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Identifying the best player fit at each position for the Rams in the draft
https://www.downtownrams.com/single...it-at-each-position-for-the-Rams-in-the-draft
The NFL draft is less than 20 days away and here we wrote up an article to give you the best and most realistic fits for the Rams at each position.
Quarterback: Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee
If the Rams are going to select a QB in this draft it better be in the mid-late portion of the NFL draft. The Rams already have their starting quarterback and two developmental backup quarterbacks so it would just depend on what Sean McVay thinks about Sean Mannion. If McVay feels that he would rather trade Mannion away, get a pick and draft a developmental QB like Dobbs then that is what will happen.
Dobbs has been gaining some steam to move up boards. NFL Network was dubbing him as the possible next Dak Prescott. Dobbs has the athletic ability to be an interesting option for the Rams. If say the Rams think there are too many cooks in the kitchen they may opt for a different skill set Dobbs possesses over Mannion who is just a pocket passer like the other two QB's on the roster. Dobbs isn't some undersized kid with a weak arm and no speed. Dobbs has the athleticism, size and enough arm strength to stick in the NFL.
Runner Up: Brad Kaaya, Miami
Running back: Kareem Hunt, Toledo
With another position that is set at starter the Rams would have to look depth wise. Enter Kareem Hunt who is one of the most underrated running backs in the draft. Hunt looked great in the Senior Bowl finishing with 15 carries for 118 yards rushing. He finished his college career as the all-time leading rusher in Toledo history passing former NFL veteran Chester Taylor. According to Pro Football Focus, Hunt actually forced the most missed tackles for any RB in college football.
Hunt would be going to a team that has Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, Lance Dunbar and Aaron Green. Dunbar is likely to make the team with Gurley but it is a question mark after that. Hunt brings a guy who is in the middle as far as what he can do between Gurley and Dunbar. He's 5-foot-11 and 216 pounds so he can can be your agile and shifty power back. He's quite possibly the best value in this draft because he might actually be one of the top five backs but he is buried in the mix because of guys like D'Onta Foreman, Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffrey and T.J. Logan. Hunt showed he can ball with his peers and he would be a nice addition for the Rams to make for a serious running back camp battle.
Runner up: T.J. Logan, North Carolina
H-back: George Kittle, Iowa
This is the perfect fit for the Rams. Sean McVay needs his H-back and Kittle can do that and much more. Kittle is considered an athletic freak but he knows the fundamentals for being a great tight end. He wasn't used a ton in passing downs and maybe you could argue that was a mistake when you see the small sample size and what he was able to accomplish with it. Kittle is your ideal H-back though, the Rams have Tyler Higbee and Kittle could step in right away and contribute as a blocker and open up Higbee's role.
Kittle is projected to go rounds three or four. I think he could sneak his way into the second if someone likes him enough. He is very similar to the old favorite target of Peyton Manning, Dallas Clark. McVay will highly appreciate how well he does all of the little thins to refine his game.
Runner up: Taylor McNamara, USC
Wide receiver: Chris Godwin, Penn State
Chris Godwin as many of you know I think should be the Rams first pick of 2017. He compares well to Pierre Garcon and Hines Ward which overall makes me believe McVay might see the same thing. Right now the Rams have a starting receiver group of what looks like Robert Woods, Tavon Austin and Pharoh Cooper at the moment. Godwin would be able to come right in and start on the outside with Woods in seemingly an identical role. Woods and Godwin both can run routes well, have decent size and can help in the blocking department. This would allow Austin to kick into the slot full time which is a perfect fit for his ability and would give Jared Goff plenty of weapons to work with.
Godwin does everything McVay said he was looking for in his wide receivers to help out in all phases of the game whether they block, run precise routes or can catch the ball with natural hands. Godwin does all of that and while he may not be as flashy as a Zay Jones or John Ross but Godwin is likely going to be the safer pick out of those two due to better route running and limited injury history.
