prospects, his NFL Draft workouts appear to make him the most likely player to be taken from the Vols in this year’s draft. And that potential is what puts him at the top of this list.
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===Brian Randolph, S (senior): He’s a smart player with a history of injuries who might be a tad too small (6’0, 208 pounds) and a tad too slow for the NFL, but could be a really good fit in the right scheme as a mid- to late-round draft pick. He finished in the top 15 for team tackles in 2012 despite tearing his ACL in the third game of the season. He finished with 75 and 88 tackles the last two seasons and six interceptions over that span.
znModeratorRams draft picks: Analysis for every selection
Nick Wagoner
LOS ANGELES — Nick Wagoner breaks down the 2016 Los Angeles Rams draft class so far.
Round 1, pick No. 1: Jared Goff, QB, California | Highlights
My take: When the Rams made the deal with the Tennessee Titans to move up for either Goff or North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz, my take is that I wouldn’t have made the deal, but I understood it. The Rams had reached a point of desperation in their need for a franchise quarterback. They did what they had to do to make it happen. Wentz might have been a better fit for what the Rams want to be offensively, but that doesn’t mean Goff can’t succeed in the NFL. The biggest question now is what the Rams will do to add receiving weapons and solidify the offensive line. They want to put Goff in position to get them over the hump so that the guys who traded up for him — coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead — will still be employed if (or when) Goff reaches his potential.
Start or sit? Fisher and Snead have repeatedly said they won’t push any drafted quarterback to play until he’s ready. But it’s naive to think they traded all those picks in order to have Goff sit and watch. Don’t be surprised if the team’s Goff plan models what Snead and the Atlanta Falcons did with Matt Ryan in 2008, when Ryan worked with Chris Redman through the third preseason game and then took over as the starter for the regular season.
Who’s on the way out? With Goff in the fold, the Rams have four quarterbacks on the roster. They won’t carry that many during the season, so someone has to go. Who will that be? All signs point to Nick Foles, the player the Rams traded for and signed in 2015 in hopes that he was the franchise signal-caller they needed. The Rams hope that Foles’ deletion will come via trade. According to a league source, four or five teams have already reached out about the possibility of a deal. In all likelihood, a deal will have to wait for the next couple of days as teams select quarterbacks and others miss out on some. Those that miss out could find themselves in the market, with a late-round pick the likely compensation.
Round 4, pick No. 110: Tyler Higbee, TE, Western Kentcuky | Highlights
My take: The Rams have never shied away from players with off-field issues under coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead. They continued that with Higbee, who is facing second-degree assault and evading police charges as well as a public intoxication charge for an altercation that took place on April 10 outside of a bar. Higbee’s attorney has said he plans to plead not guilty at the arraignment on May 5, and the Rams clearly feel comfortable it will get resolved. It’s a bit of a risk, but probably worthy given the team’s need at the position, Higbee’s upside and where he was drafted.
Where he fits: After releasing tight end Jared Cook this offseason, the Rams had an obvious need for a pass-catching tight end. Higbee offers pass-catching ability even if he’s not much of a blocker, so long as he can get past the off-field issues. He had 68 catches for 1,054 yards and 14 touchdowns in his college career.
Round 4, pick No. 117: Pharoh Cooper, WR, South Carolina | Highlights
My take: The Rams are taking the obvious and logical approach to the fourth round by adding help for Goff. They absolutely have to find weapons for Goff after their receiving corps combined for fewer yards than Atlanta’s Julio Jones in 2015. Cooper might be a bit redundant with Tavon Austin in terms of size and skill set (not that he’s as talented as Austin), but new passing game coach Mike Groh should be able to find ways to use him.
Where he fits: The Rams have a clear need for help in the slot. Stedman Bailey is recovering from two gunshot wounds to the head. South Carolina used Cooper all over the field, much like the Rams do with Austin, but the Rams simply need weapons and can find a place for Cooper in their receiving corps.
Move down: The Rams traded pick No. 113 to the Chicago Bears for picks 117 and 206. They now have three choices in the sixth round.
Round 6, pick No. 177: Temarrick Hemingway, TE, South Carolina State | Highlights
My take: I’d be lying if I said I knew much about Hemingway but this much is clear, the Rams are addressing needs in the passing game. Hemingway had modest numbers in his final year of college with 38 catches for 418 yards and a touchdown in 2015. But he’s 6-foot-5, 244 pounds and ran a 4.7 second 40-yard dash. The Rams think he has some upside and can compete for a roster spot.
Where he fits: Hemingway joins fourth-round pick Tyler Higbee as the Rams continue to attempt to add depth and competition to their tight end group. Lance Kendricks will be the primary option from the position and Cory Harkey remains as a blocker but if Hemingway can prove adept at running routes, catching passes and chipping in on special teams, there’s room for him to make the roster out of training camp.
