Center is the need

[Wisconsinram]

i keep seeing posters complaining about our OL and suggesting that is where the draft capital needs to be spent. I get it as everything we do revolves around their ability to do their job. With that said, I think we need to look at the situation realistically. If Whit and Hav don't show up, we simply don't have the draft capital to make up for it. In addition, we have a plethora of OG options that the same can be said about; Corbett, Edwards, Evans, etc. That leaves the center position.

This draft presents an opportunity for us to solidify the single biggest weakness on this team; center. There are numerous stats that show this to be true, aside from almost everyone's "eyes" while watching. We fix this, and either the rest falls into place or we have a total rebuild of the OL in front of us.

Draft a starter in rounds 2/3 and see how everything jells. If it doesn't, nothing is truly lost as we have a building block for what will be a wholesale change. If it works, then that means we are solid for many years to come sans a starting LOT. In that regard, we either draft a prospect in hope of development or push that need into next year's FA or draft.

To me, it's quite simple. We have to find a starting center that will carry us for 5+ years. We simply do not have the draft capital or FA dollars available to go a different route.

 

[PressureD41]

I'm thinking Rd 2 is RB & OC...Rd 3 WR & ILB RD 4 OG

 

[SeminoleRam]

i keep seeing posters complaining about our OL and suggesting that is where the draft capital needs to be spent. I get it as everything we do revolves around their ability to do their job. With that said, I think we need to look at the situation realistically. If Whit and Hav don't show up, we simply don't have the draft capital to make up for it. In addition, we have a plethora of OG options that the same can be said about; Corbett, Edwards, Evans, etc. That leaves the center position.

This draft presents an opportunity for us to solidify the single biggest weakness on this team; center. There are numerous stats that show this to be true, aside from almost everyone's "eyes" while watching. We fix this, and either the rest falls into place or we have a total rebuild of the OL in front of us.

Draft a starter in rounds 2/3 and see how everything jells. If it doesn't, nothing is truly lost as we have a building block for what will be a wholesale change. If it works, then that means we are solid for many years to come sans a starting LOT. In that regard, we either draft a prospect in hope of development or push that need into next year's FA or draft.

To me, it's quite simple. We have to find a starting center that will carry us for 5+ years. We simply do not have the draft capital or FA dollars available to go a different route.

Until I read somewhere that the Rams recently extended Blythe with the intentions of making him their Center (I assumed they meant their starting Center?) I really thought they would draft a Center (Ruiz, Biadasz, etc) with one of their 2nd or 3rd Round Picks but now I personally don’t see them selecting a Center (At least not in the top Rounds). With Whitworth’s age (And, I certainly hope he can still play up to his normal great level for at least another season or two!) and Havenstein’s less than stellar play last season (Certainly hope he returns to his 2018 form!) and Noteboom’s health issue it will not surprise me to see the Rams pick an OT in the earlier rounds.

 

[Wisconsinram]

Pressure, respect the hell out of you as a poster, so please take this as an honest question.

Why spend a 4th on an OG unless you have little faith in Evans, Edwards, Corbett to the extent they can be beaten out by a fourth rounder?

 

[Corbin]

I'm thinking Rd 2 is RB & OC...Rd 3 WR & ILB RD 4 OG

My thoughts exactly for this draft and who will likely be available and at what position with our needs but probably our needs will be BPA at that point as well. I'm excited as hell and know Snead can turn our picks into a few more quality players/starters.

Fortunately now we have ammo to play to his biggest strengths as a GM.

i keep seeing posters complaining about our OL and suggesting that is where the draft capital needs to be spent. I get it as everything we do revolves around their ability to do their job. With that said, I think we need to look at the situation realistically. If Whit and Hav don't show up, we simply don't have the draft capital to make up for it. In addition, we have a plethora of OG options that the same can be said about; Corbett, Edwards, Evans, etc. That leaves the center position.

This draft presents an opportunity for us to solidify the single biggest weakness on this team; center. There are numerous stats that show this to be true, aside from almost everyone's "eyes" while watching. We fix this, and either the rest falls into place or we have a total rebuild of the OL in front of us.

