How do YOU grade the Rams draft?

[Merlin]

So yeah grading drafts right away is craziness and we all know that. But it is fun. So here goes and this should be entertaining to look back on in a few years lol. Will put up my armchair evaluation followed by a cutup of one of their games (highlight reels don't give the same feel IMO) so here goes:

Rapp - Intelligent player type that Wade loves, and a great team guy and extremely talented SS. Limited physically in coverage and that will show at the NFL level but as long as they keep him primarily around the LOS he'll develop into a solid starter at the least and maybe a pro bowl type if he can stay healthy. In terms of value they got him at an appropriate spot in that round 2 range which is good for the plus strong safety types, so nice job by the Rams being patient to get one of the guys they had earmarked as a great fit for what they wanted.
Grade: B+


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgN836DMY_8


Henderson - I think this pick is an underrated selection by the Rams. If someone had taken him round 2 nobody would have batted an eye. Like Rapp he isn't a prospect who hits all the wickets, but is extremely good at the ones he does hit. Question with him is the receiving ability, looking good on quick passes out of the backfield is a bit different from what McVay will task him with, but he does look like he's got the talent to do it. Either way I am excited to see how he settles into the offense.
Grade: B+


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l9FPgpvYl4


Long - I love scappy corners who can stick on wideouts so after missing out on Baker (IMO) they went after a guy who has some questions playing outside at the NFL level but as the Rams noted they don't need him to start right away. So the situation is really nice for him, value is sort of questionable but it's a fit, and I see no reason to think this guy won't have a good career in horns once Wade and company fix his tackling ability.
Grade: B-


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyjnVXMzcYs


Evans - This is one of those players who doesn't really pop on tape or wow you, but snap to snap gets the job done (doesn't meltdown or get his QB hit very often) and he moves really well for a big dude. Hopefully he will be able to back up at OG and maybe push Boom a bit for the LT backup job with those long arms.
Grade: B+


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc5at51XJ9k


Gaines - Gaines to me is the best pick in this draft. Been saying forever that being able to anchor in and not get washed out in the run game while playing one gap on the nose in this defense are not mutually exclusive. This guy looks like he's got the toolset to do that for us. Rams did a good job dealing with neither of the early options being available at 31 and played the strengths of one of the best DL drafts in a long time to go get a guy who fits what they need. He is going to start this season and from camp on that dude next to Donald gives the OL two guys to deal with who go full tilt all the time so expect some fireworks.
Grade: A-


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImnMNJBSKMU


Edwards - Typical "power Big 10 lineman" from Wisconsin, and why not given how good Havenstein worked out for us. Like Hav he probably doesn't have the feet for the left side but seems like the type who will bust his butt to make the lineup. Went back and watched more of his games and he moves better than I thought in the run game too, so if he does show he can cut it at OG good grief he'd be a road grader. I think the value on where they got him is right on.
Grade: B


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6H5e_015js


Scott - Special teamer and I will say that I trust our ST coach completely so if this is the guy he wanted nice job bringing him in.
Grade: B


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISiMn9mq36Q


Allen - Players who had to work for it are the types I like and this guy almost lost it all. He's under a staff who will maximize his ability and maybe grow him into a pro. For where they got him value is there I think and I'm not worried about the fact he made a mistake since he seems to have grown from it. Some plays he looks pretty good, others meh but anyway late rounder who has a chance to help on teams and see where things go from there... What's not to like.
Grade: B


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBSEHHPPblI

 

[jrry32]

Especially since anybody drafted late in the 7th is unlikely to really be a good contingency for two starters going down. But they might be a key special teamer. It's not like he was a third rounder - he was drafted in what I like to think of as the "claiming priority UFDAs" segment of the draft.

I see Jemma's point on Emanuel Hall. Personally, I thought he'd go in the 3rd or 4th round. Reports are that teams felt that he milked injuries and doesn't play through pain.

But while his hands are a bit suspect at times, his ability to get vertical is a special trait. C.J. Henderson is likely going to be a top pick next year, and Hall is the only guy I saw give him trouble this year. Henderson is 6'0+" with legit 4.3/4.4 wheels. Hall was able to run by him a few times in that game. He tested out of this world (I believe he was in the 99 percentile or something like that). He's 6'2", twitched up, has instant acceleration, and the top-end speed to leave defenders in the dust.

Regardless, Bones is arguably the best STs Coordinator in the game. If he thinks a guy is an elite special teamer in the 7th round, I say trust Bones. That guy is going to contribute more to our team than a #4 or #5 WR. Now, I like Hall. I would have been elated if the Rams had drafted him. But the Rams might have one of those teams concerned by Hall's lack of toughness.