Round 6, pick No. 190: Josh Forrest, LB, Kentucky | Highlights
My take: The Rams continue to fill needs by finding some depth at linebacker. They parted ways with James Laurinaitis and Daren Bates during the offseason, leaving them thin behind starters Alec Ogletree, Mark Barron and Akeem Ayers. Forrest should offer some insurance behind middle linebacker Ogletree. He’s 6-foot-3, 249 pounds and finished 2015 with 93 tackles, six for loss, three and a half sacks and two interceptions.
Where he fits: Other than Ogletree, Barron and Ayers, the Rams have Cameron Lynch and Bryce Hager returning from the active roster last year. Forrest would seem to be in a good position to potentially win a roster spot. The Rams will undoubtedly bring in more bodies through rookie free agency, so it’s no sure thing, but if he can pick up the defense and show some special teams ability he should have a shot.
Round 6, pick No. 190: Michael Thomas, WR, Southern Miss
My take: With the addition of Thomas, the Rams spent four of their five picks on Day 3 on either a tight end or receiver, selecting two of each. It was a logical approach for a team in serious need of help at both positions. Thomas is particularly intriguing and qualifies as a bonafide sleeper candidate after he wasn’t invited to the combine. Thomas was productive in 2015, finishing with 71 catches for 1,391 yards and 14 touchdowns. At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, he also offers some size to a receiving corps that can use some.
znModeratorfrom off the net
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Deadpool
some thought on the UDFAs
Taylor Bertolet, K, Texas A&M – he kicks footballs
Nicholas Gribsby, LB, Pittsburgh – undersized Barron type.
Brandon Chubb, LB, Wake Forest – tackling machine at MLB, his cousin is Nick Chubb the Georgia RB.
Kache Palacio, LB/FB, Washington State – Rams worked him out. Was a LBer,
Corey Littleton. LB. Washington – Rams had early interest in him. 6′-3″ 238 lb OLB/Edge Rush tweener. Too small to be a edge rusher, but with only 1 year as a OLB, needs to develop pass cover skills. ST lloks like his calling , at least early on. I like him.
Morgan Fox, DE, Colorado State – actually CSU- Pueblo. Never saw him play.
Michael Jordan, DB, Missouri Western – could be a safety
Brian Randolph, DB, Tennessee – an older Mo Alexander type but a better deep safety.. Strong, fast and a tad stiff. 23 years old. A thumper like Alexander, but Alexander is a bigger all around.
Jordan Lomax, S, Iowa – I mentioned 3 months ago he reminded me of a poor mans Bob Sanders.
Aaron Green, RB, TCU – The anti-Tre Mason. Reliable hands and from what I have read, an respected kid. Lacks power, but has good vision, and is shifty.
Paul McRoberts, WR SE Missouri St. – Another 4.7 guy with excellent hands.
Nelson Spruce, WR, Colorado – 3 months ago I said he was a 6th round pick. His 4.7 40 pretty much ended that. He’s a polished route runner with good hands.
Marquez North, WR, Tennessee – Raw, was injured last year. Size, speed guy at 6′-2″ 225. Doesn’t play that fast. Very willing run blocker.
Winston Rose, CB, New Mexico – do not remember him at all.
Pace Murphy, OL, Northwestern State – didn’t see him
Jordan Swindle, OT, Kentucky – big big kid, decent feet, needs to play with better leverage.
znModeratorRams invest picks on offensive players on last day of NFL draft
Gary Klein
http://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/la-sp-nfl-draft-rams-20160501-story.html#nt=oft02a-1la1
The Rams began the NFL draft by choosing quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 pick.
They ended it Saturday by making four of five selections offensive players who can help Goff and a passing game that ranked last in the league in 2015.
The Rams took Western Kentucky tight end Tyler Higbee and South Carolina receiver Pharoh Cooper in the fourth round, and South Carolina State tight end Temarrick Hemingway and Southern Mississippi receiver Michael Thomas in the sixth.
Kentucky linebacker Josh Forrest, also selected in the sixth round, was the lone defensive player in a draft class built with an eye toward ending the Rams’ 12-year absence from the playoffs.
“We feel like we had a very productive day,” Coach Jeff Fisher said. “Obviously, as you look, offense was a priority.”
See the most-read stories in Sports this hour >>
The Rams’ strategy was evident more than two weeks ago, when they traded up to select a quarterback.The deal with the Tennessee Titans enabled them to draft Goff on Thursday night but that move left them without second- or third-round picks. They had two fourth-round and two sixth-round picks going into Saturday, and acquired an additional sixth-round pick by allowing the Chicago Bears to move up a few spots in the fourth round.
Last year, the Rams drafted running back Todd Gurley in the first round and then loaded up on offensive linemen.
This year, having released tight end Jared Cook, they zeroed in on tight ends and receivers.
“There we some defenders definitely on the board but we did know it would be nice to help the offense,” General Manager Les Snead said.
The Rams used their first pick Saturday to select Higbee, who played in one of college football’s most prolific passing offenses at Western Kentucky.
“It’s an exciting day,” Higbee said during a conference call with reporters. “Probably the best day of my life.”
