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znModerator2024 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: What do Rams projections look like post-combine?
Stu Jackson
With the annual NFL Scouting Combine a wrap, it’s another chance for a timely look at experts’ latest draft projections for the Rams.
Here’s a look at some of those forecasts as of Tuesday, March 5. All projections are for the Rams’ first-round pick (19th overall) unless noted otherwise.
The Athletic
Date: March 5Expert: Dane Brugler, NFL Draft Analyst
The pick(s): Florida State EDGE Jared Verse (pictured above)
Notes: A name that has come up in previous mock drafts for the Rams, the 6-foot-4, 254-pound Verse posted nine sacks, 41 total tackles, 11 QB hits, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick for the Seminoles in 11 games played last season.
NFL.com
Date: March 4Expert: Lance Zierlein, Draft Analyst
The pick(s): Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton (23rd overall, via projected trade with Texans)
Notes:In this projected trade back with the Texans, Zierlein has the Rams address their offensive line by getting 6-8, 322 Guyton, who primarily played right tackle for the Sooners but also has experience at left tackle. Guyton was an honorable mention All-Big 12 honoree for his performance in 10 games played, with nine starts at right tackle, last season.
“While the Rams have a variety of spots to fill, they also have the projected cap space to attack free agency,” Zierlein writes. “The chance to upgrade the left tackle spot in the draft is too good to pass up.”
Pro Football Focus
Date: March 4Expert: Gordan Guinness, NFL Analyst
The pick(s): Oregon QB Bo Nix
Notes: In this instance, PFF predicts the Rams to plan for the future.
“I ultimately think Nix — or whoever the fourth quarterback in this class winds up being — comes off the board earlier than this, but the fit here makes so much sense to me,” Guiness wrote as part of his analysis.
Nix departed the Ducks as their all-time leader in completion percentage at 74.9 (658-of-879), while also breaking Oregon’s single-season records for completions (364), passing yards (4,508) and passing TDs (45) in 2023. He also set the new NCAA single-season record for completion percentage last season at 77.45 (364-of-470).
USA TODAY
Date: March 4Expert: Nate Davis, NFL Reporter
The pick(s): UCLA DE Laiatu Latu
Notes: Latu has been a popular projection for the Rams throughout the offseason. Last year’s Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, he led the FBS with 1.8 tackles per game en route to winning the Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Award (nation’s top collegiate defensive end).
Los Angeles Times
Date: March 4Expert: Sam Farmer, NFL Reporter
The pick(s): Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson
Notes: Another common name amongst Rams projections, Powers-Johnson (6-3, 334) played four of the five offensive line positions in his three season at Oregon. In 2023, he didn’t allow a sack and gave up only one pressure across 471 pass-blocking snaps in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus, en route to unanimous All-American recognition and the Rimington Trophy (nation’s best center).
Pro Football Focus
Date: March 4Expert: Gordan Guinness, NFL Analyst
The pick(s): Oregon QB Bo Nix
Notes: In this instance, PFF predicts the Rams to plan for the future.
“I ultimately think Nix — or whoever the fourth quarterback in this class winds up being — comes off the board earlier than this, but the fit here makes so much sense to me,” Guiness wrote as part of his analysis.
Nix departed the Ducks as their all-time leader in completion percentage at 74.9 (658-of-879), while also breaking Oregon’s single-season records for completions (364), passing yards (4,508) and passing TDs (45) in 2023. He also set the new NCAA single-season record for completion percentage last season at 77.45 (364-of-470).
