OFFICIAL 2023 Draft

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Merlin

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Playing with the draft sim tonight and gotta say the Edge options feel better with the 3rd round picks than the Corner options do. Could just be the way this infernal thing is coded but it's a definite trend I'm seeing. I regret taking Gray early in this one too, gave in to my love of physical backs there whoops, but of course there are many nice options later.

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Memento

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Playing with the draft sim tonight and gotta say the Edge options feel better with the 3rd round picks than the Corner options do. Could just be the way this infernal thing is coded but it's a definite trend I'm seeing. I regret taking Gray early in this one too, gave in to my love of physical backs there whoops, but of course there are many nice options later.

View attachment 59563
Now that's a draft I could fall in love with, even if doesn't have Kraft. I'm not the biggest LaPorta fan (especially since I'm hoping for Kraft at that range), but I can see why y'all like him.
 

Neil039

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What AD did in 2021 playoffs is reminiscent of what Reggie White did for the Packers back in Super Bowl XXXI. Reggie literally threw the Offensive Tackles around on New England. AD just willed the Rams to wins with his play. The Burrow sack ended the game just like Reggie’s sack in the SB.

Ram fans know AD’s value right now. I think when he hangs up the cleats someday the league will really start to honor him the way he deserves. IMO
 

den-the-coach

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Playing with the draft sim tonight and gotta say the Edge options feel better with the 3rd round picks than the Corner options do. Could just be the way this infernal thing is coded but it's a definite trend I'm seeing. I regret taking Gray early in this one too, gave in to my love of physical backs there whoops, but of course there are many nice options later.

View attachment 59563
Have to admit I like it, really starting to warm up to Jaren Hall.
 

Tumak61

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Going to be interesting. No idea what McVay and Snead are thinking. This could go in so many different directions. They have the inside on Stafford and how long he intends to play so that will weigh heavily in their strategy. Will they trade into the first round late to grab a QB and get that fifth year option? We will know soon enough.
 

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I love Jourdan's latest mock draft.. two trade downs and 4 picks in top 150.
I would love to add more, if there's any way possible, but it looked like a really solid group.
 

Kupped

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Didn't cherry pick the game, just linked one. For myself I notice his instincts on that drop he made. It was quick and easy to miss. Or his beating of some doubles. The way he doesn't get knocked back or give ground in his edge setting.

He's a strong side type and for us would be moved around, so not a pure blindside type. He may even end up playing some 5T or backing up interior roles in odd fronts we use. Just a big, physical, versatile rusher. Type of guy we're gonna need in division I think.

Here's a highlight reel:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD_TD7m0jn4

Strength, hands, motor and instincts... love this kid.
He doesn't have the high end that some have but I think he has a higher floor.
He's a guy you want on your roster, imo.
 

Flatlyner

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I would be looking for a player that could do both set the edge and rush the passer. Hall seems like a good start.

Why did Ojulari only have 5.5 sacks in 11 games in 2022?
I'm not certain why is his production fell off, but, he was still 3rd in the nation at QB pressures in the last 2 seasons, so he was getting penetration. Also, the beast Harold Perkins started to come up later in the season and was cleaning up a bunch of pressures Ojulari was in on. Also, he missed 2 games with a knee that looked like he was bothered by it for a lot of the remaining season. I watch too much LSU football because my buddy is an alum.
Playing with the draft sim tonight and gotta say the Edge options feel better with the 3rd round picks than the Corner options do. Could just be the way this infernal thing is coded but it's a definite trend I'm seeing. I regret taking Gray early in this one too, gave in to my love of physical backs there whoops, but of course there are many nice options later.

View attachment 59563
Yes, I think the edge options are far and away better then the CB options in the 3rd. Guys like Hall, Foskey, Tuli, McGuire are all likely in or near 3rd round and honestly not much of a drop off from the guys projected in the 2nd.
 

Merlin

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Hall didn't impress me as a pass rusher. Ojulari had one of the highest pressure rates in college football.
The thing with Hall is that he dropped weight for the Senior Bowl and looked great. Also if you go back into his history he was careful his senior year in HS in terms of pacing himself and it was one of the reasons he chose Auburn, was that the DC there busted his balls about his lack of effort that year. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, granted, but a guy who shows well in the Senior Bowl and who has good physicality in his edge setting sounds like a guy who will be on the Rams radar. Plus he's an option after the trade down in round 2 into round 3 most likely. And lastly he's a busy, likeable kid, if that vid series on him is to be believed.

I presume he's a target for us though he's not on the interview list that I can recall.
 

El Chapo Jr

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So here's where I keep questioning myself, if it's been reported the Rams want to be more offensively stacked, wouldn't that suggest their first pick will be in the offensive side? I only ask as so many mocks and predictions keep pointing to the defense. I have a feeling we are going after a weapon. I could be wrong, but I can see McVay being motivated to get the offense going again.
 

jrry32

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I'm not certain why is his production fell off, but, he was still 3rd in the nation at QB pressures in the last 2 seasons, so he was getting penetration. Also, the beast Harold Perkins started to come up later in the season and was cleaning up a bunch of pressures Ojulari was in on. Also, he missed 2 games with a knee that looked like he was bothered by it for a lot of the remaining season. I watch too much LSU football because my buddy is an alum.
Converting pressures to sacks often comes down to luck. Occasionally, there are guys who have long careers where they get tons of pressures but don't convert them often (Brandon Graham and Chris Long are two examples). But usually, guys who pressure the QB a lot convert to sacks at a solid rate. Because that rate fluctuates from year to year, sack totals fluctuate from year to year.

