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znModeratorHowever they describe Weddle and Rapp, I think they are going to play closer to the line of scrimmage than traditional free safety. imo
Well, we’ll see. But I am betting that both Weddle and Rapp when he plays FS, are in the traditional deep middle safety role, with lots of variations.
I think they are both free safeties, and I don’t see them being box safeties with the Rams.
Though this year Rapp will be all over the place as the nickel safety.
znModeratorwell. those aren’t good numbers.
sub 4.2 short shuttle and sub 6.9 3-cone would be ideal.
hmmm… not a deal breaker. but it’s soured me a little on him.
i still do like david long a lot. we’ll see.
You shouldn’t sour on him, you were right in the first place.
I mean he’s not UNquick, right? He has enough quickness, and more than enough speed, and eerie contact balance, and just raw determination–all combined–to pinball off tackles and find space.
I keep saying this, but a guy does not lead all of college football in yards after contact without having the raw basic skills you need to do that. You don’t luck into something like that.
….
znModeratorRams UDFAs so far…UPDATED 4/29 (new add in red)
Alex Bachman – WR/KR, Wake Forest, 5-11 195
Kendall Blanton – TE, Missouri, 6’6″ 262
Chandler Brewer – OG, Middle Tennessee, 6’5 311
Romello Brooker – TE, Houston, 6’3 250
Keenen Brown – TE, Texas State, 6’2 250
Matt Colburn – RB, Wake Forest, 5’10 200
Marquise Copeland – DL, Cincinnati, 6’2 287
James Davis – OG, U of Alabama at Birmingham, 6’3 305
Lance Dunn Jr – RB, North Dakota St., 5’9 208
Chris Gaynor – OG/C, TCU, 6’5, 290
Brandon Hitner – C/OG, Villanova, 6’6 305
Vitas Hrynkiewicz – C/OG, Youngstown State, 6’3 303
Natrez Patrick – LB, Georgia, 6’2 245
Troy Reeder – ILB, Delaware, 6’1 238
Layton Rabb – QB, MSU, 6’4 215
Tyrell Thompson – DT/DE, Tarleton State, 6’3 300
Nsimba Webster – WR/KR, Eastern Washington, 5’9 176
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This reply was modified 7 years, 5 months ago by
zn.
znModerator
znModeratori don’t know. he seems to be pretty quick. it’d be nice if there were some short shuttle and 3-cone times to go off.
but my guess is they’d be pretty good numbers.
Yeah. Short area quickness too.
Combine numbers:
znModeratorI didnt see ‘elusiveness’ or tackle-breaking talent. I just saw a shit-load of bad tackling.
Well, no, he’s not quick-jittery elusive. And he doesn’t break tackles as much as set them up to be near misses and then run through them. It’s not just bad tackling. He sets up tacklers to NOT have direct hits, and has the strength (for his size) and balance and sheer competitive determination to play pinball off of them. That’s a real thing, meaning, that in itself is a skill that differs from both elusiveness and tackle breaking.
That’s really who he is, and what he does. It happens over and over. It’s as regular as a clock. You don’t lead all of college football in yards after contact just because of bad tackling. All those presumably bad tacklers played other backs who did not do that to them…after all it was only DH who led the league in yards after contact. “Contact balance” is a real thing, it’s not just words. It names something, a real “have it or you don’t” skill that some backs have more than others. And btw this is a trait Gurley has too, though Gurley is built taller so the effect is different.
znModeratorWARNING: SPOILERS. REALLY REALLY BIG ONES TOO.
Blue out the post with your cursor to read this.
But. If you defeat 2014 Thanos in 2023, doesn’t that mean that none of the Thanos stuff from 2014 on ever happened?
April 28, 2019 at 3:50 pm in reply to: my "it's still April" take on the draft (comment and/or add yours) #100672znModeratorWell put in general and well put on Gaines and Scott.
znModeratorRams entered Day Three wanting, and getting, Greg Gaines
Mike Florio
Rams entered Day Three wanting, and getting, Greg Gaines
With defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh gone, the Rams needed a replacement next to Aaron Donald. As they entered the third day of the 2019 draft, they knew who they wanted to fill that role — and they got him.
“The first priority was to try to figure out how we could get to a spot in the draft and draft [Greg] Gaines to fill the nose tackle-type spot in our base defense,” G.M. Les Snead told reporters on Saturday.
They got Gaines, at the bottom of round four. Still, Snead stopped short of handing Gaines the starting job.
“He’s going to get a chance to compete, but he is a guy that we identified that we feel like really will do a great job as a nose guard in our base package,” Snead said. “You look at a physical, stout player. He was an outstanding, productive player for Washington. But then when you get a chance to really watch the Senior Bowl, where he’s going against some of the best interior linemen in this draft, guys that we really thought highly of — I think you got a sense for what a competitive player he is. A guy that loves football, kind of in the mold of what you’ve heard us talk about.
“What Greg was able to do at Washington and then when you see the production he had at the Senior Bowl, that really is what we felt really strongly about. I think some of the things we talked about — how we get better specific to our scheme, but then also defensively in terms of playing the run a little bit better. I think that will be a key factor of being really stout inside and we feel like Greg will provide that.”
Gaines was asked whether he thinks he can play right away.
“I think so,” he told reporters. “I’m really strong. I got good technique, quickness, and I’m pretty smart. I think that’s one of my biggest assets. I learn the playbook fast and I’m good at studying offenses, so I think I can make an impact right away.”
He’ll be making that impact in his hometown. Because his hometown didn’t have an NFL team until three years ago, he’s never even been to an NFL game.
“My first NFL game, I’ll be playing in it, hopefully,” Gaines said.
The Rams surely hope so, too.
znModeratorhttp://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/teams/_/name/lar/los-angeles-rams
Darrell Henderson
Pre-Draft Analysis
Henderson is a quick and decisive runner with good vision and feel. He plays faster than his timed speed and shifts into another gear when he hits daylight. He runs hard and has above-average leg drive for his size. He’s a reliable receiver, but he’s a below-average pass-blocker at this point.Post-Draft Analysis
Henderson averaged a whopping 8.9 yards per carry in 2017, and thus defenses were geared up to stop him in 2018. So much for that plan — he averaged yet again an absurd 8.9 yards per carry. Todd Gurley led the NFL in touches by a running back over the past two seasons with 658, which perhaps led to his reduced role — and C.J. Anderson’s increased role — in the playoffs. Henderson has a chance to help, and soon. — Chris SprowznModeratorRams’ 2019 draft board reflects emphasis on production over measurables: A player-by-player look
Vincent Bonsignore
The Rams came into the 2019 draft holding their only first-round pick since 2016 and with various holes to fill both presently and for the future.
They never got around to pulling the trigger on their first-round selection, opting to trade it away instead. They poured the assets they got in return into a handful of subsequent trades to steer themselves up and down the draft board to acquire eight players they believe will not only compete for roster spots but also lock down important roles.
The common thread among them — and characteristics the Rams put a particular emphasis on at the earliest stage of the draft-evaluation process — is intelligent, tough, productive players with a passion to play football.
Players who consistently show up on tape, if not always in physical measurables.
So much so that general manager Les Snead has a written reminder to that effect on an office whiteboard.
“The answers to your questions are basically right in front of you when you sit down and watch the kids play football on film when you do it December and April,” Snead said. “Take the testing — you always go back to the tape, right, and watch him play football.”
It may sound cliché, but as a Rams source told The Athletic, “It’s where we’ve had so much success the past few years.”
Their draft board this year reflects the emphasis they put on production over measurables.
Washington safety Tayler Rapp ran a pedestrian 40 at his pro day. But his game tape showcased a hard-nosed, instinctual defensive playmaker. The Rams took him in the second round and believe he’ll compete for immediate playing time.
