Hindsight Draft: What do you do as Rams GM?

[jrry32]

Snead and Mcvay are doing a whole lot of projections, Projection that Akers can produce better than he did in college behind a bad oline, projection that Jefferson can produce better numbers then at Florida . . . .

I don't think either of these things are what I'd call projections. Every college player comes into the NFL with a question about how they'll produce. Projections to me are trying to determine how Denzel Mims will develop as a route runner or if K.J. Hamler can develop better play strength as he continues to physically mature. There are some projections to be made on Akers and Van (the biggest of which imo is whether Akers can cut down on the fumbles), but neither are what I'd classify as risky picks. It's also worth noting that Akers rushed for over 100 yards per game and scored 18 TDs in his final year at FSU, despite that bad offense.

 

[Loyal]

Good topic...

I find myself locked in with Van Jefferson now. He landed in the perfect spot with the Rams.

So, if I were to pick differently it might be Akers. I would love to find a RB later...

However... With the topic “”hindsight“, and Jefferson in place, I sort of see the Rams logic prioritizing RB. So, I’ll stick RB and Akers.

I contributed nothing so far.

I think I have spoken about my concern for the Oline's stability and effectiveness for 2020.

It just seemed prudent to get more help up front, and who could challenge starters, and the whole "iron sharpens iron" idea. But hey, we came to #52 and #57 and McSnead decided that Ezra Cleveland wasn't as good as the guys we had on the roster. AND, Cam Akers looks like a freakin stud, after looking at his beauty tape. I was not sold on Henderson taking over the bell-cow roll. I haven't looked over last years action when Hendo came in for Todd, but he didn't blow me away. I also kept hearing from others that he wasn't on the field nearly as much as he could have been because he wasn't a willing blocker. It sounds like Akers is a good blocker, among his other skills.

#52 Cam Akers, unchanged.

I liked the idea of drafting a center or an OT here, but obviously McSnead didn't like anyone available more than Van Jefferson at #57. Trading down might have helped the roster elsewhere, but having a sure handed, insane route runner like Van Jefferson, has to be a plus.

#57 Van Jefferson, unchanged.
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I don't know the rest of our guys to comment whether they were right or wrong choices. I think a stud Center would have been a better choice that Van Jefferson at #57, but but there didn't seem to be one available, even though Cushenberry was available.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

2. I have no way of telling of I could pull it off but I would have been trying to move up and take Robert Hunt G I'm sure it would cost one of the seconds and one third. Likely 52 and 84. Ruiz was off the board and unreachable.

Pick 57 I'd try to move back a little
2. Logan Wilson lb.

Then in Round 3 trade up from 104 with the extra pick trading back pick 57 and take 3. Cushenberry

I am not a fan of picking injury prone players. Johnston and Lewis are big risks. In round

4 Alton Robinson edge rusher.

5. Eno Benjamin RB.

7. Tyler Davidson TE.

Recap
2. Robert Hunt g
2. Logan Wilson lb
3. Lloyd Cushenberry c
4. Alton Robinson edge
5. Eno Benjamin rb
7. Tyler Davidson te

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Alternate no trade up.

2/52 Kristian Fulton cb
2/57 trade back too early round 3 pick 66 and 142 from Washington
3/66 Josh Jones OT
3/84 Darrynton Evans rb
3/104 Ben Bartch g
4/136 Tyler Biadasz C
4/142 Alton Robinson edge
6/199 Jordan Glasgow lb
7/234 Sam Sloman k

 

[KJD_Ram]

I don't as a general rule call out fellow Rams fans and posters, but this thread demands that Memento weigh in...

 

[FrantikRam]

I'm fine now with every pick. I personally would have taken Dobbins, but I understand why they chose Akers.

The major downfall in all this is that Dobbins went to the best running back situation in NFL history - so no matter what, he will probably look better than Akers. We'll all have to take that with a grain of salt.

As for Van Jefferson.....look, at some point we're going to have to let go of a sure-fire star - not a Gurley or Cooks who had injury issues and/or underperformed, or a Fowler/Littleton that were clear-cut overpays - a fan favorite star who not a single fan wants to let go. After the Van pick, I'm preparing for that player to be Cooper Kupp after next year.

And that's really the rub - I'm assuming that Ebukam, Reynolds, JJ and Everett all go - but it's possible that when discussing contracts, they elect to re-sign Reynolds for $7-$8 mil per year and let Kupp walk. I would guess that they'll talk to all their agents obviously, but I'd also wager that Snead and McVay have sat down and discussed who we most likely won't sign because they will get more than what they are worth on the open market - I think that's why we selected most of the same positions that they selected in their first draft, preparing for all these guys to leave. Those are conversations that we obviously have no clue about, so how can we even do this hindsight draft?

