Actual team needs

  • To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.
FrantikRam

FrantikRam

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Oct 16, 2013
Messages
5,276
ROD Credit 2025
14,924
Once FA is done - or mostly done - I like to look at what roster spots are virtually locked in. A lot of fans here have opinions about players like Coleman Shelton that are not realistic - those aside, I think its relatively easy to predict positions the Rams will draft, because of how intentional we are. That said:

QB (2) - Stafford/? - I have a feeling we will not keep three this year and elect to use that spot for special teams depth - but it is possible we keep 3 again, I'm going to go with 2 for now though. Likely Jimmy.

RB (3) - Kyren/Corum/Hunter

WR (5) - Puka/Adams/Whittington/Mumpfield/Smith - Smith was always a no brainer to return. He improved as a WR and as an ERFA, is very cheap

TE (4) - Ferguson/Parkinson/Higee/Allen

OL (8) - Jackson/Avila/Shelton/Dotson/McClendon/Quessenberry/Limmer/Dedich - Limmer and Dedich having starting experience, and Quessenberry being re-signed

DL (6) - Fiske/Turner/Ford/Hamilton/Johnson/Davis - all have gotten roles and playing time

EDGE (4) - Verse/Young/Stewart/Thomas

ILB (4) - Landman/Speights/Stuard/Dolac

CB (4) - McDuffie/Watson/Forbes/Wallace

S (4) - Curl/Kinchens/Lake/McCollough

ST (3)


Offense notes:

We still need our backup QB. It is most likely to be Jimmy IMO, but until we sign him there is an outside shot that we spend a day 1-2 pick on a QB - ultimately, I think its going to be a vet

RB - rookie RBs never do a ton under McVay (outside of Cam Akers, randomly) - so to me, Hunter is a full on roster lock despite not getting any time last year. Especially given how critical RBs are in pass pro and the need to learn there - first time in a while that we don't draft this position IMO

WR - I mentioned it above, but its worth saying again - Smith was actually pretty good as a WR last year - even if he's not our punt returner, IMO he will be on the roster. That said, very confident there will be a draft pick here*

TE - I know some want Sadiq....I don't get that. TE is almost never worth that high a pick, and Ferguson looks like he is going to be a beast - I think these guys are locked in

OL - I think these 8 are probably safe....we could end up cutting DQ if we draft a T high enough, but even if we do I think its safe. I am very confident there will be a draft pick here*

DL - I would be shocked if we add to this group - all are previous investments

EDGE - with Young hitting FA next year and it unlikely that we will be re-signed IMO, this is a sneaky high draft pick potential. Plus you can never have enough pass rushers - I do think we add someone to this group*

ILB - Dolac was pretty good on teams and we just signed Stuard - that said, I think a 5th ILB would make sense. The special teams investment, plus someone to possibly compete with Speights that is better in coverage would make sense*

CB - we need another long CB - the star/slot role has depth now with Lake/McDuffie/Wallace - need another long CB who also contributed on special teams*

S - special teams demon*



So what you end up with for most likely in the draft is:

OL/WR - likely to be day 1/2 picks

EDGE/ILB/CB - one of these possible on day 1/2

EDGE/ILB/CB/S - some combination of this group is likely to be our day 3 picks

Other possibilities: punter and return specialist that can double as a WR, especially if we trade down and accumulate picks. Evans is scheduled to make $3 million this year and is average at best. Getting more dangerous in the return game is always a positive.


Look for these positions to be drafted:

OL/WR/EDGE/ILB/CB/S/P?

Look for these to be ignored:

QB/RB/TE/DL/K
 
  • 4Like
  • Not So Sure
Reactions: Mojo Ram, Ram65, Ground Chuck and 3 others
One other thing to note:

What I have outlined above is 47 roster spots - that only leaves 6 without creating competition with an incumbent.

I think we end up targeting specific players like last year and moving up and down and all around again
 
Not so sure DL is a longshot.
Turner, Fiske, Davis, and Johnson all have expiring contracts after this season and next.

The Rams simply cannot re-sign everyone and it would be foolish to think they will be able to pick and choose who will stay and who they can let walk—unless they get deals done BEFORE they hit FA.

Edit:
As I posted in another thread, I would not be surprised if the Rams drafted a DL at #13 should the 1rst round fall that way.
 
  • 4Like
Reactions: Soul Surfer, Ram Ts, DzRams and 1 other person
I’d say Rams trading R1.13 for 2 picks is option 1. However they would need a trade partner and a trade could be negated if a surprise elite player were available to them (e.g. Love, Styles, etc). No trade up necessary!
With those 2 picks plus R2.61 they should go after major contributors at WR2, swing OT, ILB, or DT. Then Depth draft picks, depth FA or 2 to finish it off.
Having said all that - watch them blow their wad on someone like Maxx Crosby or AJ Brown.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ram Ts and TheTackle
fanotodd said:
Not so sure DL is a longshot.
Turner, Fiske, Davis, and Johnson all have expiring contracts after this season and next.

The Rams simply cannot re-sign everyone and it would be foolish to think they will be able to pick and choose who will stay and who they can let walk—unless they get deals done BEFORE they hit FA.

Edit:
As I posted in another thread, I would not be surprised if the Rams drafted a DL at #13 should the 1rst round fall that way.
Click to expand...
I think 3rd round or later for DL.....and OL for that matter.
 