Rapp’s teammate, Huskies defensive lineman Greg Gaines, is on the shorter side at just 6-foot-1. But he was one of the best run-stuffers in the Pac-12 and dominated against his peers at the Senior Bowl. The Rams traded up in the fourth round on Saturday to select him with the 134th pick overall and have already pegged him as their starting nose tackle in the base 3-4 defense.
Their last pick, Texas Tech inside linebacker Dakota Allen, was kicked out of college after being arrested for burglary, then worked his way back to Lubbock after all charges were eventually dropped, and he has been a model citizen and productive player ever since.
Where some teams removed Allen from their board altogether, the Rams sat down with him face-to-face and reached out to the people who know him best at Texas Tech.
They were satisfied with how Allen owned his mistakes and impressed with how ardently people vouched for him. On tape, he was a tackling machine who they believe will add special teams flair and has the potential to start eventually at inside linebacker.
The Rams are counting on that process leading them to players they can count on as early as next season.
“I think the thing you feel so good about coming out of this weekend is that there’s a vision for all eight of these guys and how they fit in the framework of our roster,” said Rams head coach Sean McVay. “Immediately, all these guys are going to have to come in and compete, but you can at least feel like, ‘All right, if this works out the way we project, these are guys we anticipate being Rams a long time.’”
Here is a player-by-player look at the Rams’ draft class:
Tayler Rapp, second round, No. 61 overall
School: WashingtonPosition: Safety
Vitals: 6-foot, 208 pounds
What’s good: Rapp was being mocked as a first-rounder before running a 4.7 40 at his pro day, a mark that could have been affected by a hip injury he suffered late in the 2018 season. The Rams benefited from the resulting fall and landed a great value pick. Rapp fills a future need at one of the safety spots but will likely get on the field early in sub-packages thanks to his advanced ability to diagnose plays and be a factor in run support and pass defense.
What’s bad: His overall speed could cause issues in certain pass-coverage matchups, and while he packs a punch physically, it can sometimes leave him vulnerable to injury.
Short-term impact: Rapp will be a Day 1 contributor in sub-packages when the Rams play three-safety sets and will likely make an impact as a rookie.
Long-term impact: With the clock ticking on veteran Eric Weddle, Rapp provides an organic procession plan to ultimately replace him in a year or two.
What they’re saying: “I think when you watch the tape, obviously, Les (Snead) had been a huge fan. He and his group had really looked at him, and he’s one of the top-rated players that we had in terms of just a guy who’s showing up, making a lot of different plays, showing a versatile skill set. And then once the coaches started to really look at him, he’s one of the guys that jumps off the screen. He’s got unbelievable instincts.” — McVay
Grade: B+
Darrell Henderson, third round, No. 70 overall
School: MemphisPosition: Running back
Vitals: 5-foot-8, 208 pounds
What’s good: Henderson was one of the most dynamic, productive running backs in this draft class after rushing for 1,909 yards, scoring 22 touchdowns and averaging 8.9 yards per carry. There is little reason to believe his combination of speed, quickness, power and vision won’t immediately translate to the NFL.
What’s bad: He can sometimes play too fast for his own good in terms of setting up blocks and maneuvering around defenders. He might be a bit smallish relative to being a carry-the-load back. Blocking on pass downs could be a wrinkle to iron out.
Short-term impact: Henderson offers so much in terms of speed and home-run potential as a runner or pass-catcher; it seems natural that McVay will scheme up ways for him to make an immediate impact as a change-of-pace weapon.
Long-term impact: Depending on the status of Todd Gurley’s left knee, Henderson could turn out to be the long-range replacement answer for Gurley or the copilot who shares a significant amount of duties.
What they’re saying: “He was a player that we identified as a unique playmaker. He can obviously do some things as a runner, but the versatility that he provides and some of the things that he can do are what was so enticing about him for us.” — McVay
Grade: A-
David Long, third round, No. 79 overall
School: MichiganPosition: Cornerback
Vitals: 5-foot-11, 195 pounds
What’s good: Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips prefers tough, physical, athletic corners who can jam receivers at the line of scrimmage and provide tight, effective man coverage. And Long perfectly fits that profile.
What’s bad: He isn’t the tallest corner, and he’ll likely play in the slot early on in his career, which will be an adjustment for a player so accustomed to lining up outside.
Short-term impact: Depending on how the situations of Troy Hill and Kevin Peterson play out, Long has a good chance to earn a role in nickel- and dime-coverage packages as a rookie.
Long-term impact: Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters are both entering the final year of their contracts, and given the ideal skill set Peters brings as a press-cover corner, there is a good chance he will be in the mix for a starting role by the 2020 season.
What they’re saying: “When you get into David Long, the character is off the charts, and he is a guy that has a skill set, the ability to come off and play man coverage, be able to play physical and be able to stay in guys’ back hips and mirror. You can see he is able to cancel routes out as he goes, and he just shows up and in a really, really productive defense over the last couple years. This was one of the best corners based off a production standpoint and another guy that loves football.” — McVay
Grade: B
Bobby Evans, third round, No. 97 overall
School: OklahomaPosition: Tackle
Vitals: 6-foot-5, 295 pounds
What’s good: Evans was a three-year starter at both right and left tackle at Oklahoma, and his body type, power and skill set suggest a capability to move to guard if need be. That versatility is critical on a Rams offensive line that prefers prospects who can cross-train at multiple line positions.
What’s bad: He isn’t the best athlete, and at 6-5, he’s on the short side for a tackle. His average athletic ability could pose problems against athletic edge rushers.
Short-term impact: Barring an injury, the Rams don’t have any starting-job openings at tackle or guard, enabling Evans to learn, grow and develop as a rookie while providing insurance as a short-term starter if need be.
Long-term impact: Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth might be playing his final year in 2019, and with current left guard Joe Noteboom likely moving back to tackle to replace him, Evans could be in the mix as Noteboom’s eventual replacement at guard. Worst-case scenario: The Rams have a quality backup who can fill in at both tackle and guard spots in relief.
What they’re saying: “A tackle that has some versatility, some athleticism. Playing the left tackle position, I think you saw him do a lot of really good things on an excellent offense this past year, and we have full confidence that he is a guy that really can play across the line, both the left and the right side; he might be able to play in that guard spot as well. When you look at where we are at offensively, we feel really good about Brian Allen and Joe Noteboom stepping up into big-time roles this year, and we feel like Bobby is going to provide some depth and continue to learn and develop under the leadership.” — McVay
Grade: C+
Greg Gaines, fourth round, No. 134 overall
School: WashingtonPosition: Defensive tackle
Vitals: 6-foot-1, 300 pounds
What’s good: Gaines was a personal favorite of Rams GM Les Snead, who was on the lookout for a true run-stuffing nose tackle content with manning his gap and stonewalling the run — as opposed to players more focused on the pass rush at the expense of their run responsibility. Gaines played that role at an extremely high level at Washington, and his relentlessness and passion for football make him a likely candidate to make a seamless transition to the NFL.
What’s bad: He needs to immediately win one-on-one battles to avoid being overwhelmed by bigger opponents. He’s still a developing pass-rusher who might not add much to that part of the game early on. Lacks massive size and arm length.
Short-term impact: Gaines is a relentless, instinctive run defender who could forge an early role on run-down situations.
Long-term impact: If Gaines can develop some counter pass-rush moves, he has the capability to be a big-time contributor as a 3-4 nose guard.
