DzRams First Mock Offseason

[DzRams]

Goals

Vet CB1 to handle top WRs and anchor the CB room.

Acquire a WR3 – preferably an explosive, deep threat WR 3.

Improve the DL – continue to focus on building a dominant front 7.

Improve ST



Cut

CB Darious Williams



Re-sign

QB Jimmy G – 1 year

LS Jake McQuaide

OL Justin Dedick (ERFA)

WR Xavier Smith (ERFA)

K Harrison Mevis (ERFA)

Note: With one expensive safety in Lake, we reluctantly let Curl walk. Also, we essentially choose between resigning Curl and signing Shaheed (see below). I go with Shaheed in keeping with their plan to pay vets for offense and draft youth for defense.

The QB situation remains status quo.



Free Agency

Jamel Dean, CB Bucs (Or Jaylen Watson CB Chiefs)

Rashid Shaheed WR Seahawks (stealing from Memphis)

Note: Jamel Dean has consistently graded out as a top 5 zone CB and would fit perfectly in Shula’s scheme. He’s also a good run defender and a clear upgrade to everyone in our CB room this year.

Shaheed would be a great deep threat and an instant jolt as a returner. He also makes drafting a WR less of an acute need.


Extensions

WR Puka Nacua

DT Kobie Turner

OT Warren McClendon

OG Steve Avila



Trades:

Rams trade Byron Young to Chicago for a 2026 3rd (#89) and a 2027 2nd round pick.

(Note 1: they also consider trading Young to KC in a straight swap for Trent McDuffie.)

Note 2: With Young coming up on his last year of his rookie season, they trade him early for more than they would get from a comp pick if they let him walk and they reallocate the money saved from not extending into the secondary (Dean signing).

Further, Stewart is ready to start. Young took a sizeable jump in pass rushing prowess from year 1 to year 2 and from year 2 to year 3. However, Per ESPN and PFF’s advanced metrics – PRWR, Win %, etc. – Stewart’s rookie pass rushing numbers are equal to Young’s 2nd season and solidly superior to Young’s rookie season. If we project improvement in Stewart’s 2nd season, it could match Young’s production this year.



Rams trade pick 13 to the Vikings for #18, #161, and a 2027 2nd.

The Vikings are looking for playmakers on offense and target Love or Lemon.

The Rams are trading back because this pick is house money and therefore will be used 1) to select a successor to Stafford, or 2) to acquire future draft capital for the same goal. Combining this trade with Young trade, they now have three 2nd round picks in 2027, which will help if they need to aggressively move up for a successor to Stafford. With this approach, they still go all in for this year while setting themselves up to pursue a QB in the future.



NFL Draft

Round 1 Pick #18 - Kendrick Faulk, DL Auburn

Round 1 Pick #29 - Colton Hood CB Tennessee

Round 2 Pick #61 - Derrick Moore EDGE Michigan

Round 3 Pick #89 (from Chicago for Young) - Zakee Wheatley S Penn State

Round 3 Pick #93 - Jake Slaughter IOL Florida

Round 5 Pick #161 (from Minnesota) - JC Davis OT Illinois

Round 5 Pick #167 - Eric Rivers WR Georgia Tech

Round 6 Pick #205 – Miles Kitselman TE Tennessee

Round 6 Pick #208 - DJ Harvey CB USC

Round 7 Pick #232 - Charles Jagusah IOL Notre Dame

Round 7 Pick #250 - Dijon Johnson CB Florida

Round 7 Pick #256 – Tony Rojas LB Penn State



Analysis:

With Kendrick Faulk, we get a great run defender and an alignment versatile player who can play anywhere from 3T to standing upon the edge. Has double digit sack potential with a little refinement. He’ll be the 5T, giving us three strong run defenders on the DL. On pass rushing downs, he, Turner, and Fiske will provide plenty of juice.

Colton Hood CB Tennessee – Physical, strong in man-to-man coverage, but also excels in zone. Inconsistent in run support.

Derrick Moore gives us raw power and lightning quickness off the edge, a relentless motor. He needs technical refinement. Between he and Stewart, I expect a pass rush just as good, if not better, than this year, despite trading BY.

Zakee Wheatley is physical, has blazing speed, is a versatile DB who can play strong or free, can match up with tight ends and slot receivers.

Jake Slaughter is a high floor center who should anchor the position for a decade. Strong pass protector, intelligent. He could push Shelton for the starting center position out the gate. Or he takes over next year since Coleman is a free agent after this season.

JC Davis OT Illinois - Developmental tackle with starting potential. Exceptional pass blocking skills. Can play both sides. He’ll be the swing tackle immediately while he acclimates to the pro game.

Rivers is a speedy, effort-driven receiver who fits best as a third or fourth option in an offense that wants to push the ball vertically and use motion to get him the ball in space. He and Shaheed would add a speed element to the offense and return game. Turn a weakness into a strength.

