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I decided to give you guys a mock that is very different from my last few. There are going to be some names that you recognize from past mocks, but I wanted to change things up a bit with how I handled cuts and free agency. As always, this is what I'd do as GM...not what I think the Rams will do (because I certainly can't predict that).
Cut
HB Tre Mason
TE Lance Kendricks
DE Eugene Sims
C Tim Barnes
Re-sign
K Greg Zuerlein - 3 years $7.5 million
HB Benny Cunningham - 3 years $4.5 million
DT Dominique Easley - RFA Tender
DT Louis Trinca-Pasat - ERFA Tender
Free Agency - Big Money Acquisitions
Ronald Leary LG - 5 years $40 million
We need OL help. There were rumors that Dallas was trying to trade Leary before the season. With the injury to La'El Collins, Leary stepped back into his starting spot. He was also a starter on the dominant 2014 Cowboys OL. Leary is a mauling run blocker who has the versatility to play in either a ZBS or a PBS. He's also a quality pass protector. Either ways, he's a huge upgrade on what we have.
Logan Ryan CB - 5 years $40 million
Logan Ryan is a quality #2 CB. He has outstanding ball-skills and is a versatile cover CB. Ryan also tackles well and plays the run with a lot of effort and physicality. He's able to handle both zone and man responsibilities. Ryan has been a big reason behind the Patriots success the past couple years. He stepped up when Revis and Browner departed and has provided quality play in their stead. He should pair well with Brandon Carr in Wade's scheme.
DeSean Jackson WR - 3 years $24 million
Initially, I had some concerns about Jackson coming to LA because of his reported ties to gang members. However, it genuinely seems like McVay and Jackson have a very close relationship. With Jackson being from LA, I think he'd be willing to come here if we match his best offer. He definitely offers us a nice skill-set. He put up 1000+ yards in McVay's offense this year.
Brandon Carr CB - 3 years $22.5 million
There were brief talks of Carr retiring after the Cowboys loss, but those seemed to be more reactionary than anything. Carr loves the game of football and is a high IQ player. He fits what Wade looks for in his boundary CBs (long, physical, and great at pressing). Carr played at a high level this year for the Cowboys. He has limitations, but if you use him correctly, he's a fringe #1 CB.
Free Agency - Cheaper Signings
J.J. Wilcox FS/SS - 4 years $14 million
Terrell McClain NT - 3 years $6 million
Stefen Wisniewski C - 2 years $5 million
Dekoda Watson ILB/OLB - 2 years $2 million
Sean Lissemore NT - 2 years $2 million
Louis Vasquez OG - 1 year $1 million
Dwight Freeney OLB - 1 year $1 million
NFL Draft
Round 2 Pick #5 - T.J. Watt OLB Wisconsin
Summary: The brother of J.J. is also a very talented kid in his own right. Watt possesses a NFL frame with growth potential at 6'5" 245 and long arms. He has the strength and punch power to push tackles around along with the speed to threaten the edge. Watt uses a variety of moves to keep OLs off guard and does a nice job of finding the ball. Watt has an extremely high ceiling despite not being an overly raw player. He already shows the instincts to always be around the ball, the football IQ to understand how to attack the OL in front of him, and the Watt penchant for deflecting passes at the LOS. The comparison that springs to mind while watching him is Clay Matthews.
Round 3 Pick #5 - Isaiah "Zay" Jones WR East Carolina
Summary: Zay Jones had a dominant Senior Bowl week and game after posting 158 receptions his senior season at East Carolina. Jones actually set the NCAA career receptions record with 399 career receptions in his four-year career. Zay is the son of former NFL LB Robert Jones, who won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys in the 90s. Zay lacks great top-end speed, but he compensates for that by being an incredible technician and catching any pass in his zip code. Zay offers two things that the Rams desperately need, route running and reliable hands. On top of that, he's 6'2" 205 with long arms; this gives him a huge catch radius.
Round 4 Pick #5 - Jon Toth C/OG Kentucky
Summary: Toth started 48 games in his college as a four-year starter at Kentucky. He had a strong Senior Bowl week and graded out as the top offensive lineman in the Senior Bowl game according to PFF. Toth has NFL size at 6'5" 308 with 33 inch arms. Some feel that he's too tall to play Center and will be better off at OG. I disagree. I thought he did an impressive job of keeping his pad level down while firing out of his stance in college. Toth is a technically sound player who lacks dominant physical talent. He's a solid athlete with solid strength. But he more than compensates for his only solid physical tools with his great body control, polished footwork, and consistent hand use. He will not make it easy for Wisniewski to hold onto the Center job.
Round 4 Comp Pick - Ishmael Zamora WR Baylor
Summary: Frankly, Zamora is a scummy person. He was suspended for 3 games by Baylor this year for beating his dog. That makes me sick. But the guy is also a freakish athlete. If you want the next Josh Gordon, Zamora looks like he might be that guy. He's listed at 6'4" 220, has blazing speed, attacks the ball in the air, and plays with physicality. He also runs effectively after the catch and will finish catches through contact. Crappy person but has the potential to be a dominant NFL WR with the right coaching. It won't surprise me if he moves up into the second round during the pre-draft process despite his character red flags.
Round 5 Pick #5 - Jonnu Smith TE Florida International
Summary: Jonnu has the potential to be a Jordan Reed-like player in McVay's scheme. At 6'3" 245, Jonnu is undersized for an inline TE. However, he's a willing blocker with the strength to handle himself in the NFL. He won't be Gronkowski, but he won't be a total liability either. Where Jonnu truly shines is as a pass-catcher. Like Jordan Reed, he'll sometimes let passes into his body. However, Jonnu's hip flexibility and quickness make him potentially special. He moves and cuts like a WR. He can break tackles and create yardage after the catch too. He has a very high ceiling as a move TE.
Round 6 Pick #5 - Joshua Holsey CB Auburn
Summary: Holsey is another guy on my list of underrated CBs. This is such a deep and talented class that a guy like Holsey can go unnoticed. Holsey had two torn ACLs in his career, so that is a concern with him. However, he has exceptionally quick feet, the speed to run with WRs deep, loose hips, and good ball-skills. He can get a little grabby at times, but as we all know, some CBs use that to their advantage (*cough* Richard Sherman). Holsey is a CB who hides it well and uses it to his advantage. Holsey handled a number of top college WRs, including Mike Williams, during his senior season at Auburn.
Round 6 Comp Pick - Joey Ivie DE Florida
Summary: Ivie is an underrated player in this class. He's an underrated athlete with a relentless motor who has the ability to be a productive rotational interior DL at the NFL level. Ivie uses his hands well and does a nice job of stacking and shedding blocks in the run game. He's athletic enough to disrupt plays in the back-field and pressure QBs in the passing game. I think there's a strong chance that Joey Ivie's best football is ahead of him.
Round 7 Pick #5 - Marcus Rios CB UCLA
Summary: Rios has an interesting backstory. He is a survivor. Early in his college career, Rios found out that he had a fungal infection behind his eye and beneath his brain. This infection was very rare and had killed almost every person who had it. Rios survived the infection and returned to the field for the Bruins. When I watched him, I was impressed with his movement skills and ball-skills. I'm taking a flier on him here because I think he has the athleticism and attitude to possibly develop into something down the line.
Projected Starters
QB: Jared Goff
HB: Todd Gurley
FB: Cory Harkey
XWR: Zay Jones vs. Ishmael Zamora vs. Mike Thomas
ZWR: DeSean Jackson
SLWR: Tavon Austin
TE: Tyler Higbee
LT: Greg Robinson vs. Rodger Saffold
LG: Ronald Leary
C: Stefen Wisniewski vs. Jon Toth
RG: Jamon Brown vs. Greg Robinson vs. Rodger Saffold vs. Louis Vasquez
RT: Rob Havenstein
LDE: Michael Brockers
NT: Terrell McClain
RDE: Aaron Donald
LOLB: T.J. Watt
LILB: Mark Barron
RILB: Alec Ogletree
ROLB: Robert Quinn
LCB: Brandon Carr
RCB: Logan Ryan
SLCB: LaMarcus Joyner vs. Joshua Holsey vs. E.J. Gaines
FS: J.J. Wilcox vs. LaMarcus Joyner
SS: Maurice Alexander
K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Jake McQuaide
KR: Benny Cunningham
PR: Tavon Austin
Cut
HB Tre Mason
TE Lance Kendricks
DE Eugene Sims
C Tim Barnes
Re-sign
K Greg Zuerlein - 3 years $7.5 million
HB Benny Cunningham - 3 years $4.5 million
DT Dominique Easley - RFA Tender
DT Louis Trinca-Pasat - ERFA Tender
Free Agency - Big Money Acquisitions
Ronald Leary LG - 5 years $40 million
We need OL help. There were rumors that Dallas was trying to trade Leary before the season. With the injury to La'El Collins, Leary stepped back into his starting spot. He was also a starter on the dominant 2014 Cowboys OL. Leary is a mauling run blocker who has the versatility to play in either a ZBS or a PBS. He's also a quality pass protector. Either ways, he's a huge upgrade on what we have.