Runner up: Zay Jones, East Carolina
Tight end: Evan Engram, Ole Miss
Everyone's fan favorite for the Rams first pick in the draft seems to be Evan Engram and it's hard to disagree with it. Engram is the best fit at TE in the draft for the Rams because he resembles so much of Jordan Reed's game who was McVay's TE. Engram has shown that he is a physical freak testing some crazy numbers at the combine including a 4.42 second forty yard dash. Engram has proven he can be a starting TE day one but with Tyler Higbee on the roster the two could be lethal.
McVay has raved about Higbee and how he will bounce back, so I think they don't plan to necessarily draft someone to replace him, but rather draft someone to compliment him. Engram and Higbee will give plenty of play-making ability for Goff and the young Rams offense. Engram may not be there in the second come the Rams pick but if he is it will be hard for the Rams to pass him up.
Runner up: Adam Shaheen, Ashland
Offensive tackle: Julie'n Davenport, Bucknell
I don't think I've ever soured then liked and gone as back and forth on a prospect as Davenport. However, I think he's a perfect fit for the Rams because he is nowhere near ready to start in the NFL and the Rams don't need him to. He can be a perfect understudy to Andrew Whitworth. The Rams can't afford to draft a tackle early and that is one of the reasons drafting a raw tackle like Davenport makes sense.
Davenport has some serious talent that, if coached up enough...it could make him a starter. Davenport durng the pre-season was considered a sleeper prospect to sneak into the first round but after the season progressed and all the film was watched it was hard to truly envision Davenport as even a day two pick. He makes a lot of sense in the middle of the draft because the Rams don't necessarily need to draft a starting caliber tackle. Drafting Davenport allows the Rams to give Greg Robinson one last year to prove himself while having stability with Whitworth. On top of all that the Rams still have Rob Havenstein who moved inside at guard but can swap spots with Robinson if he indeed proves he cannot play the position. Davenport is an investment that could pay dividends later on, that is only type of tackle the Rams need in this draft. With that being said he's also one of the only raw developmental tackles that can be molded into a starting left tackle which is why he gets the nod as the best fit.
Runner up: Taylor Moton, Western Michigan
Offensive guard: Dan Feeney, Indiana
This may be a little surprising after raving about Forrest Lamp's fit with the Rams but at this point I am hearing Lamp is bound to go in the top 20. Dan Feeney is a mean guard he's just flat out ruthless and just like what offensive line coach Aaron Kromer likes in his guard. Feeney will likely be there for the Rams pick and he fits better than any guard realistically that will be available for the Rams. If the Rams go this route expect someone to be traded like Havenstein or Saffold. There is also a possibility Feeney moves into the center spot as well.
Runner up: Nico Siragusa, San Diego State
Center: Tyler Orlosky, West Virginia
Here's another player who may not be the best name at the position but he is perfect to go behind newly signed veteran center John Sullivan. Orlosky is another menace in the interior of the offensive line. He can be had for most likely a third or fourth round pick which is perfect for a team that signed a starter and may want to use their draft capital on other pressing needs.
Orlosky is likely a future starter, not amazing but likely good enough to start after Sullivan's one-year is up and that is really all the Rams could ask for out of a mid round pick.
Runner up: Kyle Fuller, Baylor
Defensive end: Tanoh Kpassagnon, Villanova
Perhaps one of the "psycho" players in this draft Tanoh Kpassagnon comes off the edge like a bat out of hell. he played at a school not known for their football and he's made a name for himself. Kpassagnon was a captain for the Wildcats and many believe he would have been a late first had he played in a power five conference.
The Rams have a question mark at defensive end whether or not Dominique Easley or Michael Brockers will play on the end with Donald. Kpassagnon would be a nice day two selection to play the other end spot if the Rams do not feel Easley is their guy and Brockers is used at nose tackle. Tanoh definitely looks more like a 3-4 defensive end which the Rams now will need so he is a good fit with intelligence for the game and athleticism.
