The potential sliders, to my eye, that have been consistently cited up in that top ten, are Downs and Reese. Downs because he's a safety and they simply are not a prioritized position, they seem to go lower than where they're cited. And Reese because he's a 100% projection as a pass rusher, the dude is an ILB with strong rush instincts but if teams are slotting him as an Edge he may slide.
Bain I have no idea wtf anyone thinks with his off field shit, so he's a bit of a darkhorse as well. But his impact on the field, his film, is so good that it's hard to imagine him making it to us.
As to the Rams pick...
Chain movers: where Lemon makes sense is if they're worried about Puka. But so does Stowers and he adds size and flexible usage as he's big and athletic enough to flex out to X in the redzone. Also I think Stowers is too good to last until our round 2 pick so they'd have to position for him.
X role: Lot of options here and they don't have to take it at 13. I like a lot of the rangy kids in this class, some are gonna need some work but that's fine by me and I think we have the room and coaches to make good on many of them. If they want to get it over with at the top I would just take Boston.
ILB: if Reese or Styles slides to 8 or so then I think that's in range of the Rams moving up but it would cost our 3rd round pick which would hurt. I just have a feeling Shula values his ILBs more than his predecessors as he's a LB source coach and by God we could use an infusion of top talent there. Reese in particular would need to tell me he's fine with playing offball, though, in order to take him. Otherwise I'd have him down the board, as I'd take many other Edges before I would take him. If they go after Rodriguez, btw, which would be great, he isn't gonna come anywhere close to our round 2 pick.
Safety: I think it is possible the Rams end up at 13 looking at both Safeties (Downs and Theineman). I don't know what their plan this year is for Lake. But Downs to my eye is most impactful around the box, so he's a bit too much like Lake. Whereas Theineman is more of a deep ranging type who can instinctively charge into the box. Also I think our safeties are solid to good, but both Downs or Theineman would start day one for us.
TE: Sadiq is not the fit. Keep saying it. The dude who is different is Stowers. He's a pure slot weapon in this offense and can move around. I think it is entirely possible they position for Stowers.
QB: I don't care too much who they take, but my preferences are Klubnik round 5, or Pavia round 7. Just don't blow a high pick on the position.
C: Oh and lastly I expect they're high on Slaughter. But I don't think he makes it to our round 3 pick.
