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znModeratorHey old pals – long time. I’m reminded, with all these late picks, of the fairly extensive evidence that ZN produced a few years ago concerning the quantity and quality of OL prospects available as late as undrafted free agency. If I recall, the evidence involved already-productive NFL offensive linemen and their draft positions. If that information still has any bearing on current draft conditions, I would be pleased to have the Rams mine those OL deposits in rounds six and seven.
Howdy. Developmental OL depth would be nice.
znModeratorCameron DaSilva@camdasilvaWith Brennan Jackson being another senior and team captain, the Rams continue to target older, experienced prospects in this draft class Kinchens is the only player they’ve drafted younger than 23 years oldznModeratorHere’s our write up from a few weeks ago from new #Rams edge Brennan Jackson from Washington State. Listeners of the show know. We liked him from the jump. pic.twitter.com/MV0zaJ1LUV
— Rams Brothers (@RamsBrothers) April 27, 2024
znModeratorAlbert Breer@AlbertBreerA reminder for Day 3 of the draft: Most NFL folks I’ve talked to believe the quality of the class collapses after Round 4. It’s the effect of NIL & the portal, keeping guys in school—just 58 underclassmen declared (was 130 in ’21). Expect scrambling to get targeted guys today.znModeratorHEIGHT6’ 4’’WEIGHT264 lbsARM32 3/4’’HAND9 3/4’’.By Lance ZierleinOverviewSixth-year senior who plays like he loves football and never wants the game to end. Jackson is a productive, effort-based pass rusher who wins with motor and force but is missing much-needed moves and counters to beat NFL tackles with skill. He plays with good bend and powerful hips to drive his way through a blocker’s edge against run or pass blocks. Jackson is salty at the point of attack and will shed or spin off blocks to find his way to the football. Despite some limitations, Jackson is constantly near the football, thanks to his strength, effort and toughness, and he could become a reliable pro as a 4-3 end or 3-4 rush linebacker.
Strengths
- Plays with relentless energy that is beyond persistent on every snap.
- Gets off the ball with bent knees and low pads into contact.
- Above-average play strength with ability to consistently get off blocks.
- Strong hips allow him to drive through a blocker’s edges.
- Hard-charging style creates production through secondary rush.
- Possesses the footwork to further develop his spin counter.
Weaknesses
- Average athleticism could be tougher to hide as a pro.
- Will take chances inside B-gap and give away his run fit.
- Lacks pursuit quickness to force runners into the boundary.
- One-speed rusher with limited moves and counters.
- Needs to better develop speed-to-power charge for NFL tackles.
Sources Tell Us
“Plays as hard as anyone in the conference. I think coaches will like him just a little bit more than scouts will, and maybe they will be right.” — AFC national scoutznModeratorBrennan Jackson since 2022:
83 QB pressures
16 sacks
78.1 pass-rushing grade— PFF LA Rams (@PFF_Rams) April 27, 2024
znModeratorfrom https://www.therams.com/news/brennan-jackson-nfl-draft-linebacker-washington-state
The 6-foot-4, 264-pound Jackson led the Cougars with 12.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks, also contributing 57 total tackles, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries on his way to Second-Team All-Pac 12 recognition in 2023. It marked the second-straight year he not only led the team in sacks and was a Second-Team all-conference selection. Jackson also tied for the team lead in tackles for loss in 2022 with 12.
Jackson was a team captain for Washington State across both of those seasons as well.
znModeratorznModeratorWell I fixed it. So I don’t know what the issue is.
znModeratorJust curious….when did the defensive end position change its name to U2 guitarist EDGE? Why the name change from DE to EDGE? do you think they’ll draft a kicker?
As we know, commonly the term refers to both 4/3 DEs and 3/4 pass rushing OLBs. My understanding is that being labelled an “edge” gets you in a higher, more lucrative contract tier than being labelled an OLB. Meanwhile as we know, a 3/4 still has a DE, which is what Jonah Williams was last year and Ashawn Robinson the year before.
znModeratorVerse is a stronger and better version of Kayvon Thibodeaux in that both players’ games are built more on straight-line linear power and not flexibility and bend. This flattens their rush path to the quarterback, but Verse is much more physical and violent and a better overall prospect.
