Don't think Rams will draft ILB high

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Shuie3225

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Been thinking about this and looking at draft prospects, and while I know a lot of people see ILB as a huge need and something we should target early, I don't see it the same way. Could we get better at ILB? Yes absolutely. At times last year was our ILB core a liability.. especially in pass coverage? Yes absolutely. But there are a few things to consider when looking at ILB-

1) This is hands down the least important position on our entire defense. With the trend of 11 personnel (3WR sets) sweeping through the NFL, more often than not we would rather have an extra CB or S on the field. Last year 28/32 NFL teams ran 11 personnel between 45%-70%, the highest mark in NFL history.

2) Our best ILB Travin Howard did not play at all last year. In the off-season last year our coaching staff was singing his praises as he was going to start at ILB.

3) Kaiser, Reeder, Young, and Hollins all received significant snaps in Howard's absence and should improve this year. They all were given a lot of plays which will allow them to develop and improve with a lot of film to study.


So looking at our ILBs, if we bring in zero new bodies it's still safe to assume this position group is better this year with Howard back and the improvement of the other guys. Will we be an elite run defense without more dominant ILBs? No we wont. BUT we finished as the #1 defense last year regardless, while playing Kaiser, Reeder, and Young playing significant snaps.

I think EDGE, and CB are much bigger priorities if we're looking at defense in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. And obliviously OL is the main priority on offense. We have to rush the passer well. We have to cover well on the backend. EDGE and CB are just significantly more important in todays NFL and especially in our scheme. So at 57, 88, and 103 I think we will go OL, EDGE, CB, and maybe DL before we address ILB. And to all the people worried about this position, I think we can logically expect improvement from that group next year if no new talent is added. With Raheem Morris at DC, will he covet a ILB high? It is possible but again we have a serious question mark across from Floyd at OLB, and also at nickel CB. I think we'll be focused on addressing these first, instead of selecting an ILB with a high pick that we might take off the field in passing situations.
 

Elmgrovegnome

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I really felt we’d see a guy brought in from the draft by the inside linebacker position is very thin. I guess there are a few that some ppl really like but not many do it all studs after round one.
 

Merlin

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The Rams haven't prioritized ILB it's true. But maybe they're tired of the 9ers running the ball on them. I wouldn't be so quick to rule it out.

IMO there are a few guys in round 2 range who may fall to us who, if they do, will be very tempting and should be graded on par with the other positions. Collins is a stud so he'll probably be gone. Davis has big upside and does a lot of things well and is likely gone. And Bolton probably has the best chance to fall to us but a lot of teams will like him so I doubt he makes it to us. But if any of those three do make it to us they're a possible pick to my eye at least.

Oh and re: impact to the defense... I think a top ILB would have significant impact. We'd feel it on this defense and maybe more than some other picks that we'd also be good with like OLB, OL, CB, etc. Because you have to consider the floor we are at which is extremely low. Adding impact there would be something.
 

Rams4life

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They need to imo. All the guys they have are small aside from Kiser. This has been a weakness for quite a while as we know and they get gashed in the run game year after year.

Although howard is an interesting prospect it's foolish to count on him as he has never started a game. Just saying
 

Shuie3225

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They need to imo. All the guys they have are small aside from Kiser. This has been a weakness for quite a while as we know and they get gashed in the run game year after year.

It's not significant. We went to the super bowl with the 18th rated defense. And a middle of the road run defense. But we had the #2 offense.

Last year we had the #1 defense and the #22 offense and couldnt get passed GB because we couldnt get pressure on Rodgers with AD hurt.

We need to rush the passer and play coverage. We dont need to be an elite run stopping team, we've proven that. If the offense plays better we win the super bowl. If we had a shot at an elite game changing 1st round LB talent maybe, but picking one at 57 or 88 wont result in a significant change. Edge will though.
 

Shuie3225

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I think a top ILB would have significant impact

This draft is a lot deeper at EDGE than ILB so the impact of pick 57 if its an edge rusher should be greater. We dont know how good Howard will be at ILB, but by all accounts he was going to make a big impact last year. I'd rather grab a vet ILB in FA and draft Edge and OL.
 

Riverumbbq

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Being as limited as the Rams are this season with draft picks, like the OP states, my preference for the defense is at CB and Edge or 5T, it'll really come down to what McVay & Morris thinks about our developmental players which haven't seen much previous playing time.

Besides getting Howard back, Kiser will also be returning, so players like Young & Reeder could easily be getting less snaps as back-ups & relief rather than be prioritized as starters. We also have this developmental kid in Christian Rozeboom who may make the most of his opportunity to hit the 53 roster. None of our ILB's are making a lot of money particularly, although Kenny Young does stand alone as a potential CAP casualty. Unless some can't miss BPA candidate lands on us, I think i'd rather see us go forward with Howard/Kiser starting and look towards an inexpensive post draft free agent to bolster depth. jmo.
 

dieterbrock

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We'll see. Plenty of perceived needs last year and they went RB with 1st pick. Safe to say they typically go with the player who's high on their board at the pick.
 