What they’re saying: “He’s a guy we identified that we feel like will really do a great job as a nose guard in our base package. He was an outstanding, productive player for Washington, but then when you get a chance to really watch the Senior Bowl, where he’s going against some of the best interior linemen in this draft, guys that we really thought highly of, I think you got a sense for what a competitive player he is — a guy that loves football kind of in the mold of what we talk about. But what Greg was able to do at Washington, and then when you see the production he had at the Senior Bowl, that was what we felt strongly about.” — McVay
Grade: B+
David Edwards, fifth round, No. 169 overall
School: WisconsinPosition: OT
Vitals: 6-foot-6, 308 pounds
What’s good: A former high school quarterback and college freshman tight end, Edwards has great feet for the tackle position and an easy, natural fluidity to his movement.
What’s bad: Edwards lacks great core strength and power, and in spite of the three years he spent as a starting tackle at Wisconsin, he is still a work-in-progress in terms of the technical aspects of offensive line play.
Short-term impact: Edwards will likely spend his rookie season as a redshirt candidate able to learn, grow and develop under the tutelage of respected Rams offensive line coach Aaron Kromer.
Long-term impact: All the attributes are there for Edwards to be developed under Kromer into a dependable backup able to swing from guard to tackle.
What they’re saying: “The last tackle we really, really desired, and thought we could put him in the hands of (offensive line coach Aaron Kromer) and start the development process.” — Snead
Grade: C
Nick Scott, seventh round, No. 243 overall
School: Penn StatePosition: Safety
Vitals: 5-foot-11, 200 pounds
What’s good: A standout special-teams ace at Penn State, Scott is willing and able to pridefully and productively play that role. Has blazing speed, toughness and instincts to be a valued special-teams contributor.
What’s bad: Didn’t play much aside from special teams until his senior year, when he made 12 starts at safety.
Short-term impact: Scott has a good chance of cracking the regular roster as a rookie special-teams player.
Long-term impact: Scott has a ways to go in terms of making an eventual mark outside of special teams, but he’s got enough speed and athletic ability to turn himself into a useful reserve over his career while being a standout on special teams.
What they’re saying: “One of (special-teams coach John Fassel’s) favorite ever special-teams players that he’s ever graded. He’s probably been our No. 1 priority since Bones brought the POA to me.” — Snead
Grade: C
Dakota Allen, seventh round, No. 251 overall
School: Texas TechPosition: Linebacker
Vitals: 6-foot-1, 232 pounds
What’s good: Allen is a productive and instinctive tackler at a position of major need for the Rams, who go into next season needing a replacement for Mark Barron. Fits all the traits needed to be a run-stuffing ILB in terms of adequate-enough speed and toughness and instincts.
What’s bad: Was dismissed from Texas Tech after his freshman year after getting arrested for home burglary, so there is some obvious baggage. All the charges were eventually dropped, and Allen worked his way back to Texas Tech after spending time at a community college. Allen still has some refining in terms of fighting off blocks and flowing to action.
Short-term impact: Has a chance to earn an immediate role on special teams while competing for the open job at inside linebacker.
Long-term impact: Fits the profile of a Wade Phillips-type 3-4 ILB and likely would have been drafted higher without the baggage from Texas Tech. If he continues to grow and develop, he will put himself into consideration for a starting job.
What they’re saying: “What was really neat, going through the process, was the mistake he made at Texas Tech — there were people at Texas Tech who definitely fought for him to get a second chance based on who he was. Great phone call today; I think it was one of our favorites because you could tell he was definitely appreciative to get this opportunity. Fun football player to watch.” — Snead
Grade: B –
znModeratorSeattleRams@seattlerams_nfl
Oh look, the Rams are bringing in another EWU Eagle!Webster had 84 receptions, 1379 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, as the Eagles lost in the FCS Championship to hated ND State.
Like Johnny Hekker, Webster was also a HS QB, so he’s not just a one trick pony.
April 28, 2019 at 1:48 pm in reply to: Rapp Henderson Long Evans Gaines Edwards Scott Allen …transcripts #100657znModerator***
Rams Fourth-Round Draft Selection DT Greg Gaines – Conference Call – Saturday, April 27, 2019
(On his reaction when he got the phone call from the Rams)
“I was just in shock. I was talking to my mom and all of the sudden my phone started ringing. I don’t know, it was just amazing. It’s cool because I’m going back home. I grew up in L.A., so it’s just, it’s awesome. I’m super excited.”
(On his reaction to joining a defensive line that includes DT Aaron Donald)
“I mean, I’m just like excited to learn from those guys. I’ve watched (DT) Aaron Donald a lot on film and studied a lot of his techniques. It’s going to be amazing to learn from him firsthand. I think he’s going to really help me improve as a player.”
(On the Rams interest in him prior to the draft)
“I met with them at the Senior Bowl in like a formal interview, so that was about it. They said that they liked me. But, I don’t know, I really wasn’t sure.”
(On being drafted to the same team as University of Washington teammate S Taylor Rapp)
“Yeah, that’s super cool. I love (S) Taylor Rapp. He’s a great guy. We get along really well. It’s going to be fun being with him again. He’s a guy I trust back there and it’s going be fun being together still.”
(On if he thinks he has the potential to step in and play immediately in the NFL)
“Yeah, I think so. I’m really strong. I got good technique, quickness, and I’m pretty smart – I think that’s one of my biggest assets. I learn the playbook fast and I’m good at studying offenses, so I think I can make an impact right away.”
(On if there is a spot on the defensive line where he is most comfortable playing)
“I like head-up nose (guard), three (technique) – anywhere on the inside between the guards – anywhere in there. From guard-to-guard, I’m good. That would be my sweet spot.”
(On returning home to Los Angeles to play for an NFL team that wasn’t here a few years ago)
“I’ve never personally been to an NFL game. My first NFL game, I’ll be playing in it, hopefully.”
(On why he hasn’t ever been to an NFL game)
“I don’t know. Well, I grew up in L.A. and there were no teams anywhere nearby, so I just never got to go to an NFL game. I was always playing football during (the NFL season).”
(On if he is in L.A. right now)
“I am in Dallas, Texas right now. I was training out here and my wife had a baby, so I couldn’t fly back. Just didn’t want to fly the newborn around.”
(On everything happening in his life right now)
“Yeah, it’s been a big month that’s for sure.”
***
Rams Fifth-Round Draft Selection T David Edwards – Conference Call – Saturday, April 27, 2019
(On his reaction to being drafted by the Rams)
“Complete shock. Just really grateful and appreciative that they gave me this opportunity. When I got the call, I was in the middle of a conversation with my girlfriend and my agent and was like, ‘Holy smokes, this might be it!’ But yeah, just really shocked and really excited.”
(On if he had any idea that the Rams were considering drafting him)
“I didn’t, but I thought I had a really good interview with them at the combine and really felt like I had a good connection with them. I can tell you, when I left my interview with the Rams at the combine, I felt really good about it. Even though I didn’t know that this was kind of a chance, I thought I’d be in a good spot if the Rams were to take me.”
(On how well he knows former Badger and current Rams T Rob Havenstein)
“I don’t know (T) Rob (Havenstein) very much. I met him when he was a senior (at Wisconsin) and I was a senior in high school. I had the opportunity to cross paths with him, but I’ve never had the chance to really talk to him. Everything I’ve heard from guys like (Wisconsin Teammates Michael) Deiter and Beau (Benzschawel) that had the chance to play with him are really cool. So, he’s a really good dude. Nothing but excitement to learn from him and play behind him and get the chance to compete with him.”
(On if he’s played anywhere else on the line besides right tackle)
“So I’ve played left tackle in spring ball, but I’ve played pretty much right tackle my entire career at Wisconsin.”
(On his capabilities at guard if the Rams moved him inside)
“Yeah, I think if I had the opportunity and the reps to play at guard and even at center, I would definitely welcome that. Wherever they decide to play me and give me the opportunity is fine with me. I have no reservations on moving inside or playing at any other position.”
