I really doubt that Snead will trade up in the 1st round...

[Akrasian]

In the coming years the cap will increase enough that they will be able to resign one or two guys that play great football. Signing Goff won't prevent that, and I say that because while I don't like Demoff I will give the guy the credit he deserves. He manages to lose only a few players due to cap hits. It's usually Snead making room on the roster for a better player. I can't think of more than a couple or few guys who became free agents and moved on.

The cap will rise in the next two years, then three and four, that it will give the Rams some breathing room.

Some breathing room, not all that much. If the cap rises $10 million per season, it doesn't suddenly give the Rams an extra $10 million to spend on one player - rather, league minimum is also rising, and the cost of the practice squad, and the amount to resign all players including okay but not great vets rises, and tags rise, and etc etc. It helps, but not all that much. What will help is some of the big contracts expiring, without them signing for as much relatively as before. But that just increases the need to draft well, and spend wisely, so that the Rams can resign only the ones that really matter and who cannot be replaced in a next man up scenario. There are reasons why few teams with good veteran QBs compete year in year out. The one team that does is getting a discount from their QB, and has a system for replacing players easily, AND is ruthless in getting rid of players when or just before they get expensive. The Rams are going to have to be like that, and say goodbye to good players at times that just won't be worth their contracts a year or two later.

 

[nighttrain]

Some breathing room, not all that much. If the cap rises $10 million per season, it doesn't suddenly give the Rams an extra $10 million to spend on one player - rather, league minimum is also rising, and the cost of the practice squad, and the amount to resign all players including okay but not great vets rises, and tags rise, and etc etc. It helps, but not all that much. What will help is some of the big contracts expiring, without them signing for as much relatively as before. But that just increases the need to draft well, and spend wisely, so that the Rams can resign only the ones that really matter and who cannot be replaced in a next man up scenario. There are reasons why few teams with good veteran QBs compete year in year out. The one team that does is getting a discount from their QB, and has a system for replacing players easily, AND is ruthless in getting rid of players when or just before they get expensive. The Rams are going to have to be like that, and say goodbye to good players at times that just won't be worth their contracts a year or two later.

all of the above is all to true, no matter how painful. This is why draft choices and drafting well is so important, these young players are at their cheapest and will replace players gaining in value
train

 

[Rams43]

Mentioned in another topic, if one of the TE's drop into the 20's can see an interesting conversation between Snead and McVay about adding an offensive playmaker, something the Rams did not do in the last draft.

I will be absolutely stunned if the Rams tradeup to get a TE. I would fall out of my freaking recliner. Lol.

Now, if Fant were to fall to #31 I could maybe see him being the pick. Even then I would be mildly surprised, tbh.

Too many other quality players at positions of much greater need would be sitting there.

 

[ReekofRams]

I will be absolutely stunned if the Rams tradeup to get a TE. I would fall out of my freaking recliner. Lol.

Now, if Fant were to fall to #31 I could maybe see him being the pick. Even then I would be mildly surprised, tbh.

Too many other quality players at positions of much greater need would be sitting there.

:cheers:

 

[Merlin]

I could see them jump up a bit for Lawrence due to the quality of the fit and the expected result if you put that dude next to Donald. I mean holy crap.

I could also see them making a small jump for Risner, who has some faulty footwork tendencies but who would be extremely valuable as an OT/OG option who could start quickly if necessary or maybe serve as a bookend with a redshirt year of fixing his footwork. Add an interior guy snapped up midrounds and we'd be in business.

Lastly there are a couple safeties and a couple wideouts whose grades are good enough above the next tier where to my eye at least the Rams would have to consider moving up for them a small amount. We're limited in our options but I certainly would not rule it out.

 

[Merlin]

I will be absolutely stunned if the Rams tradeup to get a TE. I would fall out of my freaking recliner. Lol.

Now, if Fant were to fall to #31 I could maybe see him being the pick.

I will be absolutely stunned if either TE gets past pick 20. And don't kid yourself... If somehow Fant did fall someone would jump for him and I do not doubt the Rams would be one of the teams trying to.

