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This is a bit different from the past stuff I've done in that it's not purely what I'd do. While these are still players I favor, I am choosing players that fit what the Rams typically look for in their scheme fits. That is why Aaron Donald is not in this mock(Rams typically go after taller DTs) and a few other players have been changed up. Yes, I realize we have a 7th from Indy but I don't know which pick it is.
Re-sign
Tim Barnes C - ERFA Tender($570,000)
Jo-Lonn Dunbarr - 2 years $3 million($1.5 million first year cap hit)
Release
Cortland Finnegan CB - $4 million in cap relief(not counting the offset pay he receives in FA)
Harvey Dahl OG - $4 million in cap relief
Scott Wells C - $4.5 million in cap relief
Mike Person OG - $645,000 in cap relief
Jermelle Cudjo DT - $900,000 in cap relief
Analysis: The cuts are pretty typical and expected at this point. Dunbar is brought back for his knowledge of the scheme. Rodger Saffold gets a better offer elsewhere to play OT.
Free Agency Cap Room - $14.755 million
Free Agency
Jon Asamoah RG - $16 million over 4 years($3 million first year cap hit)
Michael Griffin FS - $12 million over 3 years($3 million first year cap hit)
Analysis: Asamoah has shown flashes of brilliance but also has been inconsistent and was benched late in 2013. This should make the 25 year old OG a cheaper commodity. We hand him the same contract that we handed Dahl as a FA. Asamoah still has a ton of potential that Boudreau hopefully can unlock. Michael Griffin is a cap casualty that the Rams scoop up for his knowledge of the scheme and ability to play in deep zone coverage.
Trade
Rams trade:
Pick #2
Falcons trade:
Pick #6
Falcons 3rd
2015 1st
Analysis: Falcons are a team that are wanting to win now. The Rams are willing to deal with them due to our front office ties and our interest in trading down. Clowney has a monster combine and the Falcons feel like they must trade up to get him.
NFL Draft
Round 1 Pick #6 - Jake Matthews OT/OG/C Texas A&M
Analysis: Jeff Fisher coached his father, Bruce, and knows how valuable a player like Jake can be. While Jake's ultimate upside at LT may not be elite, he certainly has the skill-set to be a Jordan Gross type talent at LT. Gross is a 3 time Pro Bowler. When you combine that with his versatility(can play every spot on the OL and Long Snap), Matthews is a great fit for this team. He will give us a great fall-back option if Jake Long isn't ready, Long's successor at LT and a player that will come in and provide steady play wherever we need him in year 1.
Round 1 Pick #13 - Mike Evans WR Texas A&M
Analysis: We double dip on Aggies in the first round. Evans is an underrated athlete with deceptive long strider speed that allowed him to be the SEC's premier deep threat in 2013. He has a big body at 6'5" 225 and is extremely strong at the catch point. Evans is also a physical WR that understands how to position his body and has excellent body control. His run after catch skills are also underrated and he possesses top tier hands. I think he's very comparable as a player to Alshon Jeffery. Plus, Evans didn't start playing football until his senior year of high school.
Round 2 Pick #12 - Kyle Fuller CB Virginia Tech
Analysis: Fuller struggled with injuries in 2013 but when he was on the field, he was arguably the best CB in the nation. Fuller possesses outstanding ball skills, great technique and a good size to speed ratio. He has the quickness and fluidity to play in the slot although when he is on the field, Janoris Jenkins would be more likely to man the slot.
Round 3 Pick #4 - A.J. McCarron QB Alabama
Analysis: Rumor is that the Rams will look to add a developmental QB behind Sam earlier in the draft than expected. McCarron has some flaws but also has the potential to be a starting QB in the NFL. He flashed better than expected velocity and movement skills this year at Alabama. He possesses NFL size at 6'4" 215 and showed off anticipation, sound decision making and a lot of competitiveness at Alabama. He reminds me a bit of Alex Smith but isn't as good of a runner. However, his deep ball is poor because of weight transfer issues stemming from footwork and a lack of confidence in his arm. He also throws off balance too often and needs to be more willing to stand and deliver against the blitz.
Round 3 Pick #11 - Chris Borland OLB/ILB Wisconsin
Analysis: Borland gives the Rams much needed depth at the ILB behind Laurinaitis as well as a player that could compete with Jo-Lonn Dunbar at SLB. Borland is a fearless player that is extremely instinctual and flies to the football. He is an overachiever on the field and lacks NFL length but his high IQ, playmaking ability and willingness to take on blockers in the hole will draw NFL teams to him.
Round 4 Pick #10 - Jaylen Watkins CB/FS Florida
Analysis: The brother of Sammy Watkins, Jaylen has played all over the secondary for Florida. He has the versatility to play outside at CB, in the slot and at FS. He's a scrappy player that tackles well with good quickness and solid foot speed. However, he needs to put on weight and add strength to keep from being pushed around.
Round 5 Pick #13 - Jon Halapio OG Florida
Analysis: The type of player that Boudreau would love. Halapio needs technical refinement and has had durability problems. However, he's a big OG with a lot of strength and a lot of nasty. He's a guy to develop behind Asamoah and Matthews for the future. Has the potential to be a big time run blocker if he can stay healthy. Tough son of a gun though. Played through a torn pectoral.
Round 6 Pick #12 - Brent Urban DT Virginia
Analysis: Urban fits the mold that the Rams typically look for at DT with his 6'6" 300 pound build. He has growth potential to add 10-15 pounds to his frame and already possesses powerful hands and a lot of strength. Urban controls blockers well with his long arms when he wins with the initial punch and generates a lot of push when he maintains leverage. However, he needs to be more consistent at both and has a tendency to play taller as the play goes on. Urban also only has average balance and spends a bit too much time on the ground.
Round 7 Pick #11 - Trey Millard FB Oklahoma
Analysis: Millard is a hyper athletic FB from Oklahoma. He can lead block, catch the ball out of the back-field and run with it effectively. He appeared to be well on his way to being a 4th round pick due to his freakish athleticism for a 6'2" 255 pound FB but he tore his ACL during the 2013 season. Still, he has a lot of potential as a weapon and lead blocker in the NFL.
Projected Starters
QB: Sam Bradford
HB: Zac Stacy
FB: Trey Millard
XWR: Mike Evans
ZWR: Tavon Austin
SLWR: Stedman Bailey
TE: Jared Cook
LT: Jake Long
LG: Jake Matthews
C: Barrett Jones
RG: Jon Asamoah
RT: Joe Barksdale
LDE: Chris Long
LDT: Kendall Langford
RDT: Michael Brockers
RDE: Robert Quinn
WLB: Alec Ogletree
MLB: James Laurinaitis
SLB: Jo-Lonn Dunbar
RCB: Janoris Jenkins
LCB: Trumaine Johnson
SLCB: Kyle Fuller
FS: Michael Griffin
SS: T.J. McDonald
K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
What do you guys think?
Re-sign
Tim Barnes C - ERFA Tender($570,000)
Jo-Lonn Dunbarr - 2 years $3 million($1.5 million first year cap hit)
Release
Cortland Finnegan CB - $4 million in cap relief(not counting the offset pay he receives in FA)
Harvey Dahl OG - $4 million in cap relief
Scott Wells C - $4.5 million in cap relief
Mike Person OG - $645,000 in cap relief
Jermelle Cudjo DT - $900,000 in cap relief
Analysis: The cuts are pretty typical and expected at this point. Dunbar is brought back for his knowledge of the scheme. Rodger Saffold gets a better offer elsewhere to play OT.
Free Agency Cap Room - $14.755 million
Free Agency
Jon Asamoah RG - $16 million over 4 years($3 million first year cap hit)
Michael Griffin FS - $12 million over 3 years($3 million first year cap hit)
Analysis: Asamoah has shown flashes of brilliance but also has been inconsistent and was benched late in 2013. This should make the 25 year old OG a cheaper commodity. We hand him the same contract that we handed Dahl as a FA. Asamoah still has a ton of potential that Boudreau hopefully can unlock. Michael Griffin is a cap casualty that the Rams scoop up for his knowledge of the scheme and ability to play in deep zone coverage.
Trade
Rams trade:
Pick #2
Falcons trade:
Pick #6
Falcons 3rd
2015 1st
Analysis: Falcons are a team that are wanting to win now. The Rams are willing to deal with them due to our front office ties and our interest in trading down. Clowney has a monster combine and the Falcons feel like they must trade up to get him.
NFL Draft
Round 1 Pick #6 - Jake Matthews OT/OG/C Texas A&M
Analysis: Jeff Fisher coached his father, Bruce, and knows how valuable a player like Jake can be. While Jake's ultimate upside at LT may not be elite, he certainly has the skill-set to be a Jordan Gross type talent at LT. Gross is a 3 time Pro Bowler. When you combine that with his versatility(can play every spot on the OL and Long Snap), Matthews is a great fit for this team. He will give us a great fall-back option if Jake Long isn't ready, Long's successor at LT and a player that will come in and provide steady play wherever we need him in year 1.
Round 1 Pick #13 - Mike Evans WR Texas A&M
Analysis: We double dip on Aggies in the first round. Evans is an underrated athlete with deceptive long strider speed that allowed him to be the SEC's premier deep threat in 2013. He has a big body at 6'5" 225 and is extremely strong at the catch point. Evans is also a physical WR that understands how to position his body and has excellent body control. His run after catch skills are also underrated and he possesses top tier hands. I think he's very comparable as a player to Alshon Jeffery. Plus, Evans didn't start playing football until his senior year of high school.
Round 2 Pick #12 - Kyle Fuller CB Virginia Tech
Analysis: Fuller struggled with injuries in 2013 but when he was on the field, he was arguably the best CB in the nation. Fuller possesses outstanding ball skills, great technique and a good size to speed ratio. He has the quickness and fluidity to play in the slot although when he is on the field, Janoris Jenkins would be more likely to man the slot.
Round 3 Pick #4 - A.J. McCarron QB Alabama
Analysis: Rumor is that the Rams will look to add a developmental QB behind Sam earlier in the draft than expected. McCarron has some flaws but also has the potential to be a starting QB in the NFL. He flashed better than expected velocity and movement skills this year at Alabama. He possesses NFL size at 6'4" 215 and showed off anticipation, sound decision making and a lot of competitiveness at Alabama. He reminds me a bit of Alex Smith but isn't as good of a runner. However, his deep ball is poor because of weight transfer issues stemming from footwork and a lack of confidence in his arm. He also throws off balance too often and needs to be more willing to stand and deliver against the blitz.
Round 3 Pick #11 - Chris Borland OLB/ILB Wisconsin
Analysis: Borland gives the Rams much needed depth at the ILB behind Laurinaitis as well as a player that could compete with Jo-Lonn Dunbar at SLB. Borland is a fearless player that is extremely instinctual and flies to the football. He is an overachiever on the field and lacks NFL length but his high IQ, playmaking ability and willingness to take on blockers in the hole will draw NFL teams to him.
Round 4 Pick #10 - Jaylen Watkins CB/FS Florida
Analysis: The brother of Sammy Watkins, Jaylen has played all over the secondary for Florida. He has the versatility to play outside at CB, in the slot and at FS. He's a scrappy player that tackles well with good quickness and solid foot speed. However, he needs to put on weight and add strength to keep from being pushed around.
Round 5 Pick #13 - Jon Halapio OG Florida
Analysis: The type of player that Boudreau would love. Halapio needs technical refinement and has had durability problems. However, he's a big OG with a lot of strength and a lot of nasty. He's a guy to develop behind Asamoah and Matthews for the future. Has the potential to be a big time run blocker if he can stay healthy. Tough son of a gun though. Played through a torn pectoral.
Round 6 Pick #12 - Brent Urban DT Virginia
Analysis: Urban fits the mold that the Rams typically look for at DT with his 6'6" 300 pound build. He has growth potential to add 10-15 pounds to his frame and already possesses powerful hands and a lot of strength. Urban controls blockers well with his long arms when he wins with the initial punch and generates a lot of push when he maintains leverage. However, he needs to be more consistent at both and has a tendency to play taller as the play goes on. Urban also only has average balance and spends a bit too much time on the ground.
Round 7 Pick #11 - Trey Millard FB Oklahoma
Analysis: Millard is a hyper athletic FB from Oklahoma. He can lead block, catch the ball out of the back-field and run with it effectively. He appeared to be well on his way to being a 4th round pick due to his freakish athleticism for a 6'2" 255 pound FB but he tore his ACL during the 2013 season. Still, he has a lot of potential as a weapon and lead blocker in the NFL.
Projected Starters
QB: Sam Bradford
HB: Zac Stacy
FB: Trey Millard
XWR: Mike Evans
ZWR: Tavon Austin
SLWR: Stedman Bailey
TE: Jared Cook
LT: Jake Long
LG: Jake Matthews
C: Barrett Jones
RG: Jon Asamoah
RT: Joe Barksdale
LDE: Chris Long
LDT: Kendall Langford
RDT: Michael Brockers
RDE: Robert Quinn
WLB: Alec Ogletree
MLB: James Laurinaitis
SLB: Jo-Lonn Dunbar
RCB: Janoris Jenkins
LCB: Trumaine Johnson
SLCB: Kyle Fuller
FS: Michael Griffin
SS: T.J. McDonald
K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
What do you guys think?
