More Corum.

For the forum.

To cure boredom.

…

from https://theathletic.com/5426661/2024/04/27/los-angeles-rams-2024-draft-picks-grades-scouting-reports/

No. 217 (compensatory): Beaux Limmer, C, Arkansas

Dane Brugler’s analysis

Limmer must continue to fine-tune his leverage points and play with better overall control, but he has the functional athleticism and finishing demeanor to continue developing. He projects as an immediate backup (center and guard) with starting potential at center, ideally suited for a wide-zone scheme (similar to Jake Brendel).

from https://theathletic.com/5426661/2024/04/27/los-angeles-rams-2024-draft-picks-grades-scouting-reports/

No. 19: Jared Verse, edge, Florida State

Dane Brugler’s analysis

When he channels his relentless energy, Verse is as disruptive as anyone in this class, because of his explosive get-off, power through his frame and NFL-quality hand use. His physical traits and competitive football temperament give him a high floor as an NFL starter (reminiscent of eight-year NFL veteran Dante Fowler).

Kamren Kinchens has a shit ton of potential. One of the better safeties to ever come out of the U.

We called him our steal of the draft. Heard @LRiddickESPN say he’s a future pro-bowler 👀 pic.twitter.com/DGWbCaL4yn

— Rams Bros. (@RamsBrothers) April 28, 2024

from https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2024/4/28/24143690/rams-2024-draft-class-grades-mel-kiper-pff

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ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. gave LA a B+ and called first-rounder Jared Verse a “10-sacks-per-season guy,” despite being a “difficult evaluation” for the draft guru.</p>

“L.A. got excellent rookie seasons from Byron Young and Kobie Turner in 2023, and GM Les Snead has started putting together his plan for life without Aaron Donald, who retired this offseason.

Speaking of, Snead traded up in Round 2 for a potential starter at defensive tackle in Braden Fiske (39), getting Carolina’s pick but surrendering Nos. 52 and 155 along with an extremely valuable 2025 second-rounder. Fiske had 11.5 sacks when lined up as DT over the past two seasons, which were the second most in the FBS. He isn’t going to be Donald — one of the greatest defensive linemen in NFL history — but Fiske can wreak some havoc. Still, I have to downgrade it a little bit because of that 2025 pick.”

…

Trevor Sikkema from Pro Football Focus also gave LA’s draft class a B+. Like Kiper, Sikkema praised Verse and considered him to be “arguably the best power rusher in the class,” being a firm believer in his potential. The PFF analyst also appeared somewhat bothered by the somewhat lofty compensation sent to the Panthers for the opportunity to land Fiske.

…
Pete Prisco from CBS Sports said Snead “had another good draft” and gave the GM an A for his efforts. Prisco named Brennan Jackson as the Rams’ best pick while surprisingly labeling Blake Corum as the team’s worst pick. Here is everything the CBS Sports writer had to say about both selections:

“I loved the pick of Washington State defensive end Brennan Jackson in the fifth. He will bring a relentless style that will keep him in the league for a long time. He is perfect for the Rams defense.

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I didn’t love the pick of running back Blake Corum in the third. They have a good back in Kyren Williams, who they got in the fifth round. They could have waited to take a back.”

wv wrote:

PS.   Last year i was intrigued by the draft evals on Puka.   This year its the Michigan RB.  He’s first round talent in my book.   I hope K.Willams dont get upset about the new situation.

+1

[note: at this point I am just dumping stuff in here as it pops up. There might be some repetition from earlier posts in the thread. It would take a lot to edit right now it all to avoid repetition, so as of now I am just dumping-in, not editing-out]

…

from https://ramblinfan.com/posts/la-rams-undrafted-free-agent-tracker-2024-01hwg6t27kd2

Ohio WR Sam Wiglusz
Sam Wiglusz played three seasons with Ohio State before closing out two seasons on the Ohio Bobcats. He stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 188 pounds. He does offer potential on special teams, having served as both punt and kickoff returner.

Central Missouri DT David Olajiga
David Olajiga is a 6-foot-3 287 pound defensive tackle out of Central Missouri. In 2023, he put up 41 tackles, 8.0 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, He had seven quarterback hits. But the intriguing stat is the fact that he blocked three kicks in 2023

Nebraska guard Nouredin Nouili
Nouredin Nouili is an interior offensive lineman who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 310 pounds. He is a German native, but who has the size and prowess to compete for a slot on the LA Rams

USC interior offensive lineman Justin Dedich
Justin Dedich is a 6-foot-2 292-pound offensive center who spent years handing off and protecting USC quarterback Caleb Williams. Decich is good enough to offer enough to work with, but so far has not flipped the switch to draft analysts to see NFL starter. But, he did play in a major college football program, and he faced some of the toughest opponents in NCAA football.

