Memphis Rams Pre-Combine Mock Draft

[Memphis Ram]

Gee. This forum has died. Oh well. Out of tradition here's a mock draft. Not sure if I'll do another one this year.

The Rams need to get FASTER and MORE PHYSICAL on offense.

2.37) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama

Jahmyr Gibbs | Alabama Crimson Tide RB | Career Highlights - YouTube

WEAPON. Simply put, the offense needs more speed. Gibbs is a homerun threat as a runner AND receiver capable of lining up all over the formation providing mismatches that should even open things up for others.

3.70) Joe Tippman, C, Wisconsin

Bishop Dwenger grad Joe Tippmann declares for NFL Draft - YouTube

Brian Allen is solid, but he is limited and cannot stay healthy. Here’s a kid who made Feldman’s Freak List who is athletic enough to play zone, gap, and power. Per Feldman” Tippmann is a terrific combination of strength (635-pound back squat and 455-pound bench) and athleticism, clocking a 4.31 pro agility time and a 1.65 10-yard split...”

4th Round Comp) Riley Moss, CB, Iowa (6003, 192)

Riley Moss 2021 Highlights | Iowa DB | 2023 NFL Draft Prospect - YouTube

Rams need another CB with some ball skills and Moss fits the bill. Another one of Feldman’s Athletic Freaks, Moss somewhat offsets his short arms with what is said to be a great vertical & short shuttle. Iowa played a lot of zone in their base defense, but they sprinkled some man to keep offenses honest.

5th Round Comp) Chandler Zavala, IOL, North Carolina (6034, 322)

NC State OL/Offense vs Syracuse Defense (2022) - YouTube

Rams go to the East West Shrine game and nab what some say was the best OLineman there. This team simply must get more physical in the trenches and Zavala recorded 31 pancake blocks and allowed only half a sack in 747 snaps last year.

6th Round) Hunter Luepke, FB/H-Back, North Dakota State

Hunter Luepke NDSU Career Highlights - YouTube

ANOTHER WEAPON. We’ve seen successful plays where TEs and WRs play FB. Why not add someone capable of running them while ALSO providing the option to run the ball and forcing defenders to make some business decisions?

6th Round (Titans) Devonnsha Maxwell, DT, UT-Chattanooga (6017, 301)

Here’s the kid that was battling the OG Cole Strange the Rams were looking at last year. A Hulu Bowl invitee, Maxwell is said to have a high motor and 34” arms. He holds the Southern Conference record for sacks with 37.5.


6th Round (Packers) Caleb Murphy, EDGE, Ferris State (6030, 252)

Caleb Murphy || Ferris State || 2022 Season Highlights - YouTube

This small school kid recorded 40 sacks, 60.5 tackles for loss (353 yards), 156 total tackles and eight forced fumbles. One report from the East West Shrine Game states that he did a pretty good job of setting the edge which is very important for the Rams defense.

6th Round Comp) Quindell Johnson, S, U of Memphis (5117, 206)

Quindell Johnson 2021 Memphis Highlights - Riley Underwood Video - YouTube

This First Team All ACC safety didn’t get a combine invite but is said to have had a pretty good season. He Totaled 77 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, four interceptions and four pass breakups on the year according to website. (Note: I must admit that I didn’t watch one game, but a buddy of mine told me account him).

7th Round) Quinton Barrow, OT, Grand Valley State (6053, 322)

Yes. Back to the Offense Line with this pick. Iron sharpens iron and the more competition the better. According Dane Brugler, “The GLIAC Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2022, he had a 96.7 percent pass pro efficiency grade from Grand Valley’s staff last season.”

7th Round Comp) Noah Gindorff, TE, North Dakota State

Noah Gindorff, TE, North Dakota State University | 2022 NFL Draft Prospect Official Highlights - YouTube

IMO, one of problems with the Rams rushing attack is the WRs block better than the TEs. Coming off a injury, if he clears medicals, this kid solves that problem in 12 personnel & jumbo sets while providing a redzone receiving threat to boot.

 

[OldSchool]

No Edge/OLB until the 6th? Our biggest weakness IMO carries over a year unless we're somehow signing a big name free agent. Hard pass for me

 

[Flatlyner]

Like the mock outside of one issue, Edge. I'd rather have an edge then Gibbs personally. Cannot rely on a small school project to fill in there. Perhaps include a FA signing and this would look pretty nice.

