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znModeratorLAFB Network@LAFBNetwork
Jeremiyah Love puts Kyren Williams in his top 5 RBs“He’s pretty nice… I feel like he’s underrated.”
znModeratorAdam Schefter@AdamSchefter
Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, a potential top 10 pick, was timed by several NFL executives and GMs on Saturday with a 40 time in the range of 4.45-4.47 seconds.Field Yates@FieldYates
2 things I’d chime in with here:1. Tate’s speed was rarely an issue on tape. He’s also an awesome route-runner, with great hands and body control
2. I’ve had evaluators share with me that his time was sub 4.50 as well. His speed isn’t viewed as a concern
Top 10 player to me
Sam Block@theblockspot
Before his 40 time…
Carnell Tate – The best WR in the Class.After his 40 time…
Carnell Tate – The best WR in the Class.…
from https://www.nfl.com/prospects/carnell-tate/32005441-5414-3045-dbdb-77216e7df5a8
Prospect Info
College: Ohio State
Junior
Height: 6’ 2’’
Weight: 192 lbs
Arm: 31 3/4’’
Hand: 10 1/4’’Overview
Ascending “Z” receiver who continues to step out from the shadow of Ohio State teammate Jeremiah Smith. Tate has good size but would benefit from more play strength. He builds momentum quickly on intermediate and deep routes, utilizing speed and tempo to pressure cornerbacks. He can win over the top on verticals or separate over the first two levels with route savvy and separation burst. Tate tracks throws at top speed and makes his adjustments to run under them. He combines timing, body control and catch radius to dominate air space and consistently lands on the winning side of contested catches. Pass catching comes effortlessly with soft, strong hands and he consistently works back on throws to keep ballhawks from hawking. Tate displays rare polish for a player his age and has the talent to become a heralded pro within his first three seasons.
znModeratorNFL Fashion Advice@fashion_nfl
If you want an All-Pro tackle, you need to expend premium draft capital. Over the last five seasons and across the 20 total AP All-Pro tackle slots, 95% were first rounders and 90% were taken 13th or earlier.
znModeratorJimEverett@Jimeverett
Due to the lack of teams willing to eat the contract, it’s looking more likely that the Cardinals will release Kyler Murray. Cardinals move on but what’s Kyler’s next move?Possible: Vikings (depending on Cousins interest) and Jets may have interest.
But allow me to suggest a CAREER RESET? IMHO, how about signing a friendly veteran rate to work with @RamsNFL
’s McVay and with the coach that drafted you (Kliff Kingsbury).
Make a superbowl run with a team that may need a veteran to fill in the EX-MVP during a 2026 campaign while rehabbing your career while learning the latest and greatest system to possibly take over in 2027? Or jump with Kliff when he gets his new gig. Just say’n….
znModeratorfrom How the Combine Changed the Rams Draft Board
Brock Vierra
https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/onsi/los-angeles-how-combine-changed-draft-board
WOODLAND HILLS, Ca. The Los Angeles Rams are notorious for skipping the NFC Combine, often sending scouts and/or other team officials, while their top brass stays away from Indianapolis. History has proven this to be a wise strategy and to be frank, considering the Rams have only made one selection in the first round since Sean McVay became head coach ten years ago.
While 2026 promises to change that trend, especially since the Rams have two first-round picks, there is no guarantee the team will use those selections on day one of the draft. In 2025, the Rams traded their first round pick on draft day to the Falcons, allowing them to pick up their 2026 selection.
The Rams also have the option to leverage those picks for veteran players on the trade market. Whatever the Rams decide to do, their board was drastically changed based on various events at the NFL Combine….
…with defenders, especially on the defensive line expected to be taken early, the team may either have to move up for a cornerback or stay patient and land a premier receiver at 13.