znModeratorJordan Schultz@Schultz_ReportThe #Jaguars are releasing cornerback Darious Williams, source tells @BleacherReport..Jourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigueWhile a Darious Williams reunion makes a lot of sense for the Rams, $ plus age would be two factors they would certainly weigh together. Williams does have familiarity with scheme & staff (Aubrey Pleasant plus new DC Chris Shula), is a leader, and they are not settled at corner..Sam Monson@PFF_SamThis is a good year to need CB help. Darious Williams is a good player if you keep him outside and don’t bump him to the slot just because he looks like he belongs there size wise.znModeratorfrom Rodrigue, in NFL Scouting Combine: One thing we learned about all 32 teams in Indy: https://theathletic.com/5311636/2024/03/04/nfl-scouting-combine-what-we-learned/?source=targeted_email&campaign=9201234&userId=603890
Los Angeles Rams
Is continuity on the offensive line the Rams’ priority entering free agency? The front office — spearheaded by comments from GM Les Snead on Wednesday — is conveying that message, saying they are in constant communication with representation for starting center Coleman Shelton, who voided the final year of his deal and will be a free agent, and starting right guard Kevin Dotson. Both players are expected to at least hit the legal tampering period portion of free agency, and if the Rams can’t get something done with either or both players, their draft needs along the offensive line become more urgent. However, scouts and analysts in Indianapolis have raved about the strength of this offensive line class, particularly at center and tackle. Either way, expect the Rams to invest here. — Jourdan Rodrigue
March 4, 2024 at 10:40 pm in reply to: Just a thread for different kindsa interesting things #149646znModeratorMarch 4, 2024 at 7:26 pm in reply to: “the draft” thread … ie. not “the Rams draft” thread … #149644znModeratorI've got about 18 WRs in my Top 10 this draft class. Is that a problem?
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) March 5, 2024
znModeratorI've lived in Colorado for almost 21 years, and I've never seen Broncos fans more excited over an offseason than 2022 after Russell Wilson was acquired.
That seems like decades ago now as the Wilson era unceremoniously ends. https://t.co/ap5C5gafUt
— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab) March 4, 2024
Assuming Russell Wilson is designated a post-June 1 cut, the aftermath looks like this for the #Broncos …
2024:
$39 million cash*, $35.4M cap2025:
$0 cash, $49.6M cap2026:
Off booksA $255.4M salary cap makes that pill go down a little easier …
(*Minus offsets)
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 4, 2024
znModeratorHappy birthday to the captain of the Defensive backs, Jordan Fuller
Fuller is a great example of LA finding quality players in the later rounds. The former 6th round pick led the Def in tackles during our Super Bowl winning season. Fuller has been a solid starter since 2020 pic.twitter.com/D4Y13hdE0I
— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) March 4, 2024
znModerator"My big takeaway from the 2024 Combine is that it's the greatest offensive line draft class we've seen in some time… maybe ever. There are twelve- yes, twelve- guys who I could see get taken on Day One."
– @PSchrags pic.twitter.com/GmAcx3dtxj— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) March 4, 2024
znModeratorSaw a stat on the Patriots. Over last ten years, they have had 18 first or second round picks. Of those picks only 1 made a probowl, and that was QB Mac Joens who made it one year. Zero first team all-pros. Zero players signed by Pats to a second contract. w v
And as a result, right now Patz have the most cap space, with just over 101 M.
The cap is set at just over 255 M.
Here are the Patz top 5 contracts:
znModeratorover.the.cap.com still has Rams at just over 40 M in cap space…this is in disparity with sportsrac, which has them at 46 M. Over.the.cap link: https://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space
znModeratorKyren Williams led the league with the avg of 95.3 rushing yards per game. What a spectacular breakout season for the St. Louis native
Williams was certainly a major catalyst for the Rams 2023-24 playoff push.
McVay ran offenses are at their best with a strong running game pic.twitter.com/xmPPoofeD2
— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) March 3, 2024
March 4, 2024 at 3:13 am in reply to: New thread (March): Rams & free agency + trade scenarios #149629znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
I don’t expect the Rams to tender ILB Christian Rozeboom after speaking with a few sources this week. Rozeboom, the Rams’ No. 2 ILB and a core four special teamer, would become a FA in that case. The tender is about $3M. His situation is worth watching with former Rams coachesznModeratorTom Pelissero@TomPelissero
No surprises: The new kickoff rule crafted by NFL special teams coordinators would allow teams to attempt an onside kick only when trailing in the fourth quarter — and require them to declare it in advance, per sources.NFL special teams coordinators met Saturday at the combine. Other notes on their proposal …
If the kickoff team declares they’re attempting an onside kick, they potentially could be allowed to utilize an unbalanced (6×4) formation, raising odds of recovery. Just 5.2% were recovered in 2023 and there just two surprise onside kicks, thanks largely to run-ups being banned.
Setup zone: The kick and return teams would line up on the receiving team’s 40- and 35-yard lines, respectively, and not leave until the ball is touched or reaches the “target zone” (20-yard line to goal line).
Touchbacks: If the ball is kicked into the end zone, the receiving team gets it at the 35. If the ball is kicked into the target zone and rolls into the end zone, the receiving team gets it at the 20.
