8to12's Pre-Senior Bowl Mock

[8to12]

2024 Pre-Senior Bowl Rams Mock
Preface: I will clarify that the FA signings will be based off the Rams starting with 44 million in Cap space & dumping the contracts of Noteboom & Allen via Post June 1st designated Cuts. This will add 22-million to the available space.
Regarding the Draft, there are 3 players that I am very high on and a combination of them would go off the board approximately between pick #25 and #55. I will be doing a few trades to make it happen. It may be unrealistic, but wanted to go through the process to see if it was doable on paper.
Last, I will presume that Raheem Morris will be hired as a Head Coach elsewhere within the next week or so and will add a 3rd Rnd compensatory pick at the end of the 3rd round,
My goal, along with upgrading the secondary, is to fortify the Front 5 on Defense. I believe the interior NT can be improved upon.

Restructure: Tyler Higbee Cap Savings 5.2 Mil ; His Cap hit for 2024 is 12-Mil and he will start the season on the PUP list
Cut: Post June 1st Joe Noteboom, Brian Allen... Cap Savings 22 Mil

Resign:
Kevin Dotson – I think a deal averaging 14 Mil per season will get it done
Coleman Shelton
Aleric Jackson
John Johnson
Demarcus Robinson
Carson Wentz

Outside Free agents:

Edge- Brian Burns

I think at this point everyone is familiar with Burns and his Skills as a Pass rusher. He should be a better value than Josh Allen considering his Pass Rush Win Rate is about 21%, or about the same as Allen. In addition, he will provide much better coverage in the Flat and receivers downfield than Hoecht

CB - L’Jarious Snead (Chiefs)

I have always liked this player, even mocked him to the Rams in 2020 when he came out of LA. Tech. Coveted size for a CB, 6’1’ - 195 lbs, good in coverage and is even a better open field tackler. Will bring much needed experience the DB room

Safety- Alohi Gilman (Chargers)

Gilman is 5’11” - 202 lbs coming off his Rookie deal, he has one the highest grades for coverage per PFF. Should be an upgrade over J Fuller.

ILB – Mack Wilson (Patriots)

Wilson is 6’1” - 245 He will bring more speed and coverage ability that has been missing for a while. One of the highest rated LB’s in coverage per PFF.

Draft
Trades:
#19 to Houston for #23 & #86
#51 & #86 to Chargers for #37 & #137
#83, #86 & #137 to Pitt for #52
#155 & #156 to Jacksonville for #117
#191 & 2025 5th to Tampa Bay for #127

Pick #23 - OT Jordan Morgan - Arizona

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byaoe0pyAmg

Morgan has the protoypical size and length for a Left Tackle, 6’5” - 325 lbs. He is a great Pass protector along with being an average Run blocker. Rams are finally in position to Draft a quality LT of the future. Only Joe Alt and Olu Fashanu have better skills in Pass Pro.

Pick #37 - Edge - Chris Braswell - Alabama
Most Underrated EDGE in the 2024 NFL Draft? l Draft Factory Film Sessions (youtube.com)

Braswell is 6’3” - 255 lbs played opposite of Dallas Turner. He has an assortment of moves along with being very flexible to bend the Edge around Tackles. I think he is more polished than Byron Young entering the NFL. His speed and athleticism will help in coverage. Brian Burns is the short term fix and Braswell is the long term solution to solidifying the front 5.

Pick #52 NT – T’vondre Sweat - Texas
"T'Vondre Sweat Is THE ANCHOR!" | 2024 NFL Draft Prospect Spotlight! (youtube.com)

Sweat stands at 6’4” - 360 lbs He is equally good at pressuring the QB as he is at clogging the running lanes. HIs presence on the interior will stress the opponents O-line in having to decide which player to double team ; Donald or Sweat. Sweat will win most 1 on 1’s with Center if not doubled. This should help free up Donald for more 1 on 1’s.

Pick #102 (Comp) CB Mike Sainristil – MIchigan
2024 Draft - Mike Sainristil Michigan Highlights: 6 INTs I Massive Hits and PBUs vs Ohio State - YouTube

Sainristil is 5’10” - 182 lbs He brings speed to the DB room along with a being a great open field tackler. He even can lay the wood to ball carriers considering his lighter weight. Per the video, when one of his fellow DB’s went down with an injury against Ohio St, and the one covering Harrison Jr, Sainristil jumped in and said I’ll take over that responsibility and became a leader. Sainristil is also a converted WR...could provide value as a returner.

Pick #117 TE – Dallin Holker – Colorado St
Dallin Holker Scouting Film | 2024 NFL Draft Prospects (youtube.com)

Holker is 6‘5” - 240 lbs Runs a 4.65/40. Has above average athleticism... has a large catch radius which includes grabbing balls thrown near the ankles (per video). HE is an average blocker at this point and will need some work there. I think Holker will be more effective on screen plays than Higbee due to his speed. THe Rams will be set at this position if there are any issues with HIgbee’s knee and/or his last year of his contract with that large Cap hit.