(On if his shoulder affected his draft status and the status of it now)
“Yeah, I think it definitely did. The biggest thing that hurt me this year was my tape – I tried battling through it and giving myself a chance to play with my teammates. But in terms of right now, we actually had the chance to figure out what was wrong, it was something very minor and we were able to fix it actually pretty quickly and it was non-surgical or anything like that. I’m feeling confident, I’m healthy and ready to head into OTAs and rookie minicamp.”
(On his attempt to play through the injury and if that impressed the Rams and showed his commitment to the team)
“Yeah, I hope so. I think the biggest thing that I took away from that was at the end of it, I came out of it as a team guy, I proved I was a team guy. As much as I wanted my tape to be better or the season for myself to be better, I had the chance to play 10 games with teammates and make memories that I will never forget. So, in terms of regretting it or feeling bad about it – I don’t feel bad at all and I hope that the Rams can see that they got a really good dude and a team guy that is going to work his tail off for everybody in the building.”
***
Rams Seventh-Round Draft Selection S Nick Scott – Conference Call – Saturday, April 27, 2019
(On his reaction to getting drafted by the Rams)
“Oh, man. I was speechless. I was trying to find the right words to say to the coaches. I was just so glad to hear their voice and talk to them. My family was going crazy in the background. I’m sure that the coaches heard that. But, just a huge sense of relief and I just feel extremely blessed to see all of the work I’ve put in over the years come into fruition.”
(On if the Rams were a team he thought could potentially draft him)
“Absolutely. As a matter of fact, Coach (John) Fassel, the special teams coordinator, he was the first actual coach that I heard from during this process. I was training down in Florida and the Combine was being aired on television, and he was the first coach that called me while he was at the Combine. He said, ‘Hey Nick, I’m looking at your film and I’m extremely surprised that you’re not here right now.” And we’ve been in contact ever since then. He told me he was going draft me and he kept his word. So, I’m looking forward to not only being a huge part of his special teams, but contributing to that defense.”
(On if he’s been a special teams guru throughout his college career)
“Yes ma’am, that’s right. That’s what I call myself. I’ve played special teams all four years. I was special teams player of the year my freshman year and special teams captain the two years after that.”
(On which special teams he played on)
“I’ve played on the core four, all of them. Kickoff, kickoff return. I was a returner for a couple of years. I was on kickoff coverage. I was on punt. I was a gunner on punt, a guard on punt, and I’ve also been on punt return.”
(On his impression on Rams Special teams Coordinator John Fassel)
“He’s awesome. I’ve only had a couple conversations with him over the phone. But, I can just tell from talking to him, he’s got a tremendous amount of energy and he’s passionate about what he does. I can tell that by talking to all the coaches and the coaching staff. I’m just extremely excited to work with those guys.”
***
Rams Seventh-Round Draft Selection LB Dakota Allen – Conference Call – Saturday, April 27, 2019
(On his reaction on being picked by the Rams)
“I’m emotional and I broke down in tears. Me and my family, we’ve been waiting on this moment for so long. And I’m just so excited to be an L.A. Ram.”
(On it being a long journey to get to this point and what enabled him to make the the turnaround going to East Mississippi Community College and going back to Texas Tech)
“You know, I had a mistake in my past and the biggest thing is, I learned from it and I grew from it as a person. I’m just excited to continue my football career as an L.A. Ram.”
(On if he thought the Rams might be a team to select him)
“I did have some contact with them. I wouldn’t just say 100 percent that I knew that they were going to pick me. I’m sorry I’m emotional.”
(On his interaction with NFL teams during the draft process regarding his past incident at Texas Tech and rebounding from it)
“Normally when I talked about it, I was just open and honest, and I told them what I learned from it. Their reaction to it was, ‘Everybody makes mistakes. As long as you learn from it, as long as you grow from it, and as you long as you don’t make the same mistake twice.’ So, that’s the most reaction I got.”
(On what he learned from his mistakes looking back)
“I’d say, I learned what’s important to me, and that’s definitely my family and that’s definitely football. I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize either one of those things.”
(On if he’s ever been out to Los Angeles before)
“I have. I want to say a couple of spring breaks ago, but definitely not under the same circumstances.”
(On his experience participating in the television show ‘Last Chance U’ and if people still recognize him from the show)
“Honestly, it was a weird experience, but also a great experience. People do recognize me from the show. They recognize me as sort of the good guy on the show (laughs). The whole experience was just amazing and I’m thankful for it because I was able to continue playing football.”
(On where he thinks he would fit in best in the NFL and what kind of player he thinks he can be)
“I will fit in wherever I am coached to fit in. When a get there, I’m going to work hard from day one. I’m going to take it day by day, get better and be coachable, and just hopefully contribute to the team.”
(On if he thought the NFL was no longer a possibility after he first left Texas Tech)
“Oh, yeah. Absolutely. When I first left Texas Tech, I thought I was never going to play football again. That’s why I was so grateful and thankful for the opportunity that East Mississippi provided me. Then once I got that opportunity, I just took it and ran with it. I honestly can’t believe I’m an L.A. Ram.”
(On playing in the same division as Kliff Kingsbury – his former college coach and now head coach of the Arizona Cardinals)
“Oh, that will be very interesting, but I have nothing but the utmost respect for Coach Kingsbury. I mean, he was the one that allowed me back on the team the second time. So, I mean, I love Coach Kingsbury, but I’m definitely a competitor and I’m ready to compete.”
(On where he was when he got the news that the Rams were drafting him)
“I was in my living room with my family.”
(On where he lives)
“In Humble, Texas. It’s like North Houston area.”
znModeratorGeneral Manager Les Snead and Head Coach Sean McVay – Media Availability – Saturday, April 27, 2019
(Opening Remarks)
SNEAD: “I know it was asked last night if there was any intent for today, I know (Head Coach) Sean (McVay) and I spent this morning going through the day’s game plan. The first priority was to try to figure out how we could get to a spot in the draft and draft (DT Greg) Gaines to fill the nose tackle type spot in our base defense. Then from there, it was okay where can we find players that could have a specific role helping their position coach as well as (Special Teams Coordinator John Fassel) ‘Bones’? That’s where (S) Nick (Scott) and (Lcool smiley Dakota (Allen) come in. Along the way when we did the tackle (T David Edwards) that was really the last tackle we really, really desired and felt we could put him in the hands of (Run Game Coordinator Aaron Kromer) Coach ‘Krom’ and start the development process. That was the intent of the day and it worked out.”
(On the potential of DT Greg Gaines earning a starting role immediately)
MCVAY: “He’s going to get a chance to compete, but he is a guy that we identified that we feel like really will do a great job as a nose guard in our base package. You look at a physical, stout player – he was an outstanding, productive player for Washington. But then when you get a chance to really watch the Senior Bowl, where he’s going against some of the best interior linemen in this draft, guys that we really thought highly of – I think you got a sense for what a competitive player he is. A guy that loves football, kind of in the mold of what you’ve heard us talk about. What Greg was able to do at Washington and then when you see the production he had at the Senior Bowl, that really is what we felt really strongly about. I think some of the things we talked about – how we get better specific to our scheme, but then also defensively in terms of playing the run a little bit better. I think that will be a key factor of being really stout inside and we feel like Greg will provide that.”
(On where offensive linemen Bobby Evans and David Edwards fit along the offensive line)
SNEAD: “I always say, when you bring a guy to Coach Kromer, there’s no one position with him. He may start at this position on the first series and then three series later, he went from right tackle to left guard. I think that’s a really great quality with Coach Kromer is he definitely throws them in the fire, allows them to get a feel for what it’s like getting in stances from different sides of the ball, whether you’re outside or inside and how you think in that. He gets a feel for who can truly, truly be a versatile lineman. The goal is to get those guys and be as versatile as possible.”