Runner up: DeMarcus Walker, Florida State
Nose tackle: Glen Antoine, Idaho
Glen Antoine is the best pure nose tackle in this draft and you have already heard me say that a lot. He is the best fit because of the fact he won't cost and early pick, he's a guy with a fantastic motor, passion and love for the game. He embraces the role of allowing other teammates to get the credit for his dirty work. If the Rams move Brockers to end then Antoine would likely be looking at a starting spot at nose if drafted. Even if the Rams move Brockers to nose they could use another guy behind him. The Rams signed Tyrunn Walker but he's not exactly a guy with a ton of upside.
With Antoine you are getting a stellar guy that just wants to help the team as the interior glue guy. Holding onto a double or even triple team like he has shown he can do, would seriously make things easy for Aaron Donald and company.
Runner up: Elijah Qualls, Washington
Outside linebacker: Carl Lawson, Auburn
I don't know why but I have a vision that Carl Lawson will be a Ram. No idea why. Anyway...Lawson would be a perfect fit in that DeMarcus Ware role played in Wade Phillips scheme after Connor Barwin's one-year deal is up. Lawson needs to develop more in other phases of his game which he will be able to with the Rams coaching staff but even if he can't it makes too much sense to put him into a pass rusher-first role. Lawson could possibly got to the Rams in the second as the most unexpected move for every Rams fan.
Lawson is the best fit seeing as he is strictly a 3-4 OLB, he went to Auburn and Snead has his Auburn connection with the Rams. Lawson would be able to fill the void at OLB and step in as a rotational pass rusher and then mold into a starter in year two.
Runner up: Javancy Jones, Jacksonville State
Inside linebacker: Kendall Beckwith, LSU
This might be heavily disagreed on by many but I believe in Kendall Beckwith and his ability to be a starting 3-4 inside linebacker. Beckwith would be the best fit because of his size, smarts and his tackling ability. He isn't quite fast enough to play an inside backer position in a 4-3 but with the Rams now luckily he won't have to. Beckwith is recovering from an injury so he would likely be insurance to Mark Barron inside.
The Rams have other guys inside like Rams ROY Cory Littleton, Bryce Hager, Nic Grigsby and Josh Forrest so this would be a camp battle for Beckwith but I think overall he is the best fit out of the linebackers seeing as the Rams don't need a big name ILB with their faith in Mark Barron.
Runner up: Connor Harris, Lindenwood
Cornerback: Shaquill Griffin, UCF
The Rams made some serious moves at the CB position which leaves me with no reason to believe they pick one until the fourth or fifth round. Shaquill Griffin can play on the outside and backup Trumaine Johnson and newly-signed Kayvon Webster. The Rams won't need a nickel cornerback now that they pretty much have three between LaMarcus Joyner, newly-signed Nickell Robey-Coleman and Blake Countess.
Drafting Griffin gives the Rams the ability to have their own guy as this is a new regime, have hopeful insurance in case Johnson refuses to sign a contract extension and of course give guys like E.J. Gaines, Mike Jordan and Troy Hill roster competition. Griffin is an underrated prospect who only allowed a 39.7 percent catch rate last year according to Pro Football Focus. Griffin as I said can be had late and would be a perfect fit in L.A.
Runner up: Brian Allen, Utah
Safety: David Jones, Richmond
The last fit is actually one the Rams apparently have identified as well as they have reportedly scheduled a private meeting with him. David Jones may not be playing against top notch competition but he has shown some serious skills and potential to come in and compete for the vacant free safety job right away. Jones has great speed and size that matches up well with starting strong safety Maurice Alexander. Jones was more of a ball-hawk than Alexander is. Jones may not be ready to play immediately but it sounds like the Rams want to play LaMarcus Joyner at the free safety position anyway along with the fact they still have Brian Randolph, Cody Davis, Isaiah Johnson and Marqui Christian to battle for the job as well. Jones wouldn't have to start and would come easy for the Rams who could snag him in the middle of day three in the draft.
