Jrry32 First Mock Off-Season (1/17/21)

[jrry32]

Well, I don't start working on these until after we lose in the playoffs. With all the uncertainty over the cap, it's hard for me to really know what's possible until we get a number. I haven't evaluated many draft prospects yet, so expect plenty of change there over the next few months. I think it's going to be very hard for us to keep Leonard Floyd and JJIII. Also, I hope McVay fires Bonamego.
Departing Free Agents
OLB Leonard Floyd
SS John Johnson III
CB Troy Hill
OL Austin Blythe
HB Malcolm Brown
TE Gerald Everett
WR Josh Reynolds
DL Morgan Fox
OLB Samson Ebukam

Resignings
LS Jake McQuaide
CB Darious Williams
ILB Travin Howard
OL Coleman Shelton
TE Johnny Mundt

Trades
Rams trade LT Joseph Noteboom
Chargers trade Round 5 Pick #14

We're in a bit of a pickle. Noteboom is a FA after 2021, and Whit is returning. Noteboom has shown he has the pass blocking ability to be a serviceable LT, but it's hard to commit to him without a year of film. Ultimately, the Chargers have a need at LT with Sam Tevi (an underwhelming player) hitting FA. They get a year to evaluate Noteboom to determine whether or not to stick with him.

Rams trade Round 3 Pick #24 and Round 3 Pick #38
Lions trade Round 3 Pick #8 and Round 5 Pick #9

We trade up for a player we're targeting using our third and our comp pick for Fowler.

Rams trade Round 3 Pick #40
Vikings trade Round 4 Pick #14 and Round 4 Pick #38

We trade down from our Holmes comp pick. Vikings have a handful of fourths, so they use two to move up into the third round.

Rams trade Round 4 Pick #37
Jaguars trade QB Gardner Minshew

We need a guy behind Goff who is capable of coming in and starting if Goff has another rough stretch of games next year. Minshew will put some pressure on Jared, and I think he's a guy capable of starting in this system. He's also a much more mobile QB than Goff and more capable of improvisation, so he offers a nice change of pace if Goff does get benched or injured. The nice thing is that he's also cheap and a high-quality backup. He reminds me a lot of Fitzmagic.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZmKbf29wc4


Free Agency

Larry Warford OL

After Warford sat out the year, I am hoping we can get him on a reasonable one year deal. I think we all recognized this season that the OL is missing something. Warford went to three straight Pro Bowls before sitting out 2020. Having him step in at RG (kicking Corbett inside to C) should improve the OL as a whole. Plus, he won't cost us in the comp pick formula.

Benardrick McKinney ILB

Coming off a season-ending shoulder injury as a guy with scheme limitations, I am hopeful we can also land McKinney on a reasonable one year deal. The Texans look like they'll be cutting some guys to open up cap this off-season, and McKinney is one guy who could find himself on the chopping block. I think he's a great fit in Staley's scheme as a massive man (6'4" 255 pounds) who specializes in stopping the run and is solid in zone coverage (but has limitations in man to man).

Tyus Bowser OLB

I think Bowser could be one of the steals of the off-season. He's a very athletic edge defender who has been stuck behind talented players in the Ravens' rotation. When he has played, he has shown flashes. He's very adept dropping into coverage and has the speed and agility to be a major threat off the edge and on the stunts we use up front. I really like his fit in Staley's scheme and think he'll prove to be a heck of bargain if we sign him.

NFL Draft
Round 2 Pick #25 - Liam Eichenberg OT Notre Dame

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcuCcr59oOA

Analysis: It's hard to say which OT could fall to us. Eichenberg is projected on Day 2 right now, but he could rise during the process. He's a well-rounded player who is good at just about everything but lacks elite traits. He's well coached, smart, and experienced. However, he lacks the top-shelf athleticism you usually see in a first round OT. Just a very solid player. I would compare him to Riley Reiff.

Round 3 Pick #8 - Chris Rumph II OLB/ILB Duke

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEJSWt8KC9s

Analysis: Rumph's father is currently the Texans' OLB Coach and previously was DL Coach at programs like Alabama, Florida, and Texas. Unsurprisingly, Rumph is a technically proficient player who possesses great football IQ and instincts. Duke has used him as both an off-the-ball LB and an edge rusher. At 6'3" 235, he seems small to play on the edge in the NFL, but I think he can do it. If he was bigger, he'd be a first round pick. Great burst off the ball, can flatten around the corner, quick-twitch athleticism, and a diverse set of pass rush moves. Kid has the athleticism, instincts, and zone cover skills to play ILB and the pass rush ability to play OLB. I think Staley would love having a chess piece like Rumph. Long term, I think he can be an impactful 3-4 OLB. Boston College has an OL with multiple future NFL players on it, and he gave them the business.

