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znModeratorYeah French protest is post-doc level stuff.
znModeratorRams met with another OL ➡️ https://t.co/hHyGfsdnYj
— HoldenCantor (@HoldenCantor) April 9, 2023
znModeratorI think there are more than ten immediate or eventual starters in the haul above, and several depth-players would beat out current depth-players. The Rams get bigger, faster, more athletic. Athleticism is a major key to my choices. Your comments are welcome, etc.
Who is Drew Sanders I will just pretend like I’m not a deeply and widely well-informed draft guru, and let you have the floor.
…
Drew Sanders is a linebacker for Arkansas, 6’4″, 235, but the Rams could use him as Edge . . . and/or. Good size, excellent athlete. Sub-4.6 speed. Will turn 22 late in his rookie year. Still time to grow, etc. Usually the top linebacker in most mocks/boards, he slots in at #40 on average. Good breakdown here:
2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Arkansas ILB Drew Sanders” — Steelers Depot”
As others have mentioned, this is a pretty good draft for guys who can play Edge. So the Rams could do as I did, trade down a few times, and still get someone like Sanders, Uzomah, McDonald, Adebawore, White, Simpson, Foskey, or Wall. Any one of them could fall to them, even after moving down in the 2nd. On a coupla of my mocks, I lucked into two Edges. Sanders and Foskey in one. Foskey and Wall in another. I’ve kinda lost track at this point. ;>) A general feeling, though, about the edge position this year: I think guys who can play all three downs and have an impact will mostly be off the board by the early 70s. So there’s a limit to trading down, if the Rams want one. They also need corners, badly, so they’re probably going to have to use their first three picks for them. Might be pretty smart to draft two corners and an edge, or two edges and a corner, early. If they don’t garner extra picks, they’ve got a long wait for another chance.
Thanks, and that all makes sense.
znModeratorI think there are more than ten immediate or eventual starters in the haul above, and several depth-players would beat out current depth-players. The Rams get bigger, faster, more athletic. Athleticism is a major key to my choices. Your comments are welcome, etc.
Who is Drew Sanders
I will just pretend like I’m not a deeply and widely well-informed draft guru, and let you have the floor.
😎
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znModeratorQuinn has had a great career from start to the the present closing, but I cannot stress enough just how physically gifted pre-back injury Robert Quinn was…
2013 was a DPOY robbery. If the Rams were a playoff team, they would be talking about this performance for ages https://t.co/X2WLfRmddf pic.twitter.com/82AN0EOFGc
— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) April 6, 2023
znModeratorThat God awful arm of Matthew Stafford’s https://t.co/6jg1AqTZau pic.twitter.com/NvPO3topMC
— Don Wilson (@IamDonWilson) April 5, 2023
znModeratorThe Rams have 11 picks this year, but the rookie class isn’t projected to take up very much cap space https://t.co/v8OztJxPuo
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) April 5, 2023
znModeratorChandler Brewer is heading to the Jaguars, signing with Jacksonville as a free agent https://t.co/eTDOFU5lqA
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) April 5, 2023
znModeratorSorry I can’t format this. I’m on my phone. Rams 58 million under 2024 cap
It’s also here: https://www.therams.com/news/rams-2023-nfl-mock-draft-roundup-cornerback-safety-wide-receiver-in-focus
znModeratorRams 2023 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Cornerback, safety and wide receiver in focus in latest predictions
Stu Jackson
It is Mock Draft Monday on theRams.com, where we will be taking a look at experts’ projections for who the Rams will select in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Given the departures in the secondary since the start of the new league year, it’s no surprise that cornerback is one of the most widely-projected positions for the Rams to address in this year’s draft, with a couple safety projections in there as well. Wide receiver also pops up in two of the projections.
Here’s a roundup of the latest predictions:
230403_MockDraftRoundup_1600x900
AP/Artie Walker Jr.
Pro Football Focus
Date: April 3Expert: Gordon McGuinness, analyst
The pick(s): South Carolina CB Cam Smith (Round 2, No. 36 overall, pictured above); Illinois S Sydney Brown (Round 3, No. 69 overall); Stanford WR Michael Wilson (Round 3, No. 77 overall)
Notes: Smith (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) had 27 tackles, five pass breakups and one interception while starting nine of 11 games played last season, missing some time reportedly because of a concussion.
