Is LB Really a Need?

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mr.stlouis

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Main Hook
Yeah we could use one, I guess. It's the difference in making a really good group into a potential great one. Compared to difference makers we could have at the within the first two rounds, I don't see the need to draft one before round 3. Of course this barring we trade down twice and stock up on second round picks.

Some questions need answers if we do decide to go LB over positions like OG and WR. The main one is are we OK with what we have? That's a screaming no around here when talking OG. It gets muddied when talking about WR.

-Do we really need an upgrade to Dunbar? I say yes, but we could always do it next year.

-What do we have in Ray-Ray "Knucklehead" Armstrong? Not really sure just yet.


-Really the only WR I want is Watkins so if we don't draft him then I don't want one this year.

However, we do need some depth guys that can be had with our late round picks. Apparently we have several coming after reading a post from yesterday.

In a nutshell, Clowney, Watkins, and/or OG-C need to be our focus in the first two rounds. LB should be an after thought. We can't do it all.
 

Ramhusker

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Yes, we could use one of the elite OLBs in this draft to help take our D to "elite" status but it all depends on where we end up drafting and who is available at that time. If we end up drafting in the 8 to 12 range and the BPA is Khalil Mack, I couldn't pass him up. But, that's about the time teams will be considering taking Darqueze Dennard which I would surely like to see in horns. It's these kinds of decisions that make or break fellas like Snead.
 

jjab360

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Dunbar wasn't nearly as good last year as he was in 2012. He got exposed in pass coverage, missed too many tackles, and honestly looked slower and less athletic after a late start to the season. That being said, we can upgrade the position, but I wouldn't call it a top priority because of how much time we spend in the nickel formation. If an elite talent fell into our laps, I don't think we'd hesitate, though.
 

rdlkgliders

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Yes, We have projects but know proven depth. I will not be surprised to see us take one in the early rounds.
 

ReddingRam

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I agree. It's time to start building that depth. Tired of having starters and nothing behind them. If the right OLB is there at a certain point and is BA ... gotta take him
 

HE WITH HORNS

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If we draft anyone high in the draft on defense, it should be a free safety, and a corner. The 3rd LB won't even see the field more than half the time.
 

tonyl711

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if we trade to 8 or lower, I would have no problem taking Barr, but if Watkins is still there you take him instead IMO, picking up LB early should solidify the LB corp for years.
 

Tron

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It isn't one of our biggest needs, but still could be a nice upgrade that would help our defense. Mack, Barr, Shazier, Van Noy. Any sound good to me. Van Noy would probably be best as we might be able to get him in the 2nd.
 

fearsomefour

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Yes it is a need, just not the greatest need. In the last mock I did I ended up taking like three LBs.....which was a bit much. If we end up with three 1s I could see one of those picks being used at OLB to upgrade or replace Dunbar. We have no proven depth to speak of at all. In my opinion I would like to replace Dunbar (love Van Noy) and get another OLB depth guy to team with Armstrong and add a real MLB for depth behind JL.
 

ReddingRam

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Yes it is a need, just not the greatest need. In the last mock I did I ended up taking like three LBs.....which was a bit much. If we end up with three 1s I could see one of those picks being used at OLB to upgrade or replace Dunbar. We have no proven depth to speak of at all. In my opinion I would like to replace Dunbar (love Van Noy) and get another OLB depth guy to team with Armstrong and add a real MLB for depth behind JL.
with the report of us getting another 3 comp. picks, we should be able to knock out some pretty good "bottom of the roster" spots. an extra DB, LB and OL I would think.
 

A55VA6

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I wouldn't say so, but it never hurts to take another talented one. Honestly, I think Dunbar could be a nice and cheap fit with Williams defense. Plus we have Ray Ray and Darren Bates who can continue to grow.
 

BonifayRam

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I saw this article ans since this Lb'ers name keeps coming up I would post it. So Bucky Brooks said the below but check out his last comments,Would his last thoughts on this LB'er fit the 2014 Rams?

Buffalo's Khalil Mack fits as late first-round pick in NFL draft
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap20...ack-fits-as-late-firstround-pick-in-nfl-draft
"I see Mack playing this role for a team in need of a sidekick for a veteran edge player. Therefore, I don't believe Mack is a top-10 talent, but a late first-round pick with the potential to become a difference maker on a defense with a few key contributors already in place."

 

RFIP

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I do not think it is a need and I fully expect Dunbar back in his two down role not that Williams is the DC considering how well he played for him in N.O. Though it will be at a bargin basement price no doubt.

