Jrry32's First March Mock Draft

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jrry32

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There have been some interesting rumors since I last made my mock. In this mock, I'll explore a scenario where Saffold walks in FA. As always, I am not trying to guess what the Rams will do. I have no idea what they'll do. I am simply offering up possible scenarios based on my knowledge of our schemes, our tendencies, and players. I pick players I like whom I feel fit our scheme.
Cut
ILB Mark Barron

There's not much to say here. I think we're all agreed on this one. Barron stepped up in the playoffs, but we need somebody who offers more in terms of run fits.

Re-sign
CB Sam Shields
S Blake Countess
ILB Bryce Hager
ILB Cory Littleton - Second Round RFA Tender
CB Dominique Hatfield - ERFA Tender
RS Jojo Natson - ERFA Tender
DL Morgan Fox - ERFA Tender
CB Kevin Peterson - ERFA Tender
OLB Garrett Sickels - ERFA Tender
WR KhaDarel Hodge - ERFA Tender

I doubt there are too many surprises here (as I already mentioned Saffold leaving above). I would say the only two possible surprises are not re-signing Ndamukong Suh or Dante Fowler Jr. I think Suh wants his final multi-year contract. That will make it not feasible to bring him back. I like Fowler Jr., but I am wary of his price tag as a former top pick. I think we all expect Joyner to go.

Free Agency
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Timmy Jernigan NT

The Eagles look likely to let Jernigan go due to his high salary and missing a large chunk of 2018. Many of us want a large NT, but that has never been Wade's forte. While some will think Jernigan undersized at 6'2" 295, Jernigan is a country-strong DT who specializes in run stopping. However, Jernigan does have the ability to put some pressure on the QB. He's an outstanding fit as a 3-4 1-gap NT. Don't let size fool you, Jernigan is an ox in the middle.

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Brian Poole SS

Some people have already made it clear that they're not a fan of this move. That's fine, but I'm trusting my gut here. Poole is interesting because he has spent three years as a slot CB in Atlanta. He was great as a rookie, but he has been so-so (at best) since then. Where he has consistently shined, though, is in his physicality as a run defender and his blitzing off the edge. I think, like LaMarcus Joyner, Poole is a better safety than CB. He doesn't possess the short-area quickness or loose hips to match up well in the slot. Nonetheless, Poole has terrific instincts and is quite adept at reading route combinations. I think he offers exactly the sort of well-rounded skill-set that Wade values in a safety. And after not being tendered by Atlanta and so-so years as a slot CB, I think we can land him at a discounted price despite the fact that he's only 26 years old.

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Blake Bortles QB

Bortles' stock is at the lowest it has ever been. He stunk up the field in 2018 and was one reason why the Jaguars drastically under-performed. Once he is cut, I don't see him getting a big-money deal. I think we can swoop in and offer him a fairly cheap deal. Why I love this idea is because Bortles has actually played solid football when things around him are good. When he's protected, has good play-calling, and good WRs, he's capable of being a competent starting QB. We're only looking for a backup QB. If we have a guy who is capable of being a competent starter in the right situation, we're ahead of most other teams. Think of guys like Nick Foles, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Case Keenum. When they were in bad situations, they looked bad. But they looked like competent QBs when things were going well around them. That made them valuable.


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Ryan Groy C/OG

We tried to sign Groy after the 2016 season when McVay and Kromer had just been hired. The Bills matched our offer and kept him. Groy hasn't played as well away from Kromer's system, so I think we can sign him now cheaper than what we offered a couple years ago. He'll provide quality depth at Center and Guard. With Saffold gone, it's smart to have a guy who can give us quality snaps off the bench at all three interior OL positions.

Trade
LA Rams trade Round 4 Pick #31
Kansas City Chiefs trade OLB Justin Houston

Chiefs are looking to move Houston because of how much he costs and their need to open cap room. They've been shopping him of late. With Houston's age, injury history, and salary, I don't see the Chiefs getting a lot for him. We got Talib for a 5th last year; I think we can land Houston for similar compensation. Houston is still a good all around OLB.

LA Rams trade Round 1 Pick #31
Jacksonville Jaguars trade Round 2 Pick #6 and Round 3 Pick #35

The Jaguars trade up for a player in the late first (possibly an OL). We get our third round pick back.

LA Rams trade Round 3 Pick #31 and Round 3 Pick #35
Tennessee Titans trade Round 3 Pick #18 and Round 4 Pick #19

NFL Draft
Round 2 Pick #6 - Jerry Tillery DL Notre Dame

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_pZJkY2iqg

Analysis: The Rams met with Tillery at the Combine. As it stands now, Tillery is a gifted pass rushing DT who needs to improve as a run defender. He's our replacement for Brockers after 2019. During 2019, he'll be a hell of a rotational pass rusher. At 6'6" 295 with long arms, Tillery possesses an explosive get-off with impressive hand usage and a variety of pass rush moves. He keeps OLs off balance with his diverse approach to pass rushing. He has the ability to win with both quickness and power. On one snap, he'll fire off the LOS, get to the OG's hip early, and win with a rip or swat. On the next snap, he'll fire off the LOS and attack the OG, who overset to counter his speed, with a stab move and push him back to the QB. Simply put, Tillery has a full arsenal of moves and uses them throughout the game to get consistent pressure. I look forward to him learning from Aaron Donald. As a run defender, Tillery has the quickness and speed to disrupt zone blocking schemes, but his high pad level allows him to get washed out of plays too often. At times, he shows the ability to anchor, power his way into the backfield, and play through blocks with his length to disrupt running plays. Nevertheless, he's very inconsistent as a run defender. For every good rep he has, he has a rep where he's moved far too easily out of his gap. That all said, the potential is there if he improves his pad level and anchor.