Pick #127 CB – Kamal Hadden – Tennessee
Kamal Hadden Tennessee CB Highlights ᴴᴰ (youtube.com)

Hadden has great size for the position ; 6’1” - 195 lbs .. great speed 4.40/40. Will stick his nose in on running plays to make tackles near the LOS. The one think I like the best is that he has a QB rating of 7 when targeted. I have never seen a CB with this low of a rating. I’m not sure why he is not higher on Draft boards. I think he is a steal at this point of the Draft.

Pick #212 DL - Gabe Hall – Baylor
Gabe Hall Highlights (youtube.com)

Hall is your typical 5T, 3-4 DE... 6’6” - 288 lbs is equally adept at rushing the passer as he is stopping the Run. He can move for a big man... 4.78/40. He will provide an upgrade over Jonah WIlliams in the D-line rotation.

Pick# 217 - WR - Luke McCaffrey - Rice
Luke McCaffrey Rice Highlights (youtube.com)

McCaffrey... the younger brother of Christian, is 6’2” - 200 lbs, runs a 4.46/40. Has the pedigree to get open and make catches in traffic. He’s instinctive with the ball in the open field. He has the frame to be able to block but is below average at this point. He will need a season to work on his blocking and get stronger. Should be a good back-up for the next couple of seasons.

Pick #218 - LB - Edefuan Ulofoshio - Washington
Edefuan Ulofoshio (Washington LB) vs Oregon 2023 (youtube.com)

Ulofoshio is 6’1” - 236 lbs, 4.65/40 ... Ulofoshio would be the Coverage LB the Rams have been missing. He has one the highest Coverage grades per PFF. In the running game, you would want to protect him and let him flow to the ball as a Weak side defender. The Video doesn’t provide much but it is all I can find to this point.

PIck# 220 - Safety - Trey Taylor - Air Force
Trey Taylor Hard-Hitting Safety ᴴᴰ (youtube.com)

Taylor is 6’0” - 210 lbs, has good speed and range for the position. Has experience playing as the Star in a 4-2-5 alignment. Very good in coverage. PFF grades him at 82.6 overall, but has a coverage grade of 88.7. should be an upgrade over Russ Yeast. NOTE: winner of the Jim Thorpe Award

Projected Starters:
Offense
QB – Matt Stafford
RB – Kyren WIlliams
WR – Cooper Kupp
WR - Puka Nacua
WR – Demarcus Robinson
TE – Davis Allen / Dallin Holker
OT - Jordan Morgan
OG – Steve Avila
Center- Coleman Shelton
RG – Kevin Dotson
OT – Rob Havenstein
Swing Tackle - Aleric Jackson
Swing Interior - McClendon / McAllister

Defense:
DE – Aaron Donald
NT – T'vondre Sweat
DE – Kobi Turner
OLB – Brian Burns
ILB – Ernest jones
ILB - Mack Wilson
OLB – Byron Young / Chris Braswell
CB – L'Jarious Snead
CB - Kamal Hadden
NIckel / Slot- Mike Sainristil
Safety - Alohi Gilman
Safety – John Johnson
* Star - Quentin Lake

Special Teams:
Returner - Mike Sainristil / Luke McCaffrey
P/K - Brett Maher / Tanner Brown
Punter - Ethan Evans
L/S - Alex Ward

 

[Memento]

Love the Holker pick. I'm really high on him, considering that Luke Lachey's going back to school. Gotta have a solid tight end now that Higbeast's injured.

I don't know if we're able to sign all of those free agents, along with our own. I'd love it if we could, but the cap space already looks tight with signing Sneed and Burns (along with Gilman/Wilson and now we're adding Dotson, Shelton, Robinson, A-Jax, and all of our RFAs/ERFAs - all of whom will command much larger salaries, and that's not even counting our draft class.

 

[8to12]

Love the Holker pick. I'm really high on him, considering that Luke Lachey's going back to school. Gotta have a solid tight end now that Higbeast's injured.

I don't know if we're able to sign all of those free agents, along with our own. I'd love it if we could, but the cap space already looks tight with signing Sneed and Burns (along with Gilman/Wilson and now we're adding Dotson, Shelton, Robinson, A-Jax, and all of our RFAs/ERFAs - all of whom will command much larger salaries, and that's not even counting our draft class.