Charles Jagusah, IOL gives starter upside with a couple of years of development. We prepare now for the possibility that we’ll only resign one of Avila or Dotson next year.

Miles Kitselman is a reliable, In-line blocking TE. Could eventually be TE2 if Parkinson and Davis move on after the season.

DJ Harvey has exceptional ball skills and instincts. Excels in zone coverage, which is a scheme fit. His issue is size limitations, but he’s a gamer.

Tony Rojas LB Penn State – Coverage LB, can blitz, will contribute on special teams.



Starters

QB: Matthew Stafford

HB: Kyren Williams / Corum

WR: Puka Nacua

WR: Davante Adams

WR: Rashid Rasheed

TE: Terrance Ferguson / Parkinson

LT: Alaric Jackson

LG: Steve Avila

C: Coleman Shelton / Jake Slaughter

RG: Kevin Dotson

RT: Warren McClendon



EDGE: Stewart / Moore

DE: Kendrick Faulk / Braden Fiske

NT: Poona Ford

DE: Kobie Turner

EDGE: Jared Verse

ILB: Nate Landman

ILB: Speights

CB: Jamel Dean

CB: Colton Hood / Emmanuel Forbes

SLCB: Quentin Lake

FS: Kamren Kinchens

SS: Zakee Wheatley



K: Harrison Mevis

P: Ethan Evans

LS: Jake McQuaide

RS: Rashid Rasheed / Eric Rivers

 

[OldSchool]

Interesting and appreciate the work!

One thing I see a lot and not just from you is Rasheed. Keep in mind he just won a SB there, they have more cap space than we do and have a couple more people already signed. In other words they have more cap resources to spend on him and are likely IMO to keep him.

I'm not sure I'd go with Faulk and Moore both. Granted I think he could go before us and is more of an edge than a 3/4 end but that's just me.

Again good work but I think you missed one big need, at least to me, an ILB that can cover. Not sure we can go into 2026 with Speights starting alongside Landman.

 

[dieterbrock]

Good work
Personally, I dont see the Rams looking for quantity in this years draft, if they were to trade down, I think they'd look for '27 compensation. They had to cut draft picks last year (Chris Paul etc) and kept some guys around on PS who could make the team
I wouldnt be shocked to see them trade up this year

 

[Memphis Ram]

I'm kind of lost with the trades.

The Bears have got decent money going to Sweat and Odeyingbo (signed last year) and are going to trade for Young and give him a big contract?

The Vikings are going to trade up for Lemon (doubt Love is still on the board) when they could stand pat and get Cooper Jr. or Concepcion? Not sure the interim-GM is going to be that bold.

Plus, everything I read and hear says those 2027 draft selections are really going to be tough to come by via trade due to the projected depth of that draft class. And especially for a Vikings team who may not have a QB.

Others disagree, but I don't think Moore makes it to the 2nd round selection. Deep EDGE class, but there a lot of size and character concerns mixed in the group.

 

[DzRams]

Interesting and appreciate the work!

One thing I see a lot and not just from you is Rasheed. Keep in mind he just won a SB there, they have more cap space than we do and have a couple more people already signed. In other words they have more cap resources to spend on him and are likely IMO to keep him.

I'm not sure I'd go with Faulk and Moore both. Granted I think he could go before us and is more of an edge than a 3/4 end but that's just me.

Again good work but I think you missed one big need, at least to me, an ILB that can cover. Not sure we can go into 2026 with Speights starting alongside Landman.

On Rasheed, I agree with you. It's unlikely, but we're still in the dreaming phase of the offseason. If he's not available I would prioritize WR higher in the draft. Probably Antonio Williams in the 3rd.

I think Faulk at 285 lbs ends up on the line at 5T. He doesn't have enough bend for a pure edge defender. Peter Woods is also a possibility in range of where I have us drafting. I see him at 5T on our team, too.

I went with Moore because if I'm trading Young, I'd like an edge defender within the first three rounds so as not to have much of a downgrade, if any. I also like Heights there.

The ILB need was hard to work in. I'd have to forego something else. In this scenario, I'd give up on the center and go ILB instead. Which is better?

My thought was, if I improve my DL and improve my secondary, we could get away with not having a coverage ILB. But I would like one...

 

[DzRams]

Good work
Personally, I dont see the Rams looking for quantity in this years draft, if they were to trade down, I think they'd look for '27 compensation. They had to cut draft picks last year (Chris Paul etc) and kept some guys around on PS who could make the team
I wouldnt be shocked to see them trade up this year

In my tradedown, they did get 2027 draft comp. That was actually the point of the tradedown. Despite Snead saying that they'll lean more towards building the present I still suspect they will have an eye on the future, specifically how to position for Stafford's successor.

But if they decided to focus solely on the present, I agree with you. Trade ups would make more sense then.

 

[DzRams]

I'm kind of lost with the trades.