Round 3 Pick #18 - David Montgomery HB Iowa State

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LiBfP1aBu4

Analysis: David Montgomery reminds me of Le'Veon Bell. While Montgomery has pedestrian speed, he is a highly effective runner due to his elite vision and patience. Montgomery makes it look easy as he sifts his way through chaos. Beyond his vision and patience, Montgomery makes defenders look silly with his ability to stop and start, cut on a dime, and fluid elusive moves. At 5'10" 222, he moves like a ballerina. However, while he's very elusive, he runs like a 220 pound back should, with power and contact balance. He has consistently ranked among the NCAA leaders in broken tackles since becoming a starting HB. Montgomery, like Bell, also shines in the other areas of the game. He's already a NFL-caliber pass protector, showing great blitz recognition, highly effective cut blocks, and a willingness to sacrifice his body to protect his QB. As a receiver, Montgomery is an excellent checkdown option. He's a sure-handed receiver who runs quality routes and is good at settling in the soft spots underneath coverage. Montgomery is a three-down HB who has the entire sets of tools except for top-end speed. Gurley and Montgomery can keep each other fresh.

Round 3 Pick #36 - Kahale Warring TE San Diego State

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SJZM5x-y6g

Analysis: Warring played in SDSU's old school, run-first, pro-style smashmouth offense. He has a lot of experience working as an inline blocker with the technical prowess, functional strength, and size (6'6" 250) to be effective in that role in the NFL. As it stands now, he's a solid blocker who handles LBs and DBs with his polished technical skill, outstanding body control and feet, and strong understanding of positioning; DLs give him a bit more trouble one on one because of their superior power. Still, the kid can block effectively, but that's not what excites me about him. Warring is an incredibly impressive receiving TE. He's a smooth route runner with the quickness and change of direction skills of a big WR. His routes are very crisp, and he uses his size/strength to create additional separation at the break point. Warring also possesses strong mitts, outstanding body control, and the ability to climb the ladder and win in the air. I think a guy like this will excite McVay because he has the ability block inline and be a mismatch in the slot. Warring reminds me a lot of Zach Ertz coming out of college.

Round 4 Pick #19 - Dennis Daley OT/OG South Carolina

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k2y1hfug7U

Analysis: Daley is a bit of a late bloomer as a JUCO transfer. He was tossed into the fire at SC and has generally held up well. Josh Allen and Jachai Polite gave him some problems, but Daley improved as the year went on and had a very impressive performance against Clemson's gifted DL (especially Clelin Ferrell). At 6'5" 317 with around 33.5" arms, Daley has the size to play either tackle or guard. He also has the physical attributes to play either tackle or guard. Daley's best attributes are his power and anchor. At SC, he played LT. He has good enough feet and bend to stick outside in the NFL. As a run blocker, while he has punch, power, and explosion, he doesn't get as much movement as he should because he doesn't play with leverage. As a pass blocker, Daley needs to improve on his sets to keep speed rushers from running the arc on him. He has the base and anchor to stymie bull rushers, his punches are generally well timed and well placed, and he has a great understanding of the game. He is, however, susceptible at times to inside counters because he's a split second late to react. All in all, Daley is an OL who legitimately has the potential to start at every OL spot but Center. He has a high football IQ and has improved rapidly at the college level. I think he'd be a great fit here learning from Kromer and our vets on the OL.

Round 5 Pick #31 - Khalil Hodge ILB Buffalo

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pufPQK3offs

Analysis: Hodge didn't receive an invite to the Combine (which is just nuts). Over the past two years, Hodge has averaged 148 tackles per year. He is a three-time captain and a true defensive leader. His football character is off the charts. However, Hodge is also a limited athlete who fits more into that thumper role that a lot of teams no longer value. Hodge diagnoses plays quicker than any LB I've watched this year. He almost never gets it wrong. He also displays good speed downhill, he has the size (6'1" 250) and strength to take on blockers, he plays with consistent gap integrity, and he rarely misses tackles. Hodge also shows comfort backpedaling in zone coverage and reads the QB well. That all said, Hodge lacks the speed to run sideline to sideline, and he lacks the short-area quickness and fluid hips to handle man coverage responsibilities well in the NFL. He's a very smart and instinctual defender, but he has his athletic limitations. I'd also like to see him use his hands better to keep blockers from getting to his chest. That all said, instincts, play recognition, and football IQ will take you a long ways in the NFL.