The 5-10, 2-11 Brown tied for third in the FBS in interceptions with six, also added 59 tackles and seven pass breakups in 12 starts to earn First-Team All-Big Ten recognition.
Wilson also missed time due to injury in 2022, missing the second half of the season, but managed to produce 26 catches for 418 yards and four touchdowns in six starts for All-Pac 12 honorable mention recognition.
NFL.com
Date: March 24Expert: Chad Reuter, draft analyst
The pick(s): Notre Dame edge Isaiah Foskey (Round 2, No. 38 overall in projected trade with Seahawks); Kansas State CB Julius Brents (Round 3, No. 69 overall); Illinois’ Brown (Round 3, No. 77 overall)
Notes: Foskey (6-5, 264) led the Fighting Irish with 14 tackles for loss, and his 11 sacks tied for sixth-most in the FBS as he started 12 games and earned Second-Team All-American recognition. He was also a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive end.
A First-Team All-Big 12 performer in 2022, Brents led the Wildcats with four interceptions, also adding 45 tackles and four pass breakups in 14 starts.
See the PFF section for notes on Brown.
CBS Sports
Date: April 3Expert: Chris Trapasso, NFL Draft analyst
The pick(s): Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison (Round 2, No. 36 overall); Tulane LB Dorian Williams (Round 3, No. 69 overall); Iowa State WR Xavier Hutchinson (Round 3, No. 77 overall)
Notes: Harrison (6-4, 315) was selected First-Team All-Big 12 by conference coaches and The Associated press after starting all 12 regular season games on the Sooners’ offensive line. He started the 2022 season-opener at right tackle before moving over to left tackle for the remaining 11 games.
Williams (6-1, 228) tied for ninth in the FBS last season with 132 total tackles, adding a team-high five sacks, plus two interceptions, seven pass breakups and a pair of forced fumbles for the Green Wave to earn First-Team All-AAC recognition.
Hutchinson (6-2, 203) broke his own single-season record with 107 catches for the Cyclones in 2022, also finishing with 1,171 receiving yards which ranked second-most in a single season in program history. Topped off by six touchdown catches, his 2022 campaign garnered First-Team All-American recognition from The Associated Press and Pro Football Focus, in addition to First-Team All-Big 12 recognition from conference coaches and the AP.
April 4, 2023 at 9:49 am in reply to: mass shootings & guns … including Trump getting shot at #143410
znModeratorFrom @brotherjones_ on the ground in Nashville— the Tennessee legislator is planning to expel lawmakers who stood with gun control advocates today.
They have been stripped from committee assignments and their member ID’s have been shut off.
THIS IS NOT DEMOCRACY. pic.twitter.com/QiFzFrwj79
— Olivia Julianna 🗳 (@0liviajulianna) April 3, 2023
znModeratorThe Rams are 1 of 3 teams that have cleared cap room in 2024 and their amount is way more than any other team https://t.co/SusKbWFWrX
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) April 4, 2023
znModerator.@LanceZierlein ranks the strongest position groups ahead of the 2023 Draft. 👀 pic.twitter.com/0E5vPVFdmT
— NFL (@NFL) April 3, 2023
znModeratorRams are not in the mix and you can leave us out of this. Unless they can trade Robinson https://t.co/20UgflXl7b
— Jay (@jballerr2gs) April 3, 2023
znModerator
znModeratorThe Rams don't have a ton of reported pre-draft meetings with prospects, but I've compiled a list and will keep it updated for the next 3 weeks https://t.co/yWsuy6QUBg
— Cameron DaSilva (@camdasilva) April 3, 2023
znModeratorThis mock contemplates a Carolina curveball. https://t.co/h2Xx5ZxEIE
— Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) April 3, 2023
znModeratorOne way to stabilize a team that needs to restock its defense and also needs to fix its OL after injuries is to bolster the running game, and that would include drafting a back this year.
And as it turns out, if you don’t have a first round pick, you draft a back in rounds 2 or 3.
There’s a persistent belief that you can draft backs lower than that. But the numbers don’t bear that out.
I will look at 10 years, ending in 2021 (far enough back to get a good picture) and starting in 2012. I will count as a “hit” anyone who was productive at RB for at least 2 years.
