Actual team needs

[ScotsRam]

We need a better centre. I think you're go BPA full draft though. This roster is loaded.

 

[FrantikRam]

I'm not convinced that Whittington, Mumpfield, Smith, Johnson, Hamilton, Limmer, Thomas, Forbes, or Wallace are virtually locked in to make the final roster.

I think you're conflating your opinion with what we know about McVay already.

This exercise was to narrow down what our most likely drafted positions.

He places a ton of value on experience and growing in our environment. There is no way we are going to give up on Hamilton after we traded up to get him. The draft is for the future - and the playing time he got his rookie year is also valuable.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Does Dedich have a high upside or something? This class is pretty deep at center. I don't imagine it will be difficult to find someone with more upside than Dedich. But I could see them opting to focus on guard or OT if they feel they already have a future center in Dedich.

I think he's got starter upside. I think he's held his own at guard in a pinch and has started at center at USC. I suspect he could blossom at center not having to block guys heads up. I don't think he'd be a weapon in wide zone but since we're mostly running duo and gap (with some wide zone) I'm not as concerned about how athletic our center is and I think he can bring his exceptional play strength (for his size) and leverage to the center position.

And I'd rather put my attention on OT and guard unless the Rams felt one of these late round centers could become a top 5 guy at the position (doesn't seem likely).

 

[FrantikRam]

There are maybe 10 guys who could be considered locked in IMO. The rest can be upgraded maybe 15.

....on offense alone we have around 15 players that are locked into making this team

 

[OldSchool]

....on offense alone we have around 15 players that are locked into making this team

That's a lower standard IMO than players who should be guaranteed locks for the team but hey we all have different opinions and that's fine.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I think you're conflating your opinion with what we know about McVay already.

This exercise was to narrow down what our most likely drafted positions.

He places a ton of value on experience and growing in our environment. There is no way we are going to give up on Hamilton after we traded up to get him. The draft is for the future - and the playing time he got his rookie year is also valuable.

I believe I can say the same for you.

They traded up for 5th round LB Chris Paul last year and he didn't make the final roster.
They got rid of 5th rounder Brennan Jackson after one season.

If a better player can be had, the Rams have moved on from other younger players.

AJ Brown and/or a rookie 1st round WR is probably going to cost another WR on the roster a spot as well.

 

[FrantikRam]

I believe I can say the same for you.

They traded up for 5th round LB Chris Paul last year and he didn't make the final roster.
They got rid of 5th rounder Brennan Jackson after one season.

If a better player can be had, the Rams have moved on from other younger players.

AJ Brown and/or a rookie 1st round WR is probably going to cost another WR on the roster a spot as well.

Those two are unique situations....Paul never made the team because he got beat out by Dolac who was also a rookie, and Jackson had injuries issues.

None of the guys you listed fit that bill. In terms of players who played and contributed, and are cheap, and we still moved on from them? Franklin-Meyers comes to mind. But not many other than that.

I think Limmer would be in the most danger, but there's a lot of value in a backup that has started games, so I'm expecting him to make the team. He would be the one I could see McVay potentially moving off of though.

 

[Mojo Ram]

When you have a loaded roster like the Rams do, needs become less about positional needs and more about specific qualities needed and adding better football players in general, regardless of who you’ve already got “locked into” starting roles. Adding depth as well, obviously.

My needs are:

-BPA at any position.

-Add speed and athleticism to the offense

-Add size and strength to the DL

-Adding depth to the OL

-Add depth to CB

-Adding a developmental QB with upside

Edit: Honestly, a legit punt/kick returner seems like the most glaring “positional” need.

 

[DzRams]

This exercise was to narrow down what our most likely drafted positions.

The draft is for the future...

I'm confused with your position. You're saying here that the draft is for the future, which I agree with, but then your entire post of narrowing down positions focused solely on 2026 needs.

IMO, 2027 needs will more dictate what positions are drafted. I think we'd be better served looking at a list of pending free agents to figure out which positions we'll draft.

 

[Memento]

OL is gonna be crazy because you have the dudes at the top who have good feet, but who ended up measuring short in their arm lengths. So now Freeling is going to shoot way up, probably to the top 10. And the Rams are probably are going to be looking at a ton of OG options with Ioane (who is the best iOL in this draft) who is a fit for their power run scheme, as well as Fano and potentially Mauigoa, both of whom have short arms and are probably going to be guards at the NFL level.

Also as it pertains to the Rams, if they were to take Fano for example he could serve for a year in that swing OT role and then is in play to slide into OG when Avila leaves in FA. Same goes for Mauigoa.

Ioane would compete with Avila year one and replace him next year. But since he can't fill that swing role I don't know they want to go that route.

Proctor is a massive bastid. Doesn't have the feet but he's so damn big. He could serve as swing role this season then move to RT if they elect to not sign McClendon. Miller could do the same. So a lot of this of course comes down to which of those x4 OL who are set to hit FA they want to keep around. They're not going to want to pay everyone, so I think Center is a slam dunk to draft but there's probably one more they're gonna let walk and my bet is on Avila.

Just curious, Merlin: why do you think Avila won’t be re-signed over Dotson? They’re both free agents in 2027 (along with McClendon), and we would have to choose between one or the other, but personally, my choice would be Avila.

I’m just curious.