(On how they each evaluate the draft as a whole regarding the players they selected)
SNEAD: “Everyone you pick, you have a plan for, you’re jacked to get them. It was intentional why we did it and there definitely was a plan for how we were going to use them. Like all drafts, the enemy – 31 other teams – get a say, too. There were players at times on the board that you weren’t able to get and you work through those scenarios and then adjust. But, that’s how you utilize the board and come up with a plan of, ‘Alright, here’s priority positions, here’s positions we can certainly draft, here’s positions that probably would be maybe a wasted a shot at the basket in this draft based on our roster.’ From that standpoint, a successful three days.”
MCVAY: “I think when you look at the eight players that we were able to acquire, you have a vision for all of those guys and you see a fit, I think that’s a credit to where we’re at going into our third year. We have a much better feel for our personnel, the guys that we’ve then brought in through free agency, some of the things we want to do specific to the scheme, which is always going to be adjusted to our players. I think the thing that you feel so good about coming out of this weekend is that there’s a vision for all eight of these guys and how they fit within the framework of our roster. Immediately, all of these guys are going to have to come in and compete, but you can at least feel like if this works out the way that we project, these are guys that we anticipate being Rams for a long time. That was what was really refreshing about it. I think you feel really good about where you’re at right now. Now it’s our job as coaches to help these guys and develop them and get them to become the players that we anticipate based on why we liked them and why we drafted them. That’s all you can really ask for. There’s a lot of work to be done, but what with what we can control and I think with (General Manager) Les (Snead) and his group and their ability to work with our coaching staff, it was a really smooth process. It’s something that’s really going on right now as well as we try to get through getting some of these college free agents signed as well.”
(On LB Dakota Allen battling back from adversity, if it was discussed with him and if he could be thrown in the mix at inside linebacker position)
SNEAD: “We definitely talked to him and interviewed him at the combine. We obviously did a lot of research on him. The number one thing we try to find out is when somebody does go through adversity, what happens after that adverse moment, and are there any lessons that are applied. So, it’s a really neat story. I know it was well publicized based on the Last Chance U and all that. But, I do know what was really neat going through the process was – the mistake he made at Texas Tech – there were people at Texas Tech who definitely fought for him to get a second chance based on who he was. Great phone call today. I think it was one of our favorites because you can tell he was definitely appreciative to get this opportunity. Fun football player to watch. It was one of those situations where (Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers/Front Coordinator) Coach (Joe) Barry and Coach ‘Bones’ were on board and we all know how those linebackers are that maybe aren’t starting, they’re covering a lot of kicks for us, hopefully.”
(On if they have watched Last Chance U)
MCVAY: “Yes, I have actually. That was how when his name came up I said, ‘Hey, isn’t that the guy from Last Chance U?’ I think the one thing that you like about him, too, though is any time you look at somebody, life isn’t perfect. You always have to make a decision because some of the things that you guys hear us talk about with the character is an extremely important factor of what we want. But to think that perfection is realistic, it’s not. What you learn a lot about people is when they do go through that adversity is how do they respond. I think that’s a great indicator of how people are going handle things that inevitably come up in life and especially that’s relevant to football. I think that gave him a perspective. When you hear how emotional and how important it was to get that call, specific to a lot of the things that he had overcome, not only to just get back to Texas Tech, but then to become a drafted player in the NFL. I think there is an appreciation that he has and you like the way he responded from a mistake. He didn’t run away from that and that’s what you want to hear. We’re looking forward to seeing how he comes in and competes.”
(On if there is anything about this draft that was different going through the process compared to last)
SNEAD: “I think it gets into the preparation of when you play into February, which is a good thing. You get started in that process of collaborating with the staff in the building and giving everyone realistic players to evaluate at realistic positions that we are going to draft. A good example is with Coach ‘Bones’. Technology today, you can give Coach ‘Bones’ basically the draft board and you can basically make a cut up of every special teams play he’s ever played in college. He might have been doing it as a freshman or sophomore, but that’s one of the reasons…I know Nick from Penn State was one of his favorite ever special teams player that he’s ever graded. He’s probably been our number one priority since ‘Bones’ brought the POA to me. But we waited until pick two (hundred)-whatever to do it. So, things like that, that’s the strategy that might be a little bit different when you’re specific.”
(On if there were any needs that they weren’t able to address through the draft)
MCVAY: “I think going into it, we got everything taken care of. I don’t think that’s ever totally finalized. Some of that is going to be completed with college free agency process. The biggest thing is, is what you felt so good about is where we were at as a team. Now, you don’t really know. Obviously, injuries are a factor and you want to be able to continue to build that depth, but I think being able to be a little bit more strategic and specific. And I would say the third year, too, one of things that stood out is the communication that existed between our coaches and between our scouting staff and how much they were on the same page now, being able to speak the same language. I really feel that way about myself and Les. You talk about where we gather up. We’re really looking at the same things. I think we’ve always had, from the time that I even interviewed for the job, one of the things that we immediately connected on – I think a lot of the same things that we appreciate about football players and some of the things that we look for and identify immediately. We kind of had that similar approach, mindset, and mentality, and it’s only continued to grow as we figure out what’s the best way to identify players that fit in our building for what we’re looking for as Rams. Then also, how they specifically fit in our scheme and specific to different personnel groupings. That’s the biggest thing is when you look at a Greg Gaines, you can really take a specific approach where as a nose in our base defensive package, here’s the skillset he provides and here’s why they thought of him so highly with our scouting staff. Then when you bring him, we feel like we see the same things and that really stood out throughout this process to our coaches and, really, with myself and Les.”
SNEAD: “Off of that, too…we did a lot of work on ‘OL’ and ‘DL’ this year, and for us to be able to sit each morning and watch the Senior Bowl when guys go against guys that are getting drafted early and middle. That Senior Bowl is very productive in that way, so it was good. Good offensive line with class that was at that Senior Bowl, and to see some of these guys play against them.”
(On three of their five trades being with the New England Patriots and what went into that process)
MCVAY: “I think it’s really just the rapport that you have with the teams. There is a lot of different dialogue that goes on, but it happened to work out in our favor. I think that there is a very decisive decision-making process and how they go about things. It worked out that they were great to be able to work with for those three trades specifically. Les (Snead), (Vice President, Football & Business Administration) Tony (Pastoors), (Chief Operating Officer) Kevin (Demoff), I mean there’s a lot of other guys that are on the phones throughout the course of the draft. And it’s really predicated on, ‘Okay, do we feel like, based on what the intent of this pick is – do we go back, do you not, who else might be interested?’ And it worked out in our favor with those three.”
(On if there will be a rookie minicamp and if not, when the rookies would be scheduled to arrive)
MCVAY: “I’ve got to go look. I think in the next couple of weeks we can start to get guys in. We’ll be a little bit more specific. It won’t be the typical open rookie minicamp. We’ll have something more focused on draft picks and maybe giving guys a chance to come in and compete in a tryout-type setting. But, it will be definitely more limited to what we had a couple years ago with (WR Cooper) Kupp and (S) John Johnson (III), Josh Reynolds, and Gerald Everett, that draft class. So, it will be little bit different. But as far as those exact dates, like Les (Snead), my brain is mush right now, so I couldn’t tell you exactly what that is.”
