Austin Corbett could play a pivotal role in the Rams’ draft plans

Austin Corbett could play a pivotal role in the Rams’ draft plans

Austin Corbett's versatility gives the Rams even more options in the draft.

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Cameron DaSilva
Sun, April 25, 2021, 8:24 AM

Much has been made about how badly the Los Angeles Rams need a center in the 2021 NFL draft after letting Austin Blythe leave in free agency. Most fans view it as the team’s biggest roster hole right now.

But what if they don’t actually have to draft a center? Is it possible they’ll leave the draft without selecting one in any of the seven rounds?
It absolutely is, and it’s primarily because they have Austin Corbett. The best thing a team can have heading into the draft is options, and Corbett gives them exactly that.

Corbett has only played guard for the Rams, both left and right, but he started out at center when he was drafted by the Browns. Only, he didn’t pan out at that spot and transitioned to guard after also playing left tackle in college.

He’s been great at guard for the Rams, but there’s still a chance the team will give him another shot at center after he failed there with the Browns. The Rams know better than anyone whether Corbett would be able to make the switch to center in 2021, and if they feel good about it, they could take a guard instead of a center in the draft.

That gives them even more prospects to choose from if they address the interior of their offensive line in the second or third rounds. For instance, rather than feeling the need to draft Quinn Meinerz, Landon Dickerson or Creed Humphrey in the second round, the Rams could also consider Wyatt Davis, Deonte Brown, Aaron Banks or Trey Smith on Day 2.

Players such as Josh Myers and Kendrick Green can also play guard or center. So if the Rams were to select one of them, they wouldn’t be forced to play center. They could compete with Corbett at both guard and center in camp, allowing the Rams to find the best possible combination.
It’s likely that Corbett will have a bigger impact on Los Angeles’ draft plans than, say, Brian Allen or Coleman Shelton will. Neither Allen nor Shelton can be counted on to step up as a starter, but Corbett has put plenty of quality play on tape with the Rams, so they should have a good idea of where he can and can’t play.

It’s unlikely that they won’t draft a single interior offensive lineman, but it’s still possible. They could plan to play Corbett at center with some combination of David Edwards, Joe Noteboom Bobby Evans and Tremayne Anchrum at guard. Again, it’s not likely, but it’s a possibility depending on how the board falls this week.

So if the Rams leave draft weekend without a center, don’t panic. The front office and coaching staff have a plan and much of that plan likely has to do with Corbett’s versatility.

List​

Best center prospect for the Rams in each round of the draft​

 

[Riverumbbq]

Yea definitely not attacking Corbett as a center. It's more that he seems to be on his way if not already there at being one of the better guards in the league. My worries are more that I don't want to go into the season with too many "what ifs" but I can live with some "what ifs" at certain positions but not at key positions. You and I both know the trenches are what win games and yes we do well in the draft but we also need to be careful that's why I want some cheap veterans after the draft and there are a bunch of good ones that fill voids for us so just hope that one or two in our plans.
Definitely no attack on Corbett though as a center or anything. I think we stole him and it's one of Sneads most underrated and top acquisitions.

Trust me, it wasn't you who I was thinking when it comes to certain posters who were attacking Corbett at Center, they also had serious reservations about him at OG.
I don't think there is any doubt the Rams will take a serious look at potentially inexpensive free agents post draft. Besides the inevitable 10-12 UDFA's, once teams start shaking out their CAP casualties and excess, it's likely we grab a player or two at needed positions, and maybe even later as a waiver pick-up. jmo.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Yea thing is we acquired Corbett on the cheap because yea it's Cleveland but he also didnt play particularly well at center. Also when he is so good at guard definitely one of the better guards in the league in my opinion I don't like moving him to center in all honesty. Also big whit being 40 is scary as well as there is also an extra game this year too. That's why I'd sweat it less if you sign a Reiter leave Corbett where he has proven to be better than solid. Having a great roster is one thing but in my football fanship one thing that bothers me most or two things when teams build and build.but never realize or to take the trenches lightly. Definitely not saying that's what rams are doing but I definitely would not want to see Stafford coming here to get pummeled at age 33 when we dumped Goff and gave up picks. Also should there be a misreading of the line we don't have much desperation 1st round picks to throw around in a trade lolol. I always worry bro lol...I need the laid back approach lol.

As far as Corbett is concerned with Cleveland, we have to remember that he was a left tackle who they tried to convert to Center/Guard AS A ROOKIE.
It is tough enough being a rookie in this league without piling on a position change and a whole entirely new offense to learn.

