8to12 Rams Mock 2.0 mid free agency period

[8to12]

Preface: We now know all of the losses on defense due to trade, cuts and Free Agency. This will be a Defensive rebuild similar to that of the 2001 season. There will be a couple of positions I don’t address, mostly O-line. Considering the restructuring of Noteboom and Allen, it seems the Rams Coaching staff is confident rolling into Training Camp with O-lineman they already have under contract. This will be about upgrading the Rams pass rush all along the D-line.
Cuts:
Tyler Higbee ; designated as Post June 1st ( Cap Savings – 6.5 Mil )

Free Agency:
CB Fabian Moreau (Giants) 6’0” - 198 lbs

At 29 he is not over the hill yet and can provide needed leadership for the Rookie and second year players
Trades:
Rams send WR Alan Robinson
Packers send 2023 pick #149 (5th round)

Rams send #149 & #167
Jaguars send pick #121 (4th rnd)

Rams send #177 & #189
Saints send pick #146 (5th rnd)

Rams end up with 10 total picks

Draft:
Pick 2:05 Will McDonald IV - Edge - Iowa St
(7) Will McDonald IV is the BEST SPEED RUSHER in this Draft Class: Film Breakdown - YouTube

Same text as Mock 1.0: McDonald is 6’3” ; 236 lbs and was played, IMO, out of position most of the time as 5-tech lineman. He generated 5 sacks at this position. He’s instinctive, flexible with good bend for turning the corner and has excellent length with a 7’ wingspan. If he gets to show his skills from a traditional OLB spot at the Senior Bowl, his draft value may go up and may not be available at this spot. May be a better pass rusher in the NFL than Nolan Smith, who has been mocked to the Rams recently.

Pick 3.6 Darius Rush – CB - South Carolina
(7) Darius Rush South Carolina CB Highlights || Zone Lockdown Corner - YouTube

Rush has prototypical size for a CB at 6’2” - 200 lbs, was overshadowed by teammate and first round talent, Cam Smith. Rush was still invited to the Senior Bowl where he showed to be one of the best CB’s there, winning most of his 1 on 1 reps in practice.

Pick 3:14 Siaki Ika – NT – Baylor
(7) Siaki Ika 2022 Highlights | Baylor DL | 2023 NFL Draft Prospect - YouTube

Ika is a Pure Nose Tackle... 6’3 - 334lbs.. Can step in Day 1 and be Greg Gaines replacement. In addition to being able to take up space and take on double teams in the Run game, he is arguably a better Pass Rusher.

Pick 4:18 Luke Schoonmaker – TE – Michigan
(7) Luke Schoonmaker Highlights - YouTube

Schoonmaker may be the most underrated TE in this class. He is a better than average blocker and is highly athletic in the Passing game. The Rams coaches should be enamored with his test scores at the Combine. I think he upgrades the TE room even with Higbee being cut.

Pick 5:12 Charlie Jones – WR/KR - Purdue-(Iowa)
(7) Charlie Jones "Chuck Sizzle" - Purdue WR Highlights - YouTube

They call him “Chuck Sizzle” … he is one of my favorite players in this Draft. He has average size, his speed maybe a bit better than average, but all I can do is think of Cooper Kupp when I watch his highlights. He just makes plays. In addition, he has experience returning Kick offs and Punts. He should make a good WR3 or 4.

Pick 5:36 Dylan Horton - DL/Edge - TCU
(7) Dylan Horton 2022 Highlights | TCU EDGE | 2023 NFL Draft Prospect - YouTube

Horton provides versatility on the D-line. Most of his experience is playing as a DE over the O-Tackle. Had a very productive Senior season with 10 sacks. He can be the situational pass rusher from the DE position, and can provide depth as a Strong side OLB.

Pick 6:5 Clayton Tune - QB - Houston
(7) Clayton Tune Senior Season Highlights-Houston QB-2022-2023 CFB Season - YouTube

Tune has over 4 years of experience at Houston. He also has good size at 6’3”-220 lbs. He has the ability to gain yardage as a runner when plays are completely covered and/or extend plays with his feet. He looks to have a strong enough arm to make all of the throws. He should be an upgrade over Wolford/Perkins.

Pick 6:14 Mekhi Blackmon - CB - USC/Colorado
(7) Mekhi Blackmon Cornerback Highlights ᴴᴰ - YouTube

Blackmon has decent size for a CB at 5’11” - 180 lbs. He has a good balance of man and zone coverage skills and is an above average tackler. Has experience covering larger receivers in the Slot. He has a QB rating of only 56 when targeted... this is top tier

Pick 7:6 Mohamoud Diabate - LB/Edge - Utah/Florida
(7) Mohamoud Diabate Ultimate Florida / Utah Highlights || HD - YouTube

Diabate excels at rushing the Passer. He also has experience playing Inside LB. He has good length at 6’4” - 240 lbs. He will be another player with versatility who can play 2 positions. At this point, he is not strong enough to set the edge on running plays. He should be a situational pass rusher on the edge, and can also blitz from the MLB position.

Pick 7:34 Gervarrius Owens - Safety - Houston
(7) Gervarrius Owens Highlights - YouTube

Owens has decent size for a Safety at 6’0”- 195lbs and good range with 4.50/40 speed. He has excellent ball skills and is very good at man coverage. You just don’t want him playing in the Box to defend the run. He will also have to learn to be a better wrap tackler. He has the range to be used as a single high Safety when you want to place the other Safety near the LOS.

Projected Starters:
Offense:
QB: Matt Stafford
HB: Cam Akers
WR: Cooper Kupp
WR: Van Jefferson
WR: Charlie Jones
TE: Brycen Hopkins / Luke Schoonmaker
LT: Joe Noteboom
LG: Aleric Jackson
C: Brian Allen
RG: Logan Bruss
RT: Rob Havenstein



Defense:
DE: Aaron Donald
NT: Siaki Ika
DE: Bobby Brown
OLB: Michael Hoecht
ILB: Christian Rozeboom / Mohamoud Diabate
ILB: Ernest Jones
OLB: Will McDonald
CB: Fabien Moreau / Mekhi Blackmon
CB: Darius Rush
Nickel CB: Cobie Durant
SAF: Jordan Fuller
SAF: Carnell Lake/Gervarrius Owens

Special Teams:
Returns - Charlie Jones
Place kicker: TBD UDFA
Punter: TBD UDFA
L/S : TBD UDFA

 

[OnceARam]

I like this draft. It's like the Mini-Me-Ram draft.

Will McD is like a Mini-VonMiller

Darius Russ is like a Mini-JR

Siaki Ika Mini-Gaines

Luke Schoonmaker Mini-Higs

Charlie Jones Mini-Kupp

...

I really like this approach and can see its merits.

I had liked the Purdue QB until your draft made me realize it was the WR making the QB look good. As for QB Tune, he looks more like a developmental pick, but he could have better tools than the Purdue QB (i.e., higher-ceiling).

In my first draft I picked Will McD as well. But I had him picked before us in my second version so I just went with BPA Edge. Will McD's tape is incredible tho.

 

[dieterbrock]

Cant see cutting Higbee and pushing 3 mill of dead cap in to 2024. I like the TE you suggested, and would love to pair him WITH Higbee, vs replacing him.

 

[den-the-coach]

I love the draft, just would add a specilaist in the 7th round either kicker or punter, whoever that Chase Wyatt Blackburn feels is more deserving of a selection either Moody (he could be gone by then) or Punter Michael Turk of Oklahoma because I don't believe they will go with all UDRFA's on their specialists.

 

[bomebadeeda]

Like others hav said, I just can't see us cutting Higby. BUT..... I would love pairing him w/ Schoonmaker as I really don't think Hopkins is reliable long term (suspensions, injuries,...). But I love this draft. Good job.

 

[fanotodd]

I was in the middle of putting together a mock of my own and I also the Rams taking schoonmaker and rush—but in the fifth. Apparently the values of these players is quite different going from site to site. Either way, I obviously like both picks.

One thing, though, I took rush only because I didn’t see his teammate cam smith making it to us at #36. Can they BOTH be shutdown CBs at the next level? Hmm.

A very defensive minded draft. Necessary, but it’s hard to tell what is meant whe the Rams say they are focusing on offense this year. By the moves they have made, not seeing too much interest in OL.

Lotta good picks. Nice work.

 

[dieterbrock]

I have to say, outside of my snide Higbee comment, I LOVE this draft
Tune is my favorite (available) QB in the draft. Schoon seems like he could compete right away as a TE#2 for his run blocking skills and will take some time to work on his receiving skills which is fine.
Like what I see with McDonald but have 2 questions, 1) will he be available? 2) why did his numbers fall back as a senior

 

[8to12]

I love the draft, just would add a specilaist in the 7th round either kicker or punter, whoever that Chase Wyatt Blackburn feels is more deserving of a selection either Moody (he could be gone by then) or Punter Michael Turk of Oklahoma because I don't believe they will go with all UDRFA's on their specialists.

Den.. thanks for the positive feedback. I understand what you mean about no Kicker or punter. I guess I took Jourdan R. quite literally in one of her recent interviews where she said that there might not be any Special teams coaches hanging out with Snead and McVey in their Draft house with their want lists. It seems they are going to be drafting as many positional (offense & defense) players as possible and bringing in specialists as UDFA's.

 

[8to12]

I have to say, outside of my snide Higbee comment, I LOVE this draft
Tune is my favorite (available) QB in the draft. Schoon seems like he could compete right away as a TE#2 for his run blocking skills and will take some time to work on his receiving skills which is fine.
Like what I see with McDonald but have 2 questions, 1) will he be available? 2) why did his numbers fall back as a senior

Thank you for the positive words. Regarding McDonald, there is a chance he goes late in the First round. However, I am counting on a run of players at maybe 2 other positions to happen in the 10-25 range which should push him down to the Rams spot. As far as a drop of in production as a Senior, I didn't pay much attention. I will have to see if there is enough game film to see any differences in the way he was utilized and/or schemed by the opponent.

 

[8to12]

I was in the middle of putting together a mock of my own and I also the Rams taking schoonmaker and rush—but in the fifth. Apparently the values of these players is quite different going from site to site. Either way, I obviously like both picks.

One thing, though, I took rush only because I didn’t see his teammate cam smith making it to us at #36. Can they BOTH be shutdown CBs at the next level? Hmm.

A very defensive minded draft. Necessary, but it’s hard to tell what is meant whe the Rams say they are focusing on offense this year. By the moves they have made, not seeing too much interest in OL.

Lotta good picks. Nice work.

First, thank you for the kind words. Second, regarding Schoonmaker and D. Rush... I think Rush really rose up draft boards after the Senior bowl and has stayed there. Schoonmaker has risen a bit due to his testing but not by performance, so I think he will stay buried a bit behind the other TE's. Last, It is good question about whether the Rams say they are focused on Offense. I just don't know if that means using high draft capital to draft O-lineman, a QB, or a RB. If they intend to upgrade the O-line through the draft, why did they restructure Noteboom & Allen and then sign Shelton? In contrast, they have no NT, starting caliber CB, Edge rushers, along with being shallow at ILB and Safety. Again, thanks for the positive vibes

 

[8to12]

I like this draft. It's like the Mini-Me-Ram draft.

Will McD is like a Mini-VonMiller

Darius Russ is like a Mini-JR

Siaki Ika Mini-Gaines

Luke Schoonmaker Mini-Higs

Charlie Jones Mini-Kupp

...

I really like this approach and can see its merits.

I had liked the Purdue QB until your draft made me realize it was the WR making the QB look good. As for QB Tune, he looks more like a developmental pick, but he could have better tools than the Purdue QB (i.e., higher-ceiling).

In my first draft I picked Will McD as well. But I had him picked before us in my second version so I just went with BPA Edge. Will McD's tape is incredible tho.

Thank you for the attention .... though, I would have to say Siaki Ika would be Grande-Gaines LOL he is much bigger

 

[den-the-coach]

I guess I took Jourdan R. quite literally in one of her recent interviews where she said that there might not be any Special teams coaches hanging out with Snead and McVey in their Draft house with their want lists. It seems they are going to be drafting as many positional (offense & defense) players as possible and bringing in specialists as UDFA's.

Good Point and I guess last year they watched some UDRFA specialist do well, however, I would think they would look at a kicker at a minimum, but if that is the case I get it and hopefully they will have plenty of choices.