G/C at 31?

[ArkyRamsFan]

This is an excellent point and one that needs to be remembered by all draftniks. Look we all fall in love as it were with our favorite prospects but we must always remember that not all positions are equal. And most especially not all positions are compensated the same.
If it comes down to several equally graded prospects when it is our turn to pick then the financial consideration inherent in certain positions as well as potential resigning when rookie contract runs out must be factored into the equation.
There is actually quite a few moving parts to a draft selection when you factor in talent, team needs, a player's potential fit in the system and costs at his draft placement along with position financials.
Whew......Sure glad we got Les Snead and Kevin Demoff to sweat all of these details!

~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[dang]

So general consensus is the Rams will use their 1st round pick if an OL or DL stud is available. Who does this forum consider a "stud" OL or DL worthy of their first round pick that could be available at the 31st pick?

 

[FrantikRam]

OL is definitely a need, so if the right player is there, draft him.

Our OL contributed to us losing to Chicago, Philly and of course the Super Bowl. Upgrading it while adding depth and another starter for next year should be a HUGE priority.

 

[dang]

OL is definitely a need, so if the right player is there, draft him.

Our OL contributed to us losing to Chicago, Philly and of course the Super Bowl. Upgrading it while adding depth and another starter for next year should be a HUGE priority.

Lets name names. Who qualifies as an OL "right player"?

 

[dang]

Lets name names. Who qualifies as an OL "right player"?

I'll start. I believe the Rams would be very interested in Cody Ford, Garrett Bradberry, Greg Little or Chris Lindstrom if they were still available at R1.31. I also believe there is a chance one or more of these are available.

 

[Akrasian]

So general consensus is the Rams will use their 1st round pick if an OL or DL stud is available. Who does this forum consider a "stud" OL or DL worthy of their first round pick that could be available at the 31st pick?

Is that the consensus? I've seen edge and cornerback listed too. And the Rams are clearly looking at stud safeties too - rookie year he could be used as a nickelback also, so plenty of playing time in the modern NFL. I think the Rams are going to let the draft come to them and get best value - and if enough players they have graded high fall perhaps a trade down if an offer is there.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Drafting a guard or Center at 31 wouldn't be a surprise to me at all. OLine depth is thin to non existent. One serious injury and the Rams have a big hole to fill. A guard or Center fills a need. I saw Risner projected to the Rams and would be fine with the pick, ditto Bradbury.

Even if they trade back they could maybe land a guy like McCoy in the second.

If a stud LB is there, or a DL, then sure. BPA at a position of need should be the pick but if Eisner or Bradbury are there they'd have to be in the discussion.

 

[Akrasian]

Drafting a guard or Center at 31 wouldn't be a surprise to me at all. OLine depth is thin to non existent. One serious injury and the Rams have a big hole to fill. A guard or Center fills a need. I saw Risner projected to the Rams and would be fine with the pick, ditto Bradbury.

Even if they trade back they could maybe land a guy like McCoy in the second.

If a stud LB is there, or a DL, then sure. BPA at a position of need should be the pick but if Eisner or Bradbury are there they'd have to be in the discussion.

The Rams have a center for next season, who looked good and only takes under .4% of the cap space for the next 3 seasons. Should they use their 1st (the highest pick they've had since before McVay) to upgrade him, or should they use the pick at any of the many other positions that they will have free agents at after next season? Keep in mind that while Bradbury has played guard in the past, it's been a while and it's his center skills that are getting him ranked. A guy who can play tackle and guard as a backup next season is needed to play guard the season after - but so is DT, edge rusher, cornerback, safety/nickelback, etc. There's going to be much better value for the Rams need. Unless a defensive player they want falls, I expect a trade back where they can get a good OL to develop, or a DT a bit later, or any of several other players.

 

[8to12]

Lets name names. Who qualifies as an OL "right player"?

1) OT/OG/C Dalton Risner ; in addition to him being athletic enough to block in space in the running game, he arguably has the best anchor in Pass Pro of anybody in the draft.
2) OC - Eric McCoy ; similar traits to Risner .... athletic enough to make blocks on the run in the Rams Zone Blocking Scheme, and he is very stout anchoring against bull rushers.
The downfall of playing Sullivan & Blythe next to each other is that they were susceptible to the Bull Rush. I believe with the Rams having both players above in for visits shows that they may be concerned with weak Pass Pro. As the Superbowl showed us, the Play Action Pass doesn't work all of the time against highly ranked defenses that hold your YPC in the run game under 3.
I happen to like Risner the best. He has experience playing both Center and RT. In addition to his outstanding Anchor ability, passing off on stunts comes natural for him playing inside. And, he is heady enough to be able to make the line calls.