The other big story is that the Rams spoke to Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at the Combine. Love, a star player, has drawn comparisons to Todd Gurley in the past. Love would likely supersede the team’s common practice of “redshirting” rookie running backs, but if Love is drafted, the futures of Blake Corum and Jarquez Hunter would be bleak.
znModeratorHawkMania@hawkmania4
Here are the players that the #Seahawks interviewed during the draft combine:Kind of telling who the team may or may not be going after per position:
IOL Micah Morris
WR Makai Lemon
WR Jordyn Tyson
WR Elijah Sarratt
TE DJ Rogers
S USC Kamari Ramsey
S Zakee Wheatley
S Dillon Thieneman
CB Devin Moore
CB D’Angelo Ponds
CB Avieon Terrell
CB Keith Abney
CB Brandon Cisse
EDGE Wesley Williams
EDGE Zion Young
EDGE Logan Fano
znModeratori know all this speculating is kinda silly, but i can’t help it. haha. something to tide me over until the draft.
I wasn’t making fun of you! Though now I can see how it could come across that way. It’s just a default thing I do, where for fun I play the role of “really bad Rams poster.” For example, like when I argue that Erik Diccersun was the best TE the Rams ever had. When I did “bad poster” this time I was actually thinking about how good we have it now with Rams management mostly doing the right things, compared to the past where they would spend a very high pick on a Jason Smith or Greg Robinson.
I do see the value of the argument that with 13 you take an elite offensive game changer. Or, those kinds of guys being there at 13 could mean an opportunity to trade down.
I am just in a different camp, where for me there are CBs worth the 13th pick…so take one and and then take another at 29 or in round 2. I just think it’s incredible good fortune to have such a dire need and then hit a draft where that need is a draft strength. My inclinations are, if you have a problem area on your team, you don’t just fix it, you turn it into a strength.
Anyway. Till it happens it’s just fun to talk about the possibilities.
I’ll put Mr. “really bad Rams poster” away for a bit…
znModeratorI’m torn, but I think they should trade up from 13, but once they do, I don’t know if they should take Greg Robinson, Jason Smith, or Adam Carriker. Of course they could also get Lawrence Phillips.
znModeratorArkansas RB Mike Washington Jr. was emotional after running a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash, the top time at RB this year.
NFL Network's Stacey Dales: "He broke down in tears again with me. He said, 'I'm so emotional… I've worked my whole life for this.'"pic.twitter.com/fRBP6zDb0J
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 28, 2026
znModeratorMissed tackle percentages for each team during the 2025 NFL season. pic.twitter.com/iyPrYCK8dE
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) February 28, 2026
znModeratorThe #Bears are hoping to retain Case Keenum, not as a quarterback, but as a coach and continued mentor for Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent.https://t.co/jC3rG6ii9y
— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) February 28, 2026
znModeratorKurt Warner@kurt13warner
Sitting here watching QBs at the combine & remember wanting an invite so bad! I remember being told my Grade was higher than others but I was passed up for QBs that played at bigger schools, bc that meant they had bigger upside!Moments like this getting me thinking & wondering HOW I got a chance with such limited OPPs… I remain forever grateful to the FEW who thought “what the heck”, he’s been successful everywhere, albeit small school, small league, small field, so let’s see if he can do it in the BIG time!
znModeratorPonds’ ridiculous 43½-inch vertical jump was the best of any cornerback and helps us understand why he has been so good in 50/50 situations despite limited height.
D'Angelo Ponds just TIED Sonny Styles' vertical jump 😳
🐰 Vertical Jump:
Ponds – 43.5
Styles – 43.5📏 Height:
Ponds – 5' 9''
Styles – 6' 5' pic.twitter.com/2t1uekhmq7— DraftKings (@DraftKings) February 27, 2026
znModeratorMatthew Stafford’s best throws from 457-yard, 3-TD game | Week 16
znModeratorthe more i read the more i think the rams should trade down.
I’m not so convinced of that myself. I would like to see them use pick 13 on the highest ranking 1st-round worthy CB on the board (of course they would have to see whoever it is as a fit). That’s even if the odds are that CB, if the Rams didn’t take him, would fall to somewhere in the 20s.
I can see them trading pick 29 down but then who’s gonna wanta trade up to 29? … Well it could happen I suppose.b But I ain’t gonna bet the mortgage on it.
znModeratorAJ Schulte@AJSchulteFB
Colton Hood is putting on a show so far in drills.Outstanding day imo
He and Terrell both backing up the first round status today.