Rams Coach Jeff Fisher and General Manager Les Snead meet with the media after selecting California quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.
However, Higbee’s status is clouded because of an off-the-field incident that occurred this month.Higbee was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault, evading police and public intoxication after an altercation with a man outside a bar in Bowling Green, Ky. Nawaf Alsaleh, 24, was found unconscious and bleeding from the mouth. He reportedly suffered a concussion and a brain hemorrhage.
Higbee is scheduled to be arraigned next week.
“It’s a kind of legal matter right now, so I’m not really supposed to speak on it,” Higbee said, later adding, “It’s an incident that I can’t let define me. I’ve just been trying to keep my mind focused and stay working.”
Fisher said “we did our research” on Higbee and that the Rams were “‘convinced” that the issue would be resolved.
Said Snead: “When you go from college to become a professional and there is behavior to clean up we expect that to happen.”
Hemingway gives the Rams more depth in a tight end position group that includes Lance Kendricks and Cory Harkey. Justice Cunningham was on the practice squad last season.
NFL draft reiterates the importance of the quarterback position
Cooper, like Rams receiver Tavon Austin, is a multipurpose threat. He caught eight touchdown passes, rushed for one and passed for another last season.“My biggest asset would probably be making plays after the catch,” he said. “Once I catch the ball I can easily gain another five to 10 yards after the catch.”
Thomas is an outside threat particularly adept at catching passes in tight coverage, Snead said.
Forrest began his college career as a receiver and finished it as an inside linebacker.
The Rams are expected to sign 18 to 20 undrafted free agents before they hold a rookie orientation and minicamp next weekend in Oxnard.
Cornerbacks and safeties are among the priorities.
znModeratorI’m not sure if I’m supposed to just take a sabbatical until it’s okay to be critical or what because no one seems to want to hear it right now…
Well, if you want I can start a thread called “down on Fisher” dedicated to criticism, and everyone can have at it. ADDED by EDIT: I like the idea so I just went and did it: http://theramshuddle.com/topic/down-on-fisher-the-critics-thread/
As you probably know, I defend Fisher, and I like the Goff pick.
BUT this is the great self-expression board, and we tend to put in our own, often long, “my vote in the informal poll” type posts rather than argue board-war style, or censor.
There would be some here who agree with you, too.
So have at it?
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This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by
zn.
znModerator2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Southern Mississippi WR Mike Thomas
from that article (which is loaded with vids):
You already know about the other Michael Thomas, my no. 2 wide receiver in the draft, but you might not know much about Mike Thomas, one of the more underrated players in the 2016 class. Southern Mississippi’s Thomas is a little bit smaller and more raw than his Ohio State colleague, but offers tons of translatable tools and traits that should help him develop into a fine NFL receiver.
One of the first things I look at in small school receivers is how advanced their route tree and route running abilities are. Transitioning from a spread offense to a pro-style system has given plenty of receivers issues in the NFL, but Thomas ran a pretty complete tree at Southern Mississippi, showing the ability to create separation at all levels of the field. This is one of the best routes of the year by any receiver in the draft.
Exceptionally smooth movements, causing the defender to break inside before Thomas abruptly swivels his hips on the post-corner route. That’s a more intricate pattern that you won’t see all the time on tape, so Thomas’ mastery of the route considering his two years of FBS experience is even more impressive.
He’s able to consistently create separation on post routes by selling vertically before stemming inside, giving his quarterback a suitable throwing window. Thomas isn’t Sterling Shepard in the short-intermediate game, but his short-area quickness is more than adequate enough to detach from man coverage on a regular basis.
znModeratormax found this
Waldman on MThomas
Underrated WR Prospects
Michael Thomas, Southern Mississippi: He makes exceptional catches in difficult circumstances. He can turn a short play into a long touchdown. And he’s technically sound as a route runner with room to get even better. Somehow he didn’t get invited to the NFL Combine. Thomas is massively underrated player in NFL circles.
znModeratorznModerator. If all the legal stuff works out he’s a great addition.
Ryan Tucker, 1997. Same round. Assault charge.
znModeratorMax: Waldman has Higbee as his #2 TE…
2. Tyler Higbee, Western Kentucky (6-6, 249)
Austin Hooper beats Hunter Henry as an athlete and a budding craftsman at his position. Higbee isn’t as advanced at the position as Hooper, but he does things that Henry will never be able to match.