Language still being finalized and owners must approve.
znModeratorAlbert Breer@AlbertBreer
As @TomPelissero said, the NFL is working on a proposal that INCLUDES teams having to declare onside kicks. But it’s part of a much larger concept that’ll have teams kicking off from the opponent’s 40-yard line, with an aim on increasing returns, taking space/speed out.The proposal …
• Kickoff team lines up on the plus-40. Same alignment rules. Everyone but kicker has foot on the 40.
• Return team lines up 9-10 players in setup zone b/w the 35 and 30. Six must have their foot on the 35.
• 1-2 returners b/w the 20 and goal line.
• No one but the kicker and return men can move until the ball is touched by the returner.
• If the ball doesn’t cross the 20 in the air, it’s treated as out of bounds, goes to the 40.
• If kicker kicks it into the end zone on the fly, touchback comes out to the 35.
• If return team lets it roll into the end zone, the touchback goes to the 20.
Idea was developed by Saints STC Darren Rizzi and Cowboys STC John Fassel. Those two and Bears STC Richard Hightower presented it to Roger Goodell and the competition committee last week.
So this is why, again, as Tom said, the onside kick rules needed to be adjusted. The hope is it’ll eliminate the 25-yard headstart to collision that the current space and speed create, and flip the number of touchbacks-to-returns, which is 80/20 now.
znModeratori’m a little worried they won’t be able to keep dotson. oline testing and drills at the combine today.
I think they can keep him, meaning strictly speaking they are able to if they want to. The question is whether they want to. Do they have a thing about how much they are willing to pay a guard? If so IMO itz krazy. I would pay a Dotson and then nasty block my way to the division title.
znModeratorDavid Lombardi@LombardiHimselfBrandon Staley has been an NFL defensive coordinator once. His 2020 Rams defense ranked #1 by a wide margin. He is a disciple of former 49ers DC Vic Fangio. Staley impressed Kyle Shanahan with his game plans vs top opposing offenses, including vs the 49ers in 2022..Shanahan, however, didn’t want to abandon SF’s 4-3 defensive identity — which is rooted in their linebacker play. So the 49ers promoted assistant Nick Sorensen to DC and added Staley to the staff. They’ll presumably allow him to infuse his “Cloud” (disguised) coverage concepts to the secondary..Goal #1 for the 49ers: Tie the front and back end together better than last season, when defensive coordinator Steve Wilks’ defense slipped from No. 1 to No. 12 in the EPA rankingsznModeratorRams current OL roster. I blue-bold the known starters. Players in red are (IMO) goners. Players who right now have uncertain status are green bolded & followed by question marks.
Tremayne Anchrum
AJ Arcuri
Steve Avila
Logan Bruss
Kevin Dotson ?
Rob Havenstein
Alaric Jackson
Mike McAllister
Warren McClendon Jr.
Joe Noteboom
Coleman Shelton ?
Zach ThomasIt’s a deep draft at OL and so I expect them to load up, and that’s regardless who they do or do not keep. I expect them to take 2-4 guys, both high and low in the draft.
znModeratorOregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson talked about what he thinks makes him the best center in this class.
“Just my enthusiastic play and my physicality. I’m a bigger center and I think I move pretty good. Just being a physical, nasty center.” pic.twitter.com/nkls3yjBwI
— Blaine Grisak 💭 (@bgrisakTST) March 2, 2024
znModeratorznModeratorA wild course of events: In 2017, the Niners (who had the 2nd pick) didn’t do any homework on then Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes because they thought they would be able to sign Kirk Cousins, per @AdamSchefter on @PFTCommenter
The 49ers ended up instead trading for Jimmy… pic.twitter.com/04d24hCX0L
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) March 1, 2024
znModeratorznModeratorHe’s 96. And still articulates things better than most.
znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
A lot of coaches are going through leaguewide tape especially with pro personnel depts before free agency. Cool tidbit I heard today from a couple defensive coaches who weren’t on Rams schedule but team came up cross-checking tape: “That 17 kid can really freakin’ PLAY.”I love coming here and chatting/listening to all kinds of perspectives because you get a lot of teaching and opining on what might come next schematically, from a coaching perspective. Pro scouting process before FA really the only time they get a chance to see the whole league.
znModeratorThe zoomers said BILL WHO pic.twitter.com/NdLTUY5B8X
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) February 28, 2024
znModeratorTop Takeaways from GM Les Snead’s NFL Combine Week press conference: Latest on Coleman Shelton and Kevin Dotson, backup QB spot and more
Stu Jackson
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Rams general manager Les Snead held a video conference with reporters Wednesday afternoon to provide an update on the team’s plans for free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft.