Draft a starter in rounds 2/3 and see how everything jells. If it doesn't, nothing is truly lost as we have a building block for what will be a wholesale change. If it works, then that means we are solid for many years to come sans a starting LOT. In that regard, we either draft a prospect in hope of development or push that need into next year's FA or draft.

To me, it's quite simple. We have to find a starting center that will carry us for 5+ years. We simply do not have the draft capital or FA dollars available to go a different route.

It seems Center is an undervalued part of the O-Line but I am not one that undervalues it's importance. A center that can make the proper calls for protection at the line, cause consistency for our young QB and cohesion between the left and right sides of the the line is not imperative but a must. At least 3 pretty damned good Center prospects will be there when our picks in the 2nd round come up.

 

[PressureD41]

Pressure, respect the hell out of you as a poster, so please take this as an honest question.

Why spend a 4th on an OG unless you have little faith in Evans, Edwards, Corbett to the extent they can be beaten out by a fourth rounder?

No worries @Wisconsinram But A) Evans a RT/Swing guy? B) Edwards is our RG imho C ) Corbett didn't light the world on fire, so for me personally he might be just a JAG imho.
Moreover w/ Whit &/or Boom (hoping Boom develops) at LT I feel we need a plus LOG to keep things smoothly on the L-side of the OL. I think in Rd 4 we can still get a really good OG still.

What says you?

 

[PressureD41]

Furthermore, we don't have an elite RB so I really want to insure we have guys that can move guys etc. Goff if given 2.5-3 secs on a pass play consistently by the OL we are laughing, and were talking playoffs!

 

[8to12]

Until I read somewhere that the Rams recently extended Blythe with the intentions of making him their Center (I assumed they meant their starting Center?) I really thought they would draft a Center (Ruiz, Biadasz, etc) with one of their 2nd or 3rd Round Picks but now I personally don’t see them selecting a Center (At least not in the top Rounds).

I believe Blythe's deal was for just 1 year. Sounds like a temporary fill while waiting for a newly drafted Center to learn the ropes.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

i keep seeing posters complaining about our OL and suggesting that is where the draft capital needs to be spent. I get it as everything we do revolves around their ability to do their job. With that said, I think we need to look at the situation realistically. If Whit and Hav don't show up, we simply don't have the draft capital to make up for it. In addition, we have a plethora of OG options that the same can be said about; Corbett, Edwards, Evans, etc. That leaves the center position.

This draft presents an opportunity for us to solidify the single biggest weakness on this team; center. There are numerous stats that show this to be true, aside from almost everyone's "eyes" while watching. We fix this, and either the rest falls into place or we have a total rebuild of the OL in front of us.

Draft a starter in rounds 2/3 and see how everything jells. If it doesn't, nothing is truly lost as we have a building block for what will be a wholesale change. If it works, then that means we are solid for many years to come sans a starting LOT. In that regard, we either draft a prospect in hope of development or push that need into next year's FA or draft.

To me, it's quite simple. We have to find a starting center that will carry us for 5+ years. We simply do not have the draft capital or FA dollars available to go a different route.

Good post. This is exactly how I see the Offensive Line. Either a few of these guys continue to develop and it's passable, or the whole thing pretty much goes to crrap. I could see it to either way. I'd love a good center in this draft.

 

[XXXIVwin]

Can’t agree that “center is the need” because it seems like the whole Rams’ draft philosophy is centered (pardon pun) around NOT being locked in to a particular need position.

If there’s a center prospect they like, at a good value selection, they take him. Otherwise, they don’t. As flv and others noted, Rams have plenty of holes to fill looking ahead to 2021 and beyond.

If there’s not a center they like at a value spot in 2020, next year they can either re-sign Blythe (if he performs well) or invest in a mid-level FA. In 2021 their cap sitch will be much much better.

 

[Wisconsinram]

No worries @Wisconsinram But A) Evans a RT/Swing guy? B) Edwards is our RG imho C ) Corbett didn't light the world on fire, so for me personally he might be just a JAG imho.
Moreover w/ Whit &/or Boom (hoping Boom develops) at LT I feel we need a plus LOG to keep things smoothly on the L-side of the OL. I think in Rd 4 we can still get a really good OG still.