The RSP’s No.2 tight end arrived at Western Kentucky as a 190-pound wide receiver. The fact that he’s wearing 59 additional pounds of muscle like he’s always had it is a testament to his work ethic and execution of a specific long-term game plan to transform himself into an entirely new kind of player. It’s an experience that will serve him well as a professional. Higbee still runs with the control and fluid grace of a wide receiver. He has the burst to win up the seam and when he makes the smooth transition from receiver to runner, he has the hip flexibility to maintain a high rate of speed while dipping or side-stepping opponents gunning for him. He can even make sharper cuts to avoid downhill penetration while he’s traveling along an east-west path, which is difficult to do at 200 pounds, much less Higbee’s current weight. These athletic gifts make Higbee capable of earning chunks of yards when he’s targeted on routes that lead him down field. He’s best targeted when he can catch the ball in stride. These targets allow Higbee to use his agility and momentum-derived power. His agility lacks the suddenness of a gamebreaker that can catch the ball from a static position, turn upfield to face a defender, and make that first man miss. But Higbee has the power to complement his finesse. When he catches the ball in stride, he’ll make opponents miss, use the stiff-arm, and lower the pads to split multiple defenders, dragging them for extra yardage or bouncing off contact arriving from a variety of angles.
Higbee has a quick first step off the line of scrimmage into his stems and uses sound footwork release techniques paired with a chop or swim to beat the jam. Higbee is also good at dipping the shoulder to avoid the jam. He can get even better at this skill because there are routes where he raises his pads too early and gets bumped off course. Higbee is also developing a rip move to combat press coverage at the line. His timing isn’t always accurate. As he learns to maintain a low pad level throughout his initial release, the rip will become an effective complementary move. At the top of his stems, Higbee runs a clean speed break and his smooth route game is effective at baiting opposing defenders with double moves that require clean movements such as the corner-post.
Because he’s good at catching targets over his head and over his shoulder, he’d fit well in a precision offense where he can set up quick turns against tight coverage and shield defenders from the ball on the move. At the same time, he’s capable of the tough catch that requires securing the ball during a collision.
Higbee’s height, grace, and grit don’t require a lot of room for a quarterback to consider him “open.” His skill to win targets in tight coverage and near the sideline gives him enough tools to develop into a mismatch against NFL linebackers on intermediate routes, and the potential to earn larger chunks of yards after the catch against safeties.
He’s not the game-breaking athlete that fans will think of as a primary threat in an offense, but pair Higbee with a precision passer and he can become that high-volume, third option who can wreak havoc in the open zones between the linebackers and safeties. Higbee has potential to unlock more yards after the catch production on routes breaking back to the quarterback if he addresses his breaks.
As a ballcarrier, Higbee has displayed the hip bend needed to make the hard breaks that create separation on hooks, curls, comebacks, and in-cuts. When he’s running these routes, his first step into his break is too straight-legged, which inhibits his ability to bend his hips at the necessary angle to execute a sudden stop. Once he learns to plant that leg with a more flexible bend, he’ll develop sharper breaks and earn more space between himself and the defense as he transitions from receiver to runner.
Blocking is the weakest link of Higbee’s game, but there are enough things he does well that he can deliver short term in offenses that feature two tight ends with one set as a wing back. He also does good enough work as a stalk blocker in space that he can help a ground game from the slot or split wide and shift where the offense needs him. Higbee has a good sense of angles and he routinely earns good position on his opponents in the open field. His hand placement is sound and he’s good at moving his feet after establishing contact.
It’s his work at the line of scrimmage that requires most of Higbee’s long-term attention. There were games from 2015 where he was too slow to reach all the progressions of his assignments. Because he’s so much smoother as a route runner and ballcarrier, it’s likely he was overthinking his tasks as an in-line blocker. He seemed a half-step slow at recognizing what to do. The root issue is Higbee developing confidence in the blocking techniques that draw upon strength and balance. That confidence may come with more work to perfect the details of attacking a defender with a sound base that promotes good leverage, but 249 pounds at 6’6” is still light for a tight end. He’s not ready for solo assignments against NFL-sized, 3-4 outside linebackers or 4-3 defensive ends. It might mean he’ll need to add another 10-15 pounds of muscle to his core for that confidence to be more than a misplaced feeling.
One of the problems that is curable without additional work in the weight room is that he’s not often enough the aggressor at the collision point. He’ll “catch” the contact from the defender rather than dictate the action with a punch. When this happens, he gets pushed backwards too easily at the collision point of a block. When he takes the initiative, he overextends his base and gets easily ripped aside in short order. Higbee needs to develop a better anchor in pass pro so he can punch, lock on, and maintain a good base for leverage. Higbee has some of the vital tools he’ll need to develop into a better in-line blocker. When he can get his hands into position, he’ll deliver a punch to the chest of his opponent and he’ll roll his hips through the strike, which generates maximum power and opportunities to turn the opponent in the direction of his choice at the line or knock the defender to the ground in the open field. He also displays proficiency at hooking defenders on the edge. When he can fire off the line with a flatter back, he’ll have an easier time delivering an accurate punch. Then the rest of the techniques to control a defender can work in smoother succession. He has moments where he has done this to perfection and he appears as quick in these tasks as he does running routes and weaving through defenders with the ball in his hands.
