2021 Rams Off-Season

[Ram_Rally]

Depends on how the cap is and if we can manipulate it. But I would:

1. Sniff around Watson. Make a move if the price is right.

2. Find a number one reciever. Whether we can find a decent trade for Julio, Beckham jr., Or make room for Allen Robinson, Kenny Galladay, or Will fuller. If goff is our guy then commit to making his life as easy as possible.

3. Get bigger at guard and center. Same reason as number 2. Keep Goff comfortable and maybe stop ending up in so many 2nd and longs. I feel like our 3rd round picks should be exclusively this.

4. Draft an edge rusher or ilb at 57. No more Fowler/floyd "I need to take advantage of double teams" types. Let's get a dude who can just straight up rush. And a linebacker who isn't lost in the sauce every play action and run play.

 

[FaulkSF]

Not one person on our line is a great player.

Not great yet. Edwards has the potential. Evans too but he needs to clean up his pass pro. Have has looked great. He just needs to put everything together and be consistent.

 

[Shuie3225]

We were pretty successful this year with 10 wins and a divisional round appearance. The performance of the line changed drastically with the exit of Saffold and Sullivan. A single player can make a huge difference. The draft isn't necessarily the place to pick up quality linemen. Even first round picks are sometimes undersized and not NFL ready (unless they are freaks) for at least a year or so. Whitworth was picked up in free agency. So was Sullivan.

Saffold is a borderline pro bowl caliber guard. Sullivan was a pro bowl center before he came to the Rams. Those were two great players. Yes we won 10 games this year and a playoff game with an average OL. We also had the top defense in the NFL, and a top 10 running game. But our QB performed as a bottom 1/3rd of the NFL player.

So you think adding a new center in round 2 or 3 will transform this into a top of the league OL? Sorry man not going to happen. It will improve it slightly yes.... but in order to fully transform our OL we would need at least 3 new starters... all of them above average and better than what we have now. It's just not going to happen without a 1st round pick. Everyone screaming to just "upgrade the OL, upgrade the OL, upgrade the OL"... they dont understand that we really cant with our draft capital and cap situation. Next year the OL will look very similar to this year.

Not great yet. Edwards has the potential. Evans too but he needs to clean up his pass pro. Have has looked great. He just needs to put everything together and be consistent.

This is exactly my point Faulk. We wont be upgrading at guard with Corbett and Edwards/Evans both young. Kromer will want to keep developing them. We wont be upgrading at LT, and maybe we move on from Hav but I doubt it. So if we upgrade at center people are thinking that one change is going to transform the entire line into a top unit??? We have no proven great lineman outside of Whit who is 39. The probability is the OL is very average again next year.

 

[Malibu]

Saffold is a borderline pro bowl caliber guard. Sullivan was a pro bowl center before he came to the Rams. Those were two great players. Yes we won 10 games this year and a playoff game with an average OL. We also had the top defense in the NFL, and a top 10 running game. But our QB performed as a bottom 1/3rd of the NFL player.

So you think adding a new center in round 2 or 3 will transform this into a top of the league OL? Sorry man not going to happen. It will improve it slightly yes.... but in order to fully transform our OL we would need at least 3 new starters... all of them above average and better than what we have now. It's just not going to happen without a 1st round pick. Everyone screaming to just "upgrade the OL, upgrade the OL, upgrade the OL"... they dont understand that we really cant with our draft capital and cap situation. Next year the OL will look very similar to this year.



This is exactly my point Faulk. We wont be upgrading at guard with Corbett and Edwards/Evans both young. Kromer will want to keep developing them. We wont be upgrading at LT, and maybe we move on from Hav but I doubt it. So if we upgrade at center people are thinking that one change is going to transform the entire line into a top unit??? We have no proven great lineman outside of Whit who is 39. The probability is the OL is very average again next year.

Screw developing them it's not working. Look at GB and Saints both have 2 probowlers on their OL. Makes a hell of a difference. I have seen zero improvement from Blythe, Edwards, Notebook not sure on Evans.

 

[Shuie3225]

Screw developing them it's not working. Look at GB and Saints both have 2 probowlers on their OL. Makes a hell of a difference. I have seen zero improvement from Blythe, Edwards, Notebook not sure on Evans.

So you want to replace Edwards/Evans/Noteboom with another 3rd or 4th round rookie guard? Say we go center with 2nd round pick, you think a new 3rd/4th round guard will start over Edwards? I dont.