Here's a great example. According to Pro Football Reference, T.J. Watt had 61 pressures, 41 QB hits, and 15 sacks in 2020. In 2021, T.J. Watt had 22.5 sacks, 39 QB hits, and 52 pressures. Clearly, Watt was highly effective in both years. He just happened to convert more pressures to sacks in 2021.

Ojulari won often and won quickly. That'll translate to the next level.
 

WestCoastRam

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So here's where I keep questioning myself, if it's been reported the Rams want to be more offensively stacked, wouldn't that suggest their first pick will be in the offensive side? I only ask as so many mocks and predictions keep pointing to the defense. I have a feeling we are going after a weapon. I could be wrong, but I can see McVay being motivated to get the offense going again.
"pass rushers and pass catchers" - that's what's been said about Rams this draft. You can go after both in the top 100 picks.
 

El Chapo Jr

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"pass rushers and pass catchers" - that's what's been said about Rams this draft. You can go after both in the top 100 picks.
Pass catchers hasn't been said nearly as much as edge or even cornerback. I think we lost so many starters in D that it's assumed we'll go that route which makes sense, but for some reason, I feel like the offense is where they'll take it since I'm sure McVay wasn't satisfied with that side of the ball's production. Gonna be interesting to see which weapon they choose if they do indeed go offense. I'm just going to eat my popcorn and enjoy the show.
 

Flatlyner

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So here's where I keep questioning myself, if it's been reported the Rams want to be more offensively stacked, wouldn't that suggest their first pick will be in the offensive side? I only ask as so many mocks and predictions keep pointing to the defense. I have a feeling we are going after a weapon. I could be wrong, but I can see McVay being motivated to get the offense going again.
This draft isn't fantastic for weapons honestly. I sincerely don't love or even like any WR at 36 (unless a projected first drops like Addison). The only weapon at 36 I could see would be a TE. I'm still thinking Gibbs goes before 36 and I'm hoping he does.
 

jrry32

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The thing with Hall is that he dropped weight for the Senior Bowl and looked great. Also if you go back into his history he was careful his senior year in HS in terms of pacing himself and it was one of the reasons he chose Auburn, was that the DC there busted his balls about his lack of effort that year. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, granted, but a guy who shows well in the Senior Bowl and who has good physicality in his edge setting sounds like a guy who will be on the Rams radar. Plus he's an option after the trade down in round 2 into round 3 most likely. And lastly he's a busy, likeable kid, if that vid series on him is to be believed.

I presume he's a target for us though he's not on the interview list that I can recall.
My issue with Hall is that he's a face-up rusher. He wins with strength, length, and effort. (In the NFL, he'll need to add skill to the mix.) He does not bend well. He's not the sort of guy who explodes off the ball, dips under a blocker, and turns the corner. He goes through the man in front of him.

That works extremely well at the NFL level for some guys. But it's harder to project that skillset than it is a guy who wins with speed and bend. Because NFL OTs are bigger, stronger, and smarter than college OTs. The good part of Hall is that he is physical, tough, and sets a hard edge. He'll be a good run defender if he keeps the motor revved. He also has great closing speed. The question for me is whether he's the sort of dude who ends up being a 5-8 sack per year clean-up guy (ex. Sam Hubbard) or whether he can a guy who puts up double-digit sacks fairly routinely (ex. Za'Darius Smith). (Or he could be something in between, like Preston Smith.)
 

El Chapo Jr

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This draft isn't fantastic for weapons honestly. I sincerely don't love or even like any WR at 36 (unless a projected first drops like Addison). The only weapon at 36 I could see, would be a TE. I'm still thinking Gibbs goes before their pick, and honestly, I'm hoping he does.
If it's not great for weapons, more reason for McVay to be tempted by one since the pickings could be slim. I just hope whoever we pick is a great addition at this point. I'm just ready to see more of the plan unfold.
 

Merlin

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My issue with Hall is that he's a face-up rusher. He wins with strength, length, and effort. (In the NFL, he'll need to add skill to the mix.) He does not bend well. He's not the sort of guy who explodes off the ball, dips under a blocker, and turns the corner. He goes through the man in front of him.

That works extremely well at the NFL level for some guys. But it's harder to project that skillset than it is a guy who wins with speed and bend. Because NFL OTs are bigger, stronger, and smarter than college OTs. The good part of Hall is that he is physical, tough, and sets a hard edge. He'll be a good run defender if he keeps the motor revved. The question for me is whether he's the sort of dude who ends up being a 5-8 sack per year clean-up guy (ex. Sam Hubbard) or whether he can a guy who puts up double-digit sacks fairly routinely (ex. Za'Darius Smith). (Or he could be something in between, like Preston Smith.)
Agreed on all. But the bendy and the speed/twitch guys go earlier because teams know this.

Rams undoubtedly take Ojulari if he's there at 36 but will he be. I am very skeptical on that. Sure would be nice but we're probably looking at a trade down which means strong side types (physical/effort rushers) are likely to be what we end up adding.
 

Flatlyner

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Yes, I agree. I feel like we will be picking from this group of guys: D.Hall, Foskey, Tuli, McGuire, FAU. All more power guys that have upside as pass rushers. Hell, Tuli lead the nation in sacks.