Don't think Rams will draft ILB high

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MachS

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It's possible the Rams agree depends on what they think of Long and maybe Burgess. And as I said I am prepared either way for that pick.

For a 3rd round pick like Long to not have made the starting lineup in 2 full years is a bit concerning. I think he's an outside corner and doesn't have the quickness to play nickel. I'd bet we would play Burgess there over Long if those were our options. Long would fill in on the outside in case of injury, but I still would feel more comfortable adding a CB early.

The strength of our D is the secondary and DL so we can't allow ourselves to have a hole in either. Which is why I would agree we need to add another Edge too. Right now I think Hollins is penciled in across from Floyd but one more solid pass rusher is needed. Wouldn't be mad at a stud ILB if he's there early though as long as we grab a center, edge, and CB also in the first 4 rounds.
 

Memento

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If someone like Nick Bolton falls to us in the second, I hope we take him without hesitation.
 

Rams43

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In a mini-defense of Long I must say that there’s no shame in Long’s inability to beat out either Ramsey or Williams outside.

Troy Hill did a pretty fair job at nickel, too.

This ‘20 Ram CB room was STRONG.

Having said that, I need to see Long prove himself, and soon.
 

LA_Rams_#29

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In a mini-defense of Long I must say that there’s no shame in Long’s inability to beat out either Ramsey or Williams outside.

Troy Hill did a pretty fair job at nickel, too.

This ‘20 Ram CB room was STRONG.

Having said that, I need to see Long prove himself, and soon.

Honestly Long was only in play for the slot CB spot, so Hill was the only one who really beat him out. Long has looked decent when he had the opportunity. He's going play this year, but how much will depend on how we're going to use Burgess.
 

CGI_Ram

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In a mini-defense of Long I must say that there’s no shame in Long’s inability to beat out either Ramsey or Williams outside.

Troy Hill did a pretty fair job at nickel, too.

This ‘20 Ram CB room was STRONG.

Having said that, I need to see Long prove himself, and soon.
Honestly Long was only in play for the slot CB spot, so Hill was the only one who really beat him out. Long has looked decent when he had the opportunity. He's going play this year, but how much will depend on how we're going to use Burgess.


If we use 70 snaps per game for Defense... Long had 116 last season and 110 in 2019.

That’s very low, but he does appear limited by guys in front of him.

Hill, Williams, and Ramsey each averaged 825-975 snaps in 2020.

What do we have in David Long? It is a bit unknown.

 

oldnotdead

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Long isn't a SCB. He's a boundary CB who was drafted to fill a need for outside CBs who can play a press man coverage scheme. Hill played SCB but he played it like a safety, not a true SCB which is why he's gone. Hill struggled in man coverage and thrived in Staley's zone-heavy scheme. It's why I see them taking a CB on the second day.

Going back to the theme of this thread, I don't think they will take an ILB and if they take a LB it's likely to be an OLB to backstop Lewis and Floyd. With Moncrief and Rozeboom already on the roster, I think they have enough to choose from. Moncrief is a Kenny Young type of ILB, i.e. he plays the position like a SS which was his primary position in college. He's got average size (length & weight) and decent speed for the position with a good 10 split indicating good acceleration. He potentially could make a decent backup at that second ILB position.

The media keeps calling the Ram's LBs the worst in the NFL. If that was so how did this defense play as the #1 defense in the NFL if the LBs who are half the defensive unit were the worst? The answer is the media guys are relying upon PFF who is notoriously poor in their evaluations of players.

The LBs played within Staley's scheme which was to contain the play both on the ground and in the air. In that regard, they did their job well. This is proven by how little the Rams blitzed and still got pressure. That can only happen if the LBs are doing their job.

One thing to keep in mind is the Ram's draft strategy is to avoid tipping their hand by calls and visits with prospective players. They believe in smoke and mirrors especially drafting outside of the first round and late in the second round. They have avoided that type of attention with LBs overall. Which would lead me to believe there is at least one LB (probably OLB) in their second round cluster.

WR Stove might be the exception because there is a big likelihood that he will be off the board by 57. It also might be misdirection to protect a player they feel probably will be on the board at 57. Regardless, Snead is very good with his gamesmanship.

I can see their draft something like this barring any trades.

2nd rd: Edge
3rd rd: SCB
3rd rd: Return specialist
4th rd: RB/FB
6th rd: CB
7th rd: LS

I believe the Chargers only have 3 OTs on their roster right now. They have the #47 pick, I can see a scenario where they package Havenstein who despite his flaws is better than any of the 3 OT's they have to move up into that slot. That would provide them with a lot more options for their first pick. Regardless, this will be a significant draft for the Rams as it will say a lot about what the FO thinks about the roster and their approach to this season.
 

Ram Ts

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I can see their draft something like this barring any trades.

2nd rd: Edge
3rd rd: SCB
3rd rd: Return specialist
4th rd: RB/FB
6th rd: CB
7th rd: LS

I don’t see any version of real life creating a scenario that has the Rams NOT taking at least one OL in the draft. I’ll literally eat my phone if they don’t select any OL.