Rounds 2 & 3. Backs drafted: 54. Hits: 22. Percent: 41%
Rounds 4-7. Backs drafted: 158. Hits: 20. Percent: 12.6%
You’re more than 3 times more likely to get a productive back drafting them in rounds 2 and 3.
znModeratorTCU running back Kendre Miller has a visit with the Rams scheduled https://t.co/U6WdWSdzbq
— Rams Wire (@TheRamsWire) April 3, 2023
znModeratorTurfShowTimes@TurfShowTimesJalen Ramsey assured Rams would get low return by forcing trade to Dolphins and saying he would make it costlier for any other team to acquire his services
znModeratorI believe Kupp becomes a great technician, but it will be his athletic ability that will surprise many if he has a productive career. I think he will.
RSP Pre-Draft Scouting Report: Rams WR Cooper Kupp https://t.co/VbpyuU9WyL pic.twitter.com/zvLDbwLaa5
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) April 3, 2023
..
[link above]
Cooper Kupp Scouting Report
Pre-Draft Grade – 83.9 (Rotational Starter): Executes at a starter level in a role playing to their strengths.
I think the online draft community has written off Kupp as an outside receiver because he ran a 4.62-second 40-yard dash. Not that long ago, there was a sure-handed receiver in the ACC who was listed at 6’1”, 208-pounds.
This player earned early buzz for his hands and consistent play-making ability. He didn’t look that fast, especially compared to his teammate whose deep speed, skill in the return game, and talent in the open field was beginning to over shadow the sure-handed prospect at the center of this little story.
When it was time to work out for scouts, this sure-handed player ran a disappointing 4.63-second, 40-yard dash at the Combine. Although he ran a 4.51 at his Pro Day, this receiver was never really a burner.
That sure-handed receiver who had moments of dominance as a starter in the NFL prior to an accumulation of injuries that robbed him of his athletic ability was Hakeem Nicks. The faster teammate was Brandon Tate, a third-round pick of the New England Patriots that never panned out.
Another sure-handed receiver with similar height-weight dimensions to Kupp who ran a slow 40-time after an excellent SEC career was Michael Clayton. Although he washed out of the NFL because he admitted to spending more time partying than working at his craft, Clayton’s 4.67-second 40 didn’t keep him from an 80-catch, 1193-yard, 7-score rookie year.
Kupp has better acceleration and quickness than Nicks and Clayton. He’s better in the open field and has arguably has better hands. Kupp is earning comparisons to slot receivers and he might begin his career inside, but I expect him to finish it after a lengthy career as a productive perimeter player.
Kupp’s hands and quickness are often associated with his pass catching and ball carrying, but where he’s most gifted is the line of scrimmage. I don’t remember a receiver at any Senior Bowl since 2009 who dominated one-on-one press drills with cornerbacks the way Kupp did. Not only did he rarely lose a matchup, but he rarely beat a defender the same way twice.
He has an excellent variety of one-, two-, three-, and four-step patterns the include stutters, jabs, and fluid movements coupled with chops, shakes, rips, and arm-overs. Kupp keeps his pads low and maintains an intense pace. Because he’s so quick and fluid with a variety of moves, he gets the jump on defenders early and often stacks them early in a route.
Although Kupp’s intensity wanes on some shallow routes and he’ll tip off defenders, it’s an easily corrected issue. He knows how to set up defenders with small fakes during his stem to imply a different route break than the one he’ll actually make.
Capable of dropping his hips and executing hard breaks, Kupp needs to do it more often. The same applies to the length of his stems. Kupp can run routes with strong depth, but he has to be more conscientious about doing so. His stops and turns on shallow routes are sudden, and he works to the open area in zone coverage.
Kupp has excellent hand-eye coordination and concentration. He catches the ball against tight coverage on timing routes, makes plays in stride, and adjusts well to errant throws. Kupp is equally adept at winning high and low targets.
He wins back-shoulder targets and often catches throws that require awkward adjustments. Kupp has a tendency to leap unnecessarily for passes that he could catch with his feet on the ground or in stride.
Kupp often makes the first defender miss once he transitions from receiver to runner. He’s strong enough to run through wraps to his feet and lower legs. He also has the pad level to bounce off contact and spin away from defensive backs and some linebackers.
“Hands and feet” should be the operative phrase for describing Kupp’s game. He controls his step rate as well as a runner as he does off the line or into his routes, and helps him avoid pursuit angles.
Once he defeats pursuit angles with his feet, Kupp cleans up with his aggressive stiff-arm. He can push a defender down field and drive behind it, pull a defender across his frame and deposit him to the side, or drop a diving opponent as he turns the corner.
