3 positions Rams must address this offseason

[Riverumbbq]

They missed the playoffs by 1 game, perhaps if he would have showed up earlier in the season they might have won another game.
Not investing in TE is a huge mistake.

You could say the same thing about any number of players or plays.
Make a mock and let's see how you spread what little CAP money we have around and how you work the draft, that's the best way for us to interpret your theories. We can't do everything we would all like to do in single season.

 

[So Ram]

Williams gets a first round tender, Hill, JJ & Fox are gone, Havenstein & Brockers are traded, and Wood gets restructured as does Donald & Ramsey.

River's final mock before Free Agency ...

OK, this is my final mock before Free Agency opens. As we are all are aware, the Rams are hurting in CAP availability and draft picks this year, at least presently. Both can be fixed somewhat, but not everyone will be pleased with the results. It looks like our only 3'rd & 4'th round draft picks...

ramsondemand.com

Looks like your have a better than myself. I’m in the wait & see part of things.Like Christmas watching gifts bought opened & some returned.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

It amazes me that each time this discussion is raised the tight end is never brought up. TE is a bigger concern IMO than a 3/4 WR. Higbee is adequate, but nothing special, Everett is gone, Mundt is a JAG and Hopkins barely got his uniform dirty last year (which is totally bizarre)

Just asking out if curiosity, but who would you want at TE? I personally would like Jonnu Smith but he costs too damn much. Maybe a blocking veteran TE that doesn't cost as much is more likely. I'm less keen on rookies as they don't develop very fast.

 

[dieterbrock]

Just asking out if curiosity, but who would you want at TE? I personally would like Jonnu Smith but he costs too damn much. Maybe a blocking veteran TE that doesn't cost as much is more likely. I'm less keen on rookies as they don't develop very fast.

Well, need to see who is available. My point was that in all the discussions about team needs, TE is never mentioned. I find it bizarre that WR pops up despite having perennial 1k receiving threats in Woods and Kupp, yet the TE room only has 1 TE under contract with an actual catch in his career. Mundt, as an RFA has a whopping 9 catches in his 4 year career.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Well, need to see who is available. My point was that in all the discussions about team needs, TE is never mentioned. I find it bizarre that WR pops up despite having perennial 1k receiving threats in Woods and Kupp, yet the TE room only has 1 TE under contract with an actual catch in his career. Mundt, as an RFA has a whopping 9 catches in his 4 year career.

Yeah I hear you there. It's definitely an underwhelming group experience wise.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Well, need to see who is available. My point was that in all the discussions about team needs, TE is never mentioned. I find it bizarre that WR pops up despite having perennial 1k receiving threats in Woods and Kupp, yet the TE room only has 1 TE under contract with an actual catch in his career. Mundt, as an RFA has a whopping 9 catches in his 4 year career.

I'd offer the obvious, that to secure a free agent #4 WR will be far less costly than a #1TE, same holds true for the draft.

It's true that Mundt & Blanton are jags, although Blanton intrigues me due to his size, but that may be the only thing he has going for him. Higbee & Hopkins are about the only thing to have any hope for at the position, although Hopkins is still a blank slate. The Rams could easily surprise us with a free agent or draft pick as our depth is nil, let's just hope there's a hidden piggy bank for Snead to yet discover.

 

[Merlin]

Ditto.

It feels our options are; a) resign Blythe, or b) another experienced center.

Hard to see banking on a rookie at that position for a SB run.

Agreed. They need to bring in a mediocre type vet at the minimum. Might be Blythe but I hope not. His issues (looking good until he sees a strong DL or is challenged in the A gaps) are what you get with rookie and inexperienced centers which impacts his value even as a low end vet option IMO.

Late Round 2 is outside that range where the insta-starter type centers go. I could see Dickerson (who is the only round one center in this draft) sliding to us because of his injury history but it's really hard to imagine Center being the top player on the board when we're up there. I do like some of these other guys but most of them have issues that aren't gonna lead to them stacking up well vs the Edge types we'll see when we're on the clock and that's a need so yeah drafting Center is unlikely IMO until round 3 at the earliest barring Dickerson sliding to them and their medical side being good with his status.

It amazes me that each time this discussion is raised the tight end is never brought up. TE is a bigger concern IMO than a 3/4 WR. Higbee is adequate, but nothing special, Everett is gone, Mundt is a JAG and Hopkins barely got his uniform dirty last year (which is totally bizarre)

Nice to see a position where you and I agree.