Runner up: Fish Smithson, Kansas
What are your thoughts Rams fans, who do you believe are the best fits for the Rams at each position? Let us know!
https://www.downtownrams.com/single...it-at-each-position-for-the-Rams-in-the-draft
The NFL draft is less than 20 days away and here we wrote up an article to give you the best and most realistic fits for the Rams at each position.
Quarterback: Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee
If the Rams are going to select a QB in this draft it better be in the mid-late portion of the NFL draft. The Rams already have their starting quarterback and two developmental backup quarterbacks so it would just depend on what Sean McVay thinks about Sean Mannion. If McVay feels that he would rather trade Mannion away, get a pick and draft a developmental QB like Dobbs then that is what will happen.
Dobbs has been gaining some steam to move up boards. NFL Network was dubbing him as the possible next Dak Prescott. Dobbs has the athletic ability to be an interesting option for the Rams. If say the Rams think there are too many cooks in the kitchen they may opt for a different skill set Dobbs possesses over Mannion who is just a pocket passer like the other two QB's on the roster. Dobbs isn't some undersized kid with a weak arm and no speed. Dobbs has the athleticism, size and enough arm strength to stick in the NFL.
Runner Up: Brad Kaaya, Miami
Running back: Kareem Hunt, Toledo
With another position that is set at starter the Rams would have to look depth wise. Enter Kareem Hunt who is one of the most underrated running backs in the draft. Hunt looked great in the Senior Bowl finishing with 15 carries for 118 yards rushing. He finished his college career as the all-time leading rusher in Toledo history passing former NFL veteran Chester Taylor. According to Pro Football Focus, Hunt actually forced the most missed tackles for any RB in college football.
Hunt would be going to a team that has Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown, Lance Dunbar and Aaron Green. Dunbar is likely to make the team with Gurley but it is a question mark after that. Hunt brings a guy who is in the middle as far as what he can do between Gurley and Dunbar. He's 5-foot-11 and 216 pounds so he can can be your agile and shifty power back. He's quite possibly the best value in this draft because he might actually be one of the top five backs but he is buried in the mix because of guys like D'Onta Foreman, Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffrey and T.J. Logan. Hunt showed he can ball with his peers and he would be a nice addition for the Rams to make for a serious running back camp battle.
Runner up: T.J. Logan, North Carolina
H-back: George Kittle, Iowa
This is the perfect fit for the Rams. Sean McVay needs his H-back and Kittle can do that and much more. Kittle is considered an athletic freak but he knows the fundamentals for being a great tight end. He wasn't used a ton in passing downs and maybe you could argue that was a mistake when you see the small sample size and what he was able to accomplish with it. Kittle is your ideal H-back though, the Rams have Tyler Higbee and Kittle could step in right away and contribute as a blocker and open up Higbee's role.
Kittle is projected to go rounds three or four. I think he could sneak his way into the second if someone likes him enough. He is very similar to the old favorite target of Peyton Manning, Dallas Clark. McVay will highly appreciate how well he does all of the little thins to refine his game.
Runner up: Taylor McNamara, USC
Wide receiver: Chris Godwin, Penn State
Chris Godwin as many of you know I think should be the Rams first pick of 2017. He compares well to Pierre Garcon and Hines Ward which overall makes me believe McVay might see the same thing. Right now the Rams have a starting receiver group of what looks like Robert Woods, Tavon Austin and Pharoh Cooper at the moment. Godwin would be able to come right in and start on the outside with Woods in seemingly an identical role. Woods and Godwin both can run routes well, have decent size and can help in the blocking department. This would allow Austin to kick into the slot full time which is a perfect fit for his ability and would give Jared Goff plenty of weapons to work with.
Godwin does everything McVay said he was looking for in his wide receivers to help out in all phases of the game whether they block, run precise routes or can catch the ball with natural hands. Godwin does all of that and while he may not be as flashy as a Zay Jones or John Ross but Godwin is likely going to be the safer pick out of those two due to better route running and limited injury history.