Round 4 Pick #14 - Cornell Powell WR Clemson

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMKQYMWbt-g

Analysis: I found myself looking into the guys seen as the top deep threats in this class who will be available in the 3rd and 4th rounds, and I liked some. Tamorrion Terry, for example, is a freak athlete. But I ended up pulling the trigger on Powell over them. Why? None of the deep threats had consistent hands. Powell isn't a burner, but he can get vertical. Most significantly, he offers the all around skill-set, reliable hands, YAC skills, and blocking ability that McVay values in WRs.

Round 4 Pick #38 - Tommy Tremble TE/FB Notre Dame

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuc67qgSWyw

Analysis: Anybody else tired of watching Everett get blown off the ball or whiff on blocks on running plays? I know I am. Tommy Tremble has some upside as a receiving TE, but that's not where he's going to make his money. This kid is a punishing blocker. He can lead block as a FB. He can also align on the LOS as a TE and blow defenders off the ball. He's the sort of kid whose value will never be measured by the box score. Cam Akers will love him. He's a freaking dog!

Round 5 Pick #9 - Grant Stuard ILB Houston

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJH_5gpjNac

Analysis: First and foremost, Stuard is going to absolutely bring it back on special teams. He's a hard hitting LB who can absolutely fly. I love the idea of him on our coverage unit. But in addition to that, we need some more speed at ILB. I don't know that Stuard will make an impact on defense as a rookie, but he has the speed, quick-twitch athleticism, instincts, nonstop motor, and physicality to be a good weakside LB in the future.

Round 5 Pick #14 - Kylin Hill HB Mississippi State

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IkuJsesGXs

Analysis: Hill is a well-rounded physical runner who has sneaky speed. He had a great career in the SEC at Mississippi State and proved that he could contribute as a rusher, receiver, and blocker. He isn't overly dynamic, but he has the speed to break runs when he's given a seam, can churn out yardage after contact due to his powerful lower half, leg drive, and contact balance, and has the quickness to get open as a route runner. Seems like a good kid to develop behind Akers and Hendo.

Round 6 Pick #25 - Avery Williams CB/RS Boise State

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

Analysis: I'm very serious about fixing the special teams. Speaking strictly as a CB prospect, Williams is a kid who has the goods to fight for a roster spot and should provide depth there. He's undersized at 5'9" 195, but he's physical, competes hard, and can be quite sticky in coverage. But his greatest value comes as a special teams terror. He returned 6 punts for TDs and 3 kickoffs for TDs in his career at Boise State. He also blocked multiple punts during his time there. This kid is a dynamic returner.

Round 7 Pick #25 - Brady Breeze S Oregon

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gddfC18V9m8

Analysis: This is another move that will bolster our special teams. But Breeze also fits the Staley defense well. He's a smart, disciplined player who lacks the athleticism to handle much man to man coverage. He tackles well in space, hits hard, is always where he's supposed to be, and should be quite good in our split safety looks. As a special teamer, he will be another hard hitter who tackles reliably and plays like his hair is on fire whenever he's on the field.

Projected Depth Chart
QB: Jared Goff
HB: Cam Akers
WR: Robert Woods
WR: Cooper Kupp
WR: Van Jefferson
TE: Tyler Higbee
LT: Andrew Whitworth
LG: David Edwards
C: Austin Corbett
RG: Larry Warford
RT: Rob Havenstein

DE: Michael Brockers
NT: Sebastian Joseph-Day
DE: Aaron Donald
OLB: Tyus Bowser
ILB: Benardrick McKinney
ILB: Troy Reeder
OLB: Terrell Lewis
CB: Jalen Ramsey
CB: Darious Williams
CB: David Long Jr. vs. Terrell Burgess
FS: Jordan Fuller
SS: Terrell Burgess vs. Taylor Rapp

K: Matt Gay
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Jake McQuaide
KR: Avery Williams
PR: Avery Williams

And right as I finished this up, the news that Staley was hired elsewhere leaked. Well, fuck it. I'm posting it anyways. I put a lot of work into this lol. We'll see if the new DC is going to have a drastically different scheme.

 

[OldSchool]

Great work! My comments from FF hold true

 

[Memento]

Nice draft as usual, Jerry. Rumph is someone I'll keep my eye on, and I'm definitely going to consider the Noteboom trade in my mock.