(On this year’s draft class having different circumstances that might have been looked at as a negative and affected their draft status)
SNEAD: “I know Sean mentioned during the draft, I probably have written on the board, the answers to your questions are basically right in front of you when you sit down and watch the kids play football on film when you do it in December and April. You take the testing and you always go back to the tape and watch them play football. Obviously, Greg is on the shorter side, right down the middle measurables. You look at him sometimes and see if there is something saying no way, but right down the middle. Then you are able to go, ‘Let’s go watch Greg play against (Vikings first-round draft choice) Garrett Bradbury and (Falcons first-round draft choice Chris) Lindstrom, who were picked early and see how he does against those guys.’ Same with Edwards, he did play this year through an injury, you give him credit for that, he was toughing it out, so you go back and watch him play. I know we were talking this morning about how he did well against (Patriots third-round draft choice) Chase Winovich back in the 2017 season. You kind of dig deep and go back to when he was healthy and see what he might be when he is healthy, those types of things are what you try to do.”
(On if they have gotten used to seeing those things that could be red flags to other teams and investigating further)
SNEAD: “That’s the goal, time will tell. We can always go back to (S) John Johnson (III) and (WR) Cooper Kupp – they didn’t test well, but we thought that they were really good at football and it worked out. So, it’s not going to always be like that, but you try to collect as much data and insight as possible to make the surest bet you can.”
(On possibly selecting a player in the first-round of the 2020 NFL Draft)
MCVAY: “Well, the later we pick in the first round, the better and the happier I will be after the season. So, we’ll see. You know, that is something that is a long way away from worrying about.”
SNEAD: “Sean will probably find somebody that he would like to trade for between now and then.”
znModeratorI won’t be able to entirely shake that comment from my mind until I see Henderson do it.
Fair enough.
I can fully understand and appreciate how a diehard 49ers fan would be reluctant to admit the Rams picked a good offensive playmaker in this draft.
I have no problem with that.
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znModeratorSTRENGTHS: Built low to the ground to maintain his balance at contact…shifts gears to skillfully weave through the defense, destroying pursuit angles…owns a dynamic plant-burst-accelerate sequence through the hole…able to laterally juke from trouble…good feel for inside-outside zone, making quick reads…instinctively strings moves together and gravitates toward space…at his best off tackle, using a runway to turn on the jets…big-play threat, leading the FBS in plays of 40-plus yards (15) and 50-plus yards (12) in 2018…his 8.23 yards per carry in his career is No. 1 in FBS history (minimum 415 carries)…has kick return experience with one career return touchdown (25/487/1)…reliable finishing when targeted and nifty after the catch.
WEAKNESSES: Undersized build with limited growth potential…average run power…needs to better lower his pads to create momentum through contact…swerves around corners instead of putting his foot in the ground and making sharp 90-degree turns…better initial acceleration than long speed…indecisive at times in the backfield…most of his broken tackles came outside the tackles…active in the screen game, but didn’t run diverse routes…room to improve his ball security (four fumbles the last two seasons)…wasn’t asked to pass protect on a regular basis.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Memphis, Henderson was the lead back in the Tigers’ run-oriented zone scheme, benefiting from a rotation that helped keep him fresh and sizable holes on tape. He leaves Memphis No. 2 in most rushing categories (behind DeAngelo Williams), including career rushing yards (3,545) and rushing scores (36). Similar to Dalvin Cook, Henderson is at his best when he can slash and weave through gaps, using his open-field moves to make defenders look silly at the second level. He isn’t much of a grinder inside and likely won’t be the same type of home-run hitter at the next level due to average long speed. Overall, Henderson faces a significant jump in difficulty level going from AAC defenses to the NFL, but his combination of balance, agility and run instincts helps him gravitate toward space, projecting best in a zone-heavy scheme. GRADE: 3rd Round (#80 overall)
znModeratorPro Football Weekly
STRONG POINTS • Very productive. Quick, fast and explosive. Very quick to the hole with outstanding vision/ instincts. Might lack size but runs hard and picks up yards after contact. Can cut in the hole and find a seam. Capable of breaking a long run at any time. Soft hands and a very reliable receiver. Good route runner. Consistently makes the first man miss. Durable at the college level.
WEAK POINTS • Natural size, and he doesn’t have the frame to get much bigger. Willing blocker but not consistently effective. At his size, how long will he hold up?
WAY WE SEE IT • One of the more exciting runners in this draft, Henderson played in a read-option offense and was highly productive running the ball both inside and outside. He uses speed and quickness to explode through the hole. Henderson should be a fit in any offense, and though he lacks ideal size, he plays bigger and stronger than he measures. Henderson is not a real power runner but consistently creates after contact. He is excellent in the open field, with a number of long runs to prove it. He has soft hands and adjusts to the ball very well. Henderson knows how to get open after being used extensively as a receiver. He’ll fit in any scheme but might be most effective in an offense like the ones in Philadelphia, Kansas City and Chicago.
znModeratorAg, I see Rapp as a FS. I think it’s telling that McVay keeps comparing him to Weddle.
znModeratorDeSilva: Edwards told reporters that he played left tackle in spring ball, but otherwise, he only played right tackle.
This is a little deceptive. Wisconsin’s qb was a lefty so his “blind side” is the right not the left. That put Edwards on the qb’s blind side, which is the typical role of the pro left OT.
znModeratorRams expect David Edwards to play 4 positions on offensive line
Cameron DaSilva
Rams expect David Edwards to play 4 positions on offensive line
When the pick was announced that the Los Angeles Rams were taking Wisconsin offensive tackle David Edwards, there was some uncertainty about where he’ll play on the offensive line. After all, the Rams have two of the best tackles in the league in Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein, and Edwards only played right tackle for the Badgers.
Being a former tight end and high school quarterback, Edwards is a good athlete with solid movement skills for a man his size. He’s going to get a shot to play at positions besides right tackle, which offensive line coach Aaron Kromer made very clear on Saturday afternoon.
“You always ask that and I always tell you the same thing,” Kromer joyfully told Myles Simmons, who asked where Edwards will play. “He’s going to play four spots. He’s going to play both tackles and both guards. It’s the fastest way to learn football and then we’ll find out where he fits best.”
This is the typical approach for the Rams with Kromer coaching the offensive linemen. He loves to “cross-train” them, as Sean McVay says, trying them at multiple positions before settling at one spot. Rodger Saffold played several spots before Kromer arrived in 2017 and locked him in at left guard.
Joseph Noteboom joined the Rams as a tackle, but he’s projected to be the team’s starting left guard in 2019. Austin Blythe made the switch from center to right guard and played at a high level last season.
Edwards told reporters that he played left tackle in spring ball, but otherwise, he only played right tackle. He’d be open to moving inside, though, if the Rams felt it was best for him and the team.
“Yeah, I think if I had the opportunity and the reps to play at guard and even at center, I would definitely welcome that,” he said. “Wherever they decide to play me and give me the opportunity is fine with me. I have no reservations on moving inside or playing at any other position.”
Edwards can compete with Noteboom at left guard, Blythe at right guard and if he doesn’t become a starter in 2019, the Rams will give him the chance to either back up those guys at guard or succeed Whitworth in 2020 at left tackle.
znModeratorI’m not crazy about the Henderson pick, but what do i know. He’s sposed-to-be a game-breaking, defense-threatening ‘change-of-pace’ back, but he runs a 4.49 forty.
Combine:https://www.nfl.com/prospects/darrell-henderson?id=32194845-4e05-4456-6f99-3e76d883b110I could be wrong, but doesnt about every Linebacker in the NFL run that fast? Is that really fast for the NFL ?
w
vThe players faster than 4.4 in any given draft are few and far between.
Heck that’s not even Gurley’s 40 time. He is in the same range as Henderson.
The issue is not outrunning LBs, it’s getting past them. Right? Because LBs are one level in the defense and if you have the skills to break that level, you’re productive. And as a matter of fact, to repeat something that has come up already, Henderson led all of college football in yards after contact. He didn’t do that by just running a straight line. He’s a slasher in traffic with great balance and physicality and gets to the open field.
