Center is the need

[BonifayRam]

NFL Rams Draft Rumors: Centers could go higher than expected

The Rams may have to move up if they want one of the top ranked interior linemen

www.turfshowtimes.com

The Rams may have to move up if they want one of the top ranked interior linemen
By Kenneth Arthur@KennethArthuRS Apr 22, 2020

I seem to remember there being some thought that Michigan center Cesar Ruiz could be available to the LA Rams in the second round at some point. As we have gotten closer to that draft that seems less and less likely for the draft’s top-rated center, and he may not be the only one. Among those rumored to be valued higher by the league than the media are Ruiz and fellow center Matt Hennessy, according to Jordan Raanan.

On Tuesday, I wrote about Hennessy as a potential draft riser.

Today’s draft nuggets:

Some players league seems to like more than media and could go higher than expected...

Edge K’Levon Chaisson
C Cesar Ruiz
C Matt Hennessy
OT Isaiah Wilson
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
CB A.J. Terrell
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) April 22, 2020

One of the reasons I believe centers will go earlier than expected is that the league seems to be catching onto the fact that they’re undervalued quicker than most in the media have. Over the last two years, seven centers have been drafted in the first two rounds compared to eight centers in the previous seven drafts combined. Teams may be catching onto the fact that Super Bowl participants seem to more consistently have great centers than they do have great quarterbacks.

This does not mean that centers are more valuable than quarterbacks, but it could be a signal that we haven’t really given the guy snapping the ball to the QB enough credit yet. I’ve also noticed that “center upgrades” have followed Super Bowl teams:

• 2019 was the first year for Austin Reiter as the Chiefs starting center
• Weston Richburg was signed to upgrade the 49ers center position in 2018
• David Andrews came from nowhere as a UDFA in 2015 to start 57 games for the Patriots over the next four years, making three Super Bowls; there was plenty “off” for New England in 2019, but among those issues was the loss of Andrews before the season
• The Rams signed John Sullivan in 2017, turning around their offense instantly behind him and Andrew Whitworth. Without Sullivan in 2019, center was a disaster and the offense was less potent, to some degree influenced by worse play on the offensive line
• The Eagles had Jason Kelce in 2017
• The Falcons signed Alex Mack in 2016 and Matt Ryan won MVP on the way to the Super Bowl
• The Broncos started playing Matt Paradis at center in 2015, winning the Super Bowl. They beat the Panthers, who had All-Pro Ryan Kalil
• The Seahawks had Max Unger during their 2013 and 2014 Super Bowl seasons, then traded him to the Saints for Jimmy Graham. They haven’t been the same rushing team since and overall are significantly less dangerous
• The 2012 Ravens had potential Hall of Famer Matt Birk
• The 2012 49ers had added former Pro Bowl center Jonathan Goodwin in 2011

Those are just some of the reasons that I think NFL teams are valuing centers more than the average fan or the media and why Ruiz could be a first round lock, while Hennessy may not get out of the top 45 despite being viewed as a day three pick when the offseason started. Lloyd Cushenberry, Tyler Biadasz, and Nick Harris may also have a good day two and that’s something the Rams are going to have to continue monitoring through Friday night.

Others Raanan mentioned going up boards:
K’Lavon Chaisson
Isaiah Wilson, who I mocked to the Rams at 57 yesterday
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, a potential running back target
A.J. Terrell, who may interest LA if he was available in the late second round or third round, but seems to be getting closer to round one?

 

[TexasRam]

NFL Rams Draft Rumors: Centers could go higher than expected

The Rams may have to move up if they want one of the top ranked interior linemen

www.turfshowtimes.com

The Rams may have to move up if they want one of the top ranked interior linemen
By Kenneth Arthur@KennethArthuRS Apr 22, 2020

I seem to remember there being some thought that Michigan center Cesar Ruiz could be available to the LA Rams in the second round at some point. As we have gotten closer to that draft that seems less and less likely for the draft’s top-rated center, and he may not be the only one. Among those rumored to be valued higher by the league than the media are Ruiz and fellow center Matt Hennessy, according to Jordan Raanan.

On Tuesday, I wrote about Hennessy as a potential draft riser.




One of the reasons I believe centers will go earlier than expected is that the league seems to be catching onto the fact that they’re undervalued quicker than most in the media have. Over the last two years, seven centers have been drafted in the first two rounds compared to eight centers in the previous seven drafts combined. Teams may be catching onto the fact that Super Bowl participants seem to more consistently have great centers than they do have great quarterbacks.

This does not mean that centers are more valuable than quarterbacks, but it could be a signal that we haven’t really given the guy snapping the ball to the QB enough credit yet. I’ve also noticed that “center upgrades” have followed Super Bowl teams:

• 2019 was the first year for Austin Reiter as the Chiefs starting center
• Weston Richburg was signed to upgrade the 49ers center position in 2018
• David Andrews came from nowhere as a UDFA in 2015 to start 57 games for the Patriots over the next four years, making three Super Bowls; there was plenty “off” for New England in 2019, but among those issues was the loss of Andrews before the season
• The Rams signed John Sullivan in 2017, turning around their offense instantly behind him and Andrew Whitworth. Without Sullivan in 2019, center was a disaster and the offense was less potent, to some degree influenced by worse play on the offensive line
• The Eagles had Jason Kelce in 2017
• The Falcons signed Alex Mack in 2016 and Matt Ryan won MVP on the way to the Super Bowl
• The Broncos started playing Matt Paradis at center in 2015, winning the Super Bowl. They beat the Panthers, who had All-Pro Ryan Kalil
• The Seahawks had Max Unger during their 2013 and 2014 Super Bowl seasons, then traded him to the Saints for Jimmy Graham. They haven’t been the same rushing team since and overall are significantly less dangerous
• The 2012 Ravens had potential Hall of Famer Matt Birk
• The 2012 49ers had added former Pro Bowl center Jonathan Goodwin in 2011