What says you?

Really good point if you see Evans as a RT. That changes things. Personally (and remember, I am a Badger fan), I see Hav as playing injury-free and securing his position as our RT. IF that happens, I just don't see our 3 remaining guards being beaten out by a 4th rounder.

IF Evans takes over as the RT, then by all means I get what you're proposing and can get behind the idea of drafting competition at the guard spot.

 

[jrry32]

No worries @Wisconsinram But A) Evans a RT/Swing guy? B) Edwards is our RG imho C ) Corbett didn't light the world on fire, so for me personally he might be just a JAG imho.
Moreover w/ Whit &/or Boom (hoping Boom develops) at LT I feel we need a plus LOG to keep things smoothly on the L-side of the OL. I think in Rd 4 we can still get a really good OG still.

What says you?

My expectation is that Evans or Havenstein moves to OG. I would think Evans because Hav was a really good RT in 2017 and 2018. But if they think Evans has more potential at RT, they could give Hav a shot at OG.

 

[TexasRam]

I think Center is definitely a position we can get better at. So I would target it in the draft as you suggest. I mean Blythe is a serviceable backup and those guys are important. But Blythe is not moving bodies and is a liability in the run game especially in short yardage which is very important.

So we need a center, but if one we like doesn't fall to our pick then what?

I say Guard is a great pick. The Jury is still out on Evans and Corbett. Neither one established themselves as consistent players that can continually win at the LOS.

One could also argue Edge, ILB and RB are THE NEED.

 

[So Ram]

I believe Blythe's deal was for just 1 year. Sounds like a temporary fill while waiting for a newly drafted Center to learn the ropes.

Lol - can’t believe this Center craze.It’s starting to go viral.

Coleman,Blythe,Allen, Trewyn
Just don’t get it. All have been in the system.

Coleman,

 

[So Ram]

My expectation is that Evans or Havenstein moves to OG. I would think Evans because Hav was a really good RT in 2017 and 2018. But if they think Evans has more potential at RT, they could give Hav a shot at OG.

My thoughts when Evans was drafted, he might be the future LG. Now I don’t know ?? Could see him stay him being backup LT,LG, & Brewer being RT RG. Blythe being Starting Center & backup RG with Coleman or Allen taking over. Trewyn not sure ??

 

[So Ram]

I think Center is definitely a position we can get better at. So I would target it in the draft as you suggest. I mean Blythe is a serviceable backup and those guys are important. But Blythe is not moving bodies and is a liability in the run game especially in short yardage which is very important.

So we need a center, but if one we like doesn't fall to our pick then what?

I say Guard is a great pick. The Jury is still out on Evans and Corbett. Neither one established themselves as consistent players that can continually win at the LOS.

One could also argue Edge, ILB and RB are THE NEED.

What about Jamil Demby ?)

 

[PressureD41]

@jrry32 Didn't Hav look bad when Kromer attempted this in year 1 as our OL coach (thinking out loud here). In my perfect world, Hav comes back to reclaim the starting RT gig, and Evans takes over the LOG spot. Evans feet to me screams LG.

Whit 'Boom Brewer (Put me in the hopeful camp 'Boom can be our LT moving fwd soon).
Evans Corbett
Rookie Shelton
Edwards Rookie
Hav Evans

(Assunming 'Boom starts on PUP, we roll w/ 10)

 

[PressureD41]

What about Demby ?)

Demby & Allen should never don the Horns again IMHO

 

[XXXIVwin]

Really good point if you see Evans as a RT. That changes things. Personally (and remember, I am a Badger fan), I see Hav as playing injury-free and securing his position as our RT. IF that happens, I just don't see our 3 remaining guards being beaten out by a 4th rounder.

IF Evans takes over as the RT, then by all means I get what you're proposing and can get behind the idea of drafting competition at the guard spot.

Same here man, lived in Madison for many years and started a family there, now live in CA. Go Badgers and Rams.