Smooth as butter
Dane Brugler@dpbrugler
Chris Johnson is currently No. 38 in my top-100. Sticky cover man w/ instincts.Low 4.4s speed, 38″ vert, 10’6″ broad
One of “my guys” in this class.
znModeratorIf this is truly a CB-heavy draft I hope that the Rams pick 3 of them. I was disappointed that they ignored the position in last year’s draft. Of course, my mind could change depending on what they do in the FA/trade market, but both the secondary and ST need an influx of talent and multiple CB’s would obviously help both areas if they find some good ones. I still expect a CB and an offensive playmaker (most likely WR) in the first round, but I would not bristle if they picked two CB’s in the first.
I keep reading that the Dolphins at 11, and the Cowboys at 12 are looking to add a CB.
This is annoying.
w
vExcept this is a really deep draft at CB. It’s not as flashy at the top as some CB drafts, but it’s solid. Rams need to add more than one anyway. They may not get the best one but they need to get at least 2 good 1s, and they can.
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CBs seen as going in rounds 1 through 3….alphabetical
This is after day 2 of the Combine
descriptions are taken from 2 articles:
…
Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy did not to participate in drills
Brandon Cisse, South Carolina … 6′ 189
1. Cisse should be a target for the Rams at the end of the first round. He’s one of the best corners in this class, bringing great athleticism to the table. His ball skills leave something to be desired but everywhere else, he’s really impressive.
At the combine on Friday, he should wow scouts with his athleticism, potentially sending his stock higher. Plus, his ability in run support gives him an edge over some other corners.
2. Hamstring tightness while warming up for the 40-yard dash ended Cisse’s day before he could run or showcase his talents in positional drills, but he impressed in his jumps before shutting it down. Cisse (6 feet, 189 pounds) hit 41 inches on his vertical leap and 10-foot-11 on the broad jump — both excellent numbers for the likely first-rounder. He’ll run the 40-yard dash and do positional drills at South Carolina’s pro day March 17. — Miller
Tacario Davis, Washington … 6’4 194
1. If the Rams are looking for some size on the outside to help replace Ahkello Witherspoon, Davis should warrant some consideration. He’s 6-4, 200 pounds, which is wiry for a defensive back but helps him in coverage. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein sees him as a better zone corner than man defender, making him a good fit for the Rams. With his slimmer frame, run support isn’t a strong suit of Davis’, but the Rams need guys who can cover first and stop the run second.
2. Davis is one of the most uniquely built players in this class, standing at 6-foot-4 and 194 pounds. He ran a 4.41 40, an excellent time for a player of his stature and an important data point for teams that prioritize his traits — length, ball-disruption skills and ability to play press coverage (he has logged 267 snaps of press over the past three seasons). Though Davis won’t fit every scheme, there will be a subset of teams that I believe will value him as soon as the third round. — Yates
Daylen Everette, CB, Georgia … 6’1 196
Everette caught my eye early in the cornerback workouts and continued that performance all the way through. At 6-foot-1, 196 pounds, he ran an impressive 4.36 40-yard dash. His jumps were equally great, as he jumped 37½ inches in the vertical and 10-foot-4 in the broad jump. Everette is viewed as a midround prospect, carrying lots of Round 3 grades from scouts that I have talked to. A scheme-versatile corner, he’s best suited for teams that specialize in zone coverage but occasionally mix in man-to-man principles. — Reid
Colton Hood, Tennessee … 6′ 193
1. Hood isn’t the biggest cornerback at 5-foot-11 but he plays the position physically and is a willing tackler in run support. Though he gets overlooked sometimes by his teammate Jermod McCoy, Hood is excellent in coverage and has impressive aggressiveness on the outside. Look for him to be a late first-round pick or early second-rounder, right in the range of when the Rams pick at No. 29.
