Torry Holt was one of the most complete WRs in NFL history. @AllHands81

via @nflthrowbackpic.twitter.com/gh6tIFnuj4

— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) April 7, 2021

Matthew Stafford was accurate on 84 of 129 intermediate passes (65.1%) last season.

13th out of 31 quarterbacks. pic.twitter.com/eAcYvzfuRR

— QB Data Mine (@QBDataMine) April 6, 2021

Good stuff with Les obv, but the Blythe notes here are really interesting. https://t.co/TKtxECLvzL

— BTHRams (@BTH_Rams) April 7, 2021

Let me be clear: there's no serious comparison between voting laws in Colorado and Georgia.

Colorado is a vote-by-mail state — we send every registered voter a ballot. We also have same day voter registration.

Oh, and you can hand out water in line.

— Rep. Jason Crow (@RepJasonCrow) April 6, 2021

Russell Lande@RUSSLANDE
few people who do draft coverage actually watching film and even fewer understanding how/why teams rank players. Additionally, almost no one in media gets real character/intangible info to be able to lower/eliminate players to where NFL teams will have them.

Sam Monson@PFF_Sam
Bulger was a good NFL QB

I loved that guy before he got broken behind his OL.

He legitimately played well enough that the Rams were forced to move on from Kurt Warner, an MVP, SB Champion & one of the best career stories in NFL history.

Daniel Jeremiah projects Rams’ first three picks, led by Jabril Cox

* https://theramswire.usatoday.com/lists/rams-nfl-draft-three-picks-daniel-jeremiah-projection/

Although it’s not ideal that the Rams have to wait until the second round (again) to make their first pick in the 2021 NFL draft, their trade for Jalen Ramsey looks like an absolute win after he put together an All-Pro season in 2020. And despite their first pick coming at No. 57 overall, they will have plenty of options as they try to plug holes at linebacker, cornerback, center and defensive end.

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network appeared on Path to the Draft this week (vid here: https://www.nfl.com/videos/daniel-jeremiah-projects-rams-first-three-selections-in-2021-nfl-draft ) and projected the Rams’ first three picks – beginning with LSU linebacker Jabril Cox with the 57th overall selection.

It wasn’t a true mock draft, but rather Jeremiah slotting one prospect at each of the Rams’ draft positions. So let’s get into the picks.

57. LSU LB Jabril Cox

Cox would be one of the ideal prospects for the Rams in Round 2, though there are two things working against this connection. Cox could go earlier than No. 57, and the Rams have shown almost no interest in any linebackers with pre-draft meetings.

But with Cox’s range, coverage skills and athleticism, he would be a major upgrade to arguably the worst linebacker unit in the NFL.

“One of the few bright spots on the LSU defense last year,” Jeremiah said. “Very athletic, he’s long, he’s somebody that the Rams could use in different ways. You can play him over the No. 2 receiver out there and let him cover underneath. You can blitz him. He’d give them a nice versatile piece there to play with.”

88. East Carolina OT D’Ante Smith

In Round 3, Jeremiah has the Rams taking an offensive lineman to potentially take over for Andrew Whitworth whenever he retires. Smith is a versatile prospect who can play tackle or guard, giving the Rams good flexibility up front.

He could play guard and push Austin Corbett to center, or he could sit for a year and compete for the starting left tackle spot in 2022 if Whitworth calls it a career after this season.

“I’m not so sure Whitworth’s not going to play until he’s 60. … Eventually, you’re going to have to pass the torch and I think D’Ante Smith is somebody who can play outside, can play inside. Tremendous length. A good football player,” Jeremiah said.

103. Texas DL Ta’Quon Graham

After trading Michael Brockers to the Lions and losing Morgan Fox in free agency, the Rams have a hole at defensive end. It could be filled by A’Shawn Robinson, but regardless, they need depth along the defensive line.

Graham is another versatile player who can play defensive end or tackle, and Jeremiah sees him as a player who can rush the passer as a complementary piece to Aaron Donald.

“Talk about D’Ante Smith having inside-outside flexibility, Ta’Quon Graham has it on the other side of the ball,” he said. “You can line him up at end, he can kick inside and give you some interior rush to complement the great Aaron Donald. Now remember, Brockers has moved on. He’s now a Detroit Lion, so adding more depth along that defensive front is going to be a priority in this draft and lots of upside. A lot to work with with Ta’Quon Graham.”

It’s funny how well this draft lines up with Rams needs. I would list Rams needs this draft this way (alphabetical order): CB, LOT, OC, OLB, WR (ie. a speed guy to develop behind Jackson). Here, according to Lance Zierlein, are the top positions in this draft:

***

2021 NFL Draft: Ranking each position group in this year’s class

Lance Zierlein

https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-ranking-each-position-group-in-this-year-s-class?campaign=Twitter_nfl_cfb

Mock drafts are great for projecting potential picks, and prospect rankings help illuminate which individual players are worthy of attention — but what about sizing up which position groups are loaded with talent and which groups are lacking?

That’s what my ranking of the position groups in the 2021 NFL Draft is for.

Before we get to the rankings, though, let’s consider the criteria. In assessing each position group, I identified star-caliber players, future starting talent and overall depth relative to that particular position. In general, I focused my assessments on players who should be available between Round 1 and Round 5.

1) Wide receiver
For the second year in a row, the receiver position appears to be the deepest in the draft. For what it’s worth, I actually have the top three receivers in 2021 ranked above the top three receivers from last year, both as a group and individually. Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle all have game-breaking elements to their play, while targets like Elijah Moore and Kadarius Toney are going to be nightmares to cover from the slot. It’s also worth noting the amount of size/speed prospects with good upside that will be available on Day 3 of the draft.

