- Joined
- Jun 20, 2010
- Messages
- 35,576
- Name
- The Dude
As I said, I took a decade off of scouting college kids due to the extreme amount of time it takes - of which I had no extra. Working 70 hours a week doesn't afford you a lot of extra time to take on two hobbies Hell, I barely had enough time for the Rams there for a while. But now I'm in a blue collar job with a 37 hour work week, and this is a very intriguing draft for a number of reasons, so I dove back in. I get a lot of passing *sighs* from my wife as I'm watching games on YouTube and reading old articles from various colleges, but I assured her this is just until the end of April.
Women. Amirite? :huh:
I'll provide a small write-up and GIF or two of attributes that I think are pivotal to fitting into the Rams' plans as opposed to full videos. At any rate, and without any further adieu, here's what I would do if I were charged with drafting for the Rams in a no-trade scenario.
Round 1, #15 overall.
Laquaon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
Don't get too hung up on the 40 time. Treadwell isn't going to line up and have a foot race with opposing DBs in a race to the endzone. You want a guy like that, you can find one in the 7th round or you can just turn Tavon into a Z receiver. This offense isn't about who can win a 50 yard sprint. It's about which receiver can create separation in the intermediate zones, shield defenders, make the tough grabs in traffic, and create space for Todd Gurley on the outside with downfield blocking (sometimes two at a time as shown below).
/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4195065/treadwell.0.gif)
There is NO receiver in this draft who fits this offense (as it is) better than Treadwell. Like I said, you won't see him running many 9's, but you will see him on hitch-n-go's with no DBs in sight - anywhere. And that's because his ability to jab-step off the line, stop on a dime right in the middle of his route, or sell routes only to end up somewhere entirely different, is unparalleled in this draft. If you spent even 5 minutes watching him execute a back-shoulder fade (one of the hardest to defend in the NFL), you wouldn't care if he ran a 4.8 40 It's Randy Moss-like (JUST his back-shoulder fades - don't read more into it than that). This dude will reel of chunks of yards for this offense consistently.
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Round 2 - #43 overall.
Vonn Bell, Safety, Ohio State
There's no guarantee that he'll land here, but there are enough mocks that have him in the 48 overall range to let me play this out. He is constantly rising, however. At any rate, his hands, reaction to the ball, and ability to diagnose plays are the most impressive of his talents. Being able to run and stick with receivers and (most importantly) tight ends, especially as QBs in the league are becoming more and more adept at buying extra time, is pivotal in a Gregg Williams defense. If our front 4 does its job consistently, it's only going to make Bell more dangerous and valuable. But if there are situations where the QB is able to get out of danger by rolling out, or if opposing teams are creating situations where they move the pocket, then Bell is going to be the best fit in this defense. In short field situations, he has an uncanny ability to allow the receiver to separate, but still be in position to break on the ball himself. He just understands his space better than any safety I've seen in this draft.
/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6030455/pass_defense_vs_hawaii.0.gif)
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Round 2, #45 Overall
Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford
I think Hooper declaring early was a business decision. The consensus is that this is a weak TE class, and he probably figured he would get lost in the mix next year. It apparently paid off, because the Rams (me) recognize what a talent he truly is. Hooper uses every inch of his range to catch the ball at the earliest possible moment. This is what will work best in the Rams' offense. Aggression and timing. His ability to win over the middle on timing routes, post-up situations and jump balls (see below) is something they probably envisioned Cook would give them; but Cook doesn't have the aggression that Hooper has, and he doesn't even come close to possessing the "my ball" mentality this dude displays. He also has (and Rams fans will appreciate this) an awareness of the sideline and the first-down marker in the depth of his routes. He'll become a consistent target in 3rd down situations because of it.
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Round 3, #76 overall.
Michael Thomas, WR, Southern Miss
Thomas is a significantly underrated prospect, and a receiver who makes ridiculous adjustments to the football, ala Odell Beckham (see below). Thomas plays fast, is sudden in his change of direction, can cause gobs of separation as a route runner, and his acceleration off the line is eye-popping. He’s consistent at finding the open zone and he doesn't round off his routes like some prospects. He breaks hard. Probably the most acrobatic receiver in this draft, IMO, and can win contested balls with high-pointing and one-handed grabs. Not a willing (or good) blocker, struggles tracking low throws, and has had some issues with drops, but you don't pass on a receiver with this kind of athleticism if you're trying to bring some pop to your offense. Will take a little while to get assimilated into the offense with Jeff Fisher's hesitancy to give rookies any significant playing time early on, but he'll do enough in camp and with his limited opportunities to quickly gain a bigger role in the offense.