Runner up: Zay Jones, East Carolina
Tight end: Evan Engram, Ole Miss
Everyone's fan favorite for the Rams first pick in the draft seems to be Evan Engram and it's hard to disagree with it. Engram is the best fit at TE in the draft for the Rams because he resembles so much of Jordan Reed's game who was McVay's TE. Engram has shown that he is a physical freak testing some crazy numbers at the combine including a 4.42 second forty yard dash. Engram has proven he can be a starting TE day one but with Tyler Higbee on the roster the two could be lethal.
McVay has raved about Higbee and how he will bounce back, so I think they don't plan to necessarily draft someone to replace him, but rather draft someone to compliment him. Engram and Higbee will give plenty of play-making ability for Goff and the young Rams offense. Engram may not be there in the second come the Rams pick but if he is it will be hard for the Rams to pass him up.
Runner up: Adam Shaheen, Ashland
Offensive tackle: Julie'n Davenport, Bucknell
I don't think I've ever soured then liked and gone as back and forth on a prospect as Davenport. However, I think he's a perfect fit for the Rams because he is nowhere near ready to start in the NFL and the Rams don't need him to. He can be a perfect understudy to Andrew Whitworth. The Rams can't afford to draft a tackle early and that is one of the reasons drafting a raw tackle like Davenport makes sense.
Davenport has some serious talent that, if coached up enough...it could make him a starter. Davenport durng the pre-season was considered a sleeper prospect to sneak into the first round but after the season progressed and all the film was watched it was hard to truly envision Davenport as even a day two pick. He makes a lot of sense in the middle of the draft because the Rams don't necessarily need to draft a starting caliber tackle. Drafting Davenport allows the Rams to give Greg Robinson one last year to prove himself while having stability with Whitworth. On top of all that the Rams still have Rob Havenstein who moved inside at guard but can swap spots with Robinson if he indeed proves he cannot play the position. Davenport is an investment that could pay dividends later on, that is only type of tackle the Rams need in this draft. With that being said he's also one of the only raw developmental tackles that can be molded into a starting left tackle which is why he gets the nod as the best fit.
Runner up: Taylor Moton, Western Michigan
Offensive guard: Dan Feeney, Indiana
This may be a little surprising after raving about Forrest Lamp's fit with the Rams but at this point I am hearing Lamp is bound to go in the top 20. Dan Feeney is a mean guard he's just flat out ruthless and just like what offensive line coach Aaron Kromer likes in his guard. Feeney will likely be there for the Rams pick and he fits better than any guard realistically that will be available for the Rams. If the Rams go this route expect someone to be traded like Havenstein or Saffold. There is also a possibility Feeney moves into the center spot as well.
Runner up: Nico Siragusa, San Diego State
Center: Tyler Orlosky, West Virginia
Here's another player who may not be the best name at the position but he is perfect to go behind newly signed veteran center John Sullivan. Orlosky is another menace in the interior of the offensive line. He can be had for most likely a third or fourth round pick which is perfect for a team that signed a starter and may want to use their draft capital on other pressing needs.
Orlosky is likely a future starter, not amazing but likely good enough to start after Sullivan's one-year is up and that is really all the Rams could ask for out of a mid round pick.
Runner up: Kyle Fuller, Baylor
Defensive end: Tanoh Kpassagnon, Villanova
Perhaps one of the "psycho" players in this draft Tanoh Kpassagnon comes off the edge like a bat out of hell. he played at a school not known for their football and he's made a name for himself. Kpassagnon was a captain for the Wildcats and many believe he would have been a late first had he played in a power five conference.
The Rams have a question mark at defensive end whether or not Dominique Easley or Michael Brockers will play on the end with Donald. Kpassagnon would be a nice day two selection to play the other end spot if the Rams do not feel Easley is their guy and Brockers is used at nose tackle. Tanoh definitely looks more like a 3-4 defensive end which the Rams now will need so he is a good fit with intelligence for the game and athleticism.
