No doubt. And the offense without them last year was horrid. We saw it and we lived it.
Rams need a target who can function as a chain mover first and foremost. Stafford can manufacture completions underneath if he's got one, through use of his eye games. Now maybe Whittington can perform that type of role, but historically he has not shown an ability to be a high volume weapon and he got hurt last year when they needed him to perform at that level. So they will almost certainly have that at the top of the list.
Beyond that they probably need the outside the hash threat too, so yes weapons for the pass game top the list. But I think the Rams need to be prepared to take a difference maker up high even if it's not a position of need. For example we don't specifically need a safety but if Starks falls to us (he may be S2 now for this class) take him, and same with Jeanty (RB not a need but an upgrade would be felt).
My list:
1. Slot pass game weapon. Could be one of these smooth pass game TEs or one of the slot wideouts. Slots can be found midrounds but feels like rounds 1-3 required for this.
2. CB. Ideally a matchup type who can take on top draws in zone or cover calls. Also the Rams require good tackling, so some of the uber specialized cover types are probably out. This position should have options in FA to lessen the load on the draft resources, but if we draft it I'd imagine it's also rounds 1-3.
3. OT. If a LT type makes it to 26 take him. Otherwise this is a swing OT to ensure we have a body if we lose one of our starters, which seems likely to happen with Jackson/Hav as a pairing. And eventual replacement for Hav. The swing role will need to be drafted, since so much cash is tied up in the OL right now. But good thing is you can take one of the developmental types so maybe they're ok addressing this from rounds 1-3. If they don't get this done they're fully dependent on McClendon, which is scary, so this is why I have this so high.
4. Split end. This has been a need for years, so it's not like we have to fill it or else. But it would be nice to have a speedy wideout added once they get their top needs filled. It is possible we see this get done early if they like what falls to them at 26 but that feels unlikely to me. I mean these guys are specific to teams and hard to find. So Golden, who seems to slot to our range in most mocks, may well get snapped up earlier. And as far as 26 is concerned the TEs should be better value for pass game threats than the slots, who seem to come into their own round 2. So I'm guessing we end up with a speedy smaller type in that round 3-4 range.
5. ILB. It is possible that this is viewed by the Rams as a higher need on their list, since it feels like Shula prefers having two ILBs on the field. They could go with a stud who replaces Speights earlier in the draft, or they could look for a pairing type to play with him. I think which way they go may just come down to how the draft falls. If for example Campbell falls to us then Speights is gonna lose his role and will be competing to pair with Campbell. But unless the Rams knock one of their needs at least out with FA (CB for example) it's hard to see them wanting to spend draft capital up high unless it's a case of value falling to them. In other words I doubt they position for one of these guys but Shula may feel very differently.
6. Returns specialist. I think this has the potential to juice this team with some field position flips and occasional TDs, which can make the difference in games. Our returns units were producing seams last year. I don't want a CB1 returning kicks or punts either. Use a late round pick to draft a fucking return specialist who has some juice, someone who can be RB3 on that depth chart or WR6 and be primarily focused into that key role for us.
7. QB3. This is the window for Bennett to step up to QB2. If it ain't now then it ain't ever going to happen. So if he cannot step up to QB2 then he needs to go and you replace his ass in the QB3 role. This feels like a midround option.
Positions we don't "need" due to having starter level players in place, but where we could use upgrades: RB (big play threat), FS (deep middle ballhawk), C (much as I like Limmer he is not a top level yet, may not get there, and at least requires competition), and DL (Depends on whether Brown sticks around, I tend to see it as a need and if so this draft is deep and capable of providing).
