CBS: NFC West 2017 offseason preview

[den-the-coach]

Here's a reference guide for your favorite NFC West team throughout the combine and free agency

by Rob Rang & Dane Brugler

[www.cbssports.com]

The Sports Xchange and NFLDraftScout.com have evaluated all 32 rosters and created shopping lists for each team to be used in free agency and referenced during the combine and draft season. Below, we tackle the four NFC West teams.

Los Angeles Rams

Last season, the Rams transitioned from St. Louis to Los Angeles and played worse. This year, they will transition from the Jeff Fisher coaching era to Sean McVay and other coaching changes. That includes defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who will implement a new scheme to a talented defense led by defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

The issue remains on offense, as the Rams try to build around quarterback Jared Goff with a potential franchise running back (Todd Gurley), but with an offensive line that needs help.

2016 Breakdown
Finish: Third in NFC West (4-12)
Total offense: 262.7 (32nd)
Rushing offense: 78.3 (31st)
Passing offense: 184.4 (31st)
Total defense: 337.0 (9th)
Rushing defense: 103.8 (16th)
Passing defense: 233.3 (10th)

Offseason shopping list

Need 1: Offensive line

The Rams need an overhaul of this unit. Aside from right tackle Rob Havenstein, no one should be assured of their job or spot on the roster, most of all underachieving left tackle Greg Robinson.

Potential UFA targets (age, previous contract’s average annual salary)
Tackle:
Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati (36 in December, $9M)
* Russell Okung, Denver (29 in October, $10.6M)
Rick Wagner, Baltimore (28 in October, $576K)
Luke Joeckel, Jacksonville (26 in November, $5.3M)
Matt Kalil, Minnesota (28 in July, $4.94M)
* Option not expected to be exercised
Guard/center:
Kevin Zeitler, Cincinnati (27 in March, $1.89M)
T.J. Lang, Green Bay (30 in September, $5.2M)
Ronald Leary, Dallas (28 in April, $2.55M)
JC Tretter, Green Bay (26, $644K)
Potential draft targets (ranking pos/overall, player, school, height, weight, 40, proj. round)
Tackle:
1/14 Ryan Ramczyk, Wisconsin, 6-5, 314, 5.29, 1 (underclassman)
2/25 Cam Robinson, Alabama, 6-6, 310, 5.28, 1 (underclassman)
3/38 Garett Bolles, Utah, 6-5, 296, 4.97, 1-2 (underclassman)
Guard:
1/33. Dan Feeney, Indiana, 6-4, 304, 5.09, 1-2
2/35. Forrest Lamp, Western Kentucky, 6-4, 305, 5.12, 1-2
Center:
1/64. Ethan Pocic, LSU, 6-6, 307, 5.18, 2
2/80. Pat Elflein, Ohio State, 6-2, 300, 5.22, 2-3


Need 2: Wide receiver

The Rams lack a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver and have virtually no one who strikes fear in the hearts of opposing defenses.

Potential UFA targets (age, previous contract’s average annual salary)

DeSean Jackson, Washington (31 in December, $6M)
Alshon Jeffery, Chicago (27, $14.6M)
Pierre Garcon, Washington (31 in August, $8.5M)
Terrelle Pryor, Cleveland (28 in June, $1.67M)
Anquan Boldin, Detroit (37 in October, $2.75M)
Cordarrelle Patterson, Minnesota (26 in March, $1.8M)

Potential draft targets (ranking pos/overall, player, school, height, weight, 40, proj. round)

1/8 Mike Williams, Clemson, 6-3, 225, 1 (underclassman)
2/16 Corey Davis, Western Michigan, 6-3, 213, 1
3/19 John Ross, Washington, 5-11, 190, 1 (underclassman)
4/37 Curtis Samuel, Ohio State, 5-11, 200, 1-2 (underclassman)
5/42 Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma, 5-11, 175, 2


Need 3: Linebacker

The Rams are thin behind current starters Alec Ogletree and Mark Barron, so help is needed to play coordinator Wade Phillips’ scheme.
Potential UFA targets (age, previous contract’s average annual salary)

Outside linebacker:
Chandler Jones, Arizona (27, $2.04M)
Nick Perry, Green Bay (27 in April, $5.05M)
Melvin Ingram, L.A. Chargers (28 in April, $2.1M)
DeMarcus Ware, Denver (35 in July, $10M)
Julius Peppers, Green Bay (37, $8.67M)

Inside linebacker:
Dont’a Hightower, New England (27 in March, $1.93M)
Lawrence Timmons, Pittsburgh (31 in May, $9.6M)
Malcolm Smith, Oakland (28 in July, $3.5M)
Akeem Dent, Houston (30 in September, $2.25M)
Potential draft targets (ranking pos/overall, player, school, height, weight, 40, proj. round)

