Draft questions and thoughts

[Pupped]

For me, the two biggest questions from the outside going into this draft are what do the Rams REALLY think about Warren McClendon and the WRs outside of Puka and Davante. I think the answers to those two questions will drive the top of this draft. I think there's plenty of WR talent to be had in the 20-50 range, for sure.

On a more "big picture" level.. I hope they can find someone to trade back with. I just don't think they'll get enough from who ends up being available at that 13 spot to make it worth it. The problem is, of course, it takes two to tango. We'll see.

I'd just love to end up with four players from the first three rounds along with a fourth rounder in this draft. They simply have too many contracts coming up, imo, to be cute with this draft. A dream scenario would be ending up with guys who can start at Guard and Tackle in year 2 on rookie contracts.

Those are the biggest questions, for me.

The backup qb is a big question, but one that's more likely to involve an FA or trade, imo.

 

[Da-Rock]

For me, Oline is always more important than any position other than QB. So if we come away with a great Olineman and a QB for the future.......................Win Win!

 

[Fire Ants]

I'm hoping OL - preferably OT in rd 1 - Freeling or Miller.
OG and/or OC in the later rounds.
WR and DT/DE in rounds 2 and 3...depending on who's available.

 

[Flatlyner]

For me, the two biggest questions from the outside going into this draft are what do the Rams REALLY think about Warren McClendon and the WRs outside of Puka and Davante. I think the answers to those two questions will drive the top of this draft. I think there's plenty of WR talent to be had in the 20-50 range, for sure.

On a more "big picture" level.. I hope they can find someone to trade back with. I just don't think they'll get enough from who ends up being available at that 13 spot to make it worth it. The problem is, of course, it takes two to tango. We'll see.

I'd just love to end up with four players from the first three rounds along with a fourth rounder in this draft. They simply have too many contracts coming up, imo, to be cute with this draft. A dream scenario would be ending up with guys who can start at Guard and Tackle in year 2 on rookie contracts.

Those are the biggest questions, for me.

The backup qb is a big question, but one that's more likely to involve an FA or trade, imo.

I saw a report showing that McClendon was good during the regular season (80's PFF grade), but the playoffs dropped in performance (60's PFF grade). Wonder if that is due to some kind of injury he may have been dealing with and, if not, how much the Rams are weighing that as we are a Superbowl or bust team. Need you to play your best in the playoffs.

 

[dieterbrock]

So this is the 3 days until the draft thread?
Lol

 

[12intheBox]

I may just be greedy - but I don't want a nice safe solid choice in round 1 - I want to take a shot on a difference maker.

If we take an O Lineman in round 1, lets go for it - give me Kadyn Proctor, Mauigoa, or Ioanne.

I think Rams fans are still too wounded from G-Rob over Jake Matthews - but that was the right choice. It didn't work out, but it was the right choice nonetheless.

 

[Coliseum Ram]

I may just be greedy - but I don't want a nice safe solid choice in round 1 - I want to take a shot on a difference maker.

If we take an O Lineman in round 1, lets go for it - give me Kadyn Proctor, Mauigoa, or Ioanne.

I think Rams fans are still too wounded from G-Rob over Jake Matthews - but that was the right choice. It didn't work out, but it was the right choice nonetheless.

How can it be the right choice? It wasn't. Would you make the SAME choice now? I get that it was the "favored" choice, the "expected" choice, i may be nitpicking here but how is it any different than calling Mitch Trubisky (2nd) the right choice over Patrick Mahomes (10th)?

 

[12intheBox]

How can it be the right choice? It wasn't. Would you make the SAME choice now? I get that it was the "favored" choice, the "expected" choice, i may be nitpicking here but how is it any different than calling Mitch Trubisky (2nd) the right choice over Patrick Mahomes (10th)?

I mean when you pick in the top of the draft - you go for it (or at least I would). You take the player who has a chance to be an A+ over the player who at his best will be an A-.

Now, with hindsight, no - I'd take the A- over the guy who flunked out of the league. But at the time, the choice was the right one.

