2019 NFL DRAFT
With compensatory picks for 2019 NFL Draft set, the Los Angeles Rams are in a clear position to trade back because of roster timeline gap

https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2019/2/22/18236790/2019-nfl-draft-los-angeles-la-rams-roster-depth-chart-trades

Since the 2016 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams have remade their roster through the conventional means of the draft and free agency coupled with an aggressive posture on the trade front.

That posture, though, has meant that while the Rams were aggressive in bringing in top talents, they’ve brought in less players than what they’ve traded out.

I went back and compiled all the trades since the 2016 draft (not including any previous trades such as those that included QB Nick Foles and QB Case Keenum that involved picks in that draft for example) both leading up to drafts and throughout. You can see them in this table here that I’m not going to embed because it’s a bit of a hot mess, but what you can see is that for all the trades since 2016 is that the Rams have brought in 13 less players than what they’ve traded away.

Put simply, those deals have left the cupboard a bit bare at the back end of the roster.

Deals like the trade for the #1 pick that we used to take QB Jared Goff in which we sent the Tennessee Titans six picks and received three back. Deals like the trades for WR Sammy Watkins and CB Aqib Talib and potentially EDGE Dante Fowler, Jr., where the Rams sent away draft picks that would have been on the roster for several more years than the players we brought in.

The bottom line is that were it not for the trades (and I’m not advocating against them, I’m just pointing out the cost), the Rams would have 13 more players shoring up their roster. And when you look at all the role players on expiring deals, it’s clear that the Rams have a ton of work to do just to fill out the roster with capable talents this year and next.

That means one thing.

The Rams severely need to trade down this year.

Specifically because of the trades, the Rams are in the unusual position of needing to backfill a gap in the roster timeline because of the sheer number of trades General Manager Les Snead has pulled off. Had the Rams held on to all those picks, they might already have a quarterback on the roster to supplant Sean Mannion as the QB2. They might have had an edge rusher that would have negated the motivation to trade for Fowler in the first place. They might already have the cornerback depth they severely need once Talib and perhaps even CB Marcus Peters are gone after the 2019 season.

The Rams have been aggressive in bringing quality. But it has come at the expense of quantity.

For that reason alone, the Rams need to balance the scale in favor of quantity this year by scaling back the quality of their draft capital.

The @RamsNFL were full of good plays in 2018.

Here's their Top 5! 👇👇 pic.twitter.com/Y2Lp28yvYr

— NFL UK (@NFLUK) February 23, 2019

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
Jared Goff, multiple times, has spoken of the value of working with someone who played quarterback. Robinson did, so he will partner with Waldron and Fisch (and McVay, of course) on Team Goff.

I’m not the first to type this up. But here goes.

These are the Rams picks in 2019:

1 (31)
3 (94)
3 (99)
4 (133)
5 (169)
6 (204)
7 (251)

They gave up one 3rd round comp pick for Fowler.

Just a reminder: Rams have been golden with 3rd round picks.

…

Todd Gurley’s late-season health issues reportedly due to ‘wear and tear’ on knee

Frank Schwab

https://sports.yahoo.com/todd-gurleys-late-season-health-issues-reportedly-due-wear-tear-knee-203100677.html

Todd Gurley is just 24 years old. That’s young, even for an NFL running back.

Yet, the Los Angeles Rams have used him a lot already. And when it comes to Gurley’s mysterious injury late in the season that affected his usage late in the playoffs, apparently the miles on his legs are piling up a bit already.

Gurley split time with C.J. Anderson in the NFC championship game and Super Bowl, a situation we’ll talk about for a long time. NFL Network’s Steve Wyche shared what he knew about that and Gurley’s health in general.

It wasn’t necessarily an injury affecting Gurley late in the season, Wyche said, but “wear and tear.” Which is a little scary considering Gurley’s age.

Wyche said he spoke to someone “close to the situation” who explained Gurley’s injury situation. Or, more specifically, that there was no injury. The 1,229 touches through four seasons just seemed to take a toll on him late last season, though Wyche’s comments still leave it a bit unclear how much that had to do with Anderson splitting time in the final two playoff games.

“There was no specific injury,” Wyche said on NFL Network. “Remember Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs, he aggravated the knee, OK? There was an aggravation right there. Something inflamed. They sat him out those final two games right there, but then he came back in the playoffs and he looked just fine.

“So they said as the season wore on, that knee became a little bit worn down. Remember, that’s the knee he injured in college. So again, there was no specific injury. He was sore. He was feeling something right there, but when it came to the usage, it was not injury-related. This was more coaching decision-based in terms of the usage or lack thereof of Todd Gurley in those final two playoff games.”

Wyche went on to say Anderson surprised the staff with how well he played, and that was a factor in his continued playing time too. According to Wyche, the Rams felt they could “rest Todd Gurley a little bit and kind of save him in spots, because C.J. Anderson can play.”

It’s still mysterious, and a bit concerning, but it provides some context.

As far as Gurley moving forward, Wyche said his source told him there’s no need to worry.

“They are not saying he is damaged goods,” Wyche said. “They fully expect after the offseason for him to come back into training camp fresh and to do the things that he has done.”

Wyche said the Rams staff will have to manage Gurley’s touches a bit more after a sizable workload already in his career.

It’s OK to be skeptical about the Rams’ claim, through Wyche, that they clearly know Gurley isn’t “damaged goods.” He had a torn ACL from college and had to miss time last season due to wear and tear. That’s unusual, especially given Gurley’s age. Anderson already said this offseason Gurley was hurt a little more than the Rams thought. It’s possible Gurley is fresh and as good as new next season, but it’s something worth monitoring. It will be for the rest of his career.

It will always be a little weird that the Rams decided to feature an All-Pro running back less in their two biggest games of last season, but at least we know a little more about Gurley’s situation in general. And that will lead to another set of questions going into next season.

Downtown Rams@DowntownRams
It looks as though DB coach Aubrey Pleasant is staying with the #Rams. #Bengals have hired Lou Anarumo as DC.

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Rams Q&A: Vinny Bonsignore

Nothing yet [on Whitworth]. He indicated he’s make a decision sometime in mid or early March.

Just as it was last year I think you’ll see a combination of draft, trades and free agency. And keep in mind this group of Rams free agents – some of whom will undoubtedly leave – will bring back valuable compensation picks. The comp picks will always be part of the equation in deciding who to bring back and at what cost

They’ll likely add three comp picks for this draft – two in the third round – and they’ll recoup some valuable comp picks, for next years draft after the dust settles for this year’s group of free agents. As far as areas of focus: More edge pressure. Filling whatever holes are created by free agency. A legitimate threat at tight end. Creating more diversity offensively.

In Fowler’s case, I think the Rams have a number in mind but if I’m them, I let him go see for himself what might be out there for him with the understanding he’ll give them a chance to match. I can’t imagine someone will blow him away, which increases the chances he comes back. If someone does, more power to him. The Rams will then have a decision to make. I don’t see them franchise tagging him

Suh is over 30 and this will be his third contract – historically that’s not the best investment. But he played well and they value him. Ideally, they want him back. But it will come down to cost. They like Fowler a lot, He liked it here a lot. But if another teams knocks his socks off, he’s going to cash in. As he should

The Saffold situation is tricky. If it comes down to the highest bid, I think the Rams need to be very, very careful in how high they’ll go to match/exceed it. I agree he is productive – but the question the Rams have to ask is: But for how much longer? And would it be better to not match and recoup a valuable comp pick as a result? If Rodger should leave and Whitworth stays another year, there is very high regards for Joe Noteboom as a replacement for Saffold. Yes, in 2020 you’ll likely have to replace Whitworth, but that could mean moving Noteboom over to tackle and finding another guard. Also FYI: The Rams believe they have their heir apparent to Sullivan in Brian Allen

[CJ?] Hard to say on numbers, but if I’m him I’m looking to get the most I can and I think that will dictate his decision. The market will dictate for sure. The door is open for a welcome return on the Rams side, but they’ll have their price point and stick to it

[Everett has] dealt with some injuries that set him back in terms of development. But he’s a talented kid who I think has a bright future. Everett still has plenty of upside. But I do think the Rams will take a good long look at adding TE that can legitimately and consistently be a big-time dependable weapon for Jared Goff

[The Offense?] I think he’ll create more diversity. You’ll still see 11 personnel, but I think you’ll also see more 12 – especially if they can add a playmaking tight end – and empty sets. There were lessons learned last year – and especially in the Super Bowl – Sean will put those lessons to good use.

An update on what was going on in the postseason with @RamsNFL Todd Gurley. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/nXjFEEKn0y

— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) February 20, 2019

RamsNewsNow@RamsNewsNow
Give Me 5: Cory Littleton’s top plays of the season (link: https://www.therams.com/news/give-me-5-cory-littleton-s-top-plays-of-the-season) therams.com/news/give-me-5…

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Big time picks for big time plays. 👏

Top 5 interceptions from the 2018 season! pic.twitter.com/IhE4a3z0tD

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 20, 2019

Here's how you can step your game up, @PatrickMahomes…

Sonny Jurgensen completing a pass behind his back in 1961: pic.twitter.com/p0mlnkYuQm

— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) February 20, 2019

Rich Hammond@Rich_Hammond
Thanks, everyone, for the kind words. I’m proud to say that I’ll be joining
@TheAthleticLA as a staff editor, also with the ability to write stories I enjoy. That will include a lot of Rams/NFL plus other sports, including some Kings stuff! I’m very excited for the opportunity.

Bucky Brooks@BuckyBrooks
Who are the 5 best players in the #NFL right now? Who makes your list?
Here’s mine:
1. Aaron Donald
2. Patrick Mahomes
3. Ezekiel Elliott
4. DeAndre Hopkins
5. Jalen Ramsey

PFF LA Rams@PFF_Rams
Great kickers have the ability to set the tone on kickoffs by causing opposing teams to have less chances of acquiring better field positioning, & nobody was better than Greg the Leg this season.

Greg Zurlein had the highest Kickoff Grade this season according to PFF (90.8)

Cameron DaSilva@camdasilva
Anderson said the Rams basically told him they’d ride Gurley vs. NO if he felt good enough

“It was more like, ‘C.J., we’re going to play you, but if our guy wants the ball and if he wants to go and he wants to do this, then we’re going to roll with 30.”