Actual team needs

[DzRams]

I think I did mention that for the OL and edge (because I doubt we re-sign BY). WR is also more for the future with Adams' age.

So that was absolutely baked in there....but we've been in a unique position with Stafford where the now matters more as well. So T and WR, for example, would be my two highest needs because they fit the future while also being spots where the depth needs to be upgraded for a Super Bowl run.

I didn't see any mention of pending free agents in your OL write up, but I do see where you said that OT is likely to be drafted early, which I agree with.

I agree that WR would be a top need for the present and future.

I don't think we can discount the possibility of QB at 13. Comes down to their eval of Simpson, of whom it's already been reported they will take a close look at.

You dismissed the possibility of drafting TE like Sadiq but I wouldn't assume Allen is safe, and both Parkinson and Allen are free agents after this season. So, a TE is on the possibly drafted list, IMO.

Moreover, any player that can possibly give you an edge or be a difference maker is in play. Sadiq could fit that definition.

DL is designed to be the strength of the defense, and they excel in drafting and developing that position. (Contrast this with CB where they don't draft and develop well.) If they can draft a difference maker there, I can see them doing that. That 5T spot with Fiske is still not strong on early run downs. I don't think they would avoid drafting a DL player just because it pushes Johnson or Hamilton off the team.

The only position I'd be surprised to see drafted is K, and maybe RB.

 

[PhillyRam]

Speed everywhere

 

[RamFan58years]

Is there a world where Bennett is the backup qb behind Stafford?

 

[Mojo Ram]

Speed everywhere

Slowest #1 offense I’ve ever seen

 

[PhillyRam]

Slowest #1 offense I’ve ever seen

Talking defense as a priority in terms of speed, but offense could be unreal with an effective speed element

 

[dieterbrock]

Is there a world where Bennett is the backup qb behind Stafford?

A scary one that's for sure

 

[FrantikRam]

I didn't see any mention of pending free agents in your OL write up, but I do see where you said that OT is likely to be drafted early, which I agree with.

I agree that WR would be a top need for the present and future.

I don't think we can discount the possibility of QB at 13. Comes down to their eval of Simpson, of whom it's already been reported they will take a close look at.

You dismissed the possibility of drafting TE like Sadiq but I wouldn't assume Allen is safe, and both Parkinson and Allen are free agents after this season. So, a TE is on the possibly drafted list, IMO.

Moreover, any player that can possibly give you an edge or be a difference maker is in play. Sadiq could fit that definition.

DL is designed to be the strength of the defense, and they excel in drafting and developing that position. (Contrast this with CB where they don't draft and develop well.) If they can draft a difference maker there, I can see them doing that. That 5T spot with Fiske is still not strong on early run downs. I don't think they would avoid drafting a DL player just because it pushes Johnson or Hamilton off the team.

The only position I'd be surprised to see drafted is K, and maybe RB.

They wouldn't avoid drafting DL because it'll push those guys off the team - they'll avoid it because we already have our starters there, AND we have solid depth

 

[Memphis Ram]

Just sophomore for that example.

Van is actually a great example for why I think all those guys will stick. He as our deep threat in 2021, and had a decent year - but always felt below average as a player. We stuck with him for four years anyways.

Van was also a 2nd round pick thus a longer leash. He made the team for 4 years but they dealt him very early in that 4th season with the emergence of another weapon named Puka.

Either way, I'm hopeful that McVay doesn't go into this draft with the mindset you present and is looking to churn the back portion of the roster if better players can be had by drafting more towards BPA. And my hope is that the new special teams coach has more say in that aspect. The team shouldn't have to kick the ball in the endzone most of the time on kickoffs or offer little to no return threat on either punts or kickoffs because of the current depths lack of physicality and/or talent.

 

[Memphis Ram]

They wouldn't avoid drafting DL because it'll push those guys off the team - they'll avoid it because we already have our starters there, AND we have solid depth

The solid depth is Tyler Davis. That's it.

Besides, one of the starters is entering the final year of his contact and might prove to be too costly to re-sign.

 

[snackdaddy]

The roster is pretty well set. They addressed the weak link in the secondary. Signed a proven special teamer and LB backup. Changed special teams coordinator.

What is needed now is a little tweaking to make it even better. I have a feeling the draft will be an eye to the future. I won't be surprised if Les trades down and stocks up for future talent and depth. If they do use that pick I would like to see one of those good receivers who can be paired with Puka for the next 5 years. Puka's not even 25 yet and he's the best receiver in the league.

 

[rdlkgliders]

Needs have been covered in the comments, an addition I would like is another guy that gets after the QB.
We had periods where we weren't as effective as I would like to see. The addition of Mc-Watson will help but one more guy off the edge or backer/safety would really be nice.

 

[dang]

The roster is pretty well set. They addressed the weak link in the secondary. Signed a proven special teamer and LB backup. Changed special teams coordinator.

What is needed now is a little tweaking to make it even better. I have a feeling the draft will be an eye to the future. I won't be surprised if Les trades down and stocks up for future talent and depth. If they do use that pick I would like to see one of those good receivers who can be paired with Puka for the next 5 years. Puka's not even 25 yet and he's the best receiver in the league.