 

[BonifayRam]

No Edge/OLB until the 6th? Our biggest weakness IMO carries over a year unless we're somehow signing a big name free agent. Hard pass for me

Adding a DL'er with excellent potential pass-rushing skills is just fine with me! Pass rusher anywhere in that defensive front is always a good thing.

I was impressed with the little 2 gm action & snaps that the pass-rushing DT Larrell Murchison put in his 2 gms before the injury. Murchison had an impact on those 2 gms as a relief. 3 yr DL'er Jonah Williams was a 43 DE in college.

Just a simple fact that has not been discussed much here in ROD...DC Morris's 2023 roster has been collecting many 43-D skilled DE's over the last year vs very few sized 34-D skilled pass rushers. I wonder what they are going to do with all these large big heavy DE types? DC Morris does have a long coaching history with 43 defense fronts.


43 DE pass rusher

Zach VanValkenburg (LB): Bio, News, Stats & more

Zach VanValkenburg was signed to a futures contract with the Los Angeles Rams on January 9, 2023.

www.therams.com

Brayden Thomas (LB): Bio, News, Stats & more

Los Angeles Rams Players Roster: The team's official roster, depth chart, transactions, statistics, player profiles and more.

www.therams.com

Official Site of the Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams Players Roster: The team's official roster, depth chart, transactions, statistics, player profiles and more.

www.therams.com

Keir Thomas (LB): Bio, News, Stats & more

Keir Thomas signed to the Los Angeles Rams active roster on December 3, 2022.

www.therams.com

Michael Hoecht (LB): Bio, News, Stats & more

Michael Hoecht was signed by the Rams as an undrafted rookie free agent on 5/4/20.

www.therams.com

Earnest Brown

Earnest Brown contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

34 ER pass rusher

Official Site of the Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams Players Roster: The team's official roster, depth chart, transactions, statistics, player profiles and more.

www.therams.com

Even drafted Hardy was a hand in the dirt, not a standing ER in college.

 

[Tano]

Like the mock outside of one issue, Edge. I'd rather have an edge then Gibbs personally. Cannot rely on a small school project to fill in there. Perhaps include a FA signing and this would look pretty nice.

Yeah I would take an Edge in the Second round and take a smart running back in the 6th round

 

[Memphis Ram]

I see I have a different take on things.

IMO, the biggest need this team has NOW is to fix the offense. And this offense needs a weapon that is a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the football. Someone else for defense to focus on besides Kupp. And, IMO, Gibbs is just that special. He's not just any running back. Otherwise, I would have suggested a different player with that 2nd round selection.

Besides, this may be the last year for McVay, Donald, and maybe even Stafford. While this window is still open, I'm hoping the team nabs a BPA star. Someone that makes a tremendous AND immediate impact rather than just nab a player in an attempt to fill a hole.

Chances are not very likely a second round rookie Edge rusher would have anything close to the immediate impact of Gibbs, IMO. Check NFL Draft History.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I like it Memphis. I agree that the offense needs improved. Better blocking and a better RB would be a good strategy.

I know some would say that Akers is good but in his two successful seasons he didn’t really get going strong until November and December. That concerns me. I’d test trading him.

I too am very aware that McVay is Year to year. He’s going to want to win now. A round two edge isn’t as likely to have the instant impact that a really good runningback can.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Gee. This forum has died. Oh well. Out of tradition here's a mock draft. Not sure if I'll do another one this year.

Actually, unique daily visitors and member logins are up slightly over 10%. ROD has a lot of unique daily readers and that component keeps growing.

Sportsbook and Pickem - highest participation rate since 2015.

 

[Riverumbbq]

I see I have a different take on things.

Isn't that the general idea why these mocks can be interesting ?

 

[Memento]

I don’t think Gibbs makes it to our pick, nor Tippman to the third round pick. I agree that the offensive line takes precedence, but edge in the sixth round - and for that matter, a tight end with our last pick - also matters. To me, I’d either pick Tucker Kraft with our first pick and the best center available with the third (whether that’s Tippman, Stromberg or whomever) or JMS with our first pick and add the best available edge in the third.

Honestly, I’d also draft Sean Tucker later on; he’s not the receiving threat Gibbs is (which is why I think Gibbs goes first or very early second), but he’s a dynamic runner.