View: https://youtu.be/bkCHj_PKn2I
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Round 4, #110 overall (could get much later, but I'm not losing this opportunity)
Mike Bercovici, QB, AZ State
Bercovici wasn't even on my radar until I was pointed in his direction. And that's because nobody is talking about him, nobody is mocking him, he's too short, and he doesn't have enough experience. I also tried very hard to talk myself out of liking him because I hated the idea of hitching my wagon to someone else's sleeper. But I can't. He's got something. You do want a guy that has "it", right? Bercovici has that in spades. Tim Healey. long-time broadcaster for Arizona State said, "‘It’ is just that unspoken aura or presence that certain people have. In the realm of college football and commanding a huddle, it was clear to me from the get go that Berco had and has ‘it’." And his life story from Pop Warner to AZ is littered with overcoming adversity. Littered with it. Not the least of which is being miscast in a spread offense as a Pro-Style QB. It's eerily similar to Kurt Warner's road to success. But the most impressive thing to me is that he was appointed the offensive leader without even being the starting QB in Arizona. His teammates just thought that much of him and he commands that kind of following. In terms of talent, and how it'll fit with the Rams' offense, his back-shoulder fade is one of his best routes and he hits it with great anticipation and timing. Which should make a lethal play in this offense with Treadwell as they develop a relationship for years and years. He can get caught by shallow defenders dropping into zone, but that was a problem for Blake Bortles at UCF too (and even his rookie year with the Jags), but that's not a fatal flaw. It's teachable with film study and maturity at the NFL level. He also has a violent shoulder fake to freeze defenders.
Above all, this is someone who has a story that needs to be told. And when he's a matured NFL starter for the Rams a couple of years from now, more of his story will begin to surface and more of his Cinderella-like rise to stardom will permeate the media. I don't have a single doubt about that. He just needs his chance.
Two plays (in one game) stand out for me, and they're what I want out of a QB on the Rams. Against UCLA last year, Bercovici had to make two plays (see below) to seal the win. One came on a 4th and inches to extend the drive, and another on 3rd and 2 to end the game. I want a QB who rises to those occasions and so does Fisher.
View: https://youtu.be/rw316mYD51g
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Round 6, #190 overall.
Dan Vitale, FB/TE, Northwestern
Time to let Kendricks become more of a receiver than a blocker. Let Kendricks slim down a little and utilize/tap into his strengths as a receiver and route runner. I'd run a shit ton more ace sets with him and (now) Austin Hooper. Want a full-back for 3-TE sets, someone who can pave the way for Gurley and peel off as a receiver, then get Dan Vitale. He's a stout POA blocker and is just an all-around football player. Nothing fancy, just a blue-collar football loving every man. More than a competent receiver out of the backfield and someone who will often go unaccounted for by defenses in that regard. Can make the tough catches and has a good burst off the line. Once he's in open space, he can be tough to bring down. Smart guy on the field, and a good student. Offers special teams value already out of the box and will quickly become a legit option in the passing game out of play-action and designed roll-outs. Can find his way through muddied waters and emerge as a last second receiving option. Jack of all trades who will offer value to Boras as well as Coach Bones. Expect at least two hook-ups between him and Johnny Hekker in the kicking game too.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeKI9mm_ZZY
EDIT: Swapped 3rd and 4th round picks, because Thomas is rising and there's still nobody talking about Bercovici.
Women. Amirite? :huh:
I'll provide a small write-up and GIF or two of attributes that I think are pivotal to fitting into the Rams' plans as opposed to full videos. At any rate, and without any further adieu, here's what I would do if I were charged with drafting for the Rams in a no-trade scenario.
Round 1, #15 overall.
Laquaon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
Don't get too hung up on the 40 time. Treadwell isn't going to line up and have a foot race with opposing DBs in a race to the endzone. You want a guy like that, you can find one in the 7th round or you can just turn Tavon into a Z receiver. This offense isn't about who can win a 50 yard sprint. It's about which receiver can create separation in the intermediate zones, shield defenders, make the tough grabs in traffic, and create space for Todd Gurley on the outside with downfield blocking (sometimes two at a time as shown below).
There is NO receiver in this draft who fits this offense (as it is) better than Treadwell. Like I said, you won't see him running many 9's, but you will see him on hitch-n-go's with no DBs in sight - anywhere. And that's because his ability to jab-step off the line, stop on a dime right in the middle of his route, or sell routes only to end up somewhere entirely different, is unparalleled in this draft. If you spent even 5 minutes watching him execute a back-shoulder fade (one of the hardest to defend in the NFL), you wouldn't care if he ran a 4.8 40 It's Randy Moss-like (JUST his back-shoulder fades - don't read more into it than that). This dude will reel of chunks of yards for this offense consistently.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Round 2 - #43 overall.