2. Hood entered the combine building off a strong Senior Bowl week. He has first-round measurables and added first-round numbers in the 40 (4.44 seconds), vertical jump (40½ inches) and broad jump (10-foot-5). Hood is a press-man coverage cornerback at 6 feet and 193 pounds with the broad shoulders to stack up receivers at the line of scrimmage. He is in the mix to be the third cornerback off the board and could land as a top-20 selection. — Miller
Chris Johnson, San Diego State … 6′ 193
1. Johnson should intrigue the Rams with his inside-outside versatility, showing the ability to play on the boundary or in the slot. For a team that likes to move defenders around, that’s an asset. Plus, he was downright dominant in coverage last season, allowing just 18 catches on 43 targets for a total of 185 yards. He didn’t give up a single touchdown catch and picked off four passes. As a second-round prospect, Johnson fits what the Rams should be looking for at the cornerback position.
2. Johnson is creating buzz in league circles and should be included in the first tier of this year’s CB class. At 6 feet, 194 pounds, the biggest question Johnson needed to answer was his long speed. By running a 4.4 40-yard dash, his answer was emphatic, and he continued his ascension up draft boards. Johnson was firmly in the second-round picture entering the combine, but it shouldn’t be surprising if he sneaks into the back end of Round 1. — Reid
Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas … 6′ 182
One great aspect of the combine is checking a box to clear questions on a player. Muhammad (6 feet, 182 pounds) was a player whose film showed questionable long speed, but his 40 time of 4.42 seconds should quiet those concerns. He also showed smooth transitions and good overall body control during position drills. Muhammad had only three interceptions in his college career, but his technique and length are those of a late Day 2 pick. — Miller
D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana … 5’9 182
1. Ponds will stir up a lot of debate among evaluators because of his smaller stature. He’s only 5-9, which is undersized for a boundary cornerback, but what he lacks in height he makes up for in competitiveness and technique. The national champion corner was one of the best in the country last season, and though he’ll likely need to move inside in the NFL, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be able to make that transition. He’s plenty physical enough to cover the slot and help in run support.
2. If I had to pick a team consisting of my favorite players to watch on tape in this class, Ponds would be a starting cornerback. The 5-foot-9, 182-pounder is a ball of fury when attacking off the slot or matching up against No. 1 receivers down the field (just watch him against Denzel Boston in 2024). Ponds’ ridiculous 43½-inch vertical jump was the best of any cornerback and helps us understand why he has been so good in 50/50 situations despite limited height. Ponds did not run the 40, but his vertical and on-field drills cemented why he’s a top-50 player on my board. — Miller
Keionte Scott, Miami … 5’11 193
If the Rams want a fiery and physical corner, Scott is their guy. He’s like a bulldog in the secondary, always willing to mix it up and stick his nose in the action at the line of scrimmage. That play style sets the tone for the entire defense, which carries value. Last season alone, he had 13 tackles for a loss, five sacks and two interceptions, both of which were returned for touchdowns.
As a slot defender, Scott plays like a safety and can cover like a corner.
Avieon Terrell, Clemson … 5’11 186
1. Terrell lacks some size at 5-11 but he’s excellent in coverage and is position-versatile as a nickel in the slot or a boundary corner. After Delane and McCoy, he might be the highest-rated corner in the draft, especially for teams that are looking for guys with position flexibility.
The brother of Falcons standout corner A.J. Terrell, Avieon is likely to be a Day 1 starter in the NFL, potentially for the Rams if they see him as the best corner available when they go on the clock.
2. Terrell participated in only on-field drills, but he was among the best of the corner group. After having zero interceptions last season, his true ball skills were a question entering the combine. But he showed plenty of comfort with attacking and snatching the ball out of the air Friday. He also displayed excellent hip mobility to turn and transition out of his breaks. Terrell has been labeled as a fringe first-rounder, but I believe the 5-foot-11, 186-pounder will be a top-20 pick. Circle Clemson’s pro day on March 12, as Terrell is expected to participate in all testing and drills and potentially get in that mid-first-round range. — Reid
znModeratorAnthony Gargano@AnthonyLGargano
Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq is crushing his interviews:“Walking into interviews and explaining exactly what everybody else’s assignment is.