Yeah, you're right. It's going to be close as far as having enough room under the Cap.
I figured 44 to start, plus 22-Mil for Noteboom & Allen, plus 5-MIl for the HIgbee Restructure gets the available Cap to 71-MIl..... less the 10-Mil for the Rookie class leaves them at 61-Mil. I think you can fit 3 larger signings (Dotson, Burns, Sneed) in there with others inside that 61-Mil figure.
I am glad you like Holker. I don't think people realize he lead the Nation in receiving yards this past season.

 

[Memento]

Yeah, you're right. It's going to be close as far as having enough room under the Cap.
I figured 44 to start, plus 22-Mil for Noteboom & Allen, plus 5-MIl for the HIgbee Restructure gets the available Cap to 71-MIl..... less the 10-Mil for the Rookie class leaves them at 61-Mil. I think you can fit 3 larger signings (Dotson, Burns, Sneed) in there with others inside that 61-Mil figure.
I am glad you like Holker. I don't think people realize he lead the Nation in receiving yards this past season.

Yeah, I think that you sign a top edge and a top-flight corner in free agency, and let Dotson (and possibly Shelton, if he wants to opt out for major money on the center market) go. That would be what I would do, especially considering the offensive line class. I also expect a large rookie class this year.

Holker is honestly so underrated. He's not a big tight end right now (only 235 lbs. right now), but he's got the frame to bulk up. And yes, he was amazing for Colorado State.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Free agency seems a bit unrealistic.

There's no way the Panthers are not going to place a franchise tag on Burns. If the Rams want him, they'll have to trade for him.

It also seems doubtful that the team would trade Ramsey's big contract only to give one to Snead one year later. BTW, while he's a decent CB, if Kendrick's penalties were a problem, then I'm not sure this is a fit.

Gilman would have to come really cheap. While they might need to reconsider their financial stance at safety, it's doubtful. I'm not even sure that a change at DC would convince them to spend money there.

Might be the same situation at LB with Wilson. Especially, if they plan to re-up Ernest Jones. Doubtful they'll pay both.

 

[fanotodd]

8to12
Whew! That’s a lotta work! Thanks for that.

I have to agree with “the panel” in saying the FA signings are probably more than the Rams can afford; however, they might not all be necessary.

I love the braswell pick at #37. I would be stoked if the Rams grabbed him. Should they, I wouldn’t see the need to sign an Edge to a lucrative contract.

CB: like what you did by signing snead AND drafting two more. I’d be happy getting hadden even if it meant picking him earlier.

LT: drafting a starting LT changes the entire OL dynamic because it allows you to replace Noteboom with Jackson as your #6; otherwise, I’m not as eager to dump Noteboom. Of course you have to bring back Dotson for it to really work.

Drafting sweat to plug the middle is another great pick, IMO.
Imagine what the Rams could do with Turner and Donald if sweat is drawing double teams like any NT worth his weight should.

Again, my only big negative about your plan is I just don’t think it’s feasible to sign all of the players you want.

The good news is a draft like that, and you shouldn’t have to. Re-signing Dotson, tendering Jackson, and grabbing snead (FA) would be most important, followed by Shelton and Robinson.

Nice work.

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

Great job 8to12. Really like your indepth thought processes here. Only thing is that you have us trading #86 pick to the Chargers for #37, then you have us trading #86 again in next round to Pitt for #52. So might want to re evaluate that scenario....

~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[Londoner]

Whilst I really like the work that has gone into this mock, it appears highly implausible. The free agency signings would be way too expensive, not to mention that Burns will probably be tagged, while the trades are extremely unlikely.

 

[8to12]

Whilst I really like the work that has gone into this mock, it appears highly implausible. The free agency signings would be way too expensive, not to mention that Burns will probably be tagged, while the trades are extremely unlikely.

The FA signings shouldn't be too far of a stretch. With the release of Noteboom, Allen and a restructure of Higbee, they would have almost 60-MIl for Free agents. Dotson, Burns and Sneed would each be in the 10-15 MIl APY, but all the others are in the 2-5 range.
And, I did preface the trades that they were not likely, but wanted to see if it was plausible.... I ran a few experiments on simulators and it worked a few times. Again, the purpose was to show the top 3.
Thank you for reading the post and your reply

 

[8to12]

Great job 8to12. Really like your indepth thought processes here. Only thing is that you have us trading #86 pick to the Chargers for #37, then you have us trading #86 again in next round to Pitt for #52. So might want to re evaluate that scenario....

~ArkyRamsFan~

Duoh!!! Thanks for catching that. I really screwed the pooch on that one!
Thanks for the positive feedback...much appreciated

 

[8to12]

8to12
Whew! That’s a lotta work! Thanks for that.

I have to agree with “the panel” in saying the FA signings are probably more than the Rams can afford; however, they might not all be necessary.

I love the braswell pick at #37. I would be stoked if the Rams grabbed him. Should they, I wouldn’t see the need to sign an Edge to a lucrative contract.