Oklahoma State DE Anthony Goodlow
Did the Rams find another defensive end who will eventually start for them after the draft? Well, that could be the case for Oklahoma State DE Anthony Goodlow. For starters, the Rams truly want him in the building, as he is getting a $20,000 signing bonus. He stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 283 pounds, but he is a versatile defender who has played as an outside linebacker, defensive tackle, and defensive end. I like his fit at the defensive end. He is exactly the type of hard-working passionate player who develops for this defense. Coach Giff Smith gets another great defensive lineman to work with.

LSU LB Omar Speights
Omar Speights is an interior linebacker who started for five seasons in NCAA football. He has been a productive player, averaging over 70 tackles, 5.0 tackles for a loss, 1.0 sacks, and nearly 1.0 interceptions in each of the past five seasons. He stands 6-foot-0 and weighs 229 pounds, so he is large enough to do will at the position. He is a sure-handed tackler, wraps up and drops with textbook precision.

Washington DT Tuli Letuligasenoa
The Rams have really landed some quality reserves with this year’s undrafted free agent class. Washington defensive tackle Tuli Letuligasenoa is another solid competitor. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 301 pounds, Letuligasenoa has the same size and background as former Rams NT Greg Gaines. He is a blocker gobbler, at guy who takes on a maximum number of blockers to free up his teammates. Even with that unenviable role, he still manages to put up solid numbers, and even shows flashes of a promising pass rush.

Kansas S Kenny Logan
Kansas defensive back Kenny Logan is one of the most versatile defensive backs from this rookie class. Standing 5-foot-10 and weighing in at 213 pounds, he is the type of player who can be sent in as a slot corner, a safety, or even as an outside corner in a pinch, and be confident that he can make plays. If the team is looking for a special team returner, Kenny Logan is the guy. He has some experience returning punts, and extensive experience returning kickoffs. He has even returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Michigan DB Josh Wallace
Michigan defensive back Josh Wallace competed throughout his college football career. But he joined the Michigan Wolverines in his final season, putting an exclamation point on his NFL prospects. He is a high character guy who has solid numbers and always seems to get his hands in there to knock the pass away. He didn’t have the level of interceptions that some scouts wanted to see, but his ability to break up passes is a coach pleaser nevertheless. He stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 185 pounds. He will need to add about 10 pounds of muscle armor to raise his durablity in the NFL, but he has potential.

Oklahoma WR Drake Stoops
The LA Rams may be loaded at the wide receiver position, but Oklahoma WR Drake Stoops hopes that therre is room for one more. If he is as productive in the pros as he was in college, that could be arranged. Standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 190 pounds, Stoops is not the guy who will beat you with his size. But he really doesn’t need to. He ran a 4.67-second 40-yard dash, placing him in the category of smaller, swift receivers like former Buffalo Bills WR Cole Beasley.

Augustana University OT Blake Larson
While there is not a lot of information readily available over Augustana offensive tackle Blake Larso, I know that he is every bit the part in terms of size. He stats 6-foot-6, weighs 311 pounds, and has a massive stretch armstrong reach, thanks to an 84-inch wingspan

Louisiana TE Neal Johnson
Lightly scouted Louisiana tight end Neal Johnson is a very intriguing weapon in this offense. Standing 6-foot-4 and weight 244 pounds, Johnson has been a very effective weapon in college, putting up consistently good numbers.

wv wrote:

I assume a downside to this kind of change might be miscommunication? Too much ‘thinking’ and not enough quick reacting? Yes? No? w v

No. Or not necessarily. The scheme does the work for you. The point is to get the players to play aggresively. Anyway the communication and thinking come in the secondary, where notice they went for vets instead of rookies.