 

[FrantikRam]

The Rams have a center for next season, who looked good and only takes under .4% of the cap space for the next 3 seasons. Should they use their 1st (the highest pick they've had since before McVay) to upgrade him, or should they use the pick at any of the many other positions that they will have free agents at after next season? Keep in mind that while Bradbury has played guard in the past, it's been a while and it's his center skills that are getting him ranked. A guy who can play tackle and guard as a backup next season is needed to play guard the season after - but so is DT, edge rusher, cornerback, safety/nickelback, etc. There's going to be much better value for the Rams need. Unless a defensive player they want falls, I expect a trade back where they can get a good OL to develop, or a DT a bit later, or any of several other players.

If you factor in that Whit will be gone after next year and Boom at LT, we have zero guards under contract after next year. I know you're talking about C and I agree, but I would argue G is the biggest need we have for the future along with CB. Difference being that we have some CB depth this year but zero guard depth. If there's a better player I don't want to draft OL - but if the rankings are similar among players at OL, DL, CB, S - I would go with the OL. Aside from the reasons I outlined above, we could probably upgrade Blythe - he played really well at times and was manhandled at times too.

 

[Ramstien]

I think the Rams go OL early in the draft within the first 3 rounds and than again later in the 5th or 6th round.

 

[dang]

So best player available strategy aside and the need for depth in many positions, the Rams HAVE to pick up a DL who is capable of starting this year AND an OG who will be able to start next year. Beyond that they can be flexible in BPA and depth.

 

[BonifayRam]

Protection of Goff remains #1 priority. This OL has a major role in this goal, DL does not. Can the OL meet that goal & continue to meet that goal after losing 3 veteran OL'ers (Saffold/ Sullivan & Whitworth) in a short period of time (2019/2020)? A lot will depend on these four OL reserves 3 of which were signed very very late last season & all were WWC's before landing here.

The OL overall numbers are in good shape but the quality of talent & skill is highly questionable in the reserve unit. In addition, the pending loss of 2 starters after this season become a big concern. The talent level needs to be raised considerably. Rams have little cap space to work with this the more reasonable area to get fresh low-cost quality OL'ers is day one & day two of the draft. I see the need of at least 2 drafted OL'ers & a 3rd would even be better but it would come @ a cost to the defensive side. Well see in less than 2 was what happens here.

OL'ers under contract:
Havenstein RT (UFA) 2023
Noteboom OT/OG (UFA) 2022
Allen OC/OG (UFA) 2022
Demby OG/OT (ERFA) 2021
Williams RT/RG (RFA) 2021
Neary OC/OG (ERFA) 2020
Murphy OT (RFA) 2020
Whitworth LT (UFA) 2020
Blythe OG/OC (UFA) 2020

The DL is way different IMO & decent quality DL'ers can be easily found & plugged in after the draft even very late in TC or preseason or even into the regular season like Dante Fowler Jr. came to us. Add the fact that Wade uses numerous varieties of mixed up front DL's, The use of LB'ers in his defensive fronts is common where the OL remains a constant same. Wade had SIX OLB'ers/ER's signed that he will use in conjunction with his main interior six pack.

Wade's reserves ...Fox is in his 4th season, Smart is entering his 3rd season & SJD his 2nd season. These 3 backups are much more seasoned than the OL reserves plus 2 of the 3 have started regular season games.

DL under contract:
Donald DT (UFA) 2025
Joseph-Day NT (UFA) 2022
Franklin-Myers DT (UFA) 2022
Smart DT (UFA) 2021
Fox DE (RFA) 2020
Brockers NT (UFA) 2020

 

[Akrasian]

If you factor in that Whit will be gone after next year and Boom at LT, we have zero guards under contract after next year. I know you're talking about C and I agree, but I would argue G is the biggest need we have for the future along with CB. Difference being that we have some CB depth this year but zero guard depth. If there's a better player I don't want to draft OL - but if the rankings are similar among players at OL, DL, CB, S - I would go with the OL. Aside from the reasons I outlined above, we could probably upgrade Blythe - he played really well at times and was manhandled at times too.

