2021 NFL DRAFT SNAP GRADES

[kurtfaulk]

Take it you don't agree with the "Reach for Atwell in a moment of panic when Eskridge came off the board at 56," theory...

i wouldn't call it panic. they had a cushion of a couple of similar type wrs before tutu but once both were taken before their pick they probably decided to play it cautiously and stay put and take the wr they wanted.

.

 

[Loyal]

Why put off for tomorrow what you can do today.
~ @Loyal

No slackers allowed at ROD!

 

[PARAM]

Here's Reuter's quick evaluation of the 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 Rams drafts:

2017:
Draft picks:Gerald Everett (No. 44 overall), Cooper Kupp (No. 69 overall), John Johnson (No. 91 overall), Josh Reynolds (No. 117 overall), Samson Ebukam (No. 125 overall), Tanzel Smart (No. 189 overall), Sam Rogers (No. 206 overall), Ejuan Price (No. 234 overall)
Day 1 grade: C
Day 2 grade: B+
Day 3 grade: A
Overall grade: B-
The skinny: Tight end was a need position for the Rams, and Gerald Everett's ability to get off the line smoothly is quite impressive. They might consider him a receiver. It might have been a tick early for him, however -- not unlike when they chose Lance Kendricks a bit early in 2011. Cooper Kupp's feet are as quick as any in the draft, even if his 40 time wasn't great. Third-round safety John Johnson is liked by scouts for his ability to handle multiple roles in the secondary.

The Rams couldn't help but build up their offense with a solid receiver in Josh Reynolds, and got a potential pass-rush specialist in Samson Ebukam -- two solid picks. Getting fullback Sam Rogers in the sixth will help Todd Gurley and the special teams units. The Rams needed to find a cornerback (or two), but couldn't meet all their needs in eight picks. Jared Goff will be given the opportunity to excel with this talent around him.

2018:
Draft picks: TCU OT Joseph Noteboom (No. 89 overall), Michigan State C Brian Allen (No. 111 overall), Stephen F. Austin DE John Franklin-Myers (No. 135 overall), Virginia LB Micah Kiser (No. 147 overall), Oklahoma LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (No. 160 overall), Tennessee RB John Kelly (No. 176 overall), Maine OG Jamil Demby (No. 192 overall), Rutgers DT Sebastian Joseph (No. 195 overall), Louisville LB Trevon Young (No. 205 overall), TCU LB Travin Howard (No. 231), SMU DE Justin Lawler (No. 244 overall).
Day 1 grade: A
Day 2 grade: B
Day 3 grade: A
Overall grade: A-
The skinny: Les Snead pulled the trigger on a trade with the Patriots to land receiver Brandin Cooks, giving up the team's first-round pick and swapping a sixth-rounder for a fourth-round selection. Jared Goff is already thriving under coach Sean McVay, and now he has a very reliable pass-catcher in Cooks. This is a "win-now" move, which makes more sense than relying on a rookie receiver to help the offense. Snead gave up his second-round pick for Sammy Watkins, who played well for a year and then moved on. I'm sure that's not what the team had in mind when trading for him. Finally able to pick in the middle of the third round, the Rams get a swing tackle in Noteboom, who showed impressive movement last season. This was a good pick for a team needing depth at the position. The Rams did some work on Day 3 well before the draft, grabbing picks in trading away Robert Quinn and Alec Ogletree and giving up picks for cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. Franklin-Myers is an interesting edge rusher whom I valued as a top-150 pick. Kiser could take Ogletree's starting spot in 2018. The Rams went nuts on edge rushers later, but all had good value. Kelly is also a strong pick in the sixth round.

2019:
Draft picks: Washington S Taylor Rapp (No. 61 overall); Memphis RB Darrell Henderson (No. 70); Michigan CB David Long (No. 79); Oklahoma OG Bobby Evans (No. 97); Washington DT Greg Gaines (No. 134); Wisconsin T David Edwards (No. 169); Penn State S Nick Scott (No. 243); Texas Tech LB Dakota Allen (No. 251)
Day 1 grade: No picks, no grade
Day 2 grade: B+
Day 3 grade: A
Overall grade: B+
Draft analysis: General manager Les Snead must have seen all of his first-round prospects come off the board, as the Rams traded back to No. 45 overall (from No. 31) so the Falcons could select Kaleb McGary. I liked that the Rams picked up a third (No. 79, in addition to the 45th overall pick) in the deal. Additional moves took L.A. out of the top 60 selections. Rapp is simply a heady football player who finds his way to the ball despite possessing average athleticism for the position. I suspect he'll be a long-term starter once Eric Weddle retires (or if the veteran can't stay healthy this year). Henderson's size was brought up in the process, but guys had a hard time tackling his compact build. L.A. needed depth at corner, and Long was a good value in the third round. Evans isn't an elite athlete, but he could be a fair swing tackle, which the Rams need.