Also, where's Bonamego's firing?

 

[jrry32]

Nice draft as usual, Jerry. Rumph is someone I'll keep my eye on, and I'm definitely going to consider the Noteboom trade in my mock.

Also, where's Bonamego's firing?

It's in the introduction lol. Check Rumph out. I think you'll be impressed. When he's given a chance to rush off the edge, he offers pretty consistent pressure, and his instincts jump off the screen. Always around the ball.

 

[iamme33]

nice draft i particularly like the williams kid from boise watched him for years. also like the tremble kid just cause i like the idea of a real fb.

 

[FaulkSF]

Nice mock Jerry. Why is Reeder our starting ILB? We have Howard and Kiser. Both are upgrades over Reeder.

 

[dieterbrock]

Love Tremble, pass catching skills are vastly under rated. Might be a player who blows up in the combine

 

[JonRam99]

The teams remaining in the playoffs have top OL's, with several of them OL All-Pro's first or second team, GB being one of them, & they shut out our D stars who barely even pressured ARod (setting their dubious blocking techniques aside). Rams need OL beef & talent in the worst way. C has been the worst problem for the longest time & bumping Corbett inside sounds good to me, Warford sounds perfect at RG after Evans got exposed but concerned why he isn't on a roster right now. Noteboom needs to move on, a top OL needs a TOP LT in both run & pass pro. Whitworth still manning the LT spot until your LT pick can beat him out sounds like a plan. There's a reason N.Dame was a top NCAA school, and you can usually find one of the reasons on the OL (them & Clemson). I like Memento's choice, but that kid didn't seem like he wanted to bring it on every down, allowed a CB he half-heartedly shoved to go on & make the tackle on the runner for little gain. It's about time we got a blocking TE who can catch, what happened to the kid we drafted in 2020? did he play at all?? lookit all the TE's Lamar J can throw TD's to, but who can block as well. Overall, nice effort to boost our OL back into contention.
This will help the Rams's O get back to above average, but I'm glad you addressed the elephant in the room: the QB position. Mobile QB's are the future of the League. ARod & the GB's will defeat TB, leaving the most mobile QB left in the NFC to face either Elway 2.0 (Josh A.) or Mahomes. Wussell just has no talent around him anymore or they'd be the ones going to GB but he's prolly the best NFC example. I've never been a Goff hater, but it's time the Rams looked at their options to push him. I like the Minshew trade, but are there any QB's left in the early 2nd/low 1st that are worth trading in our plethora of 3rd round picks to move up for? if there's no decent options, Rams should just roll w/ Goff in 2021, who took them to the SB just a short eternity (2 years) ago. But watching Josh, Patrick, even Herbert makes me think we need more at the QB position to get over the hump.

 

[jrry32]

Nice mock Jerry. Why is Reeder our starting ILB? We have Howard and Kiser. Both are upgrades over Reeder.

He'd have to compete for the job. He started against Green Bay, so I left him as a starter. Howard, Kiser, or one of the others could take the job from him.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I question if Noteboom could garner a 5th round pick. And the Rams would have to do an awful lot of restructuring to get all these free agents in. Looking at overthecap.com I really don't see where they have too many options.

Hey I just noticed that you have Avery Williams in your mock, too. Must have missed that before. I just looked up top return specialist when I did mine.

 

[jrry32]

I question if Noteboom could garner a 5th round pick. And the Rams would have to do an awful lot of restructuring to get all these free agents in. Looking at overthecap.com I really don't see where they have too many options.

Hey I just noticed that you have Avery Williams in your mock, too. Must have missed that before. I just looked up top return specialist when I did mine.

I think the options are greater than it seems. I believe Demoff has put clauses in all the recent contracts that he can convert salaries to bonuses basically at will. This gives them a lot of flexibility to push money into the future. I will also note that OTC is estimating a $175 million cap. I am estimating a $190 million cap. Obviously, if it's $175 million, yeah, we're going to have some challenges.

 

[8to12]

Bravo! the read was very exciting and a bit disappointing. I had Tremble and Rumph slated for my first mock. Kudos for finding them and stating how their skill set is what the Rams need. A failure to consistently hold blocks by the TE's had me upset all season. Everett and Mundt frustrate me. And, with Hopkins more of a receiving TE at this point, the Rams need another TE who is competent at playing inline. Finding Tremble listed on a Draft simulation made me watch tape and I had an epiphany
Rumph is the perfect chess piece for a defense that to wants morph it's game plan each week based on the opponents personnel. He can rush from anywhere on the line and can play in space. I just hope these guys stay under the radar..... 3rd to 4th round.
Only issue I have with Rams ILB's is lateral quickness. Too many plays in the flat where Reeder was just to slow. Tavin Howard most likely has the requisite quickness, but I would like to see another drafted. I will have to watch tape of the kid from Houston. I am thinking Monty Rice (Georgia) or Riley Cole (South Alabama) could also fill this role in the later rounds.