It’s all opinions at this point but I see a great pick.
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znModeratorI saw something else somewhere.
Paraphrasing: He can hit holes when they are there, but lacks the ability to anticipate where they are going to develop.
So what we’re getting is the typical mess of comments. I have to say that the negative ones are in the minority.
The guy was very productive. To me that’s not someone who can’t anticipate developing blocking.
To pick on something that was said, from what I can tell at this early stage, this guy is not Trung, and to be honest I protested the Trung pick the minute it was made. (Not that I was a draftnik then or now but Trung was nobody’s idea of special before that draft.) Trung was a straight line runner without any creativity. Henderson led all of college football in yards after contact. People talk about–and in the vids you can see—his toughness, decisiveness, contact balance, physicality, burst, acceleration, and vision. The physicality is part of it–he may be 5’8 but he’s also 208 pounds.
See to me, Martz/Armey WOULD draft a Trung in round 1. I don’t think Snead/McVay/Kromer would draft one even in round 3.
Anyway, it’s early and we’re just comparing impressions. …
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znModeratorfrom https://gridironexperts.com/darrell-henderson-fantasy
Strengths & Weaknesses
When going through film on Henderson, it is obvious that he has true game-breaking ability. He is blessed with exceptional speed and acceleration that for sure plays a part in that aspect of his game. He is one of those guys that no matter what he runs in the 40-yard dash, you can’t look too much into it because on film he has shown elite game-breaking speed. But what I found most tantalizing is not a physical trait, but a mental one. His vision. Henderson’s vision is incredible. He has the innate ability to read the second level before he even gets across the first. Henderson wastes no time behind the line of scrimmage, seeing his hole and hitting it hard and fast. Like a Chess player, Henderson is able to think one step ahead of the linebackers and safeties. Upon the handoff, Henderson looks like he is shot out of a cannon, finding the best initial running lane with ease, while angling himself in a position to succeed once he reaches the second level, which results in the big plays that we are used to seeing out of him. Henderson gets “skinny” through the hole and can knife through light contact, squeezing his way to the next level.He is surprisingly physical for a guy of his stature, very rarely going down on first contact. One on One he will almost never get knocked backwards or get caught in a stalemate, seeming to always fall forward upon contact, and I find that important in evaluating a running back. Henderson possesses elite balance and is able to “pinball ” his way through contact and stay on his feet on his way to big gains. He is slept on for his ability to run between the tackles. In fact, it seems he thrives between the tackles as opposed to wasting time running laterally to the outside. He reminds me of Michael Turner in his prime in the way he runs. Finding his hole quickly and bursting into the second level for large chunk gains, while not being afraid to punch a defender in the mouth if he has to.
To me, Henderson possesses little to no red flags that impact how highly I view him as a prospect. But if I had to pick where Henderson may have a problem, it would be his pass protection. His size does not translate well to the NFL when it is going to come to blocking guys like J.J Watt, Von Miller etc… But in his defense, he was not really asked to do much pass protection in the Memphis offense, so you can’t completely write him off just based off his size. Henderson has 63 receptions through his three years with Memphis which is a pretty solid number. Most of them were shorter type passes like screens etc… but when given the opportunity in the passing game, he was dangerous in the open field. Henderson did not really have much film to go off of in terms of downfield pass catching ability so it’s hard to grade him on that, but he did make some good adjustments on a few downfield receptions that I saw. This just means he will have to show out in the combine and his Pro-Day in his strength and pass catching ability, to help alleviate some of the above-mentioned concerns.
Best Fit
The best fit for Henderson will be a team who has an established offensive line already in place, that can push defenders back allowing Henderson to utilize that exceptional vision/speed combination he has to accelerate into the second level. When his offensive line didn’t get a favorable push, that’s when Henderson tended to struggle a bit. I don’t want to say that he can’t create on his own, but he is at his best when his offensive line is playing above average. A creative, offensive minded coach, who is well balanced in his play calling would be the best fit for Henderson. He is a playmaker who will be able to do more than just run, so I really don’t want to see him go into a strictly run-based offense that doesn’t utilize their backs in the receiving game, as I think that could limit his true potential. Henderson would be best off going to a team with a slightly bigger back, preferably a vet, who can check in on short yardage downs and handle themselves in pass protection. While he may be part of a committee to start his NFL career, I think he can succeed earlier than expected if paired with a self-less backfield mate (For example, what Mark Ingram was to Alvin Kamara) who can show him the ropes and best prepare him to be the guy, either by the halfway mark of the season or going into 2020.znModeratorI saw here that a couple of people are concerned about Henderson’s vision. What I read in the Henderson thread was just one comment to that effect–it says he “doesn’t have great vision,” which is a little vague but isn’t the same as saying it’s bad. Could be that that comment is trying to say it’s average, and even then that’s one comment.
That comment is contradicted by others (it’s all in the Henderson thread):
Henderson possesses excellent vision, subtle shifts and has an effective stiff-arm to weave his way through defenses.
Demonstrates good vision and burst, along with strong upper body, which makes for a powerful stiff-arm.
I just added this one to the thread:
Henderson’s vision is incredible. He has the innate ability to read the second level before he even gets across the first.
The next comment doesn’t mention vision per se but is in the general area of addressing the issue, and IMO gets us closer to an idea of what DH’s combined traits add up to:
There is a natural feel and knack for finding space that will translate at the next level, albeit he won’t be and every down player. Decisive and quick-footed that can adjust at the final moment to miss the meat of a hit from a defender. Contact balance is a plus with the kind of hunger that can be a weapon in and of itself.
Here’s a similar comment:
Henderson possesses elite balance and is able to “pinball ” his way through contact and stay on his feet on his way to big gains
I went and found a gif that might address that.
And so everyone mentions contact balance. That is, DH is tough. From what I have seen he slides off of contact constantly. PFF addresses that. The result is high yards after contact.
Henderson’s 2018 season (on 214 attempts) ranks first in yards after contact per attempt (6.16). His 2017 season (on 128 attempts) ranks second (5.60).
Short version–
only one comment criticizes his vision, others praise it, and he has a very interesting combination of skills that make him a significant threat.
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znModeratorVincent Bonsignore@VinnyBonsignore
After not drafting a tight end, I’ve got the #Rams adding three tight ends as UDFA in Keenan Brown from Texas, Romello Brooker from Houston and Kendall Blanton from MissouriznModeratorDraft grade roundup: How experts view the Rams’ class
Draft grade roundup: How experts view the Rams' class
The 2019 NFL Draft is officially in the rearview mirror. It was a hectic few days for the Los Angeles Rams, who made a flurry of trades. When the dust settled, the Rams had made eight selections. Analysts began giving out their grades for how each team did, and we’ve compiled what they thought of the Rams’ haul below:
Luke Easterling, The Draft Wire
Easterling gave the Rams a B+. He didn’t elaborate too much, but he only gave six teams higher grades so he clearly thought pretty highly of what Les Snead was able to do.
Pro Football Focus
The team over at PFF gave the Rams an ‘above average’ grade for their work. They liked the drafting of Taylor Rapp in the second round, calling it a “value selection,” and saying Rapp is a “high-floor” player.
“Michigan cornerback David Long, another PFF favorite, was a steal for the Rams,” they write. As for the Rams’ other Day 2 picks, they write that “Darrell Henderson and Bobby Evans weren’t as favorable as Rapp and Long, but both players still bring a lot to the table.”
On Day 3 they liked the pick of defensive tackle Greg Gaines, writing that “he was one of the best run defenders in college football but flashed some pass-rushing chops at the Senior Bowl, where he had the third-best win rate among interior players in the 1-on-1s.”