 

[jrry32]

Long - I love scappy corners who can stick on wideouts so after missing out on Baker (IMO) they went after a guy who has some questions playing outside at the NFL level but as the Rams noted they don't need him to start right away. So the situation is really nice for him, value is sort of questionable but it's a fit, and I see no reason to think this guy won't have a good career in horns once Wade and company fix his tackling ability.
Grade: B-

I'm surprised Long is the pick you liked the least. Film is impressive. Metrics love him. Tested out of this world. Everything is telling me that he's one of those guys who flew under the radar because of his lack of height/length and scheme versatility. But he's perfect for our scheme. Seems like a guy we'll look back on in a few years and say, "Why didn't he go earlier?"

 

[SteveBrown]

None of us really knows as much as we think about these guys, but what are your impressions of our draft picks?

Long - Really like this pick - looks like what you would want a CB to look and play like
Grade: A

Evans - limited a bit athletically, but seems to have good vision and positions himself well. We'll see if he can be coached up a bit.
Grade: C/D
Hit me!

Like what you wrote about Edwards, a few differences:

D Long: has 3rd round feet and long speed. But his mind and toughness are his 1st round. This is a B+ at bes. Many corners with talent like his fail.

Evans is a B+ pick at least for me. He is not limited athletically---unless you are talking Left tackle, which he will not be in the NFL. Strong, great feet for a guard, long arms tough demeanor. Ya, better in the 4th, but this guy has a lot of talent for a guard...and all his 'rating' where at LT from last year.

Gaines: for a 4th rounder I am not sure what more we would want. Probably a B+ minimum considering this point in the draft. He can rush the passer a bit, too.

 

[SteveBrown]

Clearly the Rams drafted Bobby Evans as a Kromer project. I'm no expert but he looks really unpolished. A plodder without much technique.

Evans has very good feet....just not good enough for at LT...yes, very little technique, too

 

[Merlin]

I'm surprised Long is the pick you liked the least. Film is impressive. Metrics love him. Tested out of this world. Everything is telling me that he's one of those guys who flew under the radar because of his lack of height/length and scheme versatility. But he's perfect for our scheme. Seems like a guy we'll look back on in a few years and say, "Why didn't he go earlier?"

Well you know I love instinctive coverage ability but he is small and lacks the scrappy mentality vs the run that might compensate a bit. I agree he is a fit but I fear he is NRCs replacement.

 

[XXXIVwin]

I love the way the Rams approach the draft ever since McVay came on board.

Love the story of how the Rams FO “celebrated” after Kupp ran a 4.6 because they knew this could push him down to the 3rd.

Three picks this year remind me of Kupp insofar as ONE measurable pushed them down in the draft. You look at their tape and say, “Wow, the talent jumps out at you”, but they don’t fit the ideal stereotype at the position.

Rapp— great player, great instincts, amazing tackler. BUT... hair slow on the 40.

Long— smothered opponents throughout his career, but ONE INCH too short.

Gaines— solid player with high motor, but an inch or two short, and shortish arms.

These 3 players in particular will prove that the Rams have become elite at working the draft. Is Kupp too slow? Is AD too short and small? Hell no. Rapp, Long, and Gaines will prove their doubters wrong.

 

[Ants]

Disagree with the bolded. If one of Kupp, Woods, or Cooks goes down for an extended period of time, we likely don't win the Super Bowl. Two of them go down? We're screwed. And all of them have a prior injury list.

Natson's already being phased out by Henderson, and is utterly terrible at everything except returns with his size. I don't trust Hodge on anything other than teams. I trust Reynolds, but not as much as the big three. And I believe that Woods can opt out of his contract this year or the next. Do we let him go or not?

Hall, Penny Hart, Stanley Morgan, one of them could've helped as a sixth wide receiver - and on teams, no less.

Again, I do not hate Nick Scott. I want him to do well. I want him to prove me wrong. I just think that we could've spent the pick better.

I strenuously object! LOL
Seriously, WR's in the 6th round and on are a dime a dozen...there are probably guys walking the streets that are every bit as good as any of these guys. They made it to camp, got cut, end of story. Sure, the hope is that they can make it (just like any other player at any position).
But I believe a top ST player is more valuable than a 6th round WR. Plus, we knew we were going to get similar WR talent with the undrafted FA's, so...

 

[Ramstien]

I love the way the Rams approach the draft ever since McVay came on board.

Love the story of how the Rams FO “celebrated” after Kupp ran a 4.6 because they knew this could push him down to the 3rd.

Three picks this year remind me of Kupp insofar as ONE measurable pushed them down in the draft. You look at their tape and say, “Wow, the talent jumps out at you”, but they don’t fit the ideal stereotype at the position.