This is exactly my point. We dont have a 1st rounder to get a pro bowl caliber olineman. Corbett will start, Edwards will likely start. The OL wont be drastically improved with a new center. Hav will still get beat sometimes, Witworth at 39 will still get beat sometimes. And the young guards have potential but are not top tier lineman.

 

[matt30]

Saffold is a borderline pro bowl caliber guard. Sullivan was a pro bowl center before he came to the Rams. Those were two great players. Yes we won 10 games this year and a playoff game with an average OL. We also had the top defense in the NFL, and a top 10 running game. But our QB performed as a bottom 1/3rd of the NFL player.

So you think adding a new center in round 2 or 3 will transform this into a top of the league OL? Sorry man not going to happen. It will improve it slightly yes.... but in order to fully transform our OL we would need at least 3 new starters... all of them above average and better than what we have now. It's just not going to happen without a 1st round pick. Everyone screaming to just "upgrade the OL, upgrade the OL, upgrade the OL"... they dont understand that we really cant with our draft capital and cap situation. Next year the OL will look very similar to this year.

Our QB was statistically average. Average passer rating, average yards per attempt, higher than average sacks and sack rate, higher than average completion rate, top 1/3 completions and attempts. Our rushing attack was not top 10 whatsoever. Our yards per attempt were below average. Partially because some of our star running backs spent a significant amount of time injured (in large part because of poor oline play). Our rushing has been embarrassingly poor in short yardage situations also. The entire offense has been hobbled by this line. It was evident from the start of the season when we came out of the gate with boots, screens and nothing downfield.

There is plenty to be done in free agency. Like I said, that's exactly how we acquired pro-bowl talent like Whitworth and Sullivan.

Yes. Adding a center would drastically improve the line situation. Interior pressure is a drive killer. It's why Aaron Donald is the linchpin of our defense. It disrupts the play action game, makes it impossible to step up into the pocket for a deeper pass game, and poor center play makes the guard's job significantly harder.


Examples (horrible center play):

View: https://youtu.be/mp0c8xkCacM?t=155


(Evans fails to hold his block):

View: https://youtu.be/mp0c8xkCacM?t=449


(Evans false start)

View: https://youtu.be/mp0c8xkCacM?t=84


(Blythe wiffs on his block, completely misses his man)

View: https://youtu.be/mp0c8xkCacM?t=395


(Evans absolutely manhandled, Blythe zero help on the double team)

View: https://youtu.be/mp0c8xkCacM?t=510


(Same story)

View: https://youtu.be/mp0c8xkCacM?t=517

 

[Giles]

Saffold is a borderline pro bowl caliber guard. Sullivan was a pro bowl center before he came to the Rams. Those were two great players. Yes we won 10 games this year and a playoff game with an average OL. We also had the top defense in the NFL, and a top 10 running game. But our QB performed as a bottom 1/3rd of the NFL player.

So you think adding a new center in round 2 or 3 will transform this into a top of the league OL? Sorry man not going to happen. It will improve it slightly yes.... but in order to fully transform our OL we would need at least 3 new starters... all of them above average and better than what we have now. It's just not going to happen without a 1st round pick. Everyone screaming to just "upgrade the OL, upgrade the OL, upgrade the OL"... they dont understand that we really cant with our draft capital and cap situation. Next year the OL will look very similar to this year.



This is exactly my point Faulk. We wont be upgrading at guard with Corbett and Edwards/Evans both young. Kromer will want to keep developing them. We wont be upgrading at LT, and maybe we move on from Hav but I doubt it. So if we upgrade at center people are thinking that one change is going to transform the entire line into a top unit??? We have no proven great lineman outside of Whit who is 39. The probability is the OL is very average again next year.

We all just watched what happens when 1 player is out/injured to unit. We were minus a healthy ad and the d turned to shit. Now is a ufa center AD? No but having a starting caliber center would makes a world difference in the oline play and blythe was never a starting caliber player at any position.

 

[Shuie3225]

Our QB was statistically average. Average passer rating, average yards per attempt, higher than average sacks and sack rate, higher than average completion rate, top 1/3 completions and attempts. Our rushing attack was not top 10 whatsoever.

Sorry but the rams had the #10 rushing attack in the NFL... what are you talking about?? Here's a link for you because you obviously didn't look. https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team/_/stat/rushing/season/2020/seasontype/2

And Goff's wasn't "statistically average." Bro what planet are you living on?? He was below average on many of these stats you literally just said. You said average passer rating and yards per attempt??? 23rd ranked passer rating, and 32nd ranked yards per attempt is average??? 23rd and 32nd!?? You didn't even look these up before posting.