I mean, there is always a time for high floor guys - I just don't think the top half of the first round is that time.

 

[Coliseum Ram]

I mean when you pick in the top of the draft - you go for it (or at least I would). You take the player who has a chance to be an A+ over the player who at his best will be an A-.

Now, with hindsight, no - I'd take the A- over the guy who flunked out of the league. But at the time, the choice was the right one.

I mean, there is always a time for high floor guys - I just don't think the top half of the first round is that time.

I totally get what you meant and what you are saying. It's just that in hindsight it's not the right pick only the expected one. It's like when the manager of a baseball team says he would do the same thing if he had the chance all over again on a move that failed. No if you had the chance in hindsight you would do something different of course.

 

[CGI_Ram]

I think there is a lot of pressure to come out of this draft with a WR that can contribute right away. You can’t easily trade down for that.

Sucks the Giants trade likely takes another WR off in front of us. I’m not sold on Sadiq. Love the idea of a stud TE, tho.

 

[Flatlyner]

I may just be greedy - but I don't want a nice safe solid choice in round 1 - I want to take a shot on a difference maker.

If we take an O Lineman in round 1, lets go for it - give me Kadyn Proctor, Mauigoa, or Ioanne.

I think Rams fans are still too wounded from G-Rob over Jake Matthews - but that was the right choice. It didn't work out, but it was the right choice nonetheless.

Just interested, why do you not have Fano in that list?

 

[JonRam99]

For me, the two biggest questions from the outside going into this draft are what do the Rams REALLY think about Warren McClendon and the WRs outside of Puka and Davante. I think the answers to those two questions will drive the top of this draft. I think there's plenty of WR talent to be had in the 20-50 range, for sure.

On a more "big picture" level.. I hope they can find someone to trade back with. I just don't think they'll get enough from who ends up being available at that 13 spot to make it worth it. The problem is, of course, it takes two to tango. We'll see.

I'd just love to end up with four players from the first three rounds along with a fourth rounder in this draft. They simply have too many contracts coming up, imo, to be cute with this draft. A dream scenario would be ending up with guys who can start at Guard and Tackle in year 2 on rookie contracts.

Those are the biggest questions, for me.

The backup qb is a big question, but one that's more likely to involve an FA or trade, imo.

Great thoughts @Pupped - relying on McClendon to be consistent & A-Jax to stay outta the training room is risky... so an OT or OG might be in play.
It's so hard to get a gut feel for what the Rams are going to do, after they pulled off the massive F/A trades for McDuffie & Watson--before that, getting at least 2 CB's in the first 3 rounds was a no-brainer. But now.... who really knows.
But I am hoping for:
- A playmaking pass catcher (WR / TE)
- A stud ILB who can cover TEs
- A big athletic OC
- A swing OT
- A KR/PR type guy

That's all I'm hoping for, lol.

 

[Flatlyner]

Great thoughts @Pupped - relying on McClendon to be consistent & A-Jax to stay outta the training room is risky... so an OT or OG might be in play.
It's so hard to get a gut feel for what the Rams are going to do, after they pulled off the massive F/A trades for McDuffie & Watson--before that, getting at least 2 CB's in the first 3 rounds was a no-brainer. But now.... who really knows.
But I am hoping for:
- A playmaking pass catcher (WR / TE)
- A stud ILB who can cover TEs
- A big athletic OC
- A swing OT
- A KR/PR type guy

That's all I'm hoping for, lol.

One prospect covers both of these spots.

 

[12intheBox]

Just interested, why do you not have Fano in that list?

Full disclosure - I am a casual observer at best. I like to play at the draft but I don’t really know these guys. Years ago I spent a lot more time on it and even then I didn’t know nearly as much as I thought I did. I like to rely on posters like Memphis and Jrry and momento and many others here who know it better than me - but really I have my favorite experts that I read and watch on YouTube. Daniel Jeremiah, Steve Smith (for WRs), and Charles Davis to name a few.

Fano probably does belong on the list - but unless my untrained eyes can see it (it’s easier with some positions than others) than I’m probably not noticing.