Vonn Bell, Safety, Ohio State
There's no guarantee that he'll land here, but there are enough mocks that have him in the 48 overall range to let me play this out. He is constantly rising, however. At any rate, his hands, reaction to the ball, and ability to diagnose plays are the most impressive of his talents. Being able to run and stick with receivers and (most importantly) tight ends, especially as QBs in the league are becoming more and more adept at buying extra time, is pivotal in a Gregg Williams defense. If our front 4 does its job consistently, it's only going to make Bell more dangerous and valuable. But if there are situations where the QB is able to get out of danger by rolling out, or if opposing teams are creating situations where they move the pocket, then Bell is going to be the best fit in this defense. In short field situations, he has an uncanny ability to allow the receiver to separate, but still be in position to break on the ball himself. He just understands his space better than any safety I've seen in this draft.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Round 2, #45 Overall
Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford
I think Hooper declaring early was a business decision. The consensus is that this is a weak TE class, and he probably figured he would get lost in the mix next year. It apparently paid off, because the Rams (me) recognize what a talent he truly is. Hooper uses every inch of his range to catch the ball at the earliest possible moment. This is what will work best in the Rams' offense. Aggression and timing. His ability to win over the middle on timing routes, post-up situations and jump balls (see below) is something they probably envisioned Cook would give them; but Cook doesn't have the aggression that Hooper has, and he doesn't even come close to possessing the "my ball" mentality this dude displays. He also has (and Rams fans will appreciate this) an awareness of the sideline and the first-down marker in the depth of his routes. He'll become a consistent target in 3rd down situations because of it.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Round 3, #76 overall.
Michael Thomas, WR, Southern Miss
Thomas is a significantly underrated prospect, and a receiver who makes ridiculous adjustments to the football, ala Odell Beckham (see below). Thomas plays fast, is sudden in his change of direction, can cause gobs of separation as a route runner, and his acceleration off the line is eye-popping. He’s consistent at finding the open zone and he doesn't round off his routes like some prospects. He breaks hard. Probably the most acrobatic receiver in this draft, IMO, and can win contested balls with high-pointing and one-handed grabs. Not a willing (or good) blocker, struggles tracking low throws, and has had some issues with drops, but you don't pass on a receiver with this kind of athleticism if you're trying to bring some pop to your offense. Will take a little while to get assimilated into the offense with Jeff Fisher's hesitancy to give rookies any significant playing time early on, but he'll do enough in camp and with his limited opportunities to quickly gain a bigger role in the offense.
View: https://youtu.be/bkCHj_PKn2I
-------------------------------------------------------------
Round 4, #110 overall (could get much later, but I'm not losing this opportunity)
Mike Bercovici, QB, AZ State
Bercovici wasn't even on my radar until I was pointed in his direction. And that's because nobody is talking about him, nobody is mocking him, he's too short, and he doesn't have enough experience. I also tried very hard to talk myself out of liking him because I hated the idea of hitching my wagon to someone else's sleeper. But I can't. He's got something. You do want a guy that has "it", right? Bercovici has that in spades. Tim Healey. long-time broadcaster for Arizona State said, "‘It’ is just that unspoken aura or presence that certain people have. In the realm of college football and commanding a huddle, it was clear to me from the get go that Berco had and has ‘it’." And his life story from Pop Warner to AZ is littered with overcoming adversity. Littered with it. Not the least of which is being miscast in a spread offense as a Pro-Style QB. It's eerily similar to Kurt Warner's road to success. But the most impressive thing to me is that he was appointed the offensive leader without even being the starting QB in Arizona. His teammates just thought that much of him and he commands that kind of following. In terms of talent, and how it'll fit with the Rams' offense, his back-shoulder fade is one of his best routes and he hits it with great anticipation and timing. Which should make a lethal play in this offense with Treadwell as they develop a relationship for years and years. He can get caught by shallow defenders dropping into zone, but that was a problem for Blake Bortles at UCF too (and even his rookie year with the Jags), but that's not a fatal flaw. It's teachable with film study and maturity at the NFL level. He also has a violent shoulder fake to freeze defenders.
Above all, this is someone who has a story that needs to be told. And when he's a matured NFL starter for the Rams a couple of years from now, more of his story will begin to surface and more of his Cinderella-like rise to stardom will permeate the media. I don't have a single doubt about that. He just needs his chance.
Two plays (in one game) stand out for me, and they're what I want out of a QB on the Rams. Against UCLA last year, Bercovici had to make two plays (see below) to seal the win. One came on a 4th and inches to extend the drive, and another on 3rd and 2 to end the game. I want a QB who rises to those occasions and so does Fisher.
View: https://youtu.be/rw316mYD51g
-------------------------------------------------------------
Round 6, #190 overall.
Dan Vitale, FB/TE, Northwestern
Time to let Kendricks become more of a receiver than a blocker. Let Kendricks slim down a little and utilize/tap into his strengths as a receiver and route runner. I'd run a shit ton more ace sets with him and (now) Austin Hooper. Want a full-back for 3-TE sets, someone who can pave the way for Gurley and peel off as a receiver, then get Dan Vitale. He's a stout POA blocker and is just an all-around football player. Nothing fancy, just a blue-collar football loving every man. More than a competent receiver out of the backfield and someone who will often go unaccounted for by defenses in that regard. Can make the tough catches and has a good burst off the line. Once he's in open space, he can be tough to bring down. Smart guy on the field, and a good student. Offers special teams value already out of the box and will quickly become a legit option in the passing game out of play-action and designed roll-outs. Can find his way through muddied waters and emerge as a last second receiving option. Jack of all trades who will offer value to Boras as well as Coach Bones. Expect at least two hook-ups between him and Johnny Hekker in the kicking game too.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeKI9mm_ZZY
EDIT: Swapped 3rd and 4th round picks, because Thomas is rising and there's still nobody talking about Bercovici.
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