Round 6 Pick #31 - David Long CB Michigan

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THsOp5mR-x0

Analysis: I like David Long. He has some limitations. He's undersized at 5'11" 198. He doesn't possess great long speed, so he isn't a guy you'll want to play consistently on an island. That all said, Long can play both outside and in the slot (and did so in college). He has great press-man technique. He's accurate with his hands and patient with his footwork. He is a sound and aware zone defender who doesn't freelance, and he tackles well when needed. I was a bit disappointed with how passive he is as a run defender. He seems content to stay glued to his blocks. But in coverage, he's very sticky, very physical, and consistently pesters the WR. On the down side, he can get bullied by bigger WRs and can be a bit grabby at times. Still, he's a guy who could step in and provide solid play if Talib, Peters, or NRC suffers an injury.

Round 7 Pick #37 - Malik Carney OLB North Carolina

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgCRj7EMcoE

Analysis: Carney is an intriguing pick late in the Draft. At 6'2" 251 with average athleticism, he's probably not going to be a future star. However, Carney is a guy who could stick on the roster as a solid all around OLB and a good special teamer. As an OLB, he has the ability to drop into coverage, play the run, and get after the QB. As a pass rusher, he doesn't have the explosive get off or speed to win with speed in the NFL, but he does have heavy hands, good power, natural leverage, an assortment of moves, and relentless effort which give him some upside in this area. His best move is his spin move, which is quite fluid and plays well off his power. As a run defender, Carney has strength and natural leverage, but his height and play recognition limit him at this stage. He can anchor in against the run and set the edge, but he's late to recognize plays and needs to improve at understanding the blocking schemes to prevent from getting pushed out of the play upfield or pushed down the LOS on down blocks. All in all, Carney is a guy who has the tools to potentially be a solid starter or a good rotational player, and his relentless effort and strong football character should give him a chance to stick here.

Projected Starters
QB: Jared Goff
HB: Todd Gurley
XWR: Brandin Cooks
ZWR: Robert Woods
SLWR: Cooper Kupp
TE: Tyler Higbee or Gerald Everett
LT: Andrew Whitworth
LG: Joseph Noteboom
C: John Sullivan
RG: Austin Blythe
RT: Rob Havenstein

5T: Michael Brockers
NT: Timmy Jernigan
3T: Aaron Donald
WOLB: Justin Houston
Mo LB: Cory Littleton
Mike LB: Micah Kiser
SOLB: Samson Ebukam
RCB: Aqib Talib
LCB: Marcus Peters
SLCB: Nickell Robey-Coleman
FS: John Johnson
SS: Brian Poole

K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Jake McQuaide
 

1maGoh

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I like it, but seeing your depth chart I'm worried about the media grades we will get if we have another draft with no new starters.
 

den-the-coach

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Houston's durability is a concern, but again I love David Montgomery really hoping he's in horns. Bortles perfect backup, but I'm going to miss Saffold. Covered with the signing of Groy and drafting big bad Dennis Daley, with plan in 2020 to kick Daley to LG and Noteboom to LT, but I will miss Saffold.

Tillery a very solid pick as I believe he'll be an excellent pro and like the plan for him taking over for Brockers the following year.
 

Ram65

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Been wondering about Jernigan. Like him but, he hasn't been healthy with the Eagles. Tillery has a lot of potential. If Jernigan can stay healthy these two solidify the D Line. Houston is an interesting option.

Poole gives the Rams a lower cost SS which is good.

Like the shiftiness of Montgomery with his power.

Different draft with some familiar names at TE and Lber. Some lower profile free agents that the Rams can fit in the cap.
 

Memento

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I can't say enough about Warring's potential. Love that pick.

Can't say the same about Tillery. I do like him, but I actually love JFM as a future 5-tech. My belief is that JFM will make a Littleton/JJ3 leap in his second year. I'd prefer a corner/safety at that slot (preferably Rapp, but I actually don't mind the pickup of Poole.)

No complaints about Montgomery. He's a solid runner, and Iowa State seems to churn one out every year.

No complaints about Hodge or Long either. Don't know enough about Carney. Daley is an intriguing pick.

Overall, a good mock, and I have no real complaints.
 

Mojo Ram

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Haven't started any draft work yet so nothing to add there. I do like the Bortles idea.

I believe a #2 QB needs to be either a veteran who's actually fired his rifle in battle
OR
a scrambling/running QB who causes fits for a defense who hasn't gameplanned the off schedule stuff.

Bortles fits the former. Mannion is neither.
 

Tailback

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Justin Hollins from Oregon, who the Rams interviewed at the Shrine game ran a unofficial 4.5 forty. He was a play making machine in some very bad defenses during his career. He weighed in @ 248
 

Tailback

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Haven't started any draft work yet so nothing to add there. I do like the Bortles idea.

I believe a #2 QB needs to be either a veteran who's actually fired his rifle in battle
OR
a scrambling/running QB who causes fits for a defense who hasn't gameplanned the off schedule stuff.

Bortles fits the former. Mannion is neither.

I like the Bortles idea also. McVay can get him coached up and maybe get him back on track.