You know, Rams are in really good shape as they approach this draft...

[Rams43]

Here’s my thinking...

The worst case scenario, IMO, is that Snead can’t do a modest tradedown and will be forced to take the 25th best non-QB or non-WR football player in this draft.

And that’s assuming that not one single team ahead of us makes any eval mistakes. An unlikely event, indeed.

Then there’s the fact that the Rams are not desperate for any given player or position. They can literally select any player that they really like that falls into their lap and still be happy.

Few talent evaluators can match Snead’s ability in recent years, so the hit rate on a pick at #31 should likely be very high. That can’t be overstated.

Again, the above constitutes the WORST case scenario for the Rams, IMO.

I’m guessing that there will be at least a dozen players sitting there at 31 that they would be very happy to have.

Now, if Snead can pull off a tradedown as I hope? Then it gets even better because Snead would still have 2-5 fairly equally rated players to pick from AND an extra 3rd or 4th.

I’m loving this draft chess match unfold.

Hot Damn!

 

[Akrasian]

Here’s my thinking...

The worst case scenario, IMO, is that Snead can’t do a modest tradedown and will be forced to take the 25th best non-QB or non-WR football player in this draft.

And that’s assuming that not one single team ahead of us makes any eval mistakes. An unlikely event, indeed.

Then there’s the fact that the Rams are not desperate for any given player or position. They can literally select any player that they really like that falls into their lap and still be happy.

Few talent evaluators can match Snead’s ability in recent years, so the hit rate on a pick at #31 should likely be very high. That can’t be overstated.

Again, the above constitutes the WORST case scenario for the Rams, IMO.

I’m guessing that there will be at least a dozen players sitting there at 31 that they would be very happy to have.

Now, if Snead can pull off a tradedown as I hope? Then it gets even better because Snead would still have 2-5 fairly equally rated players to pick from AND an extra 3rd or 4th.

I’m loving this draft chess match unfold.

Hot Damn!

Yeah, they have enough needs (by 2020), with none really a crisis right away, that they have a lot of room to let the draft come to them. If a guy they think is a likely star falls, fantastic. If not, they can likely find a trade down of a few spots, still get a starter, and get an early 4th to either fill a future hole or use to trade up from one of their late third spots to grab a guy they covet in the middle of the third, then use a late third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and very late 7th to fill depth with developmental guys, maybe get one more guy who can be a rotational player right away.

 

[snackdaddy]

The Rams current roster is set up that they can approach the draft the way good teams approach it. Draft and develop guys for the future. When the time comes where they lose a few of their core players, someone just steps right in and they don't miss a beat.

This is not like the pre McVay era where we needed rookies to come in and make an impact if we were to win games. Relying on first year players to make major contributions is a losing proposition. If these guys are brought along slowly and correctly, you have second and 3rd year guys contributing. Not wide eyed rookies.

 

[rams1fan]

I think this is a big needs draft. Seemingly all of our CBs are in contract year. One of our safeties is most likely here for one year. We will have 2 second year starters on the oline not to mention the last year of our LT. The top backup Demby was with Detroit all of last year. No one really knows who is starting at the ILB opposite of Cory. And Fowler is most likely one and done.

Any injuries at these positions and a rookie will be starting.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

My biggest concern right now is our OL. Hope Snead/McVay continue to prioritize it....

 

[DR RAM]

I agree, there are a dozen, or a baker's dozen of players, who will be worthy of our pick, which means, at least the top end, is a deep draft. Now, there could be a couple special players, who could fall for various reasons, like Simmons for instance. Injury, or medical, could knock a top 15 prospect down to our position. Whatever happens, even a trade down, could result in a very good prospect, at a need. Should be interesting. We are sitting pretty decent, I think.

 

[So Ram]

I think this is a big needs draft. Seemingly all of our CBs are in contract year. One of our safeties is most likely here for one year. We will have 2 second year starters on the oline not to mention the last year of our LT. The top backup Demby was with Detroit all of last year. No one really knows who is starting at the ILB opposite of Cory. And Fowler is most likely one and done.

Any injuries at these positions and a rookie will be starting.

Suh left & what about Brockers contract. Westbrook is gone as well ?

 

[Karate61]

Maybe Suh is coming back. He hasn't signed anywhere yet...hmmm!

 

[Akrasian]

Maybe Suh is coming back. He hasn't signed anywhere yet...hmmm!

The rumor is that he has a deal, but it's not going to be signed until after the end of the comp pick date. That's in mid May, I think, and players signed after that don't affect the comp pick formula. Hopefully that's not the case, I'd really like the Rams to get an additional pick. I don't think they can afford to resign Suh.

