Jrry32's First Mock Offseason of 2025

[Elmgrovegnome]

It’s a bit early for me to be getting deep into specific players. However, I keep thinking overall strategy. Towards the end of the season, after the Bills game, teams used more man press coverage against the Rams. The Rams offense with Stafford carves up zone defense, but isn’t finding a pass catcher who excels against man coverage a need for the Rams? Last year their priority free agent was Mike Evans. The second option was Cortland Sutton in a trade. The draft priority was Brock Bowers. I don’t think that has changed at all. The need is still there. (Evans would have been the difference between losing to the Eagles and getting to the NFC championship game imo).

Another point is that Stafford seems to be headed towards a new contract to get more guaranteed money from the Rams. That will reduce free agent spending.

 

[Memento]

I'll simply say I disagree. I watched every snap Pitts took in college. He wasn't a problem child. There were issues in Atlanta last year that made things very dysfunctional. When I watched them play this year, I didn't see Pitts quitting on plays. I'll take my chances with him at the right price. I trust the coaches and culture here. If it doesn't pan out, we let him walk at season's end.

Yeah, he is a different case. Because you're talking about spending a first round pick on a guy who loafs around when he's not the centerpiece in a play, including when blocking. There's no doubting the talent. But we ask our WRs to do a lot of unheralded work in this offense. The last thing we need is a first round pick who can't get on the field because he half-asses his blocking and routes when he's not heavily involved in the offense.

If Burden falls in the draft, I'd consider him. But I'm not taking a guy like that in the first round. I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a D.J. Moore like player in the NFL. He has plenty of talent. But it's a risk I wouldn't take with the WRs and TEs we have to choose from. It's simply not a fit for what we do. It's why I look for WRs who seem to enjoy doing the dirty work and revel in the physical aspects of the game, ball or not.

And I'd trust the coaches and culture here if LB3 falls to us in the first round. Far more than I trust Pitts. It's not like LB3 is or was a problem child at Mizzou either, far from it. I highly doubt he half-asses his blocks with veterans like Kupp and Nacua and Whittington and Robinson around him because he hasn't had time or talent to properly learn.

But I'm assuming he doesn't fall in the draft to us; I can't imagine him getting past the Bengals. That's why I'm hitching my bet to Jalen Royals with an early third/late second.

 

[jrry32]

And I'd trust the coaches and culture here if LB3 falls to us in the first round. Far more than I trust Pitts. It's not like LB3 is or was a problem child at Mizzou either, far from it. I highly doubt he half-asses his blocks with veterans like Kupp and Nacua and Whittington and Robinson around him because he hasn't had time or talent to properly learn.

But I'm assuming he doesn't fall in the draft to us; I can't imagine him getting past the Bengals. That's why I'm hitching my bet to Jalen Royals with an early third/late second.

And if he does? Because you're assuming that issues you saw from Pitts in the past will rear their ugly head here. If we apply that same presumption to Burden, there's a massive difference between taking a risk with two Day 3 picks and taking a risk with our 1st round pick. It's simply not a risk I'm willing to take at that point in the draft, no matter how much I like Burden's run after catch ability.

 

[jrry32]

It’s a bit early for me to be getting deep into specific players. However, I keep thinking overall strategy. Towards the end of the season, after the Bills game, teams used more man press coverage against the Rams. The Rams offense with Stafford carves up zone defense, but isn’t finding a pass catcher who excels against man coverage a need for the Rams? Last year their priority free agent was Mike Evans. The second option was Cortland Sutton in a trade. The draft priority was Brock Bowers. I don’t think that has changed at all. The need is still there. (Evans would have been the difference between losing to the Eagles and getting to the NFC championship game imo).

Another point is that Stafford seems to be headed towards a new contract to get more guaranteed money from the Rams. That will reduce free agent spending.

I don't know that Stafford's new contract will impact our available cap space. Guaranteed money is more about real-world impact than the salary cap accounting.