Higher than average sacks??? He was sacked the 21st highest amount in the NFL. 20 other QBs were sacked more. Have some respect for other posters please and don't say completely false shit like this. At least look up the stats before you post if you're tying to make a point.

I do agree with you that upgrading at Center will help the line. But with 3 or 4 of the other positions not changing, I just really doubt how it goes from an average OL to a great OL. Like I said I think it will be more or less middle of the pack again.

 

[ottoman89]

Top of my wishlist on Day 2.. I'm sure you're all surprised. This road grader, OL Alaric Jackson from Iowa.

 

[Giles]

I'm curious what would you like to do with the OL? I agree we can upgrade it, but compared to last year it was much, much better this season. Yet Goff had another down year just like last year. So we can upgrade center obviously..but what are ae going to do at guard? I think not too much right?. We have Corbett is who is young, and Edwards/Noteboom/Evans at LG.. all young. More than likely Kromer wants to keep developing these guys. But none of these are GREAT players. They are all pretty average.

What about RT? We can dump Havenstein and save some money. But hes our best 2nd lineman right now. Hes good in the run game and average in the pass game I'd say. But also not a GREAT player.

LT? If Whitworth comes back he has a job. He is still a very good player, but not an elite LT anymore.

So realistically how much can we upgrade the OL in one offseason? We can get a new center, but more than likely both guards stay the same and both tackles as well. Maybe we get a new RT, but will he be an upgrade over Hav?

My point is, a lot of people are saying "Goff needs a better OL, Goff needs a better OL." Okay, I dont disagre..with his skillset its the best way to maximize his talent. But HOW do we improve it drastically from this year in one offseason? We really cant. We have no 1st round pick, so we wont get an elite OL talent. We can upgrade center with a 2nd or 3rd rounder...but does that make this a GREAT OL? I dont think so. I think we will be middle of the pack again next year with an average OL. Can Goff be a great player with an average OL?

I would start with doing whatever it takes to get linsley in fa if he's available or any oline help for that matter. But he's a far away #1 priority for me. The Watson deal intrigues me and I'll be all for it if it happens but it creates even more concern for me than just sticking with goff.

 

[TexasRam]

Does CB Long Jr replace Hill next year?

Saffold is a borderline pro bowl caliber guard. Sullivan was a pro bowl center before he came to the Rams. Those were two great players. Yes we won 10 games this year and a playoff game with an average OL. We also had the top defense in the NFL, and a top 10 running game. But our QB performed as a bottom 1/3rd of the NFL player.

So you think adding a new center in round 2 or 3 will transform this into a top of the league OL? Sorry man not going to happen. It will improve it slightly yes.... but in order to fully transform our OL we would need at least 3 new starters... all of them above average and better than what we have now. It's just not going to happen without a 1st round pick. Everyone screaming to just "upgrade the OL, upgrade the OL, upgrade the OL"... they dont understand that we really cant with our draft capital and cap situation. Next year the OL will look very similar to this year.



This is exactly my point Faulk. We wont be upgrading at guard with Corbett and Edwards/Evans both young. Kromer will want to keep developing them. We wont be upgrading at LT, and maybe we move on from Hav but I doubt it. So if we upgrade at center people are thinking that one change is going to transform the entire line into a top unit??? We have no proven great lineman outside of Whit who is 39. The probability is the OL is very average again next year.

You can move Corbett to center and if you draft well could absolutely find a top guard in RD2. You can also move a 3rd round pick or more to move up for that player. Top guards can be found in RD 2. Saffold was drafted RD 2. So was pro bowler Jenkins who just shot Aaron Donald down.

 

[TexasRam]

Sorry but the rams had the #10 rushing attack in the NFL... what are you talking about?? Here's a link for you because you obviously didn't look. https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team/_/stat/rushing/season/2020/seasontype/2

And Goff's wasn't "statistically average." Bro what planet are you living on?? He was below average on many of these stats you literally just said. You said average passer rating and yards per attempt??? 23rd ranked passer rating, and 32nd ranked yards per attempt is average??? 23rd and 32nd!?? You didn't even look these up before posting.

Higher than average sacks??? He was sacked the 21st highest amount in the NFL. 20 other QBs were sacked more. Have some respect for other posters please and don't say completely false shit like this. At least look up the stats before you post if you're tying to make a point.

I do agree with you that upgrading at Center will help the line. But with 3 or 4 of the other positions not changing, I just really doubt how it goes from an average OL to a great OL. Like I said I think it will be more or less middle of the pack again.