I had one guy say ‘it was the best interview I’ve ever had.'”
Robert Griffin III@RGIII
Kenyon Sadiq is the mismatch EVERY offensive coordinator in the NFL is looking for.At 6’3 245 he has
-4.40 40 yard dash (T-1st All-Time for TEs)
-43.5” vertical
-11-1 Broad JumpAnd is coming off an 8 TD season at @oregonfootball
***
KENYON SADIQ WITH THE FASTEST 40 IN 16 YEARS
4.4 FLAT pic.twitter.com/BRAmbYr86F
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 28, 2026
znModeratorRams named as a best fit for Anthony Richardson by 2 analysts
📸 Robert Goddin, Robert Goddin-Imagn Images https://t.co/qW5ffNOpZm pic.twitter.com/UwIjYYcnUd
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) February 28, 2026
znModeratorDane Brugler@dpbrugler
Deep, deep safety class this year.Best part is there are multiple safeties in every round worth getting excited about. Might see double-digit safeties go top-100.
znModeratorBob@RealBobmills
The last 5 SB winners (Rams, Chiefs, Eagles, Seahawks) all were paying their QB near top money for the position at the time.Can we please stop with this excuse that it’s hard to win since the QB makes a lot of money.
znModeratorThe Draft Network@TheDraftNetwork
Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)2nd Attempt: 4.40s
Cameron DaSilva@camdasilva
Allowed 18 catches on 43 targets for just 185 yards last season.4 INTs and 0 TDs allowed.
Underdog NFL@UnderdogNFL
CB D’Angelo Ponds recorded a 43.5″ vertical jump.Sosa Kremenjas@QBsMVP
D’Angelo Ponds is easy one for the Rams if they move back from 29 or up from 61. He’s just a damn good player, simply put.1st & Tuna@1standtuna
Ponds is a very damn good football player and his speed measurables will increase his draft stock, deservedly.Todd McShay@McShay13
Arm length and 40 speed. That combo is critical at CB.You don’t find many 6’4” CBs with an 81-inch wingspan and 33 3/8” arm length that run 4.41u!
His name is Tacario Davis (Washington via Arizona).
znModerator“This is NOT a very good draft when it comes to quarterbacks, running backs or wide receivers in terms of, you know, big time first round prospects, that's that's a rarity…”@GregCosell gives his thoughts on the 2026 NFL Draft Class: pic.twitter.com/x2yD4qc1YY
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) February 25, 2026
znModeratorThe most INSANE play in NFL history
pic.twitter.com/5H83QHnled— Barstool NOLA (@BarstoolNOLA) February 26, 2026
znModeratorI dunno. Aaron Donald is too small, and Marshall Faulk cant run inside. Thats all i know.
w
vThere’s more.
Wistrom is a tweener.
Carter takes downs off.
Bulger stopped caring after he signed his 2006 extension.
You don’t take safeties high in the first round so Polamalu is out.
OL injuries don’t matter, it’s just next guy up.
On Donald: you don’t give a DT qb money.
Zygmunt has a superbowl, he’s above criticism.
Shaw hired Martz over Vermeil’s objection.
Why trade for Stafford? He’s never won anything.
znModerator2025 Breakout: Quentin Lake continues ascending into a ‘premium nickel’ with leap in ball production
Wyatt Miller
Quentin Lake’s value was on display just as much when he played as when he didn’t. Lake started the first 10 games of the Rams’ season, during which time they were the second-best scoring defense in the league (17.2 points per game allowed). Then he suffered an elbow injury in Week 11 against the Seahawks and was sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. From Week 12 on, the Rams’ defense ranked 23rd in scoring, allowing 24.9 points per game.
It didn’t take long for the Rams’ front office to realize the significance Lake’s presence. He was rewarded with a three-year contract extension on January 1, before he had even returned to the field for Los Angeles’ playoff run.
When healthy, Lake never came off the field in the 13 games he played for the Rams this season, including playoffs. Lake’s versatility and proficiency against both the pass and the run made him an indispensable piece of the Rams’ defense, and he displayed improvement in key areas.