One area of run blocking where he has improved his grasp of the mental side of the game is his execution of double teams. He has figured out the timing for peeling off his initial double team and earning position on the downfield opponent. When he’s not overthinking this part of the game, he performs with intensity. He has a knack for the cut block and at the line of scrimmage; he has learned to set up the cut block with footwork that baits his opponent into thinking that Higbee is releasing in a different direction. Higbee will perfect his cut blocks if he can make his aiming point high enough that his opponents have no chance of leaping over top or pushing the tight end close enough to the ground to maintain their footing.
Higbee and Hunter Henry are virtually tied at the No.2 spot on my boards. If you factor out the bonus adjustments I’ve given both players for skills I believe they’ll develop, Henry would have the slight edge. But Higbee earns this No.2 spot on my board because his skill after the catch and work at the catch point offers more upside than Henry.
znModeratorAll this is formatted by chris00cm
Tyler Higbee, Tight End, Western Kentucky
Height: 6’6″ – Weight: 249 lbs. – Arm Length: 33 1/4″ – Hand Size: 10 1/4″
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Lance Zierlein
STRENGTHS Former wide receiver with a smooth, wide-open gait when he hits top gear. Has big hands. Had just one drop this season and showed ability to recover the catch when he juggled a throw. Becomes a body catcher who can protect the ball in traffic. Willing to work middle of the field and take hits. Quick and slippery off line of scrimmage and into routes. Very good acceleration out of his breaks and can be a tough cover for safeties. Has the speed and toughness to work all three levels of the field. Can own the Y-seam with his vertical speed and hands. Immediately opens and looks for expedited throws when he’s over the top of inside linebackers. Has frame for more muscle mass. Extremely competitive after the catch with speed, elusiveness and decent power. Can carry body tacklers after the catch.
WEAKNESSES Still has work to do filling out his frame. Slow to adjust to blocking assignment during flow of play. Not powerful enough yet to handle NFL edge power as inline blocker. Doesn’t run feet through block to sustain. Upright into his breaks. Needs route polish for underneath routes. Can get better at creating additional leverage through crisper routes. Suffered through a knee sprain that cost him four games before re-aggravating it in Conference USA Championship Game. Missed his bowl game and expected to miss Senior Bowl because of it.
DRAFT PROJECTION Round 4
NFL COMPARISON Jordan Cameron
BOTTOM LINE Knee injury basically took six games away from him this season which could cause him to fly under the radar a little bit. Higbee has exciting athleticism and speed in the open field with the ability to separate from safeties on intermediate routes and threaten the deep middle. Higbee has soft, reliable hands and plus run-after-catch ability to finish plays. While he needs to beef up his frame and blocking ability, there is no doubting his pass catching talent.
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Jamie Newberg
STRENGTHS: Outstanding size and a terrific frame. Has length and above average straight-line speed. Can move for a 250-pounder.
In terms of hands, Higbee gets the job done. He pretty much catches everything thrown his way and can make the tough grab in traffic. Can go high and get the ball as well as getting down low. Former wide receiver is a good route runner. A load to bring done and has shown the ability to break tackles after the reception and gain additional yardage.
Solid as a blocker; tough and physical at the point of attack and does his job. Doesn’t blow anybody off the ball but he will put his hat on a defender and stay in front of him.
WEAKNESSES: Good, solid, all-around player without being a standout in any one area. Could be a little more dominating in the run game. Limited production until his senior season, and the jump in the level of competition will be significant. One-year starter still learning nuances of position.
IN OUR VIEW: This is a nice looking tight end prospect who has worked hard to put himself in this position, especially after making the position change. Along the way, Higbee has added 60 pounds. He’s athletic and versatile and in the right offensive system Higbee could really be a nice weapon in the NFL because he’s a guy that can be good in the run game and evolve into a tight end that work the middle of the field in the passing game and become a real threat.
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PFF
What he does best:
• Freakish athlete. Runs better than any tight end in the class. Few linebackers can stay with him up the seam.
• Wide-receiver-type ability after the catch. Broke 10 tackles on only 38 catches in 2015.
• Already has a feel for where and when to sit down in zones. Made a living on spot-routes over the middle.
• Three of his five highest-graded games came against WKU’s only Power-5 opponents.
• Ran pro-style concepts with 65 percent of his snaps coming in-line.
Biggest concern:
• Limited experience at the position. Started off as a receiver at WKU before switching to tight end.
• Frame to grow into the position, but looks undersized at the moment. Listed at 234 pounds in college and weighed in at 249 at the NFL combine.
• Not a polished blocker by any means, although he is willing and graded out positively in that regard the last two seasons. Weight and strength concerns don’t help in this area.
• Only 803 snaps over the past two seasons due to injury—wasn’t even a starting tight end for WKU until his redshirt-senior season.
Pro style comparison:
Ladarius Green, Pittsburgh Steelers. The comparisons here run deep, all the way to Green and Higbee’s limited playing time up until this point in their careers. Both are extremely gifted athletes that possess natural receiving ability, with ideal builds that are/were in need of muscle coming out college.