2) Offensive tackle
Last year featured some outstanding first-round talent, and while this year presents a similar offering, there are definitely more holes to poke in this year’s potential first-rounders than there were in last year’s group. Rashawn Slater feels like a safe player but may get kicked inside eventually. Penei Sewell boasts lots of upside but needs to prove he has improved his play strength and consistency after opting out of the 2020 season. While the top end falls below last year’s group, this class is actually much deeper in Rounds 2 through 4, and it should produce a fair number of future starters.

3) Interior offensive line
After landing in last place on last year’s list, this position is very quietly developing into one of the deepest in the draft. Alijah Vera-Tucker will be considered the headliner if he’s drafted as a guard instead of a tackle, but setting him aside, players like Landon Dickerson, Quinn Meinerz, Aaron Banks, Creed Humphry and Trey Smith should all become starters and may go as early as the second round. Even beyond the aforementioned talent, your team should find players with a chance to become eventual starters into Day 3 of this year’s draft.

4) Edge defender
It is not a stretch to say that this year’s top edge prospects have a high projectable ceiling but carry a slightly lower floor than other position groups in this draft. I happen to like the upside potential, considering the incredible physical and athletic traits of Jayson Oweh, Kwity Paye, Azeez Ojulari, Jaelan Phillips and Gregory Rousseau, though there is a lack of production and polish for some in that group that is clearly concerning. Payton Turner and Dayo Odeyingbo could be two of the most talked-about players in this class when it’s all said and done. I like the depth here.

5) Cornerback
Patrick Surtain is a player I would run the card up for, and Jaycee Horn isn’t that far behind. While the health of Caleb Farley will determine his slotting, there are still players like Greg Newsome and Eric Stokes who could become first-rounders and early starters. Day 2 offers a much more exciting group of cornerbacks to choose from than last year’s crop did, boasting length, speed and ball production. The well could dry up somewhat beyond the fourth round, but this is a better overall class than 2020.

6) Linebacker

This class feels similar to what we saw in 2020, but with more game-ready options at the top. Micah Parsons and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah have a chance to become dominant players, and Zaven Collins is a versatile, consistent performer with first-round talent. Teams could feast on linebackers like Jamin Davis, Nick Bolton, Jabril Cox and Baron Browning on Day 2, with all of them becoming early contributors or starters. Beyond that, the crop ranges from good backups to potential starter types.

7) Quarterback
I would be willing to put the top three quarterbacks from 2020 up against the top three quarterbacks from 2021. However, this draft has five potential first-round starters, and a couple of quarterbacks in Davis Mills and Kellen Mond who are generating some interest along the same lines as Kyle Trask. Beyond those names, there isn’t much, but it’s an OK class relative to star power and depth. All that said, I’m not nearly as high on quarterbacks not named Trevor Lawrence in this draft as others appear to be, which is why I have this position a little lower than some others might.

8) Safety
For the second year in a row, we could see a draft with no safeties taken in the first round. That’s not to disparage 2020 second-rounders Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jeremy Chinn, who had big impacts on their defenses. Trevon Moehrig, Jamar Johnson, Jevon Holland and Elijah Molden all have ball-hawking tendencies and can play over the slot. Richie Grant is a hot name in many in NFL circles, and Rounds 3 through 5 should offer a greater depth of low-end starters to good backups this year.

9) Running back
Travis Etienne is the best of this year’s group, in my opinion, but Najee Harris and Javonte Williams aren’t far behind and should become early starters in the league. Beyond those three, it becomes much tougher to find for-sure future starters. Trey Sermon came out of nowhere at the end of the year, and coaches really like Michael Carter from Duke, but this is a very average group in general.

10) Tight end

If the overall draft class is more like a wading pool, Kyle Pitts is clearly his own body of water. Pitts is to the tight end position what Trevor Lawrence is the quarterback spot — and the difference is even more pronounced here. Pat Freiermuth is solid, but I don’t see him as special. Tommy Tremble has exciting upside and is a feisty blocker but needs to prove he can catch the ball. I’m lower on Hunter Long and Brevin Jordan than others are — beyond that, it becomes pretty sparse.

11) Interior defensive line
The 1998 NFL Draft was the last that didn’t feature at least two defensive tackles selected in the first round — but it’s likely to happen again this year, with only Christian Barmore going. Levi Onwuzurike and Milton Williams are both very intriguing prospects who are likely to go in the second round, but this draft is light on impact interior defenders and very average from a depth standpoint.

I’m sure someone has already made this point. But the landmark 2003 Supreme Court case McConnell v. FEC had that name because Mitch McConnell himself filed a lawsuit against federal laws that limited corporations’ ability to spend money influencing elections. https://t.co/YCMozabjmx

— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) April 6, 2021

Top-5 drafted NFL QBs, 2015-18:

No. 1 Jameis Winston, not re-signed
No. 2 Marcus Mariota, not re-signed
No. 1 Jared Goff, traded
No. 2 Carson Wentz, traded
No. 2 Mitchell Trubisky, not re-signed
No. 1 Baker Mayfield, still with Browns
No. 3 Sam Darnold, traded

— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) April 5, 2021

–

The Jets/Panthers trade basically ensures that for the third time in draft history, QBs will go 1-2-3. The other two …

1971: Jim Plunkett/Archie Manning/Dan Pastorini.
1999: Tim Couch/Donovan McNabb/Akili Smith.

In no draft (yet) have QBs gone 1-2-3-4.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 5, 2021

The Rams and 49ers have the highest projected NFC West win totals for 2021, with 10.5 each. https://t.co/3IU5NIfgPd

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 5, 2021

4th and 15? No problem. Kurt Warner finds the Wizard of Az (Hakim) for 6!

You just had to be there. Greatest Show On Turf pic.twitter.com/BkmFSZBvWP

— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) April 5, 2021