Gaines is a top-notch nose who won't just stand there on pass plays -- quarterbacks will know he's there. Edwards joined Evans to add names to a lean offensive-line depth chart.

2020:
Draft picks: Florida State RB Cam Akers (No. 52 overall), Florida WR Van Jefferson (No. 57), Alabama LB Terrell Lewis (No. 84), Utah S Terrell Burgess (No. 104), Purdue TE Brycen Hopkins (No. 136), Ohio State S Jordan Fuller (No. 199), Baylor LB Clay Johnston (No. 234), Miami (Ohio) K Sam Sloman (No. 248), Clemson OG Tremayne Anchrum (No. 250)
Day 1 grade: A-
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: A
Overall grade: A
Draft analysis: For the fourth straight draft, GM Les Snead didn't have a first-round pick. But the savvy decision-maker was able to make the most out of the four Day 2 picks (two second-rounders, two third-rounders) he did have in his arsenal. He added future contributors at running back (Akers) and receiver (Jefferson) while getting excellent value at edge (Lewis) and nickel (Burgess). Finding Hopkins in the fourth was an excellent value, while Fuller could be another Kurt Coleman-type pickup at safety. The loss of Cory Littleton in free agency, might make room inside for Johnston to fit in. Although it makes sense for the Rams to want competition at kicker, it is interesting that they opted over Georgia's Rodrigo Blankenship. Anchrum excelled at tackle for Clemson but will transition inside for the Rams.

Nobody is always right or wrong. How do you grade Reuter's evaluations of these previous drafts?

 

[Loyal]

How about we grade ROD's performance on draft weekend?

Angst ridden response to drafting of Tutu Atwell - A+. Good job boys.

Draft grade? "D" for DOOMED! ~ @Merlin

 

[oldnotdead]

I think the real problem with draft grading is that people don't understand that a team that feels their roster is built is going to approach the draft differently. The Rams came out and said publicly before the draft that it was about depth and rotational players. Now if you judge them from that perspective it's completely different how you grade Tutu and the rest of the draft.

Personally, I give Tutu a B grade downgraded from A simply due to health longevity concerns. But I also know that with a proper bodybuilding and conditioning regime a lot of that can be mitigated. Tutu will add a dimension to McVay's offense missing last year a receiver who can take the top off the defense like Cooks used to do. That type of threat will completely change the offense. Now add in Harris who can be said to be a freak of nature also with 4.3 speed and both safeties will be sitting back in a two-deep shell completely opening up the short and mid-range routes. With Stafford at the helm, this passing offense can become terrifying to DC with weaknesses in their secondary.

Garrett was downgraded in the evaluations because he lacks good long speed. But he has something far more important for his position. He's explosive off the snap and has an understanding of hand usage. Garrett is a bit of a diamond in the rough. We saw another OLB in Ebukam who is tenacious in his style of play. Garrett brings that to the table. If he can show he isn't a liability in coverage and strengthen he can be an effective player in rotation in two to three years. That's why I grade him above average for his draft spot.

This draft wasn't for this year. Snead and McVay saw how this team was so close to the Super Bowl with the roster they currently have. I can see their point. They got rid of some dead weight and upgraded at the all-important QB position. Why keep chasing the mythical perfect roster?

Some teams need to reload, i.e. Green Bay and the Aints. The Rams are simply pushing the reset button. In 2023 we will grade this draft a B perhaps even an A. I believed it last night that Tutu, Rochell and Harris make this draft. Tutu and Harris will become matchup nightmares with 4.3 speed and Rochell will make the Rams secondary 3 deep at shutdown CBs. This is a copycat league. The Rams POTENTIALLY have their own version of Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce and they have a CB who can match up with Hill in Rochell. That is what we are actually talking about. Imagine an offense as explosive as KC paired with a dominating defense able to match up with the fastest WRs.

I'm sorry guys but that is exactly what I see Snead and McVay building in LA. Why you can't get excited over that is what I don't get.

 

[bubbaramfan]

Yup. Rams won't make the playoffs because of this bad draft.

 

[dieterbrock]

Wow an A & D+, reading like my grades in college for History & Math.

Wow, they offered "Math" where you went to college? Hope you made out ok in "Spelling"!!
:gig:

 

[den-the-coach]

Wow, they offered "Math" where you went to college? Hope you made out ok in "Spelling"!!
:gig:

You kids...Okay Calcoolus.

 

[Neil039]

I don’t mind initial draft grades. The players are graded as well as the teams that select them. Many(I mean many) analysts are scratching their heads when looking at the Rams draft.

Personally, I don’t like the initial results. The first two picks would have been there in the 3rd Round. Neither of these 2 picks swings the D or Offense towards a championship.

As fans we are entitled to our opinions, wether we are right or wrong. I sure hope I’m wrong.

 

[Corbin]

I’d give us D+ personally.

Very bad assessments done with these guys.

 

[rdlkgliders]

View: https://twitter.com/RNBWCV/status/1388864754450567169

 

[Allen2McVay]

There are 15 people named above. I recognize five.

