My thoughts.
1) Draft reach? I don't think so. I think Haverstein was one of those guys that really impressed coaches at Pro Day and Senior Bowl, and he climbed the team draft boards somewhat under the radar. The Rams were probably already targeting Haverstein with their early 2nd, gambled that he could be had later, and to their credit traded back and picked up the extra 3rd, extra 6th, still got their man.
2) Rams fit? This is the big win with Haverstein. This guy was the best run blocker on THE dominant running offense. Also, rather than find a big finesse LT type to convert into a RT, Snisher just went all in on a real RT, finding a guy who is already a RT, knows and lives the position. As much as we talk about Ts being interchangeable, there are distinct differences between the two, especially in run oriented offenses. Haverstein is a RT, and a damn good one.
3) Bench press. 16? Yeah that concerned me a bit. But he lifted 20 at his pro day. Isn't 20 still bad? Well, Brandon Scherff aka Mr Mr Big Muscles With Short Arms only did 23 reps (long arms hurt bench press numbers). I'm betting that Haverstein also lost some of his press strength training for 40 combine times getting his weight down to 321. End of the day, he's a mountain of a man with great functional strength. Tape don't lie!
Look the Rams picks, and there is no question where they are taking the team. A steady diet of power running game, consistently win the battle at the point of attack. Play action fakes and draws. High percentage passes with occasional deep shots.
Teams will know on Monday that they played the Rams on Sunday.
PS - if you haven't seen the tape on the guy, draft breakdown shows compressed complete games. I watched all of the 2014 Nebraska and LSU games
http://draftbreakdown.com/players/rob-havenstein/
- Very clean, very technical, very proficient.
- Uses very deliberate technique and a distinctive little hip twist to protect his inside shoulder
- Shuffles nicely in pass-pro and punches speed rushers
- Massive masssive massive. Always wins at the point of attack. Gets on opponents and engulfs them. Finishes his blocks, plays through the whistle.
- Gets to the 2nd level and gets on his guy
- Just a tough guy to have to face all day, knowing that he's going to be coming after you 30-40 times a game.
JUNKMAN gives the Haverstein pick (including the trade down) a big THUMBS UP!