In the front 7 you just have to know where to line up according to the call. So in “eagle red 1” (made up term) Verse knows he’s a 4/3 end. In “chickhawk blue 3” he’s at OLB/edge. And the guy on the field with the green dot making the calls is Jones, a vet.

from https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2024-nfl-draft-grades-all-32-teams#LAR

Karty — Karty graded higher than Alabama’s Will Reichard (who was drafted a few spots before him) since 2021. His 97.0 PFF grade on field goals and extra points since 2021 led all of college football, and he went 24-of-27 on field goals of at least 40 yards over the past two seasons.

from https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2024-nfl-draft-grades-all-32-teams#LAR

Kinchens — Kinchens’ 11 interceptions since 2022 are the most at the position. Kinchens is a well-rounded athlete with good awareness and instincts at the safety position. While he’s on the lighter and smaller side, Kinchens’ ball skills enable him to profile well to a deep free safety role in the NFL. His 90.0 grade in 2022 ranked fifth in all of college football.

from https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2024-nfl-draft-grades-all-32-teams#LAR

Fiske — Los Angeles gives up significant draft capital to move up and get their Aaron Donald “replacement,” pairing Fiske back up with college teammate Jared Verse. Fiske has limited length (31-inch arms), but he’s a very good athlete who has the quickness to get into the backfield regularly. Fiske’s grading profile did take a step back after transferring to Florida State, with his 73.9 PFF grade a dip from the 88.6 PFF grade he put up in his final season at Western Michigan in 2022.

Rams 2024 NFL Draft takeaways: Patience pays off with meat-and-potatoes additions

Jourdan Rodrigue

https://theathletic.com/5452706/2024/04/27/los-angeles-rams-2024-draft-picks-takeaways/

HERMOSA BEACH, Calif. — The best way to describe the 2024 Los Angeles Rams draft: meat-and-potatoes picks. While the Rams explored opportunities to make a splash into the top 10 the morning of the first round, they decided to stay put as the draft began and let the board fall. In doing so, their course seemed set: They selected an immediate impact player at edge/outside linebacker in Jared Verse, then his partner in college in Braden Fiske via a trade up (the cost of which raised a few eyebrows).

From there, the Rams filled what they believed were needs, with players they liked. Coach Sean McVay wanted to find a second running back, and he and position coach Ron Gould hoped to bring in a player similar to lead rusher Kyren Williams so that nothing schematic would need changing if Williams (who has dealt with injuries the last two seasons) were to miss any time or has to keep fresher legs through a long season.

With later picks, the Rams added depth at safety, along the defensive and offensive line and — joy of joys for the fan base — a kicker.

Best value pick

Verse will be expected to start right away, and in seeing him in person at the Rams’ draft house in Hermosa Beach on Friday, it’s clear why he will fit in on an NFL practice field. He has a huge frame — he is built more like a pure defensive end than an outside linebacker, although the Rams will start him out as a true edge — and a larger-than-life personality with energy to match.

The Rams’ biggest need in the previous two offseasons (until Verse’s arrival) was a second outside pass rusher. They found a full-time starter in 2023 in Byron Young, who will now enter his second NFL season. Verse is a great power/versatility complement to Young’s speed, but the coaches think each having a partner on the opposite end could unlock more opportunities for both players to develop other elements to their rush, not just their trademark tools.

Most surprising pick

Actually, the biggest surprise here is that the Rams went with a patient draft strategy for a second consecutive year, matching clear needs with some of their favorite players in the class. Before 2023, it was not unusual to see their early picks gravitate toward offensive-skill players. Two years in a row, the asking prices for potential trades up in or into the first round were steep enough — and evaluations of non-skill players were high enough — to keep them on what I earlier referred to as the meat-and-potatoes track.

In terms of specific players, Jordan Whittington ultimately could prove to be a surprise. He is a strong yards-after-catch player who might find an immediate role on special teams. Generally, when the Rams use a pick on a skill player late in the sixth or the seventh rounds, it’s because they believed he would be a high-interest undrafted free agent they might not be able to sign, or another team could draft them to poach them.

Biggest question mark

Questions remain about the cornerbacks, despite several veteran signings, because Tre’Davious White is still recovering from an Achilles repair surgery. In the future, the Rams will need to look higher in the draft at tackle (Rob Havenstein is a veteran, and Alaric Jackson is essentially playing on a one-year deal) and at receiver.

Remaining needs

The Rams could still use depth at inside linebacker, and I would expect their undrafted free-agent class to include a few players at that position.

While the Rams have a full room at receiver this season (including a healthy Cooper Kupp), it would not have been surprising to see them select players at the position with higher draft picks.

Post-draft outlook

The Rams discussed the price to trade into the top 10 at the start of the draft and looked into trading back from No. 19, but they quickly decided to stay patient as the board fell with a unique opening run on offensive players.

In doing so, they spent picks on specific priorities, continued to build their identity along the defensive line, identified a true complement to lead running back Williams in Blake Corum and shored up depth in other areas with later picks.