 

[HitStick]

Like the mock outside of one issue, Edge. I'd rather have an edge than Gibbs personally. Cannot rely on a small school project to fill in there. Perhaps include a FA signing and this would look pretty nice.

I’d take Gibbs if he’s available. His all around talent is what McVay wanted in McCaffery. He’d be an absolute weapon in a McVay offense. We definitely need edge, don’t get me wrong…but Gibbs would be the best player available there IMO

 

[Flatlyner]

I definitely love Gibbs game and what he could be in our offense, but, I think that by the end of last season, Akers was fully recovered from his achillies injury and showed us how productive he can be. There is a LOT of talents backs in this draft. Guys like Johnson, Bigsby, Tucker, Charbonnet, Spears, McIntosh (who is Gibbs light IMO), can possibly be had in 3rd and later. I do think Gibbs is not there at our pick, but also think McVay could not help himself and would pick Gibbs if available. If Bijan is there, all bets are off.

 

[ramfan46]

Always appreciate you taking the time to put a mock together. They’re well thought out on how they would fit the team. I’m convinced you and Jrry are better than some league scouting departments.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Actually, unique daily visitors and member logins are up slightly over 10%. ROD has a lot of unique daily readers and that component keeps growing.

Sportsbook and Pickem - highest participation rate since 2015.

I was referring to the Draft Forum.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I don’t think Gibbs makes it to our pick, nor Tippman to the third round pick. I agree that the offensive line takes precedence, but edge in the sixth round - and for that matter, a tight end with our last pick - also matters. To me, I’d either pick Tucker Kraft with our first pick and the best center available with the third (whether that’s Tippman, Stromberg or whomever) or JMS with our first pick and add the best available edge in the third.

Honestly, I’d also draft Sean Tucker later on; he’s not the receiving threat Gibbs is (which is why I think Gibbs goes first or very early second), but he’s a dynamic runner.

You may be right. I factored in the devaluation of the position along with the deep free agency and RB class giving Gibbs a good shot to make it. And since some OLine coaches don't like taller centers it gives Tippman a shot, too. Especially since they are picking at the top of the rounds for a change.

 

[Malibu]

I appreciate the take. What others are not factoring in is FA there will be several that will fill some other holes. Me there are a plethera of OLBs that can fill the #37 spot it comes down to choosing the right one that is where I would go with the pick. If we get one in FA I go OL either LY or IOL it feels more like IOL buy this is just me. I want to address the key needs not the luxury picks. We can argue a home run RB out of the backfield needs to be the pick and I get the logic but I feel you fix the OL and a bunch of players fit the bill especially this off-season there are a ton of RBs available as opposed to previous years.

 

[fanotodd]

Memphis:

Really like picks 2,3, and 4. All fit positions with starting job openings. Not so sure the RB will be there or if the Rams should go that route, despite needing a scarier back than what’s on the roster. Again, potentially landing a starting Center, #2 CB, and a starter/rotational DL would be a great draft.

But my favorite pick here is Maxwell in the 6th. Ram fans need to be prepared for losing BOTH Gaines and ARob. $$ is tight. Maxwell could find himself competing and splitting reps with BB3 on early/run downs.
Great job addressing the trenches.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I appreciate the take. What others are not factoring in is FA there will be several that will fill some other holes. Me there are a plethera of OLBs that can fill the #37 spot it comes down to choosing the right one that is where I would go with the pick. If we get one in FA I go OL either LY or IOL it feels more like IOL buy this is just me. I want to address the key needs not the luxury picks. We can argue a home run RB out of the backfield needs to be the pick and I get the logic but I feel you fix the OL and a bunch of players fit the bill especially this off-season there are a ton of RBs available as opposed to previous years.

Ideally, the OLB in this defense has to able to set the edge, not be able to be blocked by most TEs, AND provide an effective pass rush. Pass covering from time to time would be a plus. At least that's what I read the defense requires.

An immediate impact player like that doesn't typically get out of the first round, but anything is possible.

And fixing the OLine doesn't make the other available RBs home run AND better receiving threats. An actual legit match up problem. That is the key with Gibbs. We learned impact of such a player with Marshall Faulk, who opened things up for everyone.

That Spears kid from Tulane possibly could fit the bill, but he has two ACL injuries to the same knee already which is concerning. And the Texas A & M is just so small.

In the end, I guess I focus more on the actual players rather than just positions.