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.

 

[Mojo Ram]

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

 

[fanotodd]

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.

This is what it takes to keep your window open. Too many teams build a really good roster but then fail to adequately backfill the exiting talent—and the window closes.

The Rams made that mistake in the secondary. This defense was ferocious at the end of ‘24. What happened? Guys like Witherspoon and DW hit the wall. It’s not like nobody saw it coming.

Let’s fast forward.
OL: Avila, Dotson, and McClendon are in their last year of their contracts. I think it would be terribly unwise to think all 3 are coming back. The Rams have to bring in someone capable of playing up to the level of the guy they replace.

The Rams have TWO pro bowl guys on the Edge. I’m not even gonna bother looking it up. It’s rare if it’s ever been done before.
The consensus is Young is the odd man out. I’m gonna be bummed if/when he leaves. I like his game.

The DL (as earlier stated) has a handful of players up for new deals over the next two seasons. This is another area to get out in front of.

Now that the secondary has been addressed with McD and Watson, the only “luxury “ pick I want to see is a top notch WR. Other than that, see above ^^

 

[Memphis Ram]

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.

Cam Akers, Van Jefferson, Ernest Brown, Logan Bruss, Ochaun Mathis, Ben Skowronek, Robert Rochell amongst others. Or are you just referring to just players entering their sophomore campaign?

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Actual needs to me simply means make the team better. If there's a player that vastly improves our team although it doesn't really seem like a need, you still do it. Some additions are obviously more realistic than others but only people that should be locked onto the roster are core/star players.

 

[Merlin]

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.

I figure we can pay 3x OL before it gets ridiculous in eating cap. One of those probably not paid really high end as well.

So from there we only have Jackson under contract through 2027. He has an out after 2026, and will be a FA after 2027 season. All 4 other positions are free agents after the 2026 season.

Which means the Rams are in position to reevaluate who their long term pieces are. This is a crossroads draft in that regard. They will probably load a couple OL in this draft to prep them for those 4x leaving. I go with 2 because with Jackson that makes 3 under contract.

Of Dotson, Avila, Shelton, and McClendon... Dotson has played the best. Avila has been the least dependable. McClendon was only really good last season, but he was very good at RT. So I presume Avila is the low hanging fruit to be 1 of the 2 who are going to be replaced via the draft. Shelton is good in tandem and great on calls but can be isolated by better fronts.

Comparing the above to the draft, there's a lot of decent Center options into midrounds. The Rams are also positioned to have one, maybe two top OTs on the board at 13 who are going to convert to OG due to short arms, plus the best OL in the draft (Ioane) might well be there for them as well.

So I figure they pay McClendon and Dotson. And in this draft they take a Center and Guard, with the Guard possibly being an OT conversion project who serves as swing OT in 2026. If he is called upon and does the job, then you have the option of replacing McClendon with him instead, or just have flexibility for after the season. So Fano for example would have that extra value of possibly being your RT or LG.

Now note I'm not saying that's what they're going to do. But it seems like a possibility given the nature of the 4 OL pending FA.

 

[Memento]

I figure we can pay 3x OL before it gets ridiculous in eating cap. One of those probably not paid really high end as well.

So from there we only have Jackson under contract through 2027. He has an out after 2026, and will be a FA after 2027 season. All 4 other positions are free agents after the 2026 season.

Which means the Rams are in position to reevaluate who their long term pieces are. This is a crossroads draft in that regard. They will probably load a couple OL in this draft to prep them for those 4x leaving. I go with 2 because with Jackson that makes 3 under contract.

Of Dotson, Avila, Shelton, and McClendon... Dotson has played the best. Avila has been the least dependable. McClendon was only really good last season, but he was very good at RT. So I presume Avila is the low hanging fruit to be 1 of the 2 who are going to be replaced via the draft. Shelton is good in tandem and great on calls but can be isolated by better fronts.

Comparing the above to the draft, there's a lot of decent Center options into midrounds. The Rams are also positioned to have one, maybe two top OTs on the board at 13 who are going to convert to OG due to short arms, plus the best OL in the draft (Ioane) might well be there for them as well.

So I figure they pay McClendon and Dotson. And in this draft they take a Center and Guard, with the Guard possibly being an OT conversion project who serves as swing OT in 2026. If he is called upon and does the job, then you have the option of replacing McClendon with him instead, or just have flexibility for after the season. So Fano for example would have that extra value of possibly being your RT or LG.

Now note I'm not saying that's what they're going to do. But it seems like a possibility given the nature of the 4 OL pending FA.

Thank you. I agree with a lot of what you’re saying with a couple of caveats:

I honestly don’t like the vast majority of the center options in this class, Jake Slaughter (Florida) and Pat Coogan (Indiana) aside, and Slaughter is going before our second round pick. If we’re taking a center, I’d rather it be next year.

As far as availability and reliability, I’m admittedly a bit surprised about your thoughts on Dotson; he hasn’t been available very often either, has had a lot of nagging injuries, and is three years older than Avila (will turn thirty in September while Avila turns twenty-seven in October). Avila may have been available less, but it actually hasn’t been by much, even with his ACL tear in 2024. Dotson is the superior run-blocker by far, while Avila is the superior pass-blocker by far (not that either of them are worse at the other’s strengths, but both of them were ranked top ten in PFF’s rankings as far as their strengths).

I won’t claim to know what the Rams would do. If it were me, I’d lock in Avila as he’s younger, but again, just my opinion.

Totally agree with everything else, Merlin.