Did ILB jump to the top of the Rams draft list last night?

[Akrasian]

After seeing the Cowboys shut down the Saints last night, thanks mainly to hard tackling linebackers with good range who consistently prevented big gains, is that what the Rams should try to get with their first after this season? Are there bigger needs, and if so, what?

 

[1maGoh]

ILB is definitely a huge need. It is probably number 1 if we end up keeping Fowler. I assume we only keep field if he's killing it through the super bowl.

However, draft is always BPA (with context). I'm also a proponent of reading the hit with the highest floor, because "experts" frequently underestimate how much those types can still grow. See Robinson v Matthews or Long v Gholston for examples. There's a few like that every year.

It there's another Vander Esch type in this draft, he'll probably be BPA by the time he gets to us.

 

[fearsomefour]

BPA on D to me.
Could be DL, LB or DB.
Likely with two third round picks I would be selecting D with the first round pick and both likely third round picks and adding an OL or two after that.

 

[Prime Time]

At the beginning of the season I thought we came to a consensus here that the outside LB position was more of a weakness than inside LB.

My vote is that you can never have enough good cornerbacks. Who knows how Talib will play after his injury or if he even sticks around for another season. Peters is meh. Troy Hill? Please.

 

[Flatlyner]

I voted CB. We have been getting killed at CB since Talib went down, and Talib is not spring chicken. Second position of importance is a LB, either inside or outside. I'm not sure we will have the capital to resign Fowler and am hoping Obo is a contributor when he gets fully healthy. Can't forget that Ebakum is starting to put it together also. But Barron and Littleton could use and upgrade IMO.

 

[Zodi]

CB or ILB, BPA.

 

[Mackeyser]

I want to, but I refuse to start looking at draft prospects when our season is going so well.

Using every minute to just soak this season in. Plenty of time for the off-season in..ya know...the off-season.

 

[ReekofRams]

If we are going to actively try and get better against the run, then yes ILB who can supplant Baron is our most glaring need. At the same time CB is also an area of need, but a good CB is something that is generally easier to find in free agency then ILB is, and could wait a year since Talib had one more on his contract. But when it comes to the draft you take the best person available at the position you need them. So if CB has the best person available you take him. Unless the Rams trade down or up then none of us will know what the hell is going on.

 

[Farr Be It]

I say cornerback. The next few games will bring some of this to light. This speculation may be premature.

I do want to see Kiser in action first.

 

[OC_Ram]

It’s a tough call when you’re picking LAST !!!!

 

[Merlin]

BPA on D to me.

^ This. We need help and youth at all levels so get that impact player who falls. Someone always does.

ILB in round one requires an ability to play well vs the pass while also not getting wired to blockers. There will be options late round one with good range but to pull the trigger they gotta be the total package.

Again though just find an impact player. That is more important than position and what we lack outside of Donald and Talib.

 

[Ram77]

I dont know if anyone has mentioned it before on this thread but would we have been better off keeping that first round pick and picking up Van Der Esch at LB on a 3 yr rookie contract to shore up a huge need or would you have traded for Cooks who IMO has been superb so far but will be very expensive

P.S. nevermind just saw he was drafted at #19 which was in front of the Rams pickanyways

 

[Merlin]

I don't regret trading for Cooks. But if there was ever a time to invest draft capital in the defense it is now.

 

[OldSchool]

If there is an ILB at our first pick who can help the defense then sure take him. But don’t pick one just because we need one. Get the best player available at a position of need. Same as with every pick every year.

 

[PhillyRam]

It would be great to get an every down ILB, but as others have expressed, DL and CB are just as big a need.

They need another big nasty to add to the DL and I am thinking Suh walks. Maybe add a stop gap DT until some young kids get up to speed, but another disruptive DT is a huge need to help Donald out gong forward if they want to maximize Donald's skills.

Would like to see Joseph-Day, the DT from Rutgers get some time in the Cards and Niner games just to see what he can do and whether he can be at least a run down NT...

Also, as we all know CB is a big need. Have not drafted a CB high in some time and I am guessing we add 2 DBs in the 1st 4 rounds as Safety could be a need. Not sure if Christian takes over SS/Box Safety and Johnson moves to FS. Maybe... Maybe not.

BTW, I am hoping Snead can move back to get an early 2nd and then pick up an early 3rd to do so. So then were back to three 3rds along with the 2nd. Then you can go CB, LB, DT, CB/S. Then add a high quality OG in round 4 to groom behind Saffold... can always get top level G's in the mid rounds.

 

[Rams43]

This is a no brainer, y’all.

The correct answer, as several have already stated, is BPA on D. This should apply for our 1st and both remaining 3rds, IMO.

As an aside, we will have opportunities in FA since money will be freed and the Rams are a very attractive team for FA candidates. Lots of help will be on the way.

I anticipate a very fruitful offseason, indeed. Our D in ‘19 might be unrecognizable.

 

[Ram65]

BPA which should be on defense.

The Rams have holes all over the defense. Take your pick from all three levels.

Lots of factors to consider before the draft.

Do they resign Peters this off season or not? Is Fowler worth resigning? Is Barron a goner? Who replaces Joyner? What about the current roster players in year two? You have to see what the roster looks like after free agency. They have to consider the players in the draft and what positions are strong and weak.

 

[yrba1]

I do want to see Kiser in action first.

Surprised we haven't seen any action off of him outside of special teams. He's known for his run defense iirc

 

[Corbin]

DT and it’s not even close. Suh is gone next year and his output is minimal. Some good DT prospects coming out and you have to do something to help take advantage of the double or triple teams AD gets otherwise your partially wasting his greatness. ILB can be had multiple other routes for good value.

 

[OnceARam]

I'd like to see us draft a FS with range. That would instantly make our CB's better.