Thibodeaux was taken 5th in the 1st round by the Giants in 2022 and was the defensive rookie of the year. He had 4 sacks in 2022 and 11.5 in 2023. Cosell is projecting Verse as a better version of the same type of player.
znModeratorJared Verse 2024 NFL Draft: Combine Results, Scouting Report For Los Angeles Rams Edge
By Greg CosellJARED VERSE 2024 NFL DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT
STRENGTHS
- Sudden and twitchy off the ball with excellent get-off and velocity generating speed-to-power with leverage.
- Generated power on pass rush off his second step, getting inside and driving through and lifting the offensive tackle, gaining ground.
- Tightly wound, with strength and power throughout his body. Strong core with short area explosion and power.
- Played a power game with the short area strength to jar offensive tackles off the ball and the power to drive them back.
- Fired off the ball with explosiveness and quick, active, dynamic hands. Twitchy feel to his overall movement.
- Showed pass rush plan off staple speed-to-power, with a quick cross-face inside counter and outside hand swipe.
- There were edge pass rush snaps where he showed more than functional ankle flexion to clear the arc and flatten his path.
- Showed a quick arm-over move to beat offensive tackles. Excellent short-area quickness with balance and body control.
- On pass rush snaps, he showed effective hand moves to win, then cleared the edge, flattened and closed with speed.
- Foundation of his game as a run defender and pass rusher is his strong, powerful hands and great functional strength.
- Made plays in pursuit outside the box with outstanding play speed and range. Competitive playing personality.
- In 2023, his first-step explosiveness as a pass rusher was high-level. There were no wasted steps, allowing him to attack the edge.
- Showed effective swipe moves as an edge pass rusher to remove the hands of offensive tackles and open the edge to gain leverage.
- Outstanding balance and body control as an edge rusher. Did not slow down or lose speed at the top of the pass rush arc.
- Flexibility at the top of the pass rush arc to turn off his inside foot and flatten his rush path with burst to the quarterback.
- Physical component to his game. Worked through contact effectively with a combination of strength and tenacity.
- Showed devastating speed-to-power with the contact strength and movement power to drive offensive tackles into the pocket.
- Strength and hand quickness to play off contact in the run game and make plays. Good short area quickness.
WEAKNESSES
- 2022 tape did not show a bendy, flexible athlete who could bend off contact and flatten his rush path to the QB.
- Needs to continue to develop a wider array of moves as an edge pass rusher. Cannot rely solely on speed-to-power.
- In 2023, he showed a tendency to take false steps when aligned in a two-point stance. More comfortable in a three-point stance.
- Tendency to drop his head and use the crown of his helmet to attack with speed-to-power. Could be a concern in the NFL.
- A little tight in his movement. More straight-line linear than naturally bendy and flexible. Can get stuck at times.
- Did not look comfortable dropping into underneath zone coverage, which likely limits his deployment in the NFL.
NFL TRANSITIONVerse is one of the best edge pass rush prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. He may be the most powerful of the top prospects. Verse’s game is built on strength and power through his body, with short stroke power in confined compact space. He has strong hands with the short area explosion to jar offensive tackles and the accelerating power to drive them back into the pocket, as seen on his sacks versus Florida and Louisville.
Verse was at his best with his hand in the ground in a three-point stance. When he got off the ball with no false steps or wasted motion, he showed both exceptional first step explosiveness to immediately challenge the high side of the offensive tackle at the top of the arc. He also showed devastating speed-to-power conversion to attack the center of the offensive tackle.
What stood out with Verse as a pass rusher is that he was purposeful, with a plan to attack and set up left tackles to get them out of phase and just off balance enough that he could then execute his speed-to-power rush. He did not need a runway to generate power. He was able to do so in a confined amount of space.
While Verse is not stiff, he is a little high-cut and does not possess elite bend and flexibility. At times, that resulted in getting stuck when the speed-to-power conversion was stopped by the offensive tackle. It also showed up at times when he looked to work the high side of the offensive tackle. He just didn’t have the hip and core flexibility to clear the arc.
Verse is a stronger and better version of Kayvon Thibodeaux in that both players’ games are built more on straight-line linear power and not flexibility and bend. This flattens their rush path to the quarterback, but Verse is much more physical and violent and a better overall prospect.