Bottom line:
As a pure receiver, there may not be a better option in the class. Higbee has abilities that you can’t teach a 6-foo-6-inch player. His inexperience, low level of competition, and size may make it hard for teams to justify drafting him early on, but his traits right now have future-starter written all over them.
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Highlights:
link to Rams site vid: http://www.therams.com/videos/videos/Tyler_Higbee_Highlights_4th_Round_110th_Pick/7cce4b52-499e-4b5b-bf40-b009d95514b1
April 30, 2016 at 8:42 pm in reply to: Rams Sign 19 Undrafted Free Agents – Rams official list #43072znModeratorTCU RB Aaron Green signs with the #Rams
PLAYER OVERVIEW
Green arrived at Nebraska in 2011 as a top high school recruit, but with a crowded running back depth chart led by Rex Burkhead and Ameer Abdullah, He elected to transfer.
Green chose TCU over Baylor, Oklahoma and Texas Tech, sitting out the 2012 season due to transfer rules. He stepped into the starter role as a junior with a team-high 922 yards and nine scores, earning second team All-Big 12 honors. Green had his bests season in 2015 as a senior (10 starts) with a career-high 1,272 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
STRENGTHS: Balanced athlete and light on his feet to make sharp lateral cuts, creating with ankle-breaking jukes. Shifty movements and open-field wiggle to explode north-south. Easy acceleration to burst away from defenders in space. Natural run instincts to read blocks and usually has a plan at the line of scrimmage. Runs tough and keep his legs churning, fighting for every yard.
Focused receiver with reliable hands, often lining up in the slot. Has the chops to at least make an effort in pass protection. Only three fumbles in his career. Driven individual and well-respected by people around the program (“phenomenal young man”).
WEAKNESSES: Lacks an ideal build for the position and his frame doesn’t have the growth potential to get much bigger. Runs with minimal power and is limited as an inside runner. Tunnel vision at times and gets bounce happy, dancing and taking too many steps in the backfield.
Needs to take what is blocked for him instead of trying to create on his own. Bad habit of stopping his feet and won’t pick up yards after initial contact, too easily taken down by finger-tip tackles. Doesn’t have elite downfield speed and can be caught from behind.
Route-running and field sense need improved. Steps up as a blocker, but too easily knocked off his feet. Ball security needs improved, holding the ball too loose.
IN OUR VIEW: Green has video game-like cuts, making quick reads and reacting with his feet to keep defenders off-balance, but he needs space to be effective. He isn’t a strong between-the-tackles runner and struggles with congestion, not consistently trusting his vision or allowing blocks to develop. Green is quicker than fast with the athleticism to create on his own as a runner or receiver, but his lack of run power will limit his role in the NFL.
April 30, 2016 at 8:38 pm in reply to: Rams Sign 19 Undrafted Free Agents – Rams official list #43071znModeratorTCU RB Aaron Green signs with the #Rams
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from off the net
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dzrams
Green was the best pass blocking RB in the nation according to PFF. Didn’t give up 1 pressure.
znModeratorRams close out draft by adding second receiver of Day 3 in Michael Thomas
Nick Wagoner
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams went back to the pass-catching well with their third sixth-round pick, selecting wide receiver Michael Thomas of Southern Mississippi with pick No. 206.
My take: With the addition of Thomas, the Rams spent four of their five picks on Day 3 on either a tight end or receiver, selecting two of each. It was a logical approach for a team in serious need of help at both positions. Thomas is particularly intriguing and qualifies as a bona fide sleeper candidate after he wasn’t invited to the combine. Thomas was productive in 2015, finishing with 71 catches for 1,391 yards and 14 touchdowns. At 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, he also offers decent size to a receiving corps that can use some.
Where he fits: Much like fourth-round choice Pharoh Cooper, there’s no shortage of opportunity for Thomas to come in and potentially win a spot on the roster. The Rams only have Kenny Britt, Tavon Austin, Bradley Marquez and Brian Quick returning among regulars from 2015 as Stedman Bailey’s status remains up in the air. Thomas is a true outside receiver and if he can adjust to the NFL and show some special-teams ability, he has a chance to make it.
znModeratorJack Wang @thejackwang
Rams have about 18-20 slots for undrafted free agents. Les Snead: “Even though it’s less sexy, it’s still an important part of the process.”Myles Simmons @MylesASimmons
Fisher says gaining secondary depth will be a focus of undrafted free agency. Team looking to bring in about 18-20 UDFAs.znModeratorfrom off the net
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jrry32
I never for a second thought we could get Pharoh Cooper, Tyler Higbee, and Mike Thomas today. AMAZING day. AMAZING. And Hemingway is also a talented pass catcher. Rams killed it today.
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from off the net
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Merlin
Agreed that Goff and Higbee are quick starters. Coop is going to see a lot of snaps during the season, no doubt. But the darkhorse with enormous upside to shock folks is Thomas.
They have a new positional coach with NO preconceived notions of who deserves anything. And a guy with Thomas’ ability will have a truly rare opportunity to quickly climb that depth chart. Rare because of the new coach that is going to love his slant routes, along with ability far greater than what you normally see that late.