Kupp’s skill with defeating angles also has to do with his burst. He can earn separation early on and hold off safeties for long gains. If he beats his one-on-one match up on a short route with a safety on the far side of the field, expect Kupp to gain 30-50 yards before he brought to the ground.
A willing blocker, Kupp attacks with intensity in the open field. He must improve his punch and movement to stay with a defender, but he can set up good position and shield a man to a side. Kupp will deliver a shoulder and hit a man, but this isn’t a block with control. When he uses his hands, he leans into contact with his pads and helmet rather than throwing a punch.
I think many people regard Kupp as a good technician and not much of an athlete when he’s actually a good athlete with good, but not great technique. I believe Kupp becomes a great technician, but it will be his athletic ability that will surprise many if he has a productive career. I think he will.
znModerator.@kpatra examines 10 quarterbacks who changed teams this offseason and projects whether their production will go up or down in the 2023 NFL seasonhttps://t.co/irAGlOds80 pic.twitter.com/DMmHuQYgYp
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 2, 2023
znModeratorThis man is a HERO‼️ Francis Zuber ‘s headcam shows him rescuing a snowboarder who was buried head down in deep powder at Mt. Baker, Washington! Luckily, he spotted him as he almost passed him. #skiing #snowboarding pic.twitter.com/SyWYFSXcPd
— DeL2000 (@DeL2000) April 1, 2023
April 2, 2023 at 9:08 pm in reply to: mass shootings & guns … including Trump getting shot at #143389
znModeratorRepublicans are using Covenant as an excuse to demand even MORE guns and MORE armed officers in schools.
Except—research over the past 179 shootings prove that cops in schools do NOT stop or prevent school shootings, and in fact they make the shootings even worse.😳 pic.twitter.com/b4O0tbof5P
— Qasim Rashid, Esq. (@QasimRashid) April 2, 2023
znModeratorNew: Trump has told advisers and associates that he’s prepared to escalate attacks against the Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg now that he’s been formally charged — and remarked in a private moment that it’s time to politically “fuck em up”. @Guardian https://t.co/7n53MiLFBW
— Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) April 2, 2023
April 2, 2023 at 7:30 pm in reply to: Left-Wing Voices Are Silenced on Twitter as Far-Right Trolls Advise Elon Musk #143384
znModeratorElon Musk personally banned an account that investigates fascists because Musk is a fascist.
via maxbergerhttps://t.co/y8ZwewvMIP— Tomthunkit™ (@TomthunkitsMind) April 2, 2023
znModeratorDid I forget to mention that Arizona Republicans leased farmland to Saudia Arabia who has been draining our water supply because they have none in Saudi Arabia but GOP sold us out for $$$. This will come back to bite all Americans. #Fresh #ProudBlue https://t.co/WSALZRnmCg
— Digital Warriors (@DigitalWarfare1) April 1, 2023
znModeratorfrom PFF: Favorite, least favorite free agency moves for all 32 NFL teams
https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-favorite-least-favorite-free-agency-moves-for-all-32-nfl-teams#LAR
LOS ANGELES RAMS
Favorite: Not pushing dead cap into 2024
The Rams could have delayed the inevitable and attempted to run it back in 2023 with a deficient roster, but they instead decided to bite the bullet and jumpstart a rebuild. They deserve credit for not pushing any dead cap into 2024 with post-June 1 designations, choosing to turn the page as quickly as possible.
Least favorite: Return value in trade of cornerback Jalen Ramsey
Ramsey’s 90.6 coverage grade over the past three seasons ranks second among cornerbacks, and his 91.2 run-defense grade ranks first. His 80.3 coverage grade from the slot over the past three seasons ranks fifth. With the level of talent all over this Dolphins’ defense, Ramsey can have a very specific role that caters exactly to what he does best.
Los Angeles (smartly) not retaining any salary on Ramsey drove the price down here a bit, and you lose some leverage when it becomes very obvious a breakup is inevitable, but it’s still tough to trade away an elite talent like Ramsey for very little return.
znModeratorLawmakers turn away billions in federal funds as they pour state funds into health care – Mississippi Today https://t.co/ttitbOsoGq
— Timothy McBride (@mcbridetd) April 2, 2023
znModeratorI had a nice, regular ass mock going and then I started to think about something that was really troubling me about one of my options and once I removed that jenga piece, the entire mock went in a different direction. https://t.co/WZm7guUkQE
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) April 2, 2023
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