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
Farrar gave the Rams a B grade overall. Farrar was a big fan of each of the Rams’ first three picks, writing that “adding Washington safety Taylor Rapp and Michigan cornerback David Long to a defense already full of super-smart and hyper-aggressive defenders doubles down on both attributes. And in Sean McVay’s offense, it’s hard to imagine a better fit than third-round running back Darrell Henderson, who lit up the NCAA last season with an 8.9 yards per carry average.”
A lot of people have pointed out that Gaines could help fill some of the void left by Ndamukong Suh’s departure, and Farrar agrees. He also highlighted third round pick offensive lineman Bobby Evans as someone who plays with a “real nasty streak.”
Mark Maske, Washington Post
Maske also gave the Rams a B. He writes that the Rams did “extremely well” by getting Rapp in the second round. Like many other observers, he considers the drafting of Henderson in the third round to be a sign the Rams are concerned about Todd Gurley’s knee.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Reuter gave the Rams a B+ grade overall. Specifically, he gave them a B+ for their moves on Day 2 and an A for Day 3. Reuter liked the Rapp pick, and writes that “I suspect he’ll be a long-term starter once Eric Weddle retires (or if the veteran can’t stay healthy this year).”
Count Reuter as another fan of the Gaines pick, as he too thinks the defensive tackle can offer something on passing downs beyond just his run-stuffing. “Gaines is a top-notch nose who won’t just stand there on pass plays — quarterbacks will know he’s there,” he writes.
The bottom line:
Experts seem to be pretty much united in their belief that the Rams had a very good, if not great draft. Every analyst we tracked that gave out letter grades gave them at least a B. That’s not too shabby considering the Rams went into the draft without a second rounder thanks to the Marcus Peters trade. Snead made some shrewd moves, and overall everyone seems pretty happy with the Rams’ weekend.
znModeratorIn that last vid one analyst projects Long as a nickel guy, presumably because of his size, but if you look at Wade’s Denver defense (2015-2016), along with Talib, Wade had the all-world CB Chris Harris, who played exceptionally well for him. Harris has the same dimensions as Long and he wasn’t restricted to the nickel role…far from it.
Chris Harris: 5’10 199
David Long: 5’11 196Of course there are other comparisons but this one points to 2 players associated with Wade, so it’s a direct comparison based on the defensive system. Harris back in Denver was the same dimensions as Long is now, and Harris did everything as an outside starting corner Wade asked him to do.
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znModeratorAll these quotations, from good established sources, make the same comparison:
Kirwan: He is Kyle Williams style
Ric Serritella Draft Bible: Gaines didn’t have to compete at the Senior Bowl and yet did so anyway, showing off the competitive nature which has earned him comparisons to throughout his career to now retiring Buffalo Bills standout nose guard Kyle Williams. Like Williams, Gaines lacks ideal size and isn’t going to run down many skill position players from behind, which just makes his 149 career tackles (including 7.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks) that much more impressive as it is an indication of just how effective he is in his run-stuffing role
Arkush, Pro Football Weekly: Gaines is reminiscent of a poor man’s Kyle Williams, the longtime Bills defensive tackle who just retired.
Drew Boylhart: Greg is the type of defensive lineman every team needs to have a dominating defense. He does the grunt work and he reminds me a lot of the Bills Kyle Williams.
I don’t know if many people here paid ever paid that much attention to Kyle Williams, since he played for the perpetually losing Buffalo Bills, but that is quite a guy to be compared to. Williams was quite a player and perpetually one of the highest graded NTs in the league, going back years.
Another analyst in this thread said something interesting. He said, you don’t take a Lawrence in round 1 if you can get a Gaines in round 4. Gaines is the same general kind of player as Lawrence, and nearly as good.
When this pick got announced my first thought was just to find out about him, and I set off to do that (posting a lot of it here). After a short research binge I went from being just curious about a Rams 4th round pick to convinced the Rams had really scored with this one.
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znModeratorRamBill
Kirwan and Miller Raved About Gaines During the Draft Broadcast
Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller were on the NFL Radio Coverage–
Kirwan: Let me tell you about Greg Gaines—-at the Senior Bowl this guy was a Fireball….a lot of these O-linemen who have already been drafted…he beat many of them every day…He is Kyle Williams style….explosion?…he was a HS RB and TE….here’s his Weight room numbers: 600lb Squat, 425 Bench, 425 Power Clean….if you want a guy who is gonna play hard….he’ll be in fights in practice every day.
Jim Miller: Big guy that comes with these explosion numbers: 30 on the Bench, 31 Vertical, 9Ft Broad. Jump…which puts him at 70 (benchmark number representing an explosive athlete)….This is an explosive dude. For a big guy he can move.
znModeratorDeadpool
Long story short, I liked and disliked day 3. I am not a fan of Gaines, preferred a guy like Willis or Russell more, but who am I to argue with the Rams. Loved the Edwards pick. That pick was a HR imo. But then again, I did have him rated way higher then most. Nick Scott is a confusing pick and not my favorite, but I see the upside. Dakota Allen is a pick I liked.
Greg Gaines – NT – 6′-1″ 312 lbs.
Positives:
strong as an ox
Natural low center of gravity
Great motor
doesn’t get pushed backwards – like ever
showed some pass rush at SBNegatives:
lacks ideal length
built like a fire hydrant, moves like a fire hydrant
sluggish athleticallya 2 down NT that will just stack up blockers and allow others to make plays and will come out in passing situations
David Edwards – OL – 6′-6″ 308 lbs
5. (51) David Edwards – OT -Wisconsin – 6′-6″ 308 lbs. – Another strong, mobile OT from Wisconsin. RT or possibly RG, he is well coached but lags a bit behind because he is still transitioning from TE.
So he is my #5 OT and my #51 player overall, so I obviously over-valued him or the Rams got a steal. Either way, he is a former TE that moved to OT so plenty of upside and is highly athletic for the position, and he comes from Wisc., so while behind the curve, was coached well.
Positives:
a great athlete for the position
excellent mover in space
can and will maul you
strong hands with nice pop
light feet
strongNegatives:
raw skill set
can get caught off balance
too upright at timesI think he is a perfect fit in a OZS and will need a year and maybe a move to OG is in the cards for him, but I love his upside.
Nick Scott – S – 5′-11″ 201 lbs.
I don’t get this pick at all. I know its the 7th round near the end, but he is a RB turned safety for 2 years with only 1 year of starting experience. Raw as sushi. But interesting upside. I have little in the way of notes. Sorry guys, I hope Alyo helped you out.
Positives:
fast
aggressive
nice burst
he’s a thumperNegatives:
Raw
takes bad angles
double moves work against him
not ideal sizeHis aggressive demeanor and raw skill set has worked against him with his reading plays and double moves. He’s going to need patience IMO and I see a practice squad player unless he really shows out on special teams (and he very easily could)
Dakota Allen – LB – 6′-1″ 232 lbs.
I liked the pick, though I thought he would run faster at the combine then a 4.77.His jumps were also horrid. But then he goes and posts a sub 6.9 3 cone, so I have no idea what to make of his tests.
222. Dakota Allen – LB – Texas Tech – 6′-1″ 232 lbs. – Sideline to sideline playmaker with some steam when he gets there. Less tactician and more bull in a china shop. Upside player with ST written all over him.
Positives:
heat seeking missile
goes hard sideline to sideline
He has an attack plan – attack
ok against the pass, a few ints in his careerNegatives:
needs to read first, react second
trouble shedding blocks
lacks MLB instinctsI think he fits the Rams well because they will tell him to fill x gap and he will with gusto. A special teamer with a little coaching could be a nice ILBer.
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