Those are just some of the reasons that I think NFL teams are valuing centers more than the average fan or the media and why Ruiz could be a first round lock, while Hennessy may not get out of the top 45 despite being viewed as a day three pick when the offseason started. Lloyd Cushenberry, Tyler Biadasz, and Nick Harris may also have a good day two and that’s something the Rams are going to have to continue monitoring through Friday night.

Others Raanan mentioned going up boards:
K’Lavon Chaisson
Isaiah Wilson, who I mocked to the Rams at 57 yesterday
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, a potential running back target
A.J. Terrell, who may interest LA if he was available in the late second round or third round, but seems to be getting closer to round one?

Interesting compiled stats on super bowl teams and centers.
I won’t be mad if we move up to the top of RD 2 to grab a center.

 

[BonifayRam]

Interesting compiled stats on super bowl teams and centers.
I won’t be mad if we move up to the top of RD 2 to grab a center.

I beat this center need to death this off season. I am still not set in one side or the other on this issue. Bottom Line for me is it is directly attached to priority #1 IMO which is keeping Goff from being molested. So any improvement to the future Ram OL is favorable. Landing a OC who would start & be a big upgrade to Blythe/Allen next season would sure be an excellent move.

 

[Corbin]

I hope we draft a Legit Center finally. Tired of Blythe.

 

[den-the-coach]

I beat this center need to death this off season. I am still not set in one side or the other on this issue. Bottom Line for me is it is directly attached to priority #1 IMO which is keeping Goff from being molested. So any improvement to the future Ram OL is favorable. Landing a OC who would start & be a big upgrade to Blythe/Allen next season would sure be an excellent move.

I could see the Rams drafting a Guard like Robert Hunt of Louisiana-Lafayette and then having a battle at Center with Corbett, Blythe, Allen, Shelton & Trewyn.

 

[Kevin]

The Rams will have a competition at center whether they draft one or not. Blythe might be the favorite among the guys on the roster now but he will need to win the job. A draft pick will compete with everyone else to start.

 

[So Ram]

The Rams will have a competition at center whether they draft one or not. Blythe might be the favorite among the guys on the roster now but he will need to win the job. A draft pick will compete with everyone else to start.

truth is people have fallen in love with the draft prospect,but The Rams don’t value it all that much. Goff trust Blythe so Brian Allen is not going to start.In fact there’s is a chance they had a falling out ?? Hope Coleman Shelton wins the back up role over him.

 

[So Ram]

Where is all the Center Fans ???

lmao —

 

[PressureD41]

I would/hope they cut Allen . Hate him

 

[So Ram]

I would/hope they cut Allen . Hate him

yeah - freaking he harshed my Draft sober buzz. He came on after a long commercial when The Rams( #57 pick )
we’re on the clock. He was giving some kind of thank you speech.I take it he will be on the clock. Would have laughed harder if The Rams took a Center. Then again Coleman Shelton is going to give making the roster a good shot.

 

[So Ram]

I guess Denver Knew The Rams wanted a Center & traded up in front of them ?

 

[FarNorth]

I guess Denver Knew The Rams wanted a Center & traded up in front of them ?

Either the draft didn't unfold as the Rams expected at that position, or the Rams didn't share the view of many on this forum that we needed a center. Maybe we'll get some insight from comments from McVay and Snead after the draft.

 

[So Ram]

Either the draft didn't unfold as the Rams expected at that position, or the Rams didn't share the view of many on this forum that we needed a center. Maybe we'll get some insight from comments from McVay and Snead after the draft.

well it was twitted the reason Mcvay was mad is because he did not have T.Lewis phone number,not the missing out on a Center.

The Rams were not going to waste cap space on cutting players they like.

 

[Dieter the Brock]

 

[So Ram]

Centers & I”Lineman are line-in up.

Will The Rams draft one ??

 

[So Ram]

W

View attachment 35902

WHo. Who. ??

 

[So Ram]

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.

What up with Your Guy Tyler(so Bad Ass) Biadasz ??? Lol

 

[So Ram]

CRICKETS. ????

The Rams OFFENSIVE LINE SUCKS!!!

lmao - ha ha ha.

Will see if I win my Rod bet.

Thanks. Kromers & Andy Dickerson

 

[PressureD41]

CRICKETS. ????

The Rams OFFENSIVE LINE SUCKS!!!

lmao - ha ha ha.

Will see if I win my Rod bet.

Thanks. Kromers & Andy Dickerson

would you kindly stand down w/ the rhetoric. Its not a good look man

 

[Wisconsinram]

SO Ram,

You were correct in your prediction they would ignore the OL. Nice call.

Personally, I think it was a big mistake. I see Blythe as easily upgradeable and have little faith in Allen. Our center play has been below average since Sully. McSnead don’t share my view and I honestly hope they.... and you, are right. That would be awesome.

If things go sour on the OL next season, really the only thing that could hold our offense back sans injury, you don’t have to worry about me coming back with “I told you so” comments. I’m far too classy and respectful to do that to a fellow Ram Brother.