The Bears have got decent money going to Sweat and Odeyingbo (signed last year) and are going to trade for Young and give him a big contract?

The Vikings are going to trade up for Lemon (doubt Love is still on the board) when they could stand pat and get Cooper Jr. or Concepcion? Not sure the interim-GM is going to be that bold.

Plus, everything I read and hear says those 2027 draft selections are really going to be tough to come by via trade due to the projected depth of that draft class. And especially for a Vikings team who may not have a QB.

Others disagree, but I don't think Moore makes it to the 2nd round selection. Deep EDGE class, but there a lot of size and character concerns mixed in the group.

Appreciate the feedback.

I only did cursory research in my trade down partners. I'm generally not too focused on specifics. I'm more highlighting concepts. The concept with the trades is that I think they will be trying hard to accumulate 2027 draft capital for a push to acquire Stafford's successor.

Now, if no one is trading 2027 draft capital, so be it. But I'm skeptical thats the case because every year someone says that it's difficult to get future picks, but we see those trades every single year.

On the Vikings projected trade, I don't view Cooper or Concepcion as anywhere close to Lemon.

I'm not sure Moore makes it to #61. If he doesn't, I like Heights, too. I don’t project in my mocks. I draft players near where they're listed in the consensus mock draft database. Moore was #66 at the time of posting.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Appreciate the feedback.

I only did cursory research in my trade down partners. I'm generally not too focused on specifics. I'm more highlighting concepts. The concept with the trades is that I think they will be trying hard to accumulate 2027 draft capital for a push to acquire Stafford's successor.

Now, if no one is trading 2027 draft capital, so be it. But I'm skeptical thats the case because every year someone says that it's difficult to get future picks, but we see those trades every single year.

On the Vikings projected trade, I don't view Cooper or Concepcion as anywhere close to Lemon.

I'm not sure Moore makes it to #61. If he doesn't, I like Heights, too. I don’t project in my mocks. I draft players near where they're listed in the consensus mock draft database. Moore was #66 at the time of posting.

Height (who turns 25 years old in April) was 234 pounds at the Senior Bowl and would scare me in setting any type edge vs. the run.

 

[OldSchool]

On Rasheed, I agree with you. It's unlikely, but we're still in the dreaming phase of the offseason. If he's not available I would prioritize WR higher in the draft. Probably Antonio Williams in the 3rd.

I think Faulk at 285 lbs ends up on the line at 5T. He doesn't have enough bend for a pure edge defender. Peter Woods is also a possibility in range of where I have us drafting. I see him at 5T on our team, too.

I went with Moore because if I'm trading Young, I'd like an edge defender within the first three rounds so as not to have much of a downgrade, if any. I also like Heights there.

The ILB need was hard to work in. I'd have to forego something else. In this scenario, I'd give up on the center and go ILB instead. Which is better?

My thought was, if I improve my DL and improve my secondary, we could get away with not having a coverage ILB. But I would like one...

I would say ILB over Faulk he's a luxury if you're not counting him as an Edge.

 

[DzRams]

Height (who turns 25 years old in April) was 234 pounds at the Senior Bowl and would scare me in setting any type edge vs. the run.

Yeah setting the edge would be tough for him until he puts on some weight and develops some strength. On our team, he would be a situational pass rusher who contributed immediately on 3rd downs. Stewart would be the starter opposite Verse.

But Heights excels at pass rushing and coverage.

At the end of the day, I'd like the three of Verse, Stewart, Moore/Heights just as much if not more than Verse, BY, and Stewart once looking at all phases of pass rushing, run defense, and coverage.

 

[DzRams]

I would say ILB over Faulk he's a luxury if you're not counting him as an Edge.

I'm not sure the Rams would consider an ILB in the 1st. And I'm not locked in on Faulk, but I do strongly believe that we need to upgrade the DL - specifically Fiske's spot because he's a liability against the run. I'd like 3 strong players on the DL.

 

[OldSchool]

I'm not sure the Rams would consider an ILB in the 1st. And I'm not locked in on Faulk, but I do strongly believe that we need to upgrade the DL - specifically Fiske's spot because he's a liability against the run. I'd like 3 strong players on the DL.

That's why I don't think they trade Young it creates another roster hole when we have some we really should address first. Now if we take an edge in the 2nd or 3rd and we get production from Stewart and the rookie or we trade for a vet we could trade him the deadline. That's why I don't ever get on board with in these mocks trading starters without a clear succession on the roster already. Too many trade scenarios are created that just don't help the team in the short run. Faulk would be nice but he's a luxury at this point.

IMO we add a competent ILB and a better CB room that makes the front end better. Can you remember all year if we had a single coverage sack? You put a better ILB next to Landman it alleviates some of the pressure on the pass rush to be perfect because they have a guy behind them that can help with the run and can help in coverage. To me a 3/5T doesn't make sense in this draft because there are other things we have to fix that are more pressing IMO.