Outside linebacker:
1/18 Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt, 6-3, 230, 4.74, 1 (underclassman)
2/26 Takkarist McKinley, UCLA, 6-2, 258, 4.58, 1
3/27 Tim Williams, Alabama, 6-3, 252, 4.76, 1
4/31 Haason Reddick, Temple, 6-1, 237, 4.54, 1-2
5/48 T.J. Watt, Wisconsin, 6-4, 243, 4.76, 2 (underclassman)

Inside linebacker:
1/7 Reuben Foster, Alabama, 6-1, 236, 4.72, 1
2/41 Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State, 6-2, 240, 4.78, 2 (underclassman)
3/44 Jarrad Davis, Florida, 6-1, 238, 4.78, 2

Potential UFA keepers
CB Trumaine Johnson (27, $13.95M)
WR Kenny Britt (29 in September, $4.58M)
S T.J. McDonald (26, $732K)
K Greg Zuerlein (30 in December, $1.25M)
RB Benny Cunningham (27 in July, $1.67M)

Roster review
Major coaching changes
Sean McVay replaces Jeff Fisher as head coach
Matt LaFleur replaces Rob Boras as offensive coordinator
Wade Phillips replaces Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator

Depth chart
Starters and backups are as of the end of the season, but include players that were starters before being injured.

QB: Starter -- Jared Goff. Backups -- Sean Mannion, Case Keenum (UFA).

RB: Starter -- Todd Gurley. Backups -- *Benny Cunningham (UFA), Malcolm Brown, Chase Reynolds (UFA), Aaron Green, *FB Zach Laskey.

WR: Starters -- Kenny Britt (UFA), Tavon Austin, Brian Quick (UFA). Backups -- Pharoh Cooper, Michael Thomas, Nelson Spruce, Paul McRoberts, *Bradley Marquez, *Marquez North.

TE: Starter -- Lance Kendricks. Backups -- Tyler Higbee, Temarrick Hemingway, *Cory Harkey.

OL: Starters -- LT Greg Robinson, RT Rob Havenstein, LG Rodger Saffold, RG Jamon Brown, C Tim Barnes. Backups -- G David Arkin, C Demetrius Rhaney, T Pace Murphy, *T Darrell Williams, G Cody Wichmann, G Andrew Donnal.

DL: Starters -- *DLE Robert Quinn, DLT Michael Brockers, DRT Aaron Donald, DRE William Hayes. Backups -- DE Ethan Westbrooks, DE Matt Longacre, DE Eugene Sims, DE Morgan Fox, DT Cam Thomas (UFA), DT Dominique Easley (UFA), *DT Louis Trinca-Pasat.

LB: Starters -- WLB Mark Barron, MLB Alec Ogletree. Backups -- MLB Bryce Hager, MLB Nicholas Grigsby, WLB Cory Littleton, *MLB Josh Forrest.

DB: Starters -- LCB Trumaine Johnson (UFA), RCB E.J. Gaines, Slot CB Lamarcus Joyner, SS T.J. McDonald (UFA), FS Maurice Alexander. Backups -- CB Blake Countess, CB Troy Hill, CB Michael Jordan, FS Cody Davis, SS Isaiah Johnson, *S Brian Randolph, *DB Marqui Christian.

ST: K Greg Zuerlein (UFA), P Johnnie Hekker, KOR Benny Cunningham, PR Tavon Austin, LS Jake McQuaide.
* Indicates player that ended 2016 season on reserve; & Indicates player released since the Super Bowl.

 

[LACHAMP46]

Not sure what others think, but Jon Cooper & especially L Warford should also be considered as FA's to look at for offensive guard.
And Jon Toth should be our center targeted in the draft. Sure we could get him with our extra 4th.

Aside from right tackle Rob Havenstein, no one should be assured of their job or spot on the roster, most of all underachieving left tackle Greg Robinson.

And, I'm putting Greg Robinson right in there as a RT....Lets SEE if Havenstein really is our "best" offensive lineman and can beat out Greg.

 

[Zero]

And, I'm putting Greg Robinson right in there as a RT....Lets SEE if Havenstein really is our "best" offensive lineman and can beat out Greg.

He hasn't got his footwork correct on the left.It sure isn't gonna happen on the right.
That would be confusing the confused.
If he moves anywhwere it will be inside or out of town.

 

[Merlin]

None of those OTs are anything near an answer for us. FA offers zero help for us. The draft will offer a project if they can fit it in, but it's going to be hard to reach for a project OT when they're looking at good quality at other positions. I pray they don't start off this regime with a poor draft, and avoid that kind of BS.

Where FA can help the Rams is OG, WR, LB, CB, DL, S. They have to get one of those two OGs, either Zeitler or Lang, just pay up. Then a wideout to ensure there is enough depth of weapons. Do that and all of a sudden a defense-heavy draft sets up your roster pretty well.