Roster is solid but not set:
-No real WR2 (DAdams is great possession:red zone WR but on a pitch count)
-No swing OT (unless you think Quessenberry is good enough - I do not).
-No LB that can cover TEs/RBs on Pass plays.
-No QB2 (Jimmy G would do but not signed yet).
-Little depth at CB (but Forbes is a good start).
Fill those positions and the roster is set IMO.

 

[So Ram]

Roster is solid but not set:
-No real WR2 (DAdams is great possession:red zone WR but on a pitch count)
-No swing OT (unless you think Quessenberry is good enough - I do not).
-No LB that can cover TEs/RBs on Pass plays.
-No QB2 (Jimmy G would do but not signed yet).
-Little depth at CB (but Forbes is a good start).
Fill those positions and the roster is set IMO.

Tru Edwards & B.Presley at going to battle for a roster spot.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Tru Edwards & B.Presley at going to battle for a roster spot.

oh what team

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Needs have been covered in the comments, an addition I would like is another guy that gets after the QB.
We had periods where we weren't as effective as I would like to see. The addition of Mc-Watson will help but one more guy off the edge or backer/safety would really be nice.

Yeah something got figured out last year.

 

[rdlkgliders]

Yeah something got figured out last year.

I think it was our stunts were no longer surprising people and were being accounted for.

 

[Ballhawk]

Yeah something got figured out last year.

Teams figured out that with our soft coverage you just had to get the ball out before the rush could get home.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I think it was our stunts were no longer surprising people and were being accounted for.

Definitely a combo of things: Verse never developed a consistent counter and tackles were ready for him this year, stunts weren't working as well, I believe our blitz rate was down slightly, Fiske still coming back from injury, bad cornerback play (at least Witherspoons highs allowed for some coverage sacks but his blown plays were another thing).

Good to great CB play - especially with ability to press - will lead to a bunch of coverage sacks we didn't get last year and increase our ability to blitz when we want to.

 

[FrantikRam]

The solid depth is Tyler Davis. That's it.

Besides, one of the starters is entering the final year of his contact and might prove to be too costly to re-sign.

Desjuan played really well at times last year too. I think Hamilton played decent at times, and given he's likely to make a jump year one to year two, I'd be very comfortable with him as effectively the 6th defensive lineman.

As far as the starters go that will be free agents after this year - we have A LOT to figure out - Puka, Kobie, Byron, four offensive linemen, Adams, Parkinson, Allen, Stafford and only they know who they want to pay and not want to pay - but I'd imagine Turner will be re-signed. We also have an ungodly amount of cap space and probably could re-sign just about everyone if we wanted to.

So just going off of who the FAs will be next year isn't really helpful here - on top of that, next year is likely our best shot at winning a Super Bowl. So we need to cross future needs with 2026 needs, and when you do that, the two that jump out is offensive line (depth for 2026) and WR.

The late round picks will likely be special teams focused. TE and DL would really surprise me, because while (especially at TE) we will need depth for next year, any player drafted is just unlikely to make much of a contribution in 2026. We messed up last year by not attacking CB in the off-season, and while we fixed that mistake this year, it would similarly be a mistake to draft a TE who may or may not see the field. Especially when highly drafted TEs have some of the biggest bust rates of any position. Maybe the plan will be to take Sadiq and use him to stretch the field for us - but I just see him having a similar first year to Ferguson which, while that's fine.....we have a unique chance here to draft a player who we will need to rely on, with a premium pick that also makes sense for future needs.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Desjuan played really well at times last year too. I think Hamilton played decent at times, and given he's likely to make a jump year one to year two, I'd be very comfortable with him as effectively the 6th defensive lineman.

As far as the starters go that will be free agents after this year - we have A LOT to figure out - Puka, Kobie, Byron, four offensive linemen, Adams, Parkinson, Allen, Stafford and only they know who they want to pay and not want to pay - but I'd imagine Turner will be re-signed. We also have an ungodly amount of cap space and probably could re-sign just about everyone if we wanted to.

So just going off of who the FAs will be next year isn't really helpful here - on top of that, next year is likely our best shot at winning a Super Bowl. So we need to cross future needs with 2026 needs, and when you do that, the two that jump out is offensive line (depth for 2026) and WR.

The late round picks will likely be special teams focused. TE and DL would really surprise me, because while (especially at TE) we will need depth for next year, any player drafted is just unlikely to make much of a contribution in 2026. We messed up last year by not attacking CB in the off-season, and while we fixed that mistake this year, it would similarly be a mistake to draft a TE who may or may not see the field. Especially when highly drafted TEs have some of the biggest bust rates of any position. Maybe the plan will be to take Sadiq and use him to stretch the field for us - but I just see him having a similar first year to Ferguson which, while that's fine.....we have a unique chance here to draft a player who we will need to rely on, with a premium pick that also makes sense for future needs.

From what I recall Johnson played mostly at EDGE when he finally got on the field. And Hamilton was awful. Sure he could improve but it's possible that an upgrade could be had.

That goes into the mistake of banking on rookies with the NFL draft in attempting to fill needs. Team needs don't influence player availability and you may fill a position with a body, but if he stinks or isn't ready, the need remains. The Rams should take the best player available within reason and hope for the best during their rookie seasons. Anything a rookie offers should just be considered icing on the cake.