Merlin

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This draft is a lot deeper at EDGE than ILB so the impact of pick 57 if its an edge rusher should be greater. We dont know how good Howard will be at ILB, but by all accounts he was going to make a big impact last year. I'd rather grab a vet ILB in FA and draft Edge and OL.
Should be yes. OLB looks strong at 57 too. But all it takes is one guy they love at another position to get to us there. At 57 there is no telling. So covering different options is worthwhile.

I also need to look at corners but probably won't get around to it. But that is another possible need pick if value is there.
 

LA_Rams_#29

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I also doubt we'll draft an ILB high...if at at all. The fact that we're bringing back Howard, and we didn't cut Kenny Young tells me we're satisfied with the 4 ILBs we have.... We have a couple of good ones on the practice squad as well.
 

dang

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I also doubt we'll draft an ILB high...if at at all. The fact that we're bringing back Howard, and we didn't cut Kenny Young tells me we're satisfied with the 4 ILBs we have.... We have a couple of good ones on the practice squad as well.
Didn’t cut Young yet. what is we could get KJ Wright for $4m plus incentives. I’d cut Young in a heartbeat and feel real good about our ILBs. Of course getting Howard and Kiser back to full steam and maybe a role seen for Rozeboom means they can cut Young without signing a vet FA or drafting an ILB.
 

FrantikRam

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I've never understood people diminishing the off ball LB position. When push came to shove last year, Tampa had a better defense than us. Why? Our secondary was 10 times better. Our defensive front was as good as theirs.

Seahawks historic defense - doesn't happen without Wagner. Niners with Harbaugh and Willis. Fred Warner exploded onto the scene their Super Bowl year.

85 Bears D. 2000 Ravens. 2002 Bucs. Arguably their best players were the LB (2nd best for the Bears).

For recent history - the Bucs secondary was atrocious. We saw it first hand and in back to back weeks against us and the Chiefs, what happens when their rush didn't get home.

For the Rams - JJ is a huge loss. Fox, Hill, Brockers and Staley will all be felt. We cannot replace all of them with equal talent - so rather than trying, we should IMO go down a different path all together. Hit on a stud ILB and our defense can be better than last year when it counts.
 

Dxmissile

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Howard is the future he can tackle he can cover he can run and he’s smart as hell. And still young. Unless there’s just a can’t miss ilb when we pick I think we stay away from and use a udfa signing
 

Malibu

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Been thinking about this and looking at draft prospects, and while I know a lot of people see ILB as a huge need and something we should target early, I don't see it the same way. Could we get better at ILB? Yes absolutely. At times last year was our ILB core a liability.. especially in pass coverage? Yes absolutely. But there are a few things to consider when looking at ILB-

1) This is hands down the least important position on our entire defense. With the trend of 11 personnel (3WR sets) sweeping through the NFL, more often than not we would rather have an extra CB or S on the field. Last year 28/32 NFL teams ran 11 personnel between 45%-70%, the highest mark in NFL history.

2) Our best ILB Travin Howard did not play at all last year. In the off-season last year our coaching staff was singing his praises as he was going to start at ILB.

3) Kaiser, Reeder, Young, and Hollins all received significant snaps in Howard's absence and should improve this year. They all were given a lot of plays which will allow them to develop and improve with a lot of film to study.


So looking at our ILBs, if we bring in zero new bodies it's still safe to assume this position group is better this year with Howard back and the improvement of the other guys. Will we be an elite run defense without more dominant ILBs? No we wont. BUT we finished as the #1 defense last year regardless, while playing Kaiser, Reeder, and Young playing significant snaps.

I think EDGE, and CB are much bigger priorities if we're looking at defense in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. And obliviously OL is the main priority on offense. We have to rush the passer well. We have to cover well on the backend. EDGE and CB are just significantly more important in todays NFL and especially in our scheme. So at 57, 88, and 103 I think we will go OL, EDGE, CB, and maybe DL before we address ILB. And to all the people worried about this position, I think we can logically expect improvement from that group next year if no new talent is added. With Raheem Morris at DC, will he covet a ILB high? It is possible but again we have a serious question mark across from Floyd at OLB, and also at nickel CB. I think we'll be focused on addressing these first, instead of selecting an ILB with a high pick that we might take off the field in passing situations.
[/QUOTE

Do your homework next off season we tentatively lose all 4 ILBs to FA so I think it is a priority don't you.
 

rams1fan

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We have had the worse ILB in the league for years. Yet just last year our D was ranked #1 despite that. Unless Morris brings a drastically different philosophy I do not see ILB at 57. My bet is OL, DB or DL.
 

Merlin

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Hit on a stud ILB and our defense can be better than last year when it counts.
Without a doubt. But one needs to be on the board when we are up. Sure would be nice to see things line up for us this draft.
 

SteezyEndo

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I just got to say one thing WTF....Reeder is being over looked like a mofo. Dude is getting better. But whatever, who am I to say that?...Stay tuned.