 

[LACHAMP46]

He hasn't got his footwork correct on the left.It sure isn't gonna happen on the right.
That would be confusing the confused.
If he moves anywhwere it will be inside or out of town.

LOL....no one has said if Greg is right handed or left? No one has said what exactly IS Greg's main problems. Guard is almost as important as tackle. In fact, one guard communicates with the center, pre-snap during loud road games, and you want Greg around that? I don't think it's physical with Greg either...I think b4 every play, he still doesn't know what to do each an every play...He's thinking...hesitating...
I saw Havenstein get ran over several games....I saw terrible footwork(feet crossing)..worse that Greg's. I'll repeat this again, I have only seen a few 3 sack games, once a tackle.guard/center allows that, he has effectively removed his name off the competent starters list IMO. Dude also had several mental mistakes too...and is physically weak. There is no way he should go into the 2017 season as a projected starter, let him, Greg, and Donnall battle....Should be a rookie selected too.

 

[Zero]

I saw Havenstein get ran over several games

No you saw a injured Havenstein get ran over.He had a broken toe and then had ankle
issues probably for overcompensating the toe. With us having one of the best
oline coaches in the business,I fully expect Havenstein to really start coming on.

Robinson's problem is physical.His technique is inconsistent to say the least.
Not saying there isn't a mental aspect to it as well.
Hell our whole line looked confused at times.I think better coaching and
blocking schemes will alleviate a lot of that.

The guard position is less demanding athletically and mentally.
The center is directing and is close enough to mentally babysit the guards
if necessary.So if Greg is confused he could be helped.

However it works out,I have complete faith in Kromer.
Not sure how much improvement will happen year one,but
it will be improved.

 

[LACHAMP46]

No you saw a injured Havenstein get ran over.

OK....maybe he shoulda passed that information on to Keenum and Goff...or Boras & Boudreaux? You know one of the worst injuries to big guys? It's the feet.
3 sacks....one game...ran over countless times in others....as soon as they started benching guys for performance Rob Havenstein was replaced...then the injured toe/ankle/ whatever was brought up. RT is easier than LT....It goes to, if you can't play LT, then the next position is usually Right tackle. Our best run blockers are Saffold & Greg.....If Havenstein is so good, he'll have NO PROBLEM beating out a "limited" Greg.

The guard position is less demanding athletically and mentally.

Say that to guards that block serious DT's (like Aaron Donald)....that pick up the "A" gap blitzes. I don't think you need to be as athletic to play guard, but you must be strong and be able to anchor. I think the entire line needs to be mentally in tune with each other. Play as one fist...not five fingers.

 

[Zero]

NO PROBLEM beating out a "limited" Greg.

He doesn't have to beat out Greg,because he won't be competing against him.
That is something you have made up.

It goes to, if you can't play LT, then the next position is usually Right tackle.

Not true.

Say that to guards that block serious DT's

Who makes more money? Guards or LT's? Why do you think that is?

but you must be strong and be able to anchor.

You mean like Greg?

Saffold

The Rams could gain 4.19 million by releasing Saffold.Not sure he will be here next year and
you can't depend on him being healthy if he is.
Mcvay did conveniently omit him when discussing the line.

. I think the entire line needs to be mentally in tune with each other.

No Doubt.I don't think anybody knew what the hell we were doing last year.
Including the coaches.Unsound offense.unsound blocking schemes.

 

[LACHAMP46]

He doesn't have to beat out Greg,because he won't be competing against him.
That is something you have made up.

Well, since this is a preview thread, I believe every "fact" or opinion is made up from somewhere.....
You must like Havenstein. That's good...He'll need some support during OTA's & TC. Typically, tackles without ability are moved...Because tackles are "perceived" to be the more talented of the two. But this isn't always the case. Look at a guy like Larry Allen.....Look at our own team, Roger Saffold. It's been my experience, as a fan, that ineffective LT's are moved to RT, if still ineffective they are then tried out as guards.

Who makes more money? Guards or LT's? Why do you think that is?

Look again at Roger Saffold....I believe he's the highest paid lineman on the team...Could be G-Rob now....but LT's usually make the most money. They are typically more talented, block the best opposing teams rusher, and are responsible for protecting the QB's blindside. However, a lot of teams have pretty good D-LE's....so your RT (if the QB is also righthanded) needs to be better as well. It's the reason I wanted Barksdale replaced. Oh yeah, that 3 sack game vs. Houston...no, not the team, the player for KC. You can't have spots like that on the line blocking for young QB's....Guards are better. So are Centers....Look where they draft guards now...centers too. QB's hate pressure up the middle....Interior OL's are more valuable...and getting compensated for it.