CB: like what you did by signing snead AND drafting two more. I’d be happy getting hadden even if it meant picking him earlier.

LT: drafting a starting LT changes the entire OL dynamic because it allows you to replace Noteboom with Jackson as your #6; otherwise, I’m not as eager to dump Noteboom. Of course you have to bring back Dotson for it to really work.

Drafting sweat to plug the middle is another great pick, IMO.
Imagine what the Rams could do with Turner and Donald if sweat is drawing double teams like any NT worth his weight should.

Again, my only big negative about your plan is I just don’t think it’s feasible to sign all of the players you want.

The good news is a draft like that, and you shouldn’t have to. Re-signing Dotson, tendering Jackson, and grabbing snead (FA) would be most important, followed by Shelton and Robinson.

Nice work.

Thank you for the positive words. I appreciate it. I tried to mix in some low cost FA's (GIlman, Wilson) along with some of our own that should be lower tiered also.

 

[den-the-coach]

Special Teams:
P/K - Brett Maher / Tanner Brown

Fantastic work, with the exception of kicker. All that work and you have the same guys coming back? Come @8to12 this position needs a major upgrade.

 

[Corbin]

Fantastic work, with the exception of kicker. All that work and you have the same guys coming back? Come @8to12 this position needs a major upgrade.

Was my initial gripe to!!! lol

Hell no we better do something besides having Maher as our kicker next year or I'm about to go all Ray Finkle @8to12 !

 

[8to12]

Fantastic work, with the exception of kicker. All that work and you have the same guys coming back? Come @8to12 this position needs a major upgrade.

Thanks for the positive words Den..... Yeah, by the time I got to the end I was feeling indifferent about the Kicker. Anyhow, the Rams will be scoring so many TD's we'll all forgot about the Kicker

 

[JonRam99]

Love the re-signings of JJIII & the OL's. I'm so happy we got a good OL finally, I wanna keep it that way even if we overpay Dotson a bit.
LOVE the Sweat pick, him Donald & Turner would give QB's nightmares. Toss in Burns (or Allen, or whoever we can get at Edge) and it will help our CB's look like all-pro's.
Not sure about the LT you're looking at.... maybe it's just the film but he seems slow & looks too locked in on his assignments to notice what's going on around him.
But you're right about that Hadden kid -- that kid is a star..... literally, he can play star right now. Reminds me a lot of another #5 who used to play for us.
Mostly I'm excited about Sweat & Hadden, but I'm sure the others would really help, we need all the CB talent we can round up.
Great mock, thank you! love draft season *almost* as much as football games.

 

[OnceARam]

Joe Noteboom only costs a net of 5M given his deadcap. It makes no sense to cut him. It may be a luxury to have a Sixth man in football but he has proven to be worth it in the spot starts he has had.

Joseph Noteboom

Joseph Noteboom contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

 

[8to12]

Joe Noteboom only costs a net of 5M given his deadcap. It makes no sense to cut him. It may be a luxury to have a Sixth man in football but he has proven to be worth it in the spot starts he has had.

Joseph Noteboom

Joseph Noteboom contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

Sure, if you do it before June 1st. I specifically said a Post June 1st designation ... the numbers flip ; it becomes 15-Mil in savings and only 5-mIL Dead Cap.... Per Over the Cap

 

[8to12]

Love the re-signings of JJIII & the OL's. I'm so happy we got a good OL finally, I wanna keep it that way even if we overpay Dotson a bit.
LOVE the Sweat pick, him Donald & Turner would give QB's nightmares. Toss in Burns (or Allen, or whoever we can get at Edge) and it will help our CB's look like all-pro's.
Not sure about the LT you're looking at.... maybe it's just the film but he seems slow & looks too locked in on his assignments to notice what's going on around him.
But you're right about that Hadden kid -- that kid is a star..... literally, he can play star right now. Reminds me a lot of another #5 who used to play for us.
Mostly I'm excited about Sweat & Hadden, but I'm sure the others would really help, we need all the CB talent we can round up.
Great mock, thank you! love draft season *almost* as much as football games.

Thank you for the positive feedback. It is much appreciated

 

[OnceARam]

Sure, if you do it before June 1st. I specifically said a Post June 1st designation ... the numbers flip ; it becomes 15-Mil in savings and only 5-mIL Dead Cap.... Per Over the Cap

Did not know that. Thank you for explaining how it works. That sounds more reasonable.

 

[dieterbrock]

Preface: I will clarify that the FA signings will be based off the Rams starting with 44 million in Cap space & dumping the contracts of Noteboom & Allen via Post June 1st designated Cuts.

Post June 1 cut designation does not free up the cap space until June 1. Unfortunately that "savings" cant be applied to the FA period.

A lot of interesting stuff here