 

[FrantikRam]

What's funny about that list is that most of our bad grades seem to come back to the Atwell pick - but Kiper had him as one of the best best available right before we picked, and obviously the Rams had him rated highly. We don't know what other NFL teams had him rated as, but it could have been a late 2nd/early 3rd for most teams.

 

[MadGoat]

There are 15 people named above. I recognize five.

It's like a Rams draft class.

 

[Karate61]

The Rams Defense was #1 last season. I feel we wasted picks on any of the higher round d-players.

The Rams needed a Center, a speedster Wide Receiver, and then an ILB.

No center drafted. Two project (probably worthless) speedster wide receivers, and a practice squad linebacker.

This draft sucked. Obviously sucks. Full on F- (pissed off fan grade...take it for what it's worth).

 

[kurtfaulk]

I don’t mind initial draft grades. The players are graded as well as the teams that select them. Many(I mean many) analysts are scratching their heads when looking at the Rams draft.

Personally, I don’t like the initial results. The first two picks would have been there in the 3rd Round. Neither of these 2 picks swings the D or Offense towards a championship.

As fans we are entitled to our opinions, wether we are right or wrong. I sure hope I’m wrong.

Earnest Brown was taken as a 3rd round comp pick. How much later in the 3rd did you want them to wait?

The cards and seafucks taking small, speedy wrs just before their 2nd round pick probably thwarted their plans to trade back so they just had to grit their teeth and take their guy where they were.

.

 

[Malibu]

Too early to tell obviously to give a grade. Weird that such a great disparity, but it is just opinions.

I look at it like we got a bonafide superstar in Ramsey so he must be a factor. That is a huge win in the draft alone. I looked at the 25th pick and back in the first there is zero comparison. Now could we have dropped back and acquired more picks maybe but doubtful 2 picks in the 2nd would equal 1 Ramsey so start with Ramsey in the equation.

Tutu was not a need that early if desperate for a speedster you could have gotten Schwartz later in the 3rd. We had bigger needs imo and Tutus weight really scares me but some say Brown and Desean had similar weight in college so who knows. I feel sure we need a speedster but we need an OLB a monster ILB a Center a 3rd or 2nd cb depending on what happens to Dwill next off-season so we all can make a case for other positions.

Honestly like I have said in other posts we did not need to take a 5th wr on the depth chart. And if your argument to that is what if Desean gets hurt my answer you shouldn't have acquired him in FA. I can say that to any player on the team. There are only so many balls to go around.

I like the DT, the WR/TE and maybe the CB but why 3 wrs that's nuts I know one is supposedly a TE well he wasn't in college and his weight makes him the lightest TE in the NFL at 219 lbs so he's not really a TE. And if you want to say oh he is special teams that's crazy to get him that early in the draft for special teams.

Like I say only time will tell.

 

[Neil039]

I don’t mind initial draft grades. The players are graded as well as the teams that select them. Many(I mean many) analysts are scratching their heads when looking at the Rams draft.

Personally, I don’t like the initial results. The first two picks would have been there in the 3rd Round. Neither of these 2 picks swings the D or Offense towards a championship.

As fans we are entitled to our opinions, wether we are right or wrong. I sure hope I’m wrong.

Earnest Brown was taken as a 3rd round comp pick. How much later in the 3rd did you want them to wait?

The cards and seafucks taking small, speedy wrs just before their 2nd round pick probably thwarted their plans to trade back so they just had to grit their teeth and take their guy where they were.

.

My typo on him, should have not lumped him with Atwell. Jones would have been there in the 4th and likely in the 5th or a comparable player. It looks like he’s a 2 down LB.

 

[Tano]

I like the 3rd days picks so I give this draft an overall B to B-

Ist day - D+ (this would go higher if Atwell can gain 15 lbs from his current 160 - I am scared to death that he gets hit hard once at his current weight and is down for the count - kinda like when Hulk hit Thor in Avengers)
2nd Day - A-

 

[Allen2McVay]

No center drafted. Two project (probably worthless) speedster wide receivers, and a practice squad linebacker.

This draft sucked. Obviously sucks. Full on F- (pissed off fan grade...take it for what it's worth).

If Atwell turns-out to be useless; and Ernest Jones is no more than a Practice Squad player, then you are right. There was another poster who predicted Jones would end-up on the 2021 Practice Squad.

These were two players the Rams clearly liked a lot. Yarber told Atwell the Rams may not let Atwell out of the second round; and McVay told Peter Schrager that the Rams would not pass on Atwell. The Rams' metrics ... whatever they are ... really favored Jones over a number of ILBs projected to go higher; and Snead said he would have been the pick at #88 had they not traded-down.

These were the kind of picks that McVay and Snead SHOULD be remembered for. If they turn-out well, us fans should remember that.

If your analysis is right, then that reflects poorly on McVay and Snead.

Hope you are wrong but if you are right, then I hope you are hired as the next GM.