Actual needs

OT Depth is an obvious need also with both OT having free agency pending
Center is an obvious need with Shelton's pending free agency
Guard is an obvious need with Avilla's recent injuries and impending free agency.

WR 3 who could become 2 with Adams age and impending free agency

QB with Staffords age and impending free agency

Return specialist is an obvious need

Depth for Poona obvious need we saw when he went down

ILB that can cover which we saw every time Speights and Landman tried to cover a TE or RB out of the backfield
CB obvious need to fill out the CB room

IMO those are obvious actual needs.

Contract extensions could change some but I'd say we could address each of those and be fine and if we don't address some it could be a concern going forward.
 
  • 3Like
  • 3Thread Winner
Reactions: Ram65, Pupped, BC Ramfan and 3 others
Memphis Ram said:
I'm not convinced that Whittington, Mumpfield, Smith, Johnson, Hamilton, Limmer, Thomas, Forbes, or Wallace are virtually locked in to make the final roster.
Click to expand...
There are maybe 10 guys who could be considered locked in IMO. The rest can be upgraded maybe 15.
 
OldSchool said:
Actual needs

OT Depth is an obvious need also with both OT having free agency pending
Center is an obvious need with Shelton's pending free agency
Guard is an obvious need with Avilla's recent injuries and impending free agency.

WR 3 who could become 2 with Adams age and impending free agency

QB with Staffords age and impending free agency

Return specialist is an obvious need
Click to expand...
  1. First pick will address WR, Tyson or Omar Cooper, Jr., in a trade down.
  2. I like Caleb Tiernan in round 2 to play LT & RT or Iowa's Gennings Dunker, but he is more of a RT and interior guard too.
  3. Pat Coogan from Indiana would be a great pick maybe another 5th round steal if they can get back into the 5th.
  4. Eli Heidenreich or Kaden Wetjen in the 7th as the punt returner. Wetjen the better returner, but Heidenreich offers so much more.
 
  • 3Like
Reactions: Ram Ts, Ramstien and fearsomefour
Memphis Ram said:
I'm not convinced that Whittington, Mumpfield, Smith, Johnson, Hamilton, Limmer, Thomas, Forbes, or Wallace are virtually locked in to make the final roster.
Click to expand...
I agree....should be a lot of competition for roll players on this roster.
Hamilton started to show later in the year.
Forbes was hit and miss....more misses than hits, but, he did flash on occasion.
Is Forbes a one or two CB? No.
Can he be a good depth CB, yeah, I think so.
But, I expect the Rams to draft two CBs so he will have to earn his spot.
Wallace, because of his versatility, is probably the closest to a lock of that list. Wallace and Mumpfield perhaps.
 
den-the-coach said:
  1. First pick will address WR, Tyson or Omar Cooper, Jr., in a trade down.
  2. I like Caleb Tiernan in round 2 to play LT & RT or Iowa's Gennings Dunker, but he is more of a RT and interior guard too.
  3. Pat Coogan from Indiana would be a great pick maybe another 5th round steal if they can get back into the 5th.
  4. Eli Heidenreich or Kaden Wetjen in the 7th as the punt returner. Wetjen the better returner, but
  5. Heidenreich offers so much more.
Click to expand...
I like Dunker and Coogan quite a bit myself as post 3rd round picks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Badfinger and den-the-coach
fearsomefour said:
I like Dunker and Coogan quite a bit myself as post 3rd round picks.
Click to expand...
I concur, I also have a feeling per @OldSchool communicating about QB, IMO, just have a feeling the Rams will draft Drew Allar from Penn State with the 93rd pick. For some reason IMO, just think the Rams have always liked him for better or worse.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ramstien and fearsomefour
den-the-coach said:
  1. First pick will address WR, Tyson or Omar Cooper, Jr., in a trade down.
  2. I like Caleb Tiernan in round 2 to play LT & RT or Iowa's Gennings Dunker, but he is more of a RT and interior guard too.
  3. Pat Coogan from Indiana would be a great pick maybe another 5th round steal if they can get back into the 5th.
  4. Eli Heidenreich or Kaden Wetjen in the 7th as the punt returner. Wetjen the better returner, but Heidenreich offers so much more.
Click to expand...
1 I'm game for that
2 I think Dunker is widely thought to be a 1st round pick but there are guys later I could see
3 You know I'm game for Coogan we've talked about him.
4 Those 2 are viable there are a couple other options IMO. I wonder about De'Zhaun Striblings return ability he never did it but the speed, acceleration and his lateral quickness is there. Barion Brown has been a great returner and might provide more in the pass game as an X than the 2 you listed. Another I wonder if he can be a return man is Jeff Caldwell also amazing speed and quickness and could be a good WR in the offense.
 
  • Like
Reactions: den-the-coach and fearsomefour
den-the-coach said:
I concur, I also have a feeling per @OldSchool communicating about QB, IMO, just have a feeling the Rams will draft Drew Allar from Penn State with the 93rd pick. For some reason IMO, just think the Rams have always liked him for better or worse.
Click to expand...
giphy.gif
 
  • 3HaHa
  • High Five
Reactions: Ground Chuck, Ram Ts, den-the-coach and 1 other person
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back