 

[jrry32]

Bravo! the read was very exciting and a bit disappointing. I had Tremble and Rumph slated for my first mock. Kudos for finding them and stating how their skill set is what the Rams need. A failure to consistently hold blocks by the TE's had me upset all season. Everett and Mundt frustrate me. And, with Hopkins more of a receiving TE at this point, the Rams need another TE who is competent at playing inline. Finding Tremble listed on a Draft simulation made me watch tape and I had an epiphany
Rumph is the perfect chess piece for a defense that to wants morph it's game plan each week based on the opponents personnel. He can rush from anywhere on the line and can play in space. I just hope these guys stay under the radar..... 3rd to 4th round.
Only issue I have with Rams ILB's is lateral quickness. Too many plays in the flat where Reeder was just to slow. Tavin Howard most likely has the requisite quickness, but I would like to see another drafted. I will have to watch tape of the kid from Houston. I am thinking Monty Rice (Georgia) or Riley Cole (South Alabama) could also fill this role in the later rounds.

Stuard from Houston looks insanely athletic to me. Twitchy and very fast. But if we retain Staley's zone-heavy scheme, I don't think the lateral quickness is as important. Kiser and McKinney are a lot quicker to the sidelines than Reeder, though.

 

[XXXIVwin]

Ouch. Concerned that the Rams don’t have enough cap space or draft capital to really improve.

An O that’s exactly the same except we lose Reynolds and make one upgrade on the OL?

And the D might have to lose both Fowler and JJ3, and we might have to rely on Reeder (limited) and Lewis (very injury prone), as well as maybe D Long (stil unproven?)

And brand new coordinators on both O and D?

I’m sure of got a stockpile of Kool-Aid mix around here somewhere, but it might take me awhile to find it.

Great analysis as always jrry, I just wish the Rams had more puzzle pieces to work with.

 

[jrry32]

Ouch. Concerned that the Rams don’t have enough cap space or draft capital to really improve.

An O that’s exactly the same except we lose Reynolds and make one upgrade on the OL?

And the D might have to lose both Fowler and JJ3, and we might have to rely on Reeder (limited) and Lewis (very injury prone), as well as maybe D Long (stil unproven?)

And brand new coordinators on both O and D?

I’m sure of got a stockpile of Kool-Aid mix around here somewhere, but it might take me awhile to find it.

Great analysis as always jrry, I just wish the Rams had more puzzle pieces to work with.

We were a 10-win team in the regular season. It doesn't take much for us to get over the hump. Reeder would be competing with Kiser, Howard, and the young ILBs. If Lewis got hurt, Hollins or Okoronkwo would step in like they did this year. Plus, Chris Rumph would be there to add another name to the rotation. Frankly, our biggest loss on D would be JJ imo. But Burgess or Rapp are both capable of mitigating that loss. Assuming we replace Staley with another good DC, our defense could be a top unit again.

Offensively, don't underestimate the difference a Pro Bowl OG makes. We go from Blythe getting blown up routinely to Warford bullying people in the running game and keeping Goff clean. Corbett is a much more powerful and physical player than Blythe at Center. And we'll hopefully have Akers for the season, who was quite dominant down the stretch. With that Pro Bowl RG and the young guys continuing to step up (Akers and Jefferson), we could easily find ourselves as a top 10 offense again and a legitimate contender. Keep in mind that Brees just retired and Brady will be another year older.

I think there are a lot of reasons for optimism. We're not far off. Speaking frankly, we may we have beaten the Packers had Donald, Edwards, and Kupp been healthy going into that game.

 

[XXXIVwin]

We were a 10-win team in the regular season. It doesn't take much for us to get over the hump. Reeder would be competing with Kiser, Howard, and the young ILBs. If Lewis got hurt, Hollins or Okoronkwo would step in like they did this year. Plus, Chris Rumph would be there to add another name to the rotation. Frankly, our biggest loss on D would be JJ imo. But Burgess or Rapp are both capable of mitigating that loss. Assuming we replace Staley with another good DC, our defense could be a top unit again.