No team rolled their QB more than the Rams. That is the reason Goff wasn’t sacked as much. When he stays in the pocket it’s David Carr bad in protection.

 

[matt30]

Sorry but the rams had the #10 rushing attack in the NFL... what are you talking about?? Here's a link for you because you obviously didn't look. https://www.espn.com/nfl/stats/team/_/stat/rushing/season/2020/seasontype/2

And Goff's wasn't "statistically average." Bro what planet are you living on?? He was below average on many of these stats you literally just said. You said average passer rating and yards per attempt??? 23rd ranked passer rating, and 32nd ranked yards per attempt is average??? 23rd and 32nd!?? You didn't even look these up before posting.

Higher than average sacks??? He was sacked the 21st highest amount in the NFL. 20 other QBs were sacked more. Have some respect for other posters please and don't say completely false shit like this. At least look up the stats before you post if you're tying to make a point.

I do agree with you that upgrading at Center will help the line. But with 3 or 4 of the other positions not changing, I just really doubt how it goes from an average OL to a great OL. Like I said I think it will be more or less middle of the pack again.

The rams rushing attack averaged 4.3 yards per attempt. You didn't look at your own link. Not even close to top 10.

The median yards per attempt this season was 7.3. Goff was at 7.2. That's average. His passer rating is 90. That's average. The statistical average paser rating for an NFL QB is 90 across seasons. There is a huge statistical drop off between the bottom QB (low 70 to low 80) and the statistically average ones (90s). And we had historically low pass attempts in the red zone which has huge weight on the number. Goff was one of the top 10 most HIT (not sacked) QBs this season (he's actually good at avoiding sacks), and the top 5 most blitzed.

You also conveniently didn't address any of the other QB metrics when you baselessly said he was bottom 1/3. What high INT rate? Wilson, Cousins, Brady, Murray, are all right there with him. His fumbles are high but he's also the most blitzed and hit QB. TD? Our deep passing game has all but been eliminated and we don't pass in the red zone. When we did get there and throw he was top 5 in efficiency.

 

[dieterbrock]

The rams rushing attack averaged 4.3 yards per attempt. You didn't look at your own link. Not even close to top 10.

Yards per game, Rams were 10th.

 

[matt30]

Yards per game, Rams were 10th.

IMHO, yards per attempt is the more important metric. Take that and our expected points from the run game (nearly worst in the league) and it's not a great picture. A big part of that is the failure to convert in short yardage and goal line situations. We have skilled running backs that can get chunk plays, but consistency and goal line is a problem. And that's an Oline issue.

2020 NFL Standings & Team Stats | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Check out the 2020 NFL Standings & Team Stats including AFC and NFC results and standings on Pro-football-reference.com

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[dieterbrock]

IMHO, yards per attempt is the more important metric. Take that and our expected points from the run game (nearly worst in the league) and it's not a great picture. A big part of that is the failure to convert in short target and goal line situations.

2020 NFL Standings & Team Stats | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Check out the 2020 NFL Standings & Team Stats including AFC and NFC results and standings on Pro-football-reference.com

www.pro-football-reference.com

That's nonsense. You are picking a metric that supports your comment.
Rams were 10th in rushing. YPG is the most accurate metric.
Otherwise, who lead the NFL in rushing? Not Derrick Henry? Doesnt matter he broke 2K, he came in 6th in YPC?
Gimme a break

 

[matt30]

That's nonsense. You are picking a metric that supports your comment.
Rams were 10th in rushing. YPG is the most accurate metric.
Otherwise, who lead the NFL in rushing? Not Derrick Henry? Doesnt matter he broke 2K, he came in 6th in YPC?
Gimme a break

I'm picking the metric that makes the most sense.

Derrick Henry? Maybe in fantasy. This is about efficient offense. Green Bay's RBBC approach produced better results and it showed. Same thing with the Ravens.

 

[Shuie3225]

I'm picking the metric that makes the most sense.

Derrick Henry? Maybe in fantasy. This is about efficient offense. Green Bay's RBBC approach produced better results and it showed. Same thing with the Ravens.

It's not about picking a metric that YOU think makes sense. It's about how the NFL ranks the top rushing teams. YPG

You're arguing this useless wrong point when the focus was upgrading the OL. Sorry we disagree there.. if we upgrade at center and guard then maybe I'll buy in more. If we only upgrade at center I think we'll be more or less average again on the OL.

 

[Merlin]

I could see SF trading for Stafford.

Hope they do. Our defense would eat that dull-witted fuck.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Hope they do. Our defense would eat that dull-witted fuck.

So ... you’re Not a Stafford fan?