Here are some of the key takeaways from that conversation:
Les Snead talks latest on Kevin Dotson and Coleman Shelton, team’s plans for 2024 free agency and NFL Draft
The Rams have been in “constant communication” with offensive lineman Kevin Dotson and Coleman Shelton’s respective camps, but both are expected to hit the free market.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing – Snead mentioned doing so would help both sides find a number that makes sense.
Snead said that Shelton decided to void his last year, which means he’s scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.
“I would say most players get to this point where, ‘Okay, the season’s over,’ they’re in the last year of their contract, there is a side of the process where, to help figure it out the market, is somewhat go to the marketplace,” Snead said. “And sometimes you gotta be patient in this process, which I do think is very healthy and productive for both sides. Because if you try to do something beforehand, it’s really just probably the Rams side. But when you go to the market, then it’s 31 other teams involved, and then you can use it to come up with a win-win.”
With Dotson, Snead said it’s “probably going to go into the window, at a minimum” – referring to the period of March 11 at 9 a.m. pacific time to March 13 at 12:59:59 p.m. pacific time, when teams are allowed to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents at the start of the new league year (1 p.m. PT on March 13).
Rams have had discussions with Noteboom and his reps about “win-win” financial situation to return
Snead said the Rams have had discussions with offensive lineman Joe Noteboom and his reps to “try to figure out a win-win” financial situation to come back.
“Just because he’s been a valuable piece for us in terms of whether he’s been a starter, but let’s call it a really good sixth man,” Snead said, pointing out that Noteboom played both tackle spots and guard at different times last season.
Viable backup quarterback remains a need
After head coach Sean McVay last week said the team doesn’t have a backup quarterback on the roster, Snead on Wednesday said they want to make sure they have a quarterback who can win them a game if they ever have to play one without starter Matthew Stafford.
Snead indicated the flexibility provided by the Rams’ cap space this year will give them the opportunity to sign one, unlike last year. He said not having one “did come back to hurt us definitely one game last year,” alluding to their game against the Packers before the bye week.
“I think this year, different than last year based on salary cap, could allow us to maybe do a veteran QB,” Snead said. “Doesn’t mean you don’t go with a younger QB as a third, or does he earn the (number) two (spot), but that flexibility with the cap does allow us to do that.”
Higbee had knee surgery
Snead confirmed Higbee has had surgery to repair the knee injury he sustained in the Rams’ wild-card playoff game against the Lions, but said the timeline for his return is still undetermined.
znModeratorLooking over active head coach-general manager partnership tenures, the Rams enter 2024 tied with three other teams (Bills, Chiefs, 49ers) for longest.
HC Sean McVay and GM Les Snead going into Year 8 working together. pic.twitter.com/FjxqAmNDGo
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) February 29, 2024
znModeratorSeattleRams@seattlerams_nfl
The cafeteria can be upgraded with the new facility. However, they were cited for poor food taste and freshness, two items they can improve on today if they wanted to. x.com/seattlerams_nf…Treatment of families is another one they could solve today, if they cared enough to do so. When you sink $5.5B into a stadium, you can certainly find space for a family room and staff it with daycare on game days for your players and their SO’s.
If Enos cared to see his C+ ranking climb, he would make these a priority.
Then again, when you’re worth $15.7B, do you care if your underlings like you?
znModeratorI really want the Rams to hold on to Dotson. Played so well and if the Rams really want to contend for the Super Bowl, I don't see how he's not part of it. https://t.co/rzozpn8tZb
— Zac (@ZacMaier) February 28, 2024
znModeratorAndrew Siciliano@AndrewSicilianoSnead says the Rams want to have a #2 QB on the roster this year that can step in and win if Matthew Stafford is injured. The Week 9 loss to the Packers clearly left a markznModeratorAnd the Rams grades are in… NFLPA #Ramshouse pic.twitter.com/2rioU8YQkU
— RAMZILLA (@elitster) February 28, 2024
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