 

[XXXIVwin]

I think this is a big needs draft. Seemingly all of our CBs are in contract year. One of our safeties is most likely here for one year. We will have 2 second year starters on the oline not to mention the last year of our LT. The top backup Demby was with Detroit all of last year. No one really knows who is starting at the ILB opposite of Cory. And Fowler is most likely one and done.

Any injuries at these positions and a rookie will be starting.

Really interesting and thoughtful posts on this thread. I can see both the optimism of the OP (“no glaring needs”) and also the counterpoint (“Lot of holes to prepare for 2020”).

rams1fan, u didn’t mention what I think is the Rams current biggest need: NT. Yeah, Brockers can beef up and play there, but by his own admission he prefers DE. Frankly, it’s hard for me to see how the Rams pass up on taking a DL with their top pick.

On the DLine, AD and Brock fill 2 spots, but who takes the 3rd? I wouldn’t be thrilled knowing the Rams have to count on either JFM or Joseph-Day to start. JFM has been looking good, but counting on him to be a reliable starter...?

Hope the Rams have several DL prospects they like, because replacing Suh will not be easy. I think a wide body like Dexter Lawrence would be ideal, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be there when the Rams pick...

 

[rams1fan]

Really interesting and thoughtful posts on this thread. I can see both the optimism of the OP (“no glaring needs”) and also the counterpoint (“Lot of holes to prepare for 2020”).

rams1fan, u didn’t mention what I think is the Rams current biggest need: NT. Yeah, Brockers can beef up and play there, but by his own admission he prefers DE. Frankly, it’s hard for me to see how the Rams pass up on taking a DL with their top pick.

On the DLine, AD and Brock fill 2 spots, but who takes the 3rd? I wouldn’t be thrilled knowing the Rams have to count on either JFM or Joseph-Day to start. JFM has been looking good, but counting on him to be a reliable starter...?

Hope the Rams have several DL prospects they like, because replacing Suh will not be easy. I think a wide body like Dexter Lawrence would be ideal, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be there when the Rams pick...

you are right. another need to fill.

 

[bubbaramfan]

I don't know who the Rams will pick with their first pick, but I DO KNOW he will be a "football smart" hard working player, who gets the "X's and O's" with lots of college starts.

 

[Zaphod]

Really interesting and thoughtful posts on this thread. I can see both the optimism of the OP (“no glaring needs”) and also the counterpoint (“Lot of holes to prepare for 2020”).

rams1fan, u didn’t mention what I think is the Rams current biggest need: NT. Yeah, Brockers can beef up and play there, but by his own admission he prefers DE. Frankly, it’s hard for me to see how the Rams pass up on taking a DL with their top pick.

On the DLine, AD and Brock fill 2 spots, but who takes the 3rd? I wouldn’t be thrilled knowing the Rams have to count on either JFM or Joseph-Day to start. JFM has been looking good, but counting on him to be a reliable starter...?

Hope the Rams have several DL prospects they like, because replacing Suh will not be easy. I think a wide body like Dexter Lawrence would be ideal, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be there when the Rams pick...

To me the Rams are looking for a repeat appearance this year, and that they kept Fowler and Brockers tells me that Wade really likes what Fowler brings as an edge rusher (he really did help out with the run on his side) in addition to his pressure on the QB and the versatility that Brockers brings. I mean Suh gave him the flexibility to experiment with moving guys around with pretty much zero risk when everyone settled down, with a healthy rotation of players throughout. I think the same applies to Brockers this year, he'll be confident adjusting to offensive alignments, to include plenty of four man fronts.

So if they are lucky to have Lawrence available, that would be seriously cool to see some true 0T where it applies (sorry, but just wasn't a good use for Suh or Brockers and we all knew it, hence all the beautiful consistent pressure we saw from 3T 5T especially after getting Fowler), but even that first round pick would never be rushed into anything, because Wade is realistically going to line up his guys where they are most effective against the offensive formations and matchups anyway. If Lawrence isn't there and Smart or Joseph-Day cycle in at 0T for situations where he wouldn't rather have Brockers on more of a bull rush, is that really such a bad thing?

I'm still very interested to see what Okoronkwo brings opposite or rotating with Fowler, To include last year's draft and the potential in this year's, I can understand their confidence and I'm very excited to see where it goes, especially after the Clay Matthews and the versatility that he brings to the linebacker position as it effects their defensive fronts.

As a fan, I really do have much higher expectations for our defense over last year, which was yet a patchwork ... and honestly still could be, but there is also the potential to draft a nice corner as well.