Hopkins not sniffing the field is a bad indicator no doubt about it. The Rams were pining for explosive plays so if this guy was even capable of lining up correctly and running the right route I have to think they would have given him a look last season. But maybe we get lucky here and he was lost in the shuffle through no fault of his own due to them thinking of him as being redshirted and his blocking being in an in-work status and all that.

That said if at any point in this draft they see a TE they like take him. Like if for example Friermuth were to fall to us I take him period.

 

[Mackeyser]

The 3 top needs to be addressed in the draft:
#1-Center
#2-CB
#3-OLB/Edge Rusher!!

FIFY

 

[LOURam85]

I think #1 receiver is needed as much as I like woods and Krupp they don’t scare noboby

 

[Riverumbbq]

Yeah I hear you there. It's definitely an underwhelming group experience wise.

The Zach Ertz to just about any team with a top QB rumor has persisted for near on a month as he's apparently being highly recruited around the league. The team that gets him will likely want a predetermined extension worked out since he is due for free agency following the 2021 season.

 

[dieterbrock]

I'd offer the obvious, that to secure a free agent #4 WR will be far less costly than a #1TE, same holds true for the draft

Well, 2 things,
1) When did I say they needed a #1 TE?
2) Do you think a #4 WR is more vital then a #2 TE on a team that runs 12 personnel?

 

[Riverumbbq]

Well, 2 things,
1) When did I say they needed a #1 TE?
2) Do you think a #4 WR is more vital then a #2 TE on a team that runs 12 personnel?

1) No, you didn't specifically demand a #1 TE, but you certainly disparaged Higbee like you were aiming in that direction.
2) Well, without knowing how often McVay intends to make use of the 12 personnel with Stafford under center, that's a tough question to answer. Regardless, I do feel that a quality #4 WR is vital as insurance against injury to any of our top 3 WR starters, and a #4 WR should be less costly than a quality #2 TE.

 

[dieterbrock]

1) No, you didn't specifically demand a #1 TE, but you certainly disparaged Higbee like you were aiming in that direction.
2) Well, without knowing how often McVay intends to make use of the 12 personnel with Stafford under center, that's a tough question to answer. Regardless, I do feel that a quality #4 WR is vital as insurance against injury to any of our top 3 WR starters, and a #4 WR should be less costly than a quality #2 TE.

I'm not aiming in any direction, thats creating an argument that isnt there.
Its really not complicated, my point is and was that when discussions of team needs arise, the TE position is left out of the conversation. I find that ridiculous. Worried about a #4 WR who may not even see the field is more important than a secondary starting TE? Pretty ironic for guy pounding the table for a true fullback.
Higbee is adequate, nothing more, nothing less. And in his make or break year. And that's all we got right now

 

[Riverumbbq]

I'm not aiming in any direction, thats creating an argument that isnt there.
Its really not complicated, my point is and was that when discussions of team needs arise, the TE position is left out of the conversation. I find that ridiculous. Worried about a #4 WR who may not even see the field is more important than a secondary starting TE? Pretty ironic for guy pounding the table for a true fullback.
Higbee is adequate, nothing more, nothing less. And in his make or break year. And that's all we got right now

You ARE aiming in a direction, that's how this whole thing got started. It's also why I suggested you create a mock so fellow board members can better follow or understand how you would spend our limited resources, both in free agency and the draft. It was just days ago that many on this site were clamoring for a true #1 WR, someone who can consistently stretch the field on deep routes. If the Rams were to find such a player, what would the cost be and how does that affect McVays use of 12 personnel with our current rather mediocre TE corps ?
I'd argue that the TE position has NOT been left out of previous conversations, I believe there was a thread dedicated to Ertz within the last few weeks, and a few mocks have also included TE's.
My desiring a rather inexpensive #4 WR for insurance to injury for our WR corps is not saying I don't desire a quality TE to pair with Higbee, although we really don't know what we might have in Hopkins other than he's quite inexperienced. If we draft another TE, we get another inexperienced player for 2021, so i'd surmise that free agency is the best method to garner an immediate fix. Again, it comes down to a lack of resources, ... some want a deep threat WR, some want a new Center, some want a free agent DE, some want a free agent Edge OLB to replace Floyd, some want a free agent ILB, and others want a TE. How do we accommodate all these wants ? Now you come at me for wanting a 6'th round blocking FB, but won't explain to me how a 6'th round TE instead makes us more viable for this upcoming season ?

 

[Riverumbbq]

Rams showing interest in speedy Iowa WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette

Ihmir Smith-Marsette scored 20 total touchdowns at Iowa, including two as a kick returner.

www.yahoo.com

Drafttek has him currently listed as a 4'th round prospect ...