Rapp— great player, great instincts, amazing tackler. BUT... hair slow on the 40.

Long— smothered opponents throughout his career, but ONE INCH too short.

Gaines— solid player with high motor, but an inch or two short, and shortish arms.

These 3 players in particular will prove that the Rams have become elite at working the draft. Is Kupp too slow? Is AD too short and small? Hell no. Rapp, Long, and Gaines will prove their doubters wrong.

This is why I love how the Rams staff evaluates these players based on game tape and not measurables or how they performed at the combine. When the past staffs did that they won 2 or 3 games a year.

 

[bubbaramfan]

I'll post my assessment of Rams drafted players AFTER I see them in TC for a couple weeks.

 

[snackdaddy]

What grade would I give the Rams for this draft?

 

[BonifayRam]

Evans - B+ (Bobby Evans played really well at RT and was serviceable when called upon at LT. Held up very well against Alabama and has a nasty streak. Aaron Kromer will make him special.)


Edwards - C (I understand David Edwards was hurt, but he was a turnstile in pass protection at RT and hopefully, Edwards can develop into a guard, but I was not a fan of his play even in 2017 )

I see both of these OL'ers as Kromer's developmental material. Both have excellent foundational elements to excel for Kromer with high-end yields this time next year.

Kromer will work hard to build up Evans to be his active game day swing OT reserve. I am much more favorble towards David Edwards than you. His big issue besides recent injuries is his great need to get much stronger. I am sure Edwards will be assigned to Ted Rath & Dustin Woods fulltime.

I also really like this new UDFA OL'er Brandon Hitner!

 

[den-the-coach]

I also really like this new UDFA OL'er Brandon Hitner!

Very Lucky his Great Grandfather changed their surname to have an N instead of an L.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Clearly the Rams drafted Bobby Evans as a Kromer project. I'm no expert but he looks really unpolished. A plodder without much technique.

So we basically just got Jamon Brown back.

 

[Tano]

I see both of these OL'ers as Kromer's developmental material. Both have excellent foundational elements to excel for Kromer with high-end yields this time next year.

Kromer will work hard to build up Evans to be his active game day swing OT reserve. I am much more favorble towards David Edwards than you. His big issue besides recent injuries is his great need to get much stronger. I am sure Edwards will be assigned to Ted Rath & Dustin Woods fulltime.

I also really like this new UDFA OL'er Brandon Hitner!

Has Ted Rath been reinstated?

 

[JonRam99]

I'm no draft guru, but I'd give us a B+. Was hoping we'd some how go S with the 1st pick, get Polite with the next, some OL / DL depth, and a few sprinkles of surprises, so I'd have given it an A+ if we somehow wound up with Polite in this bunch.
That said, a few thoughts:
Rapp - Just watched the game video earlier - kid is always around the ball. When he hits the pile / ball carrier he stops progress. Sure I'd love higher end speed at S, because our S / CB crew right now doesn't have a starter with serious wheels to counter the speedier NFL WR's. But I think we got a starter / pro-bowl caliber SS type here, with nice hands & awareness to scoop up deflections & FF's. Yes Weddle & JJIII are our S crew starters but we need a "next man up" guy who is plug n play & can fill in on nickle / dime packages. Great value / need pick to bolster our secoondary.
Henderson - Wow, this kid has WHEELS. In the vid in this thread, he was destroying UCF until the 4th Q, when I think his OL was wearing down. Can play the wildcat, and even toss it. I think he's what McVay has been looking for in a 3rd down back since they tried out that one RB from Dallas in McVay's 1st season (who had an injury & didn't work out.... can't remember the name). I saw one highlight where Henderson turned a corner & 10 to 15 yards went by in a blur. Extremely explosive. If he gets a hole (and our ZBS makes some nice ones), the D goes into chase mode & it's over. But he can't really break a tackle, mostly tries to avoid tackles, but that's a good thing. I think he does more for us than TA did -- the D HAS to respect the jet sweep if he's part of it. If he can take over for JoJo, or even be kinda like a much faster version of B. Cunningham / P. Cooper then I think we hit two needs with 1 pick. He's not really expected to fill in for Gurley except on 3rd downs, so although we didn't get a Gurley replacement, we got a guy who can extend Gurley's shelf life & maintain some explosiveness in our O if Gurley goes down.
Long - haven't looked at vids, so no comment, but sounds like a CB1A from posts. If he can nicely sub in for an injury to MP or AT, then we really hit a nice pick here. Really tired of CB's who don't tackle or add run support. Watching MP run up to a ball carrier & dance around until someone else made the tackle was really disappointing. Sure maybe he was nursing an injury, but it looked more like he was nursing his career.
Gaines - wow did we need this guy. Love his highlights, he even shows up on Rapp's vids. Probably where Snead & crew spotted him. Can stack - STACK - a double team. Strong bull rush, can throw his blocker into the QB. Saw him rip a blocker to the ground & make a tackle. Just tossed the guy down. A plus motor / attitude guy. Since a lot of the NT / DT penetrator types who have better rushing skills went higher, I can see why he was picked where he was, but I agree with other posts that it seemed like our DT / NT combo of AD / Suh kept getting into the backfield only to get washed out of plays. And we didn't really have a NT who commands double teams. Now we do. Looking forward to seeing him in pre-season, when we can compare him to SJ-D. But I get a feeling he's our new 2-down NT starter. Getting Dexter Lawrence would've been a coup, but do we really need another penetrator or do we need a run-stuffing double-team eater who makes holes for AD? Gaines may in fact have more impact than Dexter would have. Only knock is that he probably comes out on 3rd downs, where we'll probably see AD / Brockers / JFM.
Others - don't really have a comment, though I saw a minute of Scott's vid & saw all I needed to know - knifed into a hole & stopped a RB cold, knocked him backwards in fact. Always seemed to be around a play. Great motor. Yes we have other S's on the roster right now, but I've not been too awfully impressed with MC or the other guys to say they can't use a little competition. And if we get a plus-ST'er to boot, well, it's a 7th well spent.

Overall, I really like this draft's potential, as it hits needs I didn't really think about - our secondary really needed help & it got it; our DL really needed a double-team-eating NT & it got it; our O really needed a 3rd down threat (didn't really consider this a need until now) + a stouter return guy, and we got both in 1 pick; our OL needed either a starter, or depth to fill in behind guys we already have on the roster who we plan on plugging in for the losses of Saffold & Sully, and it looks like we went the latter route. The only thing I think we didn't address is a stouter ILB and a plus rusher OLB guy, but we might already have these guys on the roster - we just don't know what we have with Obo. But we DO know what we have with Matthews, and I think that's why we felt comfortable with not reaching for an ILB pick.

 

[12intheBox]

I don’t grade it but I like it. It feels like the Rams really have a plan under this regime - it’s not just about looking at the board when it’s our turn, they have targets that they are intentional about and they move around to get those targets.

It will take some getting used to picking last in the first round for the next decade, but it is a sacrifice that I am willing to make.

 

[SteveBrown]

So we basically just got Jamon Brown back.

Jamon Brown missed dedication....Jamon was smart, but was missing something...can't say what that is. YOu can't play Jazz the way he could without intelligence....but he wasn't a Ram player mentally, like McVay wants---obvious by the fact he was let go.

Evans is an upgrade over Jamon, though he doesn't have the power...

 

[SteveBrown]

I'm no draft guru, but I'd give us a B+. Was hoping we'd some how go S with the 1st pick, get Polite with the next, some OL / DL depth, and a few sprinkles of surprises, so I'd have given it an A+ if we somehow wound up with Polite in this bunch.
Overall, I really like this draft's potential, as it hits needs I didn't really think about - our secondary really needed help & it got it; our DL really needed a double-team-eating NT & it got it; our O really needed a 3rd down threat (didn't really consider this a need until now) + a stouter return guy, and we got both in 1 pick; our OL needed either a starter, or depth to fill in behind guys we already have on the roster who we plan on plugging in for the losses of Saffold & Sully, and it looks like we went the latter route. The only thing I think we didn't address is a stouter ILB and a plus rusher OLB guy, but we might already have these guys on the roster - we just don't know what we have with Obo. But we DO know what we have with Matthews, and I think that's why we felt comfortable with not reaching for an ILB pick.

Like what you wrote:
And, I think Matthews and/or Kiser at ILB will fine....ya, we give up something with Kiser, but we have a great, and very smart back end now. L Joyner was the weak link mentally. JJ, Rapp and Weddle are as smart as it gets at that position---not fast but know where to be at all times.

The 2 O lineman were perfect....looks like nothing, but both have a lot of talent..and were in the wrong position, and the other was injured---both atheletic enough, and just need some strength to be NFLers (Ok, Edwards needs more tech)

I give this a B+/A-....wild card is Erik McCoy or some pass rusher that we passed up at 31....if Blythe holds the forte and ALlen plays well enough, then I will say A-

Boy, I miss the "double slot" draft of Pettis and Salas--running those smooth 4.6s+

 

[BonifayRam]

Has Ted Rath been reinstated?

Still on leave but this matter should be cleared up ASAP so he can get started.