I hear you. The opportunity to get a special player is hard to pass up.
There are several players who could be special at positions we normally don't draft high. Who would you take between Downs, Love and Styles?
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There are several players who could be special at positions we normally don't draft high. Who would you take between Downs, Love and Styles?
Ah man. That's really tough. So if we take away positional value, I think Downs is the best player in the draft, followed closely by Love and then Styles. So I guess I'd rank them like that. How about you?
Downs, Styles, Love.
Aside from positional value, I'm factoring in need. RB is one of our strongest positions, so assuming all three turn out to be elite players, we get the lowest boost from further upgrades there.
I didn't consider need. I can agree with that list. Styles is awesome although I do worry about the learning curve for linebackers.
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- #506
Pick
13
Los Angeles Rams
(via ATL)
Jermod McCoy
Tennessee · CB · Junior
If McCoy shows evaluators that he is fully recovered from the ACL tear suffered in January of 2025, the Tennessee standout could be a steal for the Rams as a CB1 with ballhawk potential.
Pick
29
Los Angeles Rams
Dillon Thieneman
Oregon · S · Junior
The Rams' struggles in coverage could prompt general manager Les Snead to commit multiple top picks to the defensive backfield. Thieneman is a natural center fielder with the range, instincts and awareness to thrive as a playmaker in Chris Shula's umbrella scheme.
Styles would be an impact player in our defense from Day 1.
Downs, Love, then Styles for me. Downs has the most talent in the draft. Love would take a lot off the shoulders of Staff and actually break off some long TD runs we so lack. Love can also line up in the slot. Styles is a very nice weapon on D.
I have no problems with your list. I'm not sure though that they would take any of those players because of their positions.
I'm not so sure. I doubt we resign Curl leaving a spot open for Downs. Styles can easily take over for Omar and bump Landman to 2nd, in addition to playing some box safety and edge. Love - lets be honest - this is McVay and he would probably be bricked up if Love was on the board at 13.
I could see us drafting any of the 3, especially after they work out.
You've got more faith in them deviating from their patterns than I do.
If we dont resign Curl, we probably sign another vet safety from the bargain bin. Remember, free agency comes before the draft and Snead doesn't go into drafts with acute needs.
At ILB we just invested in Landman who is the first real investment -money or draft - into the position under McSnead. IMO, the chances that they double down there are low.
I honestly don't know what McVay's feelings on RBs are. I think he goes crazy over WRs. I also know that Snead has expressed reservations about taking RBs early because of the Gurley experience. It's not a long lasting position.
I suspect they draft a WR, CB, QB, or a surprise position like DL. Holes get filled later in the draft.
Landman's deal won't prevent them from going LB. He has very little guaranteed money past 27', with only a $120K dead cap hit. Even if they let him go after 26', its only a $2.2M dead cap hit to start the 27' offseason, resulting in a $5.5M savings from his $7.7M cap number in 27'.
So that should have zero impact if they can draft a near unicorn at LB.
You misunderstood me. It's not Landman's deal that will prevent them from going LB. It's their pattern and deprioritization of the position.
This is akin to the KW conversation this morning. I know the contract situation and that they can get out easily. But why would they want to? He was highly productive, which is why they paid him.
I could be wrong, but it's my opinion that they won't make another large investment into the position. And using the #13th pick there is a huge investment.
Oh I agree with your points and don't think its likely that we go with any of the 3, but, I maintain there is an argument of why they could go with any of the three.
And there is also the argument of a draft that lacks blue chippers and at least 2 of the 3 are considered blues. Styles might be after the combine also.
Yeah, they have seemed to try to go get "special players" the last two drafts. So at 13, the special players in that range could be Love, Downs, and Styles. So do they go get one of them regardless of their "less important positions". I think they might.
With devalued positions greatness changes the rules. So with Love for example as a devalued position, it doesn't matter. He's still worthy of a very high pick. Same with Styles. Elite players are always a priority for a smart team. And we have a smart team.
The problem is neither will get anywhere near us. Feels very unlikely. Best bet for that is probably Downs.