Runner up: DeMarcus Walker, Florida State
Nose tackle: Glen Antoine, Idaho
Glen Antoine is the best pure nose tackle in this draft and you have already heard me say that a lot. He is the best fit because of the fact he won't cost and early pick, he's a guy with a fantastic motor, passion and love for the game. He embraces the role of allowing other teammates to get the credit for his dirty work. If the Rams move Brockers to end then Antoine would likely be looking at a starting spot at nose if drafted. Even if the Rams move Brockers to nose they could use another guy behind him. The Rams signed Tyrunn Walker but he's not exactly a guy with a ton of upside.
With Antoine you are getting a stellar guy that just wants to help the team as the interior glue guy. Holding onto a double or even triple team like he has shown he can do, would seriously make things easy for Aaron Donald and company.
Runner up: Elijah Qualls, Washington
Outside linebacker: Carl Lawson, Auburn
I don't know why but I have a vision that Carl Lawson will be a Ram. No idea why. Anyway...Lawson would be a perfect fit in that DeMarcus Ware role played in Wade Phillips scheme after Connor Barwin's one-year deal is up. Lawson needs to develop more in other phases of his game which he will be able to with the Rams coaching staff but even if he can't it makes too much sense to put him into a pass rusher-first role. Lawson could possibly got to the Rams in the second as the most unexpected move for every Rams fan.
Lawson is the best fit seeing as he is strictly a 3-4 OLB, he went to Auburn and Snead has his Auburn connection with the Rams. Lawson would be able to fill the void at OLB and step in as a rotational pass rusher and then mold into a starter in year two.
Runner up: Javancy Jones, Jacksonville State
Inside linebacker: Kendall Beckwith, LSU
This might be heavily disagreed on by many but I believe in Kendall Beckwith and his ability to be a starting 3-4 inside linebacker. Beckwith would be the best fit because of his size, smarts and his tackling ability. He isn't quite fast enough to play an inside backer position in a 4-3 but with the Rams now luckily he won't have to. Beckwith is recovering from an injury so he would likely be insurance to Mark Barron inside.
The Rams have other guys inside like Rams ROY Cory Littleton, Bryce Hager, Nic Grigsby and Josh Forrest so this would be a camp battle for Beckwith but I think overall he is the best fit out of the linebackers seeing as the Rams don't need a big name ILB with their faith in Mark Barron.
Runner up: Connor Harris, Lindenwood
Cornerback: Shaquill Griffin, UCF
The Rams made some serious moves at the CB position which leaves me with no reason to believe they pick one until the fourth or fifth round. Shaquill Griffin can play on the outside and backup Trumaine Johnson and newly-signed Kayvon Webster. The Rams won't need a nickel cornerback now that they pretty much have three between LaMarcus Joyner, newly-signed Nickell Robey-Coleman and Blake Countess.
Drafting Griffin gives the Rams the ability to have their own guy as this is a new regime, have hopeful insurance in case Johnson refuses to sign a contract extension and of course give guys like E.J. Gaines, Mike Jordan and Troy Hill roster competition. Griffin is an underrated prospect who only allowed a 39.7 percent catch rate last year according to Pro Football Focus. Griffin as I said can be had late and would be a perfect fit in L.A.
Runner up: Brian Allen, Utah
Safety: David Jones, Richmond
The last fit is actually one the Rams apparently have identified as well as they have reportedly scheduled a private meeting with him. David Jones may not be playing against top notch competition but he has shown some serious skills and potential to come in and compete for the vacant free safety job right away. Jones has great speed and size that matches up well with starting strong safety Maurice Alexander. Jones was more of a ball-hawk than Alexander is. Jones may not be ready to play immediately but it sounds like the Rams want to play LaMarcus Joyner at the free safety position anyway along with the fact they still have Brian Randolph, Cody Davis, Isaiah Johnson and Marqui Christian to battle for the job as well. Jones wouldn't have to start and would come easy for the Rams who could snag him in the middle of day three in the draft.
Runner up: Fish Smithson, Kansas
What are your thoughts Rams fans, who do you believe are the best fits for the Rams at each position? Let us know!