Verse would project and transition best to the next level as a defensive end in a 4-3 front where he could line up in a three-point stance. He has the pass rush traits to move inside to three-technique in sub fronts where he also showed the speed-to-power conversion versus guards and centers.
znModeratorBlake Corum is heading to Los Angeles 😎🌴
His scouting report via @gregcosell 📘
STRENGTHS:
– Short, stout frame with a powerfully built lower half and quick feet to make sharp, decisive cuts to the clear first level
– A low center of gravity with a short, powerful frame… https://t.co/lNzDw7ESXy pic.twitter.com/9vvxdKOS2J
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) April 27, 2024
znModeratorBraden Fiske to LA means more FSU DL for the Rams! 💥🐏
His scouting report by @gregcosell 🏹
STRENGTHS:
– Showed 2-gap ability in the run game with core and upper body strength to lock out his arms and control OL.
– Understood how to use his hands and arms to lock out OL and… https://t.co/GJzakFwmQP pic.twitter.com/vRSZi4JxF6
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) April 26, 2024
znModeratorThe Rams got a steal of a safety with Kamren Kinchens 💥
His scouting report per @gregcosell 🙌
STRENGTHS:
– Good size for safety position with plus straight-line speed and range on the back end. Covered ground easily.
– At his best playing downhill from the back end with… https://t.co/EoBM6tZbMB pic.twitter.com/9iFF66VyY1
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) April 27, 2024
znModeratorFIRED UP FOR FISKE! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QY1ixA1z4A
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) April 27, 2024
znModeratorThe Rams backfield just got even more impressive!
Black Corum is a winner who boasts excellent vision, able to see the hole and bounce to the gap for the game breaking play. A fantastic complement to the Pro Bowler Kyren Williams. pic.twitter.com/Vroq2bQabO
— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) April 27, 2024
znModeratorOk. Frank Burns always manages to mess things up.
Test my hunch in this thread so I can see if that’s the right track.
znModeratorznModeratorznModeratorfrom https://theathletic.com/5399690/2024/04/10/nfl-draft-2024-the-beast-dane-brugler/
A three-year starter at Miami, Kinchens was a field/post safety in defensive coordinator Lance Guidry’s scheme (played more of a nickel role in 2022). A highly productive player, he led the ACC in interceptions as both a sophomore and junior. He also was the only player in college football with double-digit combined interceptions over the last two seasons (and the first Miami player to reach at least 10 career interceptions since Sean Taylor). Although he lacks explosive speed and his risk-taking tendencies are worrisome, Kinchens anticipates well from depth and has the range to play over the top and properly track the football. He can rotate down as the robber and be a factor in the run game, too. Overall, Kinchens doesn’t have top-tier athletic traits, but he has a well-balanced skill set with the playmaking awareness and ball skills to compete for a starting role in the NFL. He projects best as a split-field safety with range in the post who can drive topdown in two-deep shells.
znModeratorfrom https://theathletic.com/5399690/2024/04/10/nfl-draft-2024-the-beast-dane-brugler/
Corum was the lead back in offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore’s gap/zone scheme. After becoming the Wolverines’ starter in 2022, he established himself as the straw that stirred the offensive drink and led the FBS in rushing touchdowns (27) in 2023 — accounting for at least one touchdown run in all 26 games he played the last two seasons. Jim Harbaugh puts Corum in the same conversation as Frank Gore as the best running backs he ever coached. (Harbaugh: “There’s no doubt that Blake will be right on the same dance floor as Gore in every way as a player.”) With the instinctive way he pairs his eyes and feet, Corum has terrific vision and an energetic lower body to read and maximize the blocking in front of him, scrapping for every yard. He wasn’t a high-volume receiving target in college and must continue to improve his consistency as a pass blocker. Overall, Corum is smaller than ideal for his run style, but he makes quick, urgent decisions with the low center of gravity and burst to bounce runs or maneuver through congestion. His determination to maximize each carry will translate well to an NFL offense, although his effectiveness on third downs will determine his upside.
znModeratorHEIGHT5’ 11’’WEIGHT203 lbsARM31 1/4’’HAND9 3/4’’.By Lance ZierleinOverviewSafety prospect with the toughness, instincts and ball skills to handle NFL work, although his lack of speed could give teams pause. Kinchens is a willing run supporter near the box, hits with message-sending purpose over the middle and plays with outstanding range as a high safety. Despite the positive tape and attributes at his disposal, he made mistakes in run support and coverage that led to big plays and, in some cases, touchdowns. If he can eliminate the mental mistakes and take better angles to the ball as an open-field tackler, he will improve his consistency, but Kinchens’ poor speed testing at the NFL Scouting Combine could limit how teams will want to use him.