Stats
All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
*career-high
Season Games Played Tackles Passes Defended Interceptions TFLs
2023 14 53 6 0 1
2024 17 111 5 0 1
2025 10 61 10* 1* 2*Improvement: Ball production
2024 was Lake’s true breakout season. He played every defensive snap for L.A. (apart from an inconsequential Week 18 game) and set a career-high in tackles. He was as stout as a linebacker against the run and even wore the green dot as the defensive signal caller for part of the year. But Lake took his coverage skills to a new level in 2025.
Lake got hands on 10 passes last season, including one interception against the Ravens in Week 7. As a slot defender, he covered every position on the field, from outside receivers to running backs, while still excelling as a run stopper.
The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen wrote about how the “premium nickel” has become a new and significant trend among the top defenses in the NFL this year. Lake was included in that group of six players, featuring both proven and emerging stars.
“The best defenses in the league don’t just have good players at nickel, they have difference-makers playing in a spot that was once reserved for a third corner, not good enough to play outside,” Nguyen said. “Look no further than this year’s playoff teams to see examples: The Seattle Seahawks’ Nick Emmanwori, the Houston Texans’ Jalen Pitre, the Los Angeles Rams’ Quentin Lake, the Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James and the Philadelphia Eagles’ Cooper DeJean are all standout nickels.”
Lake’s extension indicates the Rams will continue employing him as their premium nickel, placing him close to the ball, in positions to defend both the run and the pass frequently and effectively.
“He’s a guy that… represents everything that we love about what we want be about with the values and the principles,” said head coach Sean McVay. “I think he’s had great production and great versatility but more importantly, I think you look at it, there’s a reason why he’s basically been unanimously voted as a captain the last couple years.”
Lake may have missed significant time in 2025, but this season still represented a breakout for the fourth-year defender out of UCLA. He established himself as a vital cog in the machine that is the Rams defense, and he did so both on and off the field.
znModeratorAaron Donald… A Dallas Cowboy?!?!?
"I thought I would go to Dallas at 16.” AD breaks down the teams he heard most — and how the Rams let him know exactly what they wanted at 13 pic.twitter.com/1WSBciKqx4— The Inner Circle (@Inner_CirclePOD) February 26, 2026
znModeratorChris Long & Robert Quinn with back-to-back SACKS to close the game – 2013
It was not often that this era of Rams defense got to play with a late 4th quarter lead – When it’s open season for the pass rush. An underrated group!
Long & Quinn tallied 67.5 sacks between 2011-2013 pic.twitter.com/vD2RXD4Goz
— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) February 26, 2026
znModeratorAdam Archuleta@AdamArchuleta
Trend that I saw a lot of this year. Disguising is a good idea BUT I see a lot of teams give up big plays because they disguise at the expense of players being out of position.Doug Farrar@NFL_DougFarrar
The Rams in particular last season had a tendency to over-complicate their disguises, and opponents could zing guys who were out of position or late to the party.Adam Archuleta@AdamArchuleta
– definitely thought Rams were a team that got to cute especially in late season / playoffs. Didn’t realize they disguised that much from statistical standpoint.Twitter AI:
Doug Farrar echoes Adam Archuleta’s critique of NFL defensive disguises, noting that teams like the Rams over-rely on complex pre-snap deceptions, leading to mispositioned defenders and exploitable gaps, as detailed in Farrar’s October 2025 Athlon Sports analysis.…
from Doug Farrar: https://athlonsports.com/nfl/nfl-disguised-coverages-brian-flores-drake-maye-all-22-analysis
Teams will also study which defenses disguise the most, and how to counter that frequency. The Los Angeles Rams lead the NFL with a 50.5% disguise rate in 2025, but the results have not been great. The Rams have allowed an opposing quarterback EPA of +0.15 when disguising, and -0.02 when they don’t….And just as disguised coverage can fool your opponents, sometimes you can fool your own defense, and there are open receivers running around when they shouldn’t be. These looks require their own coaching points to make sure there aren’t coverage busts.
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