I also like what they have in both Ray-Ray and Stewary as guys to look to step up this season.
 

RFIP

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Yes and I also like Darren Bates as well

The problem with Bates is his size, at only 5'11", 225 he's London-like and few of those guys make it as full time players in the NFL but who knows, if the heart is big enough then maybe.
 

rdlkgliders

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I don't trust the step up factor, especially with players that you are converting.
At minimum we need depth and a starter wouldn't hurt.
 

ontilllit

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We should just resign dunbar. We could have dunbar take the majority of the snaps and have ray ray take some every game to learn and grow.
 

BonifayRam

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LB'er a need ? could depend some on UFA Dunbar.

#1-Dunbar has a good working history with our DC.
#2- Dunbar has a good working history with one big hiccup with Fisher.
#3- This defense fits Dunbar.
#4-Dunbar has played all three starting LB'ing positions in this defense.

Rams also need to replace Spoon where he backed up the MLB post & both outside posts...Dunbar can fill this need. Not so sure other teams will spend high amounts of cap cash $$ for a short small LB'er with a record???? Dunbar IMO would not be smart to go elsewhere He could sign a one yr contract for about 1 .5 mil with some signing bonus regroup his image & play then make a big splash here try for a big payday in 2015 he is still young will be only 29 and could get a good size contract of his 2014 season play. Dunbar sure as hell will not get a big contract payday after his 2013 season play. Just saying that would be my plan. In this case the wind is blowing to the Rams advantage here now.

Rams do have some youthful UDFA's in 3rd yr Sammy Brown, 2nd yr Darren Bates, 1st yr Phillip Steward & 2nd yr Ray Armstrong to go with JL & Tree. Only one Armstrong was a strong safety conversion not a biggy cause Alex Ogletree was a safety & conversion too & that worked out well. Does look like Snead will have a few extra late third day picks....a couple of 6th round selections & three 7th rounders this would be a great area to discover some bargains @ Lb'er to add to what we have.
 

CoachO

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LB'er a need ? could depend some on UFA Dunbar.

#1-Dunbar has a good working history with our DC.
#2- Dunbar has a good working history with one big hiccup with Fisher.
#3- This defense fits Dunbar.
#4-Dunbar has played all three starting LB'ing positions in this defense.

Rams also need to replace Spoon where he backed up the MLB post & both outside posts...Dunbar can fill this need. Not so sure other teams will spend high amounts of cap cash $$ for a short small LB'er with a record???? Dunbar IMO would not be smart to go elsewhere He could sign a one yr contract for about 1 .5 mil with some signing bonus regroup his image & play then make a big splash here try for a big payday in 2015 he is still young will be only 29 and could get a good size contract of his 2014 season play. Dunbar sure as hell will not get a big contract payday after his 2013 season play. Just saying that would be my plan. In this case the wind is blowing to the Rams advantage here now.

Rams do have some youthful UDFA's in 3rd yr Sammy Brown, 2nd yr Darren Bates, 1st yr Phillip Steward & 2nd yr Ray Armstrong to go with JL & Tree. Only one Armstrong was a strong safety conversion not a biggy cause Alex Ogletree was a safety & conversion too & that worked out well. Does look like Snead will have a few extra late third day picks....a couple of 6th round selections & three 7th rounders this would be a great area to discover some bargains @ Lb'er to add to what we have.

First, I want to say I agree with you on all the points you made on Dunbar making sense.

But there are a few things I would like to address regarding the "youthful depth" at the LB position as you mentioned.

Sammy Brown has been converted into a DE, which was played a big part in the decision to let Rivers go when they needed to make the roster move during the season.

Phillip Steward is a "pass rush" specialist, and at 6'1 235, still undersized.

Both Armstrong and Bates are converted safeties, although Bates did make the transition out of necessity at Auburn, at 5'11 212 he is no where near big enough to be an every down or 2- down OLB. Special teams is his calling.

And Armstrong needs to demonstrate that he can play with even a little bit of discipline, before I would ever consider him as anything more than a Special Teams player. While still undersized, he does have a certain aggressiveness to him, but he is still very raw in terms of knowing how to play the position. He run around blocks, is out of position more than not, and just hasn't shown to be much more than a "look at me" knucklehead.

While I don't think a 3rd LB is a priority, I do feel they need to find someone to fill the void much the same way Will Witherspoon did this past year. Bring back Dunbar, find a late round draft pick and see what is out there again in the UDFA pool.