I know they'll need two new starters. Best case imo would be a T/G to fill Noteboom's backup role this season - and then in 2020 he and Noteboom can compete for starter at T - loser becomes a starting guard. Then they likely take a G this year also - depending on how they feel about some of the backup guards they have on the roster and who is available in the draft. But a backup who can play decent tackle and who is likely a guard starting in 2020 is the big priority.

 

[Ram65]

So general consensus is the Rams will use their 1st round pick if an OL or DL stud is available. Who does this forum consider a "stud" OL or DL worthy of their first round pick that could be available at the 31st pick?

No it's open. See below.

Is that the consensus? I've seen edge and cornerback listed too. And the Rams are clearly looking at stud safeties too - rookie year he could be used as a nickelback also, so plenty of playing time in the modern NFL. I think the Rams are going to let the draft come to them and get best value - and if enough players they have graded high fall perhaps a trade down if an offer is there.

Rams looking at safeties which if drafted at #31 will get plenty of PT. I'm not not one for an offensive lineman but 8to12 got the one that would give the Rams great options for this year and in the future. He could start over Blythe right away. Still hope for DT.

1) OT/OG/C Dalton Risner ; in addition to him being athletic enough to block in space in the running game, he arguably has the best anchor in Pass Pro of anybody in the draft

See above. Could be very valuable for the Rams.

 

[Poppinfresh]

My philosophy runs counter to many on this board. I actually not only think the Rams should draft on the line to start, but they should trade *UP* to go get a guy. This isn't a team with a lot of needs, so stocking up on bodies isn't so much of a priority, really. I like that they stockpile comp picks, but I think this should be used as a vessel to move around the draft board, not to accumulate more bodies that very likely will never amount to anything in the hopes of finding a diamond. If they found a way to move up 10 spots or so and grab Garrett Bradbury, I'd be beside myself. If they could move up 12-14 or so and get TJ Hockenson, I'd go running through the streets wearing nothing but body paint.

If they stay at 31....I could see them focusing their 1st round pick on an edge rusher like Chase Winovich. Which would be...you know, fine, but not nearly as good as those other 2.

 

[Kevin]

If the Rams stay at #31 and take on OL in the first round IMO it will be a tackle. Noteboom can stay at guard and the new guy learns behind Whit.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Protection of Goff remains #1 priority.

numerous varieties of mixed up front DL's,

DL under contract;

Donald DT (UFA) 2025
Joseph-Day NT (UFA) 2022
Franklin-Myers DT (UFA) 2022
Smart DT (UFA) 2021
Fox DE (RFA) 2020
Brockers NT (UFA) 2020

Plus, remember we have;
Fowler
Matthews
Ebukam, (very highly rated per snap).
Okoronkwo
Lawler
Young
All experienced players rotating in as that "4th" defensive lineman.

I'm definitely starting to lean towards O line at 31....

...or corner.

 

[BonifayRam]

I could not argue with you here flv. I like what we have too. It's the reserves that concern me...and that pretty good OL is likely to suffer two major hits in less than 10 months. So the OL moves on season to season @ constant slow fluid movement of new starters & reserves. No OL in the NFL has been blessed with better health than Kromers the last two seasons....will luck ride again with us? I sure hope so!

Kroger's ability to groom up these non top 50 draft selections has been one of the bright highlights the last two seasons. I do not see a failure with Jamon Brown because he was a very poor fit with his classic outside running scheme. I glad McVay gave him as the OC title in to the run game. I like this setup.

Why does many of our members here believe that OT Dalton Risner is a first round Swing OT fit? He sure looks like a bona fide high quality plug in starting RT/RG prospect but Swing OT? Rams have no need for a RT where Risner starred the last 3 seasons. This is why he is rated so high ....its on his RT performances but we will move him elsewhere?

There is no game tape of him playing on the blind side LT post. So if he was the selection where are you going to start him ? If selected I would start him @ RG myself for the next four season next to Havenstein & use Blythe as the Rams top game day reserve. I just not sure he is what Kromer desires.

Here some of Risner weaknesses:

• Sluggish coming out of stance
• Pounding, heavy feet in his lateral movement:shocking:
• Could struggle with consistency on backside blocks
• Needs to re-set hands for improved leverage as drive blocker
• Hands too wide in the run game
• Weight drifts outside in pass sets against speed
• Footwork diminished vs Mississippi State as game wore on
• Cracks the door for strong inside counters to come in