Offensively, don't underestimate the difference a Pro Bowl OG makes. We go from Blythe getting blown up routinely to Warford bullying people in the running game and keeping Goff clean. Corbett is a much more powerful and physical player than Blythe at Center. And we'll hopefully have Akers for the season, who was quite dominant down the stretch. With that Pro Bowl RG and the young guys continuing to step up (Akers and Jefferson), we could easily find ourselves as a top 10 offense again and a legitimate contender. Keep in mind that Brees just retired and Brady will be another year older.

I think there are a lot of reasons for optimism. We're not far off. Speaking frankly, we may we have beaten the Packers had Donald, Edwards, and Kupp been healthy going into that game.

I hear ya man re. the optimism and obviously I hope you’re right.

I guess I just got spoiled by the 2018 offseason and subsequent run.

For me, that 2018 offseason was the best ever. That team was freaking LOADED... not just the starters, but depth, too. So pumped when we got Peters AND Talib... and even got NRC and Shields to back them up!! That OLine was sick with talent— youngish Whit, dominating Saffold, savvy Sully, top-notch Hav... Gurley still beasting... Woods and Kupp AND the deep threat Cooks... the unbelievable 2-headed monster of AD AND Suh... and the league was still trying to catch up to boy genius McVay...

In the 2018 offseason, EVERYONE was talking about the Rams remarkable moves and how they were primed for a Super Bowl run. Best offseason EVER in my opinion as a Rams fan (or maybe tied with the ‘99 offseason).

My rambling point is... it’s hard for me to imagine the 2021 off-season getting anywhere close to those “magic” offseasons.

Yes, the Rams are a solid playoff team and they are only a couple pieces away. But are they about to take the league by the throat and become a dominating Super-team? Doesn’t look like that’s in the cards.

 

[jrry32]

I hear ya man re. the optimism and obviously I hope you’re right.

I guess I just got spoiled by the 2018 offseason and subsequent run.

For me, that 2018 offseason was the best ever. That team was freaking LOADED... not just the starters, but depth, too. So pumped when we got Peters AND Talib... and even got NRC and Shields to back them up!! That OLine was sick with talent— youngish Whit, dominating Saffold, savvy Sully, top-notch Hav... Gurley still beasting... Woods and Kupp AND the deep threat Cooks... the unbelievable 2-headed monster of AD AND Suh... and the league was still trying to catch up to boy genius McVay...

In the 2018 offseason, EVERYONE was talking about the Rams remarkable moves and how they were primed for a Super Bowl run. Best offseason EVER in my opinion as a Rams fan (or maybe tied with the ‘99 offseason).

My rambling point is... it’s hard for me to imagine the 2021 off-season getting anywhere close to those “magic” offseasons.

Yes, the Rams are a solid playoff team and they are only a couple pieces away. But are they about to take the league by the throat and become a dominating Super-team? Doesn’t look like that’s in the cards.

We didn't have Goff off his rookie contract at that point. Regardless, we don't need the big splashes at this point. Shore up the OL, and the offense will be rolling again. Over the final 7 games, Akers posted 141 carries for 645 rushing yards (4.6 YPC), and 4 rushing TDs on the ground with an additional 11 catches for 147 yards through the air. With Akers having adjusted to the NFL and hopefully ready to step into the third down role, we should have a potent lead HB again. With OL that can open holes and keep Goff clean, we'll have our offense of old back.

Defensively, we're losing some guys, but we have done a good job of drafting replacements who should be ready to step in and play. We likely won't be #1 again next year, especially with Staley leaving. But if we stay in the top 10, we're going to have a very well rounded team. We don't need big splashes. We just need a couple key additions.

 

[den-the-coach]

FWIW and I might be in the minority I don't like Gardner Minshew, maybe it's his 70's porn mustache, maybe it's the fact he just reminds me of a Ham & Egger...My feeling on the rest of the draft is positive, but I'd rather use a 3rd round pick on QB Jamie Newman, as I liked to take a chance on a QB that's big, can run and has a howitzer for an arm....Tired of QB's that underthrow the deep ball.

Unreal about Tommy Tremble as I watch plenty of Notre Dame, when I watched him, I thought most would not notice him, one of the best blocking TE's I have seen in a very long time and if Tremble ends up in horns, I will be doing backflips....The rest is excellent as usual Counselor, however, at QB I don't want somebody short or light, Newman is 6'4 230lbs and I guess I'm just hung up on him.

 

[Mister Sin]

I always look forward to reading these in depth off season predictions from everyone.

 

[Mister Sin]

Question tho, has Whitworth announced he was coming back? And isn't his deal up? I can't remember if he still had a year left or not.