 

[dieterbrock]

You ARE aiming in a direction, that's how this whole thing got started. It's also why I suggested you create a mock so fellow board members can better follow or understand how you would spend our limited resources, both in free agency and the draft. It was just days ago that many on this site were clamoring for a true #1 WR, someone who can consistently stretch the field on deep routes. If the Rams were to find such a player, what would the cost be and how does that affect McVays use of 12 personnel with our current rather mediocre TE corps ?
I'd argue that the TE position has NOT been left out of previous conversations, I believe there was a thread dedicated to Ertz within the last few weeks, and a few mocks have also included TE's.
My desiring a rather inexpensive #4 WR for insurance to injury for our WR corps is not saying I don't desire a quality TE to pair with Higbee, although we really don't know what we might have in Hopkins other than he's quite inexperienced. If we draft another TE, we get another inexperienced player for 2021, so i'd surmise that free agency is the best method to garner an immediate fix. Again, it comes down to a lack of resources, ... some want a deep threat WR, some want a new Center, some want a free agent DE, some want a free agent Edge OLB to replace Floyd, some want a free agent ILB, and others want a TE. How do we accommodate all these wants ? Now you come at me for wanting a 6'th round blocking FB, but won't explain to me how a 6'th round TE instead makes us more viable for this upcoming season ?

Ok, well if you want to actually discuss what I'm talking about, read what Im writing.

It amazes me that each time this discussion is raised the tight end is never brought up. TE is a bigger concern IMO than a 3/4 WR. Higbee is adequate, but nothing special, Everett is gone, Mundt is a JAG and Hopkins barely got his uniform dirty last year (which is totally bizarre)

TE is not listed as an area which needs improvement
THAT is my point
I know that, because it's my point....

 

[So Ram]

Ok, well if you want to actually discuss what I'm talking about, read what Im writing.

TE is not listed as an area which needs improvement
THAT is my point
I know that, because it's my point....

Not sure what your saying ? Do you like The Rams TE’s with Gerald Everett gone still ? Did you ever like them ?
Is Higbee a Stud or what. If The Rams don’t sign a TE it will be crazy?
Blanton & Hopkins should show much improvement.Will see what trust McSnead has in them.
Do The Rams bring in a FB ? I remember McSneads first season with Rogers(red)

 

[dieterbrock]

Not sure what your saying ? Do you like The Rams TE’s with Gerald Everett gone still ? Did you ever like them ?
Is Higbee a Stud or what. If The Rams don’t sign a TE it will be crazy?
Blanton & Hopkins should show much improvement.Will see what trust McSnead has in them.
Do The Rams bring in a FB ? I remember McSneads first season with Rogers(red)

I dont understand what is so difficult to comprehend. The Rams have only 3 TE under contract. Higbee, and 2 guys with 0 career catches. The thread this discussion takes place in is about positions that must be addressed.
The fact TE is not a top 3 position, is crazy to me.
Center, no doubt, top 3
A #4 WR? Not needed more than a legit TE

 

[Memento]

Higbee, in my opinion, is who he is: great blocker, adequate receiver. That four game stretch looks more and more like a mirage. Everett can go away. Mundt is an unrestricted free agent next year. And I have never been a Hopkins fan, and have made that point a lot of times.

I agree that tight end is a need. That wouldn't stop me from taking a speedy receiver who excels at punts (Jaelon Darden, whom I've been pounding the board for; Smith-Marsette, whom the Rams have interest in) in the fourth over a tight end (the good ones are going to be gone by our third round pick), but tight end is definitely a need, especially if we're going to put our faith in Hopkins.

 

[So Ram]

I dont understand what is so difficult to comprehend. The Rams have only 3 TE under contract. Higbee, and 2 guys with 0 career catches. The thread this discussion takes place in is about positions that must be addressed.
The fact TE is not a top 3 position, is crazy to me.
Center, no doubt, top 3
A #4 WR? Not needed more than a legit TE
[/QUOTE

Yes - agree TE is a position that can & maybe needs to be addressed.
I thought Blanton, Hopkins,Higbee,(Mundt)
we’re all signed ?
I guess your saying Johnny is a FA? If he is gone then there is definitely a Big Gap at TE.How it will be addressed
Will be interesting. In fact it could be more important than a Center imo.

Hopkins was drafted to replace Gerald Everett.Blanton is being groomed as well.

The one of the first draft picks will be either a OLB or WR in the 2021 draft.
Value always plays apart as well as the depth of positions.