Logan Ryan CB - 5 years $40 million
Logan Ryan is a quality #2 CB. He has outstanding ball-skills and is a versatile cover CB. Ryan also tackles well and plays the run with a lot of effort and physicality. He's able to handle both zone and man responsibilities. Ryan has been a big reason behind the Patriots success the past couple years. He stepped up when Revis and Browner departed and has provided quality play in their stead. He should pair well with Brandon Carr in Wade's scheme.
DeSean Jackson WR - 3 years $24 million
Initially, I had some concerns about Jackson coming to LA because of his reported ties to gang members. However, it genuinely seems like McVay and Jackson have a very close relationship. With Jackson being from LA, I think he'd be willing to come here if we match his best offer. He definitely offers us a nice skill-set. He put up 1000+ yards in McVay's offense this year.
Brandon Carr CB - 3 years $22.5 million
There were brief talks of Carr retiring after the Cowboys loss, but those seemed to be more reactionary than anything. Carr loves the game of football and is a high IQ player. He fits what Wade looks for in his boundary CBs (long, physical, and great at pressing). Carr played at a high level this year for the Cowboys. He has limitations, but if you use him correctly, he's a fringe #1 CB.
Free Agency - Cheaper Signings
J.J. Wilcox FS/SS - 4 years $14 million
Terrell McClain NT - 3 years $6 million
Stefen Wisniewski C - 2 years $5 million
Dekoda Watson ILB/OLB - 2 years $2 million
Sean Lissemore NT - 2 years $2 million
Louis Vasquez OG - 1 year $1 million
Dwight Freeney OLB - 1 year $1 million
NFL Draft
Round 2 Pick #5 - T.J. Watt OLB Wisconsin
Summary: The brother of J.J. is also a very talented kid in his own right. Watt possesses a NFL frame with growth potential at 6'5" 245 and long arms. He has the strength and punch power to push tackles around along with the speed to threaten the edge. Watt uses a variety of moves to keep OLs off guard and does a nice job of finding the ball. Watt has an extremely high ceiling despite not being an overly raw player. He already shows the instincts to always be around the ball, the football IQ to understand how to attack the OL in front of him, and the Watt penchant for deflecting passes at the LOS. The comparison that springs to mind while watching him is Clay Matthews.
Round 3 Pick #5 - Isaiah "Zay" Jones WR East Carolina
Summary: Zay Jones had a dominant Senior Bowl week and game after posting 158 receptions his senior season at East Carolina. Jones actually set the NCAA career receptions record with 399 career receptions in his four-year career. Zay is the son of former NFL LB Robert Jones, who won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys in the 90s. Zay lacks great top-end speed, but he compensates for that by being an incredible technician and catching any pass in his zip code. Zay offers two things that the Rams desperately need, route running and reliable hands. On top of that, he's 6'2" 205 with long arms; this gives him a huge catch radius.
Round 4 Pick #5 - Jon Toth C/OG Kentucky
Summary: Toth started 48 games in his college as a four-year starter at Kentucky. He had a strong Senior Bowl week and graded out as the top offensive lineman in the Senior Bowl game according to PFF. Toth has NFL size at 6'5" 308 with 33 inch arms. Some feel that he's too tall to play Center and will be better off at OG. I disagree. I thought he did an impressive job of keeping his pad level down while firing out of his stance in college. Toth is a technically sound player who lacks dominant physical talent. He's a solid athlete with solid strength. But he more than compensates for his only solid physical tools with his great body control, polished footwork, and consistent hand use. He will not make it easy for Wisniewski to hold onto the Center job.