 

[JonRam99]

Love the Pitts & Bolton F/A's, that would be awesome. Pitts is consistently talked about as one of the best TE's just not used much by ATL -- McVay would fix that.
The TX kid at CB would be great, and with Gaines & Bolton would put our "D" in top 5 territory. I think getting a CB in the draft is smart, he could push Forbes, Durant, Spoon etc. to get better.
I think I agree overall with trading down to get an extra 3rd--considering where our current draft slot is, #26, and we don't pick again in the 2nd?? so much talent available there & in rd 3, good call to get an extra pick where value meets need.
Not sure about your RB or WR picks though, Golden didn't "pop" on his highlights, nor the RB, though they look solid we really need home run hitters. Our O is struggling & really needs some lighting. Pitts will help with this, him & Higgs would be great together.
...umm I think I saw a post on X about maybe we could see what Seattle wants for DK??

 

[Memento]

And if he does? Because you're assuming that issues you saw from Pitts in the past will rear their ugly head here. If we apply that same presumption to Burden, there's a massive difference between taking a risk with two Day 3 picks and taking a risk with our 1st round pick. It's simply not a risk I'm willing to take at that point in the draft, no matter how much I like Burden's run after catch ability.

If he does, you take him without a second thought because he's a top three receiver talent in this class, and arguably top ten period. Every elite prospect taken out of the top ten had risks associated with them. Micah Parsons had supposed character issues before Dallas took him with a top fifteen pick. Aaron Donald was a risky pick with his size. Randy Moss and Warren Sapp had character red flags when they were selected. Think people regret those choices now?

Quite frankly, I see less concerns with Burden than I do with Pitts. Pitts has struggled since his second year in the league, has struggled even when he had help around him and a competent quarterback like this year. Pitts has loafed on routes even targeting him this year, and that's a risk I'm not willing to take, even with two Day Three picks that I know the Rams have the capability of spending better. Burden, at least, has never done that.

EDIT: If it was someone like Michael Mayer who merely got lost in the shuffle behind one of the best young tight ends in the game, I'd understand it a lot more than Pitts. I just don't see the point to risk two Day Three picks on a future free agent who has notable issues.

 

[Merlin]

What I hate:

The slot role is the key to this offense going forward. Pitts is a great athlete who was overvalued due to his perceived upside. Now all these years later that upside is not as valuable as it once was, and he is not a fit for what works for McVay in that role. He's not a fluid route runner who can get open across the middle and carry a heavy load in the pass game to spell Kupp, and he's not good enough outside the hash to opt for him over a wideout they could add in FA or draft. I expect this move would leave our offense looking a lot like it already does. Also the Rams could get similar production without needing to trade a pick by just signing Gesicki but just like with Pitts it wouldn't be good enough. McVay needs a new slot option to move this offense forward in case Kupp can't get his game back.

What I love:

Buying low on Levis. He is potentially the perfect undervalued young QB for the Rams to pounce on if the Titans draft a new one.

Trading down. Player quality in round 3 is excellent. There's a lot of options to help us and possibly start or play significant roles. Only caveat I'd have with that is make sure that high graded player who slides isn't sitting there. Also if there is a pass catching TE graded on my board there who ideally projects to that slot role for McVay (Warren or Fannin for example) I take him. I realize Fannin is listed quite a bit lower on sites right now but I think that will change when they catch wind that teams don't care about his level of competition. His game is elite.

Golden & Barron. Mentioned this before that I am not a fan of Sark. Watching that offense, every time I think to myself "Golden would really be something with a top QB and scheme." Also Barron is precisely what we need on defense. So even though I give you shit above with Pitts, I'd be very happy with that haul at the top.

 

[jrry32]

If he does, you take him without a second thought because he's a top three receiver talent in this class, and arguably top ten period. Every elite prospect taken out of the top ten had risks associated with them. Micah Parsons had supposed character issues before Dallas took him with a top fifteen pick. Aaron Donald was a risky pick with his size. Randy Moss and Warren Sapp had character red flags when they were selected. Think people regret those choices now?

Aaron Donald might have had size questions, but nobody doubted his motor. You listed some great players who had character concerns. There's also a long list of guys who busted because they were lazy and selfish. Ultimately, fit is as important as talent. We ask our WRs to do a lot of things Burden didn't seem to like doing at Missouri. That worries me.

Quite frankly, I see less concerns with Burden than I do with Pitts. Pitts has struggled since his second year in the league, has struggled even when he had help around him and a competent quarterback like this year. Pitts has loafed on routes even targeting him this year, and that's a risk I'm not willing to take, even with two Day Three picks that I know the Rams have the capability of spending better. Burden, at least, has never done that.

This argