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Had a few thoughts that sort of come together under that topic so wanted to put them together...
1. Kromer likes his OL talent. No way around this, really, as I feel that if that was not the case the Rams would have addressed it with a pick collection of 2nd, 2x 3rd, and 2x 4th picks which is the wheelhouse for linemen.
Where this is particularly surprising is Center. I don't see Sullivan as a starter, I think he's a backup at best. Also I'm not certain it's wise to bank on one of the holdovers moving there and succeeding at the level they need. But inevitably they must be high on one of these guys and think they have their answer in-house and will use Sullivan as fallback if it doesn't work out.
It's also a little bit surprising to me at RT. My rationale is they wanted to move Havenstein inside which probably means they don't think he has the feet for how much passing they're gonna do. So now they're depending on GRob, which, well, I don't like. Maybe they like another OT on the depth chart? Must be it, I don't know.
2. Upheaval in the WR room. First off the focus on route running that comes with McVay and that offense is going to dictate guys don't get on the field without being exactly the right depth and position for a given play, and the influx of two guys is going to make that room a pressure cooker.
I'm not sure Tavon is ever going to adjust to the route running requirements, so if he doesn't improve he might find himself sulking on the bench. Trade is unlikely as is an outright cut, given how much he's going to be making. Assuming he gets it together and improves there, he's still looking at reduced targets. As I mentioned in a previous post where we discussed Tavon and predictions of his production, I believe lower target amounts will increase his big plays per touch. So it's a good thing IMO.
CKup has a mix of size, hands, and route consistency/excellence that is going to get him "starters" snaps with Woods. While McVay mentioned he's going to move guys around I would guess by snap percentage those two guys end up on the field a LOT. Which suggests that Tavon finds himself in a deeper rotation in the slot, and when I consider that against a higher amount of 12 and 13 personnel and/or some of the TEs simply rotated into Y from time to time it makes me wonder if Tavon might be phased out barring a big jump in performance. Competition for playing time is going to be significantly increased IMO, and if Tavon's contract wasn't so bad I'd swear they're planning on trading him.
3. Special teams. One thing I noticed was that special teams was considered with the additions. JJ might push for playing time as a rook, but regardless he is a very high level teams producer. His film is loaded with him making plays on teams and Ebukam also has range, explosiveness and the right mindset to carry his weight from the bottom of the roster.
Teams were something I was a little concerned with under McVay; wasn't sure he'd be willing to sacrifice potential in order to give a roster spot to the better special teams player among the guys fighting for spots. Not worried about that any longer.
1. Kromer likes his OL talent. No way around this, really, as I feel that if that was not the case the Rams would have addressed it with a pick collection of 2nd, 2x 3rd, and 2x 4th picks which is the wheelhouse for linemen.
Where this is particularly surprising is Center. I don't see Sullivan as a starter, I think he's a backup at best. Also I'm not certain it's wise to bank on one of the holdovers moving there and succeeding at the level they need. But inevitably they must be high on one of these guys and think they have their answer in-house and will use Sullivan as fallback if it doesn't work out.
It's also a little bit surprising to me at RT. My rationale is they wanted to move Havenstein inside which probably means they don't think he has the feet for how much passing they're gonna do. So now they're depending on GRob, which, well, I don't like. Maybe they like another OT on the depth chart? Must be it, I don't know.
2. Upheaval in the WR room. First off the focus on route running that comes with McVay and that offense is going to dictate guys don't get on the field without being exactly the right depth and position for a given play, and the influx of two guys is going to make that room a pressure cooker.
I'm not sure Tavon is ever going to adjust to the route running requirements, so if he doesn't improve he might find himself sulking on the bench. Trade is unlikely as is an outright cut, given how much he's going to be making. Assuming he gets it together and improves there, he's still looking at reduced targets. As I mentioned in a previous post where we discussed Tavon and predictions of his production, I believe lower target amounts will increase his big plays per touch. So it's a good thing IMO.
CKup has a mix of size, hands, and route consistency/excellence that is going to get him "starters" snaps with Woods. While McVay mentioned he's going to move guys around I would guess by snap percentage those two guys end up on the field a LOT. Which suggests that Tavon finds himself in a deeper rotation in the slot, and when I consider that against a higher amount of 12 and 13 personnel and/or some of the TEs simply rotated into Y from time to time it makes me wonder if Tavon might be phased out barring a big jump in performance. Competition for playing time is going to be significantly increased IMO, and if Tavon's contract wasn't so bad I'd swear they're planning on trading him.
3. Special teams. One thing I noticed was that special teams was considered with the additions. JJ might push for playing time as a rook, but regardless he is a very high level teams producer. His film is loaded with him making plays on teams and Ebukam also has range, explosiveness and the right mindset to carry his weight from the bottom of the roster.
Teams were something I was a little concerned with under McVay; wasn't sure he'd be willing to sacrifice potential in order to give a roster spot to the better special teams player among the guys fighting for spots. Not worried about that any longer.
