It's a copycat league: What would you "copy" from the KC?

[AvengerRam]

The obvious answer is probably, "you can't copy Patrick Mahomes, but we have a pretty darn good facsimile in Matthew Stafford."

Beyond the QB, though, are there things about the Chiefs you'd try to copy?

On offense, the Chiefs have demonstrated for years the value of a top receiving TE. While I don't see any TE putting up Kelce-like numbers in McVay's offense, a TE who can create mismatches would be a big asset. Whatever you think of Tyler Higbee, he's never been that guy (and he's probably going to be on IR to start next season). Could Davis Allen be that guy? I saw some flashes, so I'm at least intrigued. In the draft, Brock Bowers looks to be that type of player, but he will likely go long before the Rams make their pick. A couple of later round prospects to watch are Ben Sinnot, Kansas State and Dallin Holker, Colorado State.

On defense, their defensive backfield was key. I see CB as one of the top targets for Round 1 of the draft, and I'll be interested to see what the Rams do with John Johnson and Kendall Jordan both needing new contracts. I rarely target safeties high in the draft, but I'd probably consider looking to add talent in the middle rounds.

Finally, special teams! The Chief's punt coverage and kicking game were keys to their win. Gotta fix those areas!

 

[dieterbrock]

What I take away from the Chiefs, they had all the weapons in the world when they won the 1st time.
When they got their asses kicked the 2nd SB, they started giving up offensive weapons and invested in o-line

 

[VegasRam]

I'd keep Kendall (Jordan?) but don't think I'd resign Johnson, and love the guy, 'less he was very reasonable.
But to your question, agree - don't understand why we don't use more tight end.

 

[PARAM]

DBs and a beast TE. And O line.

What we have to remember is we were 10-7 in a season most predicted wouldn't eclipse 6 wins. The niners were 2 games better. The Chiefs 1. I don't think we're far off. Some more pass pressure. Some stickier DBs. Another weapon or two on offense. And solidify the O line. I hope we get a LT, Edge, WR and CB with the first 4 picks. I have unwavering faith in our staff.

 

[AvengerRam]

I'd keep Kendall (Jordan?) but don't think I'd resign Johnson, and love the guy, 'less he was very reasonable.
But to your question, agree - don't understand why we don't use more tight end.

Fixed that!

Part of our limited TE use is due to our focus on WRs, but I do think we could benefit from a greater threat at the position.

 

[Rambitious1]

I would copy more utilization from the tight end position and a VERY high priority on the offensive line.

 

[HitStick]

I don’t know, Kupp has been our Kelce. He doesn’t get shadowed by top CBs because he’s constantly moving around, or inline. He blocks equally as good, and is a better receiver. Kelce is just a big bodied WR. I don’t see that as a necessity. Especially with two elite receivers already. On paper, I think our offense stacks up better. The only difference is that team over performs when the playoffs come. Every single one of them.

Defense, I’d take the aggressiveness and the DBs

 

[WestCoastRam]

Mahomes DNA.

But seriously, their training camps. They are the most brutal of all TCs in the league but I think it shows in how they can grind through a season regardless of any hiccups.

What's interesting is that McVay changed up TC this year with his "long drive" portions of practice which were absolutely grueling for vets and rookies. I hope he does it again. I think it had a crazy positive effect on all position groups (well, except ST - HA!).

FWIW, there oline this year has been absolute dog shit. Shows how fast that can turn around. It went from bad to good to bad again in just a few short years.

 

[Ballhawk]

Keep building the defense with young guys. The Chiefs showed how a young D can get it done

 

[WestCoastRam]

Keep building the defense with young guys. The Chiefs showed how a young D can get it done

And Spags, a guy who loved to play vets changed his spots last year and this year to play more younger guys.

Gotta be flexible.

 

[WarnerToBruce]

You just can't replace Mahomes. Weird blend of arm talent, vision, and escapeability. That last part is key since it opens up so much when you have to account for him taking off. It was the key difference in all their scoring drives except the punt fumble.

Shore up our D, add a new WR threat and OL depth, renew focus on ST and we can beat anybody.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Not Creed’s inability to snap the ball accurately, that’s for sure.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Not Creed’s inability to snap the ball accurately, that’s for sure.

But... but... he's the second coming

 

[Kupped]

I don’t know, Kupp has been our Kelce. He doesn’t get shadowed by top CBs because he’s constantly moving around, or inline. He blocks equally as good, and is a better receiver. Kelce is just a big bodied WR. I don’t see that as a necessity. Especially with two elite receivers already. On paper, I think our offense stacks up better. The only difference is that team over performs when the playoffs come. Every single one of them.

Defense, I’d take the aggressiveness and the DBs

You beat me to it. As long as they have Kupp AND Puka.. I'm not worried about that aspect. I'm hoping they draft another bigger WR this year to make sure they can keep running those 11 sets so well.

Investing a bunch of draft capital on defense.. and FA money as well. Rams simply do not have the horses on that side of the ball.

Oh.. and get a real kicker.

 

[Londoner]

Isn’t it obvious?

We have to get Puka to start dating Billie Eilish.

 

[Varg6]

Last play of the game would be nice to incorporate into our offense! Everyone thinks it's going to Kupp or Puka? Nope, BENNY SKO FOR THE GAME WINNER.

 

[Merlin]

We have that level of QB who just requires the defense to get him the ball back for those tight game situations. It is time to build this defense. They do have some good pieces too. But we need a couple big time additions. What would give us a top defensive unit:

1. Edge threat for the blindside on third down. Even if it's a rush specialist, but of course I prefer one who doesn't need to be rotated out.

2. CB1 who can neutralize top threats of opposing teams. This would slot our younger corner options into roles that are more appropriate. I think the Rams approach on defense has been dependent on their corner talent so an addition who can man up or play zone with anticipation would be a windfall for Shula.

3. Safety for the pairing who is comfortable in split field looks and dropping deep. Prefer ball skills as well.

4. WILB pairing for Jones. This would make it easy on our first year DC to have another piece out there who doesn't need to be rotated out as much. And it would boost our tackling underneath which has not been good enough.

5. DL depth for rotation. Playing a team like the shitters in the playoffs you need to be able to finish strong vs that rush game of theirs. We require more pieces and some specific role players would be nice. Long and rangy 5T would be welcome but at the least one more DT for the rotation for freshness.

So 5 additions are ideal which is a good chunk of that side of the roster. There's a good chance they can't fill all of them of course, though hopefully they will because it could be argued there are more needs. But I think the above would be enough to get this defense into playoff ready form.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Find a Mahomes.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Find a Mahomes.

I have a Jackson for you...

 

[RamFanWA]

Oh.. and get a real kicker.

Maybe that Moody kid becomes available...