A lot of the holdovers on this roster are going to be fighting for their jobs. IMO.
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znModeratorRams add linebacker depth with Kentucky’s Josh Forrest in sixth round
Nick Wagoner
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams went defense for the first time in this draft with their second sixth-round pick, selecting linebacker Josh Forrest of Kentucky with pick No. 190.
My take: The Rams continue to fill needs by finding some depth at linebacker. They parted ways with James Laurinaitis and Daren Bates during the offseason, leaving them thin behind starters Alec Ogletree, Mark Barron and Akeem Ayers. Forrest should offer some insurance behind new middle linebacker Ogletree. He’s 6-foot-3, 249 pounds and finished 2015 with 93 tackles, six for loss, three and a half sacks and two interceptions.
Where he fits: Other than Ogletree, Barron and Ayers, the Rams only have Cameron Lynch and Bryce Hager returning from the active roster last year. So Forrest would seem to be in a good position to potentially win a roster spot. The Rams will undoubtedly bring in more bodies through rookie free agency, so it’s no sure thing, but if he can pick up the defense and show some special teams ability he should have a shot to stick.
znModeratorRams double down on tight ends with Temarrick Hemingway in sixth round
Nick Wagoner
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams continued to add help for new quarterback Jared Goff with their first sixth-round pick, selecting tight end Temarrick Hemingway of South Carolina State with pick No. 177.
My take: I’d be lying if I said I knew much about Hemingway but this much is clear, the Rams are addressing their needs in the passing game as much as possible. Hemingway had modest numbers in his final year of college with 38 catches for 418 yards and a touchdown in 2015. But he’s 6-foot-5, 244 pounds and ran a 4.7 second 40-yard dash. The Rams obviously think he has some upside and can compete for a roster spot.
Where he fits: Hemingway joins fourth-round pick Tyler Higbee in the fold as the Rams continue to attempt to add depth and competition to their tight end group. Lance Kendricks will be the primary option from the position and Cory Harkey remains as a blocker but if Hemingway can prove adept at running routes, catching passes and chipping in on special teams, there’s room for him to make the roster out of training camp.
znModeratorround 6, pick 190: Forrest, Josh ILB 6’3″ 249 Kentucky
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alyoshamucci
Remember watching him and thinking “this kid might slide and would be great to groom behind whoever”
Excellent pick.
When he closes it’s scary. He has WR “closing burst”
znModeratorCooper sounds like a good player. But a slot receiver described as a Swiss Army Knife? Isn’t that what Tavon Austin is?
Cooper can go long, too.
But yeah Tavon is more swiss army knife-ish than Cooper.
Though unlike Tavon Cooper is a real slot receiver.
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znModeratorVikings took Moritz Boehringer, the German Unicorn.
znModeratorstill 2 picks at 190 and 206
Meanwhile…more on Hemingway
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Matt Waldman @MattWaldman
Now we’re cooking! Temarrick Hemingway is a fine pick.—
Evan Silva @evansilva
Like #Rams double-down on tight ends. Tyler Higbee & Temarrick Hemingway both have lots of length & athleticism.—
TEMARRICK HEMINGWAY, South Carolina State (6-5, 242, 4.72, 4): Three-year starter from Loris, S.C. “He has unbelievably long arms (34),” one scout said. “Good athlete. There’s a lot of things he can improve upon. He never really had formal coaching. He’ll be a mid-to-late round guy that in a couple years he’s going to be a solid starter. He already graduated in business. Sweet kid. He’s got really good intangibles but it will take a little while to get there.” Finished with 92 receptions for 1,080 (11.7) and three TDs. “People are trying to make it like he’s an athletic fast guy but he’s really not,” another scout said. “Just kind of has average.”
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Matt Waldman on Hemingway:
Temarrick Hemingway, South Carolina State:
Although his Combine performance wasn’t special like James O’Shaughnessy’s work at last year’s Underwear Olympics, Hemingway’s 4.71-40, 4.31-20, and 6.88-Three-cone are all strong numbers that the film backs up.
This is important, because the NFL does not consider South Carolina State a bastion of future football stars. Although a South Carolina State player has been drafted in 2010, 2011, and 2012, there has been a 9-year gap where only a single player earned a selection.There are some fine alumni that the NFL noticed enough to draft, including Robert Porcher, Robert Geathers, Charlie Brown, Harry Carson and Deacon Jones. Hemingway has the budding skill to join this list.
If there’s one word to describe Hemingway’s game, it’s “deceptive.” At 6’5”, 244 pounds, he looks shorter and lighter on the field than his Combine measurements, but roll the tape and he plays bigger than his listed weight and moves faster than he appears. One of his best routes—the whip—epitomizes deception because it involves running a short, fast stem, turning fast at a 90-degree angle to one side and then stopping suddenly to break to the opposite side, forcing the coverage to overrun the first break. Hemingway dominates this route over and over again on tape and it could have served as a good predictor of his 20-Shuttle and Three-Cone times.