Round 4 Comp Pick - Ishmael Zamora WR Baylor
Summary: Frankly, Zamora is a scummy person. He was suspended for 3 games by Baylor this year for beating his dog. That makes me sick. But the guy is also a freakish athlete. If you want the next Josh Gordon, Zamora looks like he might be that guy. He's listed at 6'4" 220, has blazing speed, attacks the ball in the air, and plays with physicality. He also runs effectively after the catch and will finish catches through contact. Crappy person but has the potential to be a dominant NFL WR with the right coaching. It won't surprise me if he moves up into the second round during the pre-draft process despite his character red flags.
Round 5 Pick #5 - Jonnu Smith TE Florida International
Summary: Jonnu has the potential to be a Jordan Reed-like player in McVay's scheme. At 6'3" 245, Jonnu is undersized for an inline TE. However, he's a willing blocker with the strength to handle himself in the NFL. He won't be Gronkowski, but he won't be a total liability either. Where Jonnu truly shines is as a pass-catcher. Like Jordan Reed, he'll sometimes let passes into his body. However, Jonnu's hip flexibility and quickness make him potentially special. He moves and cuts like a WR. He can break tackles and create yardage after the catch too. He has a very high ceiling as a move TE.
Round 6 Pick #5 - Joshua Holsey CB Auburn
Summary: Holsey is another guy on my list of underrated CBs. This is such a deep and talented class that a guy like Holsey can go unnoticed. Holsey had two torn ACLs in his career, so that is a concern with him. However, he has exceptionally quick feet, the speed to run with WRs deep, loose hips, and good ball-skills. He can get a little grabby at times, but as we all know, some CBs use that to their advantage (*cough* Richard Sherman). Holsey is a CB who hides it well and uses it to his advantage. Holsey handled a number of top college WRs, including Mike Williams, during his senior season at Auburn.
Round 6 Comp Pick - Joey Ivie DE Florida
Summary: Ivie is an underrated player in this class. He's an underrated athlete with a relentless motor who has the ability to be a productive rotational interior DL at the NFL level. Ivie uses his hands well and does a nice job of stacking and shedding blocks in the run game. He's athletic enough to disrupt plays in the back-field and pressure QBs in the passing game. I think there's a strong chance that Joey Ivie's best football is ahead of him.
Round 7 Pick #5 - Marcus Rios CB UCLA
Summary: Rios has an interesting backstory. He is a survivor. Early in his college career, Rios found out that he had a fungal infection behind his eye and beneath his brain. This infection was very rare and had killed almost every person who had it. Rios survived the infection and returned to the field for the Bruins. When I watched him, I was impressed with his movement skills and ball-skills. I'm taking a flier on him here because I think he has the athleticism and attitude to possibly develop into something down the line.
Projected Starters
QB: Jared Goff
HB: Todd Gurley
FB: Cory Harkey
XWR: Zay Jones vs. Ishmael Zamora vs. Mike Thomas
ZWR: DeSean Jackson
SLWR: Tavon Austin
TE: Tyler Higbee
LT: Greg Robinson vs. Rodger Saffold
LG: Ronald Leary
C: Stefen Wisniewski vs. Jon Toth
RG: Jamon Brown vs. Greg Robinson vs. Rodger Saffold vs. Louis Vasquez
RT: Rob Havenstein
LDE: Michael Brockers
NT: Terrell McClain
RDE: Aaron Donald
LOLB: T.J. Watt
LILB: Mark Barron
RILB: Alec Ogletree
ROLB: Robert Quinn
LCB: Brandon Carr
RCB: Logan Ryan
SLCB: LaMarcus Joyner vs. Joshua Holsey vs. E.J. Gaines
FS: J.J. Wilcox vs. LaMarcus Joyner
SS: Maurice Alexander
K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Jake McQuaide
KR: Benny Cunningham
PR: Tavon Austin