And like you mentioned, it's Cleveland.

 

[payote75]

As far as Corbett is concerned with Cleveland, we have to remember that he was a left tackle who they tried to convert to Center/Guard AS A ROOKIE.
It is tough enough being a rookie in this league without piling on a position change and a whole entirely new offense to learn.

And like you mentioned, it's Cleveland.

Yea I'm not debating any of that. I just don't like taking what could be someone on his way to becoming a top guard in the league or hopefully an all pro and moving him center just because we have a hole there.

It's like when you take try to get cute in madden and you have to great tackles but get cute and sign or trade for another tackle with like a a 90 rating and put him at center. You damn well know he isn't a center but you know the game won't drop his rating crazy lol. Just don't want to move Corbett to center he is in my opinion after big whit the best all around lineman we have and I wouldn't mess with that. I know it's great to be interchangeable but within reason. I'd be more inclined to start talking about an extension with him lol.

 

[baconandbread]

As far as Corbett is concerned with Cleveland, we have to remember that he was a left tackle who they tried to convert to Center/Guard AS A ROOKIE.
It is tough enough being a rookie in this league without piling on a position change and a whole entirely new offense to learn.

And like you mentioned, it's Cleveland.

This^
It's a completely different and better situation now. He's played a year plus at guard here and likely already has a decent understanding of the line calls now. It's been said that Stafford while in Detroit knew the line calls there. Their Pro Bowl Center Ragnow that many here were pounding the sand for, was a college guard played his entire Rookie season at guard and then had an average second year as Center before becoming a pro-bowl player.

 

[So Ram]

Just too many variables in play for me to be betting on how this draft plays out. While we fans see potential current or near future holes at Center, CB, Edge, DE, ILB, TE, WR & OT, we still have no idea how management feels the development of last years reservists and practice squad players affect the 2021 draft & roster. Besides the more obvious spot weaknesses we appear to see right now, our team also faces potential free agent/retirement losses upcoming for 2022 where the OL and ILB corps face serious repercussions.
Is Terrell Lewis best suited to replace Fox as our 5T DE or will he tie down the other Edge OLB position ? Much will depend on whether back-up players with little or no playing time have the HC's confidence to move up. Same question faces Corbett at Center, Anchrum at LG, Edwards at RT or Brewer at LT, ... even Hopkins at TE to a lesser degree. And where will Noteboom play in what may be his 'contract' year ? Are Havenstein & Hekker in consideration as draft day trades ?
This is a stranger year than most for projecting how the Rams approach this draft as it hasn't been since the pre-season of 2019 when most of us have been able to observe our lesser known players in practice, and then on top of all this having so many eligible draftees who either missed 2020 or played in a limited number of games as a result of Covid protocols.
A lot is on the line for McSnead and our Rams, I just have to trust that whatever happens, they get it right. jmo.

Agree- I personally think The Rams go best available by position,but players like DJ,OBO,Allen,Kiser,D.Williams,will be FA.The OLINE has a lot of depth & contracts will be had.Noteboom & Corbett I believe.Allen being the biggest Unkown.

 

[Tano]

Odds suggest Rams will use first draft pick on offensive lineman​

Cameron DaSilva
Fri, April 23, 2021, 9:06 AM

If you think you know which direction Les Snead and the Los Angeles Rams will go with their first pick in the 2021 NFL draft next week, you can try to profit from it. With the draft less than a week away, you can now bet on which position the first player drafted by the Rams will play.

Will they go with an offensive lineman? Will Snead address the inside linebacker spot with a top-60 pick? Or will the team add a cornerback early to replace Troy Hill?

At DraftKings Sportsbook, there are odds for each position the Rams could draft with their first pick. And unsurprisingly, the odds suggest an offensive lineman will be the team’s first pick next week.

• Offensive lineman: +200
• Linebacker: +450
• Cornerback: +500
• Defensive lineman: +600
• Wide receiver: +600
• Tight end: +900
• Safety: +1100
• Running back: +1600
• Quarterback: +3300
• Kicker/punter/long snapper: +5000

Save your money and don’t bother betting on the Rams to take a quarterback or special teams player first. They’re also unlikely to use another early pick on a running back after drafting Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson in the last two years.

Odds suggest Rams will use first draft pick on offensive lineman

You can bet on which position the Rams will address first in the draft next Friday.

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I would think Kicker Punter Long Snapper at 57 would be more like +1,000,000

And if someone won that - then this site would crash after that pick and Sportsbook wouldn't have to pay off.