He’s also as good at braving physical contact for a catch as he is dishing out punishment as a blocker. Although his lean, muscular build has the capacity to support another 10-15 pounds. Hemingway rountinely controls edge players 15-20 pounds heavier with his punch, hand position, and drive. He’s adept at in-line blocks and stalk blocks in the flat. Give Hemingway a year of top-notch nutrition and focused training and he could be one of the reasons draft analysts change their tune about how they gauge the quality of a tight end class.
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znModeratorround 6, pick 177
TE TEMARRICK HEMINGWAY SOUTH CAROLINA ST.
OVERVIEW
Hemingway is not your typical tight end prospect. But his frame, fluidity and pass-receiving ability make him an intriguing threat worth developing. Hemingway earned first-team All-MEAC honors in 2015 as the Bulldogs’ second-leading receiver, making 38 receptions for 418 yards and one touchdown. This was not the first year that Hemingway was a major contributor in the passing game, as he put up decent numbers as a freshman (11-164, one TD), garnered third-team All-MEAC notice as a sophomore (26-223, four TD), and first-team accolades as a junior (18-257, one TD).PRO DAY RESULTS
Bench: 18 reps of 225 pounds
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS Fluid, graceful gait with long, easy strides. Has short area movement like a basketball player. Nightmare matchup for linebackers with his whip routes and whip counters underneath. Has legitimate separation quickness. Raw, but moldable athlete. Gets off the snap and into his routes in a hurry. Can stop and open up with suddenness. Physical runner after the catch. Poor quarterback play slighted his true production potential.
WEAKNESSES Has lean frame that screams wide receiver over tight end. Not close to possessing the play strength needed to block on NFL level. Head ducker into contact and allows hands to spray wide of defenders framework. Route work was extremely limited and will require extended work on next level. Hands are suspect. Had issues with double catches and scouts question toughness to secure throws with looming safety nearby.
DRAFT PROJECTION Rounds 6 or 7
NFL COMPARISON Wes Saxton
BOTTOM LINE Intriguing vertical potential as matchup-based tight end, but his lack of play strength and route running experience could make him a long-term project if he is ever to become a true NFL contributor.znModeratorRams pick Pharoh Cooper No. 117
The Los Angeles Rams select former South Carolina wide receiver Pharoh Cooper with the No. 117 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
znModeratorRams keep adding pass-catchers with WR Pharoh Cooper in fourth round
Nick Wagoner
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams continued to add help for new quarterback Jared Goff with their second fourth-round pick, selecting South Carolina receiver Pharoh Cooper with pick No. 117.
My take: The Rams are taking the obvious and logical approach to the fourth round by adding help for Goff. They absolutely have to find weapons for Goff after their receiving corps combined for fewer yards than Atlanta’s Julio Jones in 2015. Cooper might be a bit redundant with Tavon Austin in terms of size and skill set (not that he’s as talented as Austin), but new passing game coach Mike Groh should be able to find ways to use him.
Where he fits: The Rams have a clear need for help in the slot. Stedman Bailey is still recovering from two gunshot wounds to the head. South Carolina used Cooper all over the field, much like the Rams do with Austin, but the Rams simply need weapons and can find a place for Cooper in their receiving corps.
Move down: The Rams traded pick No. 113 to the Chicago Bears for picks 117 and 206. They now have three choices in the sixth round
znModeratorWell, when’s the last time the Rams drafted a WR
in the fourth round that made a big impact?You’re right, they;re due.
Anyway, seriously…this draft was supposed to be deep at WR and unusual in that respect. It was said in advance that teams could get starters in the 4th round this year. Just a deep draft—not rich at the top but unusually deep after the top. All I know is that anyone who knows anything about Cooper loves him.
znModeratorfrom off the net…expanded, updated, posted again
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jrry32
Watched Cooper throughout his SC career. He’s a stud. Small (5’11” 205) and didn’t test well but uber competitive, makes plays all day, and is a tough SOB. Wins in traffic. Not afraid to take a huge hit to catch the ball. Plays fast. Very good YAC skills.
I think Cooper will be a productive slot guy for us once he gets NFL routes downs. He’s every cliche you hear about slot guys. Blue collar, tough SOB, lunch pail, deceptive speed (gets up to speed very quickly), and no quit.
Very strong guy. Great work ethic. Comes from a family of Marines.
He’s a playmaker.
Here’s a stat for all of you, Cooper had 973 yards in 2015. South Carolina’s #2 WR had around 160 yards.(Jerell Adams, their TE, was the second leading receive with around 400-450 yards)
Cooper actually would have had 1050 yards and a 80 yard game winning TD in the final minute against The Citadel but one of SC’s young WRs didn’t get set before the ball was snapped.
I’ll tell you this much, the Rams identified a weakness and are attacking it. What do Higbee and Cooper both offer? Outstanding HANDS. Looks like the Rams are tired of the drops.
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