Strengths
- Scouts praise him for his toughness and intelligence.
- Instincts and over-the-top range led to 11 takeaways over the last two seasons.
- Attracts throws with a receiver’s timing and ball skills.
- Shadows route breaks with adequate transition quickness.
- Displays enforcer mentality when patrolling the hashes.
- Capable add-on run defender as a big nickel near the line.
- Productive tackler on coverage teams.
Weaknesses
- Lack of speed displayed at NFL Scouting Combine is a concern.
- Needs to play with better eye balance between receiver and quarterback.
- Plays with better anticipation from zone than man.
- Zone coverage mix-ups led to two scores at North Carolina.
- Average lateral agility and burst as an open-field tackler.
- Needs to improve angles to the ball-carrier as a high safety.
Sources Tell Us
“He’s quiet but leads by example. He’s a tough guy, like most Miami safeties, and can really see the field when they play him in center field.” – AFC regional scoutznModeratorHEIGHT5’ 8’’WEIGHT205 lbsARM28 7/8’’HAND9’’.By Lance ZierleinOverviewCompact runner with average size, outstanding contact balance and a rare talent for finding and fitting into small crevices for short-yardage conversions and touchdowns. Corum is a bit of a one-speed runner lacking sizzle and wiggle but gets it downhill with timing and finishes runs with good forward lean. He has the hard-hat mentality to handle heavy workloads and can exploit defenses that fatigue or miss their run fits. The talent doesn’t stand out on its own, but he’s strong, competitive and team-oriented with exceptional football character. He can catch it when needed and is above average in picking up the blitz, which could earn him status as a three-down backup with a chance to find early carries as an RB2/3.
Strengths
- Exceptional production over the last two years.
- Feels lane development and works toward the opening.
- Hits the run north-south when it’s time to go.
- Absorbs second-level contact with impressive balance
- Quick to process and sidestep early penetration.
- Able to add yards after catch out of the backfield.
- Steps up and challenges linebackers in blitz pickup.
Weaknesses
- Just 12 of his last 45 rush touchdowns went for more than 5 yards.
- Creativity on the second level is just average.
- Slow to reignite acceleration when gathering and slowing feet.
- Gets impatient and will rush block development.
- Wears down defenses with volume rather than power.
znModerator.@RamsNFL @UMichFootball @blake_corum joins @Kyrenwilliams23 what a great 1-2 punch behind a vastly improved OL. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/2bWACCWCCe
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 27, 2024
znModeratorIt’s amazing how many people have to be reminded on here that Les Snead and Sean McVay know what they’re doing in the draft. Go with it and enjoy the ride!
Super Bowl contenders only getting better. #RAMSHOUSE #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/qbmvooE19i
— RAMS REPORT🗯 (@RamsNFLReport) April 27, 2024
znModeratorChris Simms@CSimmsQBMan the @RamsNFL make a big time move to get Braden Fiske who is one of the freakiest athletes u will ever see for 292lbs. His get off is elite. His twitch is elite. His anchor need to get better. But he is gonna fuck a lot of plays up!!znModeratorRams Brothers@RamsBrothersLoved Jim Harbaugh’s comments on Blake Corum. Said he puts Blake Corum in the same conversation as Frank Gore as the best running backs he has ever coached. “There’s no doubt that Blake will be on the same dance floor as Gore in every way as a player”.Ramsoholic@ShayTweetedThatCorum had 61 TDs in college ! The man knows how to score and so does Kyren . This Offense is gonna play bully ballznModeratorKamren Kinchens: 89.6 coverage grade since 2022 (6th among Power Five Safeties) 📈 pic.twitter.com/Z6g0k5SnDF
— PFF LA Rams (@PFF_Rams) April 27, 2024
znModeratorgeez. the thought of corum and williams running the ball behind jackson, avila, and dotson? that’ll be fun.
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