 

[simonblaze]

52. Josh Uche/Epenesa
57. Josh Jones
84. Zack Moss
104. Terrell Burgess...

 

[Memento]

I don't as a general rule call out fellow Rams fans and posters, but this thread demands that Memento weigh in...

Okay. I totally understand being called out. Here's what I would've done:

#52 - Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin.
#57 - Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor.
#84 - Zack Moss, RB, Utah.
#104 - Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech.
#136 - Tyler Biadasz, OC, Wisconsin.
#199 - Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn.
#234 - J.R. Reed, S, Georgia.
#258 - Hunter Bryant, TE, Washington.
#250 - Joe Bachie, ILB, Michigan State.

But again, like I stated, in a thread I started, I'm fine with this draft. What's done is done, and there's no sense in reliving the past.

 

[iamme33]

ya know the most important group in this draft may be our training staff. seems to be a lot of injury prone players in this draft. also don't know what injury's to our ol would do to our up coming season. beware jerry rice Jefferson is coming for all your records.

 

[Allen2McVay]

ya know the most important group in this draft may be our training staff. seems to be a lot of injury prone players in this draft.

Other than Lewis and Johnston, who would you classify as ‘injury prone’?

 

[Merlin]

As for Van Jefferson.....look, at some point we're going to have to let go of a sure-fire star - not a Gurley or Cooks who had injury issues and/or underperformed, or a Fowler/Littleton that were clear-cut overpays - a fan favorite star who not a single fan wants to let go. After the Van pick, I'm preparing for that player to be Cooper Kupp after next year.

Only way they let Kupp walk is if he gets injured this year. Given that, maybe they elect to go another route because they don't want to pay a guy who missed significant time over two of the last three seasons. But if he has another season like last year there is zero chance he walks. Teams make room for players like that. The JAGs get cut. The good players get contracts redone, traded, etc. You make room for elite players and Kupp is an elite slot.

Best case scenario is our OL gels. If that happens Goff is going to have a huge season with Kupp/Woody/Jefferson/Higs drawing favorable matchups. Defenses can remove 2 guys generally. I mean pick your poison.

And next offseason will probably be a trade up or something to find the LT. So it's gonna happen at some point but hopefully Whit continues to defy father time.

 

[TexasRam]

I don't think either of these things are what I'd call projections. Every college player comes into the NFL with a question about how they'll produce. Projections to me are trying to determine how Denzel Mims will develop as a route runner or if K.J. Hamler can develop better play strength as he continues to physically mature. There are some projections to be made on Akers and Van (the biggest of which imo is whether Akers can cut down on the fumbles), but neither are what I'd classify as risky picks. It's also worth noting that Akers rushed for over 100 yards per game and scored 18 TDs in his final year at FSU, despite that bad offense.

I get your point. Every player is a projection. In fact since there are more than 50% non starters in RD 2, dam near every pick is a shot in the dark.

But from a pure stat standpoint these players are projections. Akers averaged. 5.0 YPC and 4.4 the year before. Some RB’s average 6 or 7 YPC. People can argue system and surrounding talent greatly affected those stats. They may be correct. But some others argue that Akers lacked vision etc. The point is the YPC is not exactly screaming greatness at the college level.

Jefferson had 600 yards and 6TD. Last year Jeudy had more than double both those numbers. So did a lot of WR’s coming out.

Lewis never had over 6 sacks in one year. But people like his length and burst combo (6’5 with flashes of explosion and short area quickness)

maybe you see my point.

These players are not coming out with eye popping stats in any regard.

Mcsnead are heavily weighing system fit, character, football IQ, physical traits, and other evaluations agnostic of stats/production.

 

[kurtfaulk]

Mcsnead are heavily weighing system fit, character, football IQ, physical traits, and other evaluations agnostic of stats/production.

isn't that what they're supposed to do if they want to get it right?

.

 

[jrry32]

Jefferson had 600 yards and 6TD. Last year Jeudy had more than double both those numbers. So did a lot of WR’s coming out.

Jefferson played in a system that spreads the ball around. It's similar to the system Ohio State uses. And Jefferson played in that system with spotty QB play while sharing targets with a first round TE, a fourth round HB, and three other WRs who are currently on NFL rosters.

That system at Ohio State has put out some good WRs. The guy who broke the NFL receptions in a season record in 2019, Michael Thomas, produced only 799 yards in his best season at OSU. Terry McLaurin, who was a top rookie WR last year, produced only 701 yards in his best season at OSU. Had Van played in an Air Raid offense against Big 12 defenses, he easily would have posted 1000+ yards and 10+ TDs.

Production doesn't tell the tale. Tape does. That kid can play.

 

[TexasRam]

Jefferson played in a system that spreads the ball around. It's similar to the system Ohio State uses. And Jefferson played in that system with spotty QB play while sharing targets with a first round TE, a fourth round HB, and three other WRs who are currently on NFL rosters.

That system at Ohio State has put out some good WRs. The guy who broke the NFL receptions in a season record in 2019, Michael Thomas, produced only 799 yards in his best season at OSU. Terry McLaurin, who was a top rookie WR last year, produced only 701 yards in his best season at OSU. Had Van played in an Air Raid offense against Big 12 defenses, he easily would have posted 1000+ yards and 10+ TDs.

Production doesn't tell the tale. Tape does. That kid can play.

Well lets hope your right, I will be rooting for them either way,

 

[iamme33]

Other than Lewis and Johnston, who would you classify as ‘injury prone’?

well those two are very much injury pron. I also mentioned the ol which had 3 of 5 starters injured last year. I just think staying healthy will be huge if we have a season this year. after all mcvays first two season the ol went injury free which is very rare. kind of makes me nervous that we draft two injury prone players. here is hoping they stay healthy especially lewis because if he stays heathy he could be the steel of the draft.

 

[Allen2McVay]

well those two are very much injury pron. I also mentioned the ol which had 3 of 5 starters injured last year. I just think staying healthy will be huge if we have a season this year. after all mcvays first two season the ol went injury free which is very rare. kind of makes me nervous that we draft two injury prone players. here is hoping they stay healthy especially lewis because if he stays heathy he could be the steel of the draft.

Don’t really agree that this draft class has a lot of injury prone players.

Lewis and Johnston, yes but Lewis may have gone much higher but for the durability issue. Risk but high reward prospect late in third round.

Johnston seems like this year’s version of Nick Scott. A favorite of the ST coach with a late seventh rounder.

Could not agree more strongly about the importance of health on the OL.

In 2016 the Falcons were the only team in the NFL to have all five OL start all 16 games and led the NFL in scoring.

In 2017, the Rams were the only team on track to have all five OL start every game before resting starters in Game 16; and they led the NFL in scoring.

In 2018, the Rams defied the odds and were the only team to have all five OL start every game. The Rams were second to KC in scoring but scored more points than in 2017.

Last year, the Rams had a different OL combination in nine of sixteen games. The line was frequently awful, Goff was careless with the ball at times and Gurley was far less effective.

The Offense disappointed but was still just one spot outside the top-10. The Rams were 11th in scoring last year.

 

[CGI_Ram]

The Offense disappointed but was still just one spot outside the top-10. The Rams were 11th in scoring last year.

It was a weird year like that. Offense was hot and cold. The cold stretches maddening.

 

[MachS]

Doing a deep dive on all these players, I honestly think this draft will be terrific. I'm upset that we didn't draft more OL talent early as a security blanket, but you really cant be mad with the players we did draft. Our first two offensive weapons will be different makers for us. Now Akers + Henderson will provide better RB production 100%. People that liked Dobbins or Moss more than Akers are crazy IMO. Go read up on the players, watch the film, and understand what talent they had around them on their team. Akers will be a very very good pro and IMO has the most natural RB talent of all the RBs in this years draft. If he was on a national championship FSU team will all the talent of a few years ago, he would have been a 1st round RB for sure.

I've been doing a lot of reading on Van Jefferson b/c honestly I wanted Mims. I wanted Mims because he was the better athlete, but the route running difference between them is literally night and day. Kindergarten to graduate degree. To some, Van's route running was on par with Jerry Judey - who analysts like Daniel Jeremiah said was the best route runner he's ever studied at WR. Now to Jeffereson's speed, because he didn't run the 40 time. One of the knocks on Van is lack of "elite" athleticism, and I'm not so sure thats the case. Van did not run the 40 time at the combine due to his foot injury, BUT at the senior bowl he was clocked as the fastest WR there in terms of MPH while running.

** Van ran a top speed of (21.05MPH) (safe to assume he runs 4.39 or better)

Devin Duvernay (20.90 MPH) 40 time of 4.39 or better at combine
Denzel Mims (20.26 MPH) 40 time of 4.38 or better at combine
Antonio Gibson (20.15 MPH) 40 time of 4.39 or better at combine

So while we dont have confirmed 40 time, I think it is very logical to have expected Van to run 4.38-4.45 range. IF he had posted that, where would his draft stock have gone? A lot of people were impressed by his MPH at the senior bowl and I think that was a factor in us taking him. Because if his athleticism is on par with most other WRs in this class, but his route running is far superior, I think we found a stud for McVay's offense in round 2. I think Reynolds will be the more probable deep threat early for us this year, but I wouldn't be surprised if this kid makes a lot of plays as a rookie.

 

[Corbin]

Only one pick I had a real issue with and the only reason is because of the risk factor.

If it works it out it's amazing talent but it has a chance that it doesn't with his injury history being Terrell Lewis LB Alabama.

Usually players like this I find they do not produce much at the next level production and longevity wise overall.

I'm still stuck that we should of traded up in the 3rd round and grabbed Zach Baun. I knew those POS Aints were going to take a LB so i know our FO had to have an idea as well.