Checking in on the Rams' 2019 draft class

[BonifayRam]

Checking in on the Rams' 2019 draft class

www.therams.com

Checking in on the Rams' 2019 draft class
Friday, Nov 01, 2019
Stu Jackson

Back in late April, the Rams used eight picks to assemble their draft class this year. Some have been able to see action right away, while others have have had to wait due to the depth and experience in front of them.

Here's how each of those eight selections have fared at the midway point of the season

S TAYLOR RAPP (ROUND 2, NO. 61)
Rapp has appeared in every game this season, playing the 11th-most snaps of any Rams defensive player with 321. His 44 total tackles rank fourth on the team, and he's chipped three pass breakups.Starting in each of the Rams' last two games, he most recently posted a team- and season-high 12 tackles in their 24-10 win over the Bengals in London.Area scout Vito Gonella called him "a money-man tackler" this spring when discussing what stood out from watching him at Washington, and that reputation has carried over into his professional career. Scouting service Pro Football Focus has him graded as Los Angeles' fourth-best tackler so far.

RB DARRELL HENDERSON JR. (ROUND 3, NO. 70)
Henderson has appeared in four of the Rams' first eight games this season, receiving 73 snaps. He's rushed 29 times for 119 yards and added four receptions for 37 yards.Todd Gurley and Malcolm Brown shouldered most of the backfield load through the first five weeks, while Henderson was used sparingly. However, after Brown sustained an ankle injury in Week 6, Henderson saw his opportunities increase over the last two weeks, seeing 26 snaps against the Falcons followed by 28 against the Bengals in London.

CB DAVID LONG JR. (ROUND 3, NO. 79)
Long fits into the category of joining a position group that had depth and experience, since the Rams chose to keep six cornerbacks on the preliminary 53-man roster.He was inactive for the first six weeks of the season, but after Marcus Peters was traded to the Ravens and Aqib Talib was placed on injured reserve (and later traded to the Dolphins), he landed on the active gameday roster. Though the Rams also acquired Jalen Ramsey, Long still appeared in each of the Rams' last two gamesHis action has mainly come on special teams, as he's seen 27 snaps with that unit compared to nine with the defense. He has one tackle this season.

OT BOBBY EVANS (ROUND 3, NO. 97)
Another rookie who joined a veteran position group, Evans didn't land on the active gameday roster until Oct. 20. Like Long, he was also inactive for the first six weeks before injuries afforded him new opportunities. Also like Long, Evans has mainly seen action on special teams with 12 snaps there in the last two weeks. He got three snaps on offense against the Falcons but none against the Bengals.

DT GREG GAINES (ROUND 4, NO. 134)
Gaines has been inactive for five of the Rams' first eight games, including each of the last two. In the two games he's been active, he's tallied a combined five tackles.He was most recently active against the 49ers, posting his best overall defensive grade (87.8) and run defense grade (86.7) on the season. Those marks were also second-highest in each respective category of any Rams defensive players against the Niners in Week 6.

OT DAVID EDWARDS (ROUND 5, NO. 169)
Edwards has appeared in all eight games, starting at left guard in each of the last two. It didn't seem like the former Wisconsin standout would see playing time right away, given the Rams had 14-year veteran Andrew Whitworth holding down left tackle and fifth-year pro Rob Havenstein holding down right tackle. However, thanks to cross-training along the offensive line during the spring and summer, his time would come in Week 7 against the Falcons when the Rams elected to give Edwards a shot at the spot in wake of starting LG Joe Noteboom's season-ending ACL and MCL injury against the 49ers.Edwards hasn't looked back since, playing 75 snaps against the Falcons and 60 against the Bengals.

S NICK SCOTT (ROUND 7, NO. 243)
Initially projected as a key special teams contributed, Scott has been a mainstay with that unit. He's logged a team-high 180 snaps on that squad while appearing in all eight games this season. His three total tackles share with linebackers Troy Reeder and Travin Howard for the special teams lead.

 

[Merlin]

Still feel like this draft is likely to go down as Snead's best...

He hit it out of the park with Rapp & Edwards. Both those guys have the potential to be among the best at their positions IMO. And for those who think I'm overvaluing Edwards on a short sample size you may be correct however I don't give a damn. That boy gets his hands on a DL and it's usually over man. Game over. For a rook that's a goddamn great sign.

Then you have Henderson who as a RB you just never know how long they'll last. But I love his overall game. He's got everything to be a featured back in today's game just has to work the pass pro and if/when the OL gets their $#!T together and starts giving that kid some seams to blow through watch out.

Three plus starters IMO. Which is crazy when you don't have a first round pick. And there's time for the others to settle in and show what they can do.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

It depends on how you look at it. Rapp is turning out to be a good SS type. His tackling ability and instincts are on point. But I would rather have seen them grab a center. Elton Jenkins was supposedly on their radar and Snead got leap flogged by Green Bay. Jenkins has turned out to be a stud and he could play Center or guard. That would go a long way on this woeful OLine.

I won't argue against the Henderson, and Edwards picks. Evans is a wait and see. But I was skeptical about Long, and I'd like to see more from him. Future corner was a need and his pick could have a big impact one way or another. So, far it's not looking like a slam dunk. Corners usually show up early in their Pro transition, and coming from a Harbaugh defense the step up should be easier than it is for some others.

 

[Merlin]

I won't argue against the Henderson, and Edwards picks. Evans is a wait and see. But I was skeptical about Long, and I'd like to see more from him. Future corner was a need and his pick could have a big impact one way or another. So, far it's not looking like a slam dunk. Corners usually show up early in their Pro transition, and coming from a Harbaugh defense the step up should

I agree and it's why I think Long is a slot CB.

 

[TexasRam]

It’s really too early to rate the draft.


I like the potential with Edwards, Gaines Rapp and Henderson becoming solid starters or contributers.

Evans and Long have a long way to go.