 

[jjab360]

I mean when you pick in the top of the draft - you go for it (or at least I would). You take the player who has a chance to be an A+ over the player who at his best will be an A-.

Now, with hindsight, no - I'd take the A- over the guy who flunked out of the league. But at the time, the choice was the right one.

I mean, there is always a time for high floor guys - I just don't think the top half of the first round is that time.

I got behind the choice at the time. In hindsight, obviously not, but there's very, very few OL prospects that have ever had GRob's athletic gifts. You would expect with those gifts you would even be able to coach him into an NFL caliber player from absolute ground zero like a Jordan Mailata who had no football experience whatsoever.

The problem is it's hard to know what's going on in somebody else's head or if there's anything going on at all in his case. I think that's one thing, among many things, we've gotten much better at under McVay is avoiding stupid.

 

[PhillyRam]

I got behind the choice at the time. In hindsight, obviously not, but there's very, very few OL prospects that have ever had GRob's athletic gifts. You would expect with those gifts you would even be able to coach him into an NFL caliber player from absolute ground zero like a Jordan Mailata who had no football experience whatsoever.

The problem is it's hard to know what's going on in somebody else's head or if there's anything going on at all in his case. I think that's one thing, among many things, we've gotten much better at under McVay is avoiding stupid.

Yeah, nobody bashed that pick at the time, he was a beast. The failure was they just didnt get enough honest intel on his personality. His coaches obviously lied if they were asked about him as I am sure they were asked.

Or Fisher just overruled any scout that may have objected. I believe his kid was a DB/ STs player on that Auburn team. So that should have been enough intel unless he just felt he could motivate him.

 

[So Ram]

Yeah, nobody bashed that pick at the time, he was a beast. The failure was they just didnt get enough honest intel on his personality. His coaches obviously lied if they were asked about him as I am sure they were asked.

Or Fisher just overruled any scout that may have objected. I believe his kid was a DB/ STs player on that Auburn team. So that should have been enough intel unless he just felt he could motivate him.

That is SO UN-TRUE !! The Rams had a chance to trade back Fisher was such an A-HOLE !!

There were SO many RedFlags about Greg Robinson.The Biggest was he got away with Holding every play.I saw a couple reports on tape watching how he struggled. The Rams could’ve trade back for a veteran (Oklahoma) & still drafted anO”Lineman stud.
I remember an interview of Fisher saying we are not going to trade the pick & stay at number 2.

I guess your right about not complaining.You hope your team gets it right & have to start drinking that Kiol-aide quick.

I’m already drinking the Kool-aide now for 2026’s draft.

 

[dang]

Great thoughts @Pupped - relying on McClendon to be consistent & A-Jax to stay outta the training room is risky... so an OT or OG might be in play.
It's so hard to get a gut feel for what the Rams are going to do, after they pulled off the massive F/A trades for McDuffie & Watson--before that, getting at least 2 CB's in the first 3 rounds was a no-brainer. But now.... who really knows.
But I am hoping for:
- A playmaking pass catcher (WR / TE)
- A stud ILB who can cover TEs
- A big athletic OC
- A swing OT
- A KR/PR type guy

That's all I'm hoping for, lol.

I agree with your list. Rams could get lucky in R6/R7 but you can’t count on that. Let’s say they can find that KR/PR late in the draft. That leaves 3 chances in the draft to fill the other 4 positions. It requires a trade partner but that’s why I think a R1 trade down is the optimal path.
But of course the Rams will pull a 180, trade up and get one of their top guns.

 

[JonRam99]

I agree with your list. Rams could get lucky in R6/R7 but you can’t count on that. Let’s say they can find that KR/PR late in the draft. That leaves 3 chances in the draft to fill the other 4 positions. It requires a trade partner but that’s why I think a R1 trade down is the optimal path.
But of course the Rams will pull a 180, trade up and get one of their top guns.

As someone posted, it's possible the Rams could get both a WR2 and a KR/PR in one pick--that would be ideal. Then get a speed burner kid with one of our late picks as insurance.
(I almost said "in rounds 6 / 7")