 

[Mackeyser]

I agree he is going to probably stay put. There is a chance, as you point out, that he makes a move but I agree it's more likely he'd rather trade down from 31. Getting a 2nd rounder or even two could be great.

If he had a chance to get a 2 and 3 then use two of the three 3rds to move up for a second pick in the 2nd round I can see that.

WOW try to say that five times fast hahaha.

Great...now I have a sprained tongue... Thanks, Les!

 

[Mackeyser]

I will be absolutely stunned if the Rams tradeup to get a TE. I would fall out of my freaking recliner. Lol.

Now, if Fant were to fall to #31 I could maybe see him being the pick. Even then I would be mildly surprised, tbh.

Too many other quality players at positions of much greater need would be sitting there.

Tell you what... if Hockenberry... er...Hockenson.. if he's sitting there at 25 for some CUURRAAAAAZZZEH reason... don't think Snead won't sweat that. I like Higbee, but I think Hockenson is a pretty big upgrade over Higbee.

That said, I expect a trade down unless one of the better scheme fit CBs falls to us or a top 15 OL. No, I don't think we take a DL at 31. If there's a run on DL, a CB should be there for us. If not, we can probably trade down.

I think we'll take someone like Polite, but probably not until the 3rd unless they feel confident they can get him later.

I haven't lost sight of Obo making a huge impression for us, either which is why I don't think we go early for Edge help.

 

[LesBaker]

Great...now I have a sprained tongue... Thanks, Les!

And your lovely wife says WTF

Cant you play through injury?????

 

[Akrasian]

Tell you what... if Hockenberry... er...Hockenson.. if he's sitting there at 25 for some CUURRAAAAAZZZEH reason... don't think Snead won't sweat that. I like Higbee, but I think Hockenson is a pretty big upgrade over Higbee.

That said, I expect a trade down unless one of the better scheme fit CBs falls to us or a top 15 OL. No, I don't think we take a DL at 31. If there's a run on DL, a CB should be there for us. If not, we can probably trade down.

I think we'll take someone like Polite, but probably not until the 3rd unless they feel confident they can get him later.

I haven't lost sight of Obo making a huge impression for us, either which is why I don't think we go early for Edge help.

In terms of a TE - Higbee is a free agent after this season, and it often takes tight ends a season to master all they need to do in the NFL. So while I doubt they take one early, it's not impossible if a great one falls to them. And yes, CB is a very likely target - again, depending on who falls. I think the most likely option is a slight trade down, pick up a fourth and a decent second, and still have a good idea who will be available for the pick.

Edge is one of the positions I think they will be looking for early. Fowler is a one year signing, and Ebu is replaceable.

I don't think Obo is a factor in what the Rams will do. First, while he looked good in some early non-contact drills - he was picked at #160 for a reason, and whatever good will he developed early likely wasn't helped by him getting hurt and never actually dressing for a contact practice all season. There's got to be some questions about him being able to stand up to the rigors of the NFL. Besides which, even if Obo turns out to be as good as they hope - they can use another edge rusher in 2019 and especially in 2020.

They do need multiple positions for 2020 and will likely want players they can train up for those spots as much as possible. So yes, DL at some point, an edge rusher, two OL, QB, CBs, they obviously think they need a good safety based on their visits, TE possibly, RB possibly though that may wait, maybe an ILB. That's the biggest reason I doubt a trade up - they just don't have as many picks as needed to get all that they want and need to get in their pipeline. That's also why I doubt they go for center at least early. They supposedly like Allen, FWIW PFF likes him, and he's cheap for three years. There are real needs.

 

[NERamsFan]

I am a huge Hockenson fan, but I have to be realistic with myself. I can’t justify trading up and reducing our draft capital to select a player at a position that typically takes a bit longer to figure out at the pro level- on top of the fact that he’ll probably get even less snaps with the return of Kupp. While the idea of upgrading our TE depth chart is awful enticing, I just can’t see it with a trade up or an early round pick. The kid’s got incredible skill and ethic, but return on investment not there.

Now for a guy like Simmons or Murphy? I’m game. Let Lawrence fall to us or even trade down into late thirties and nab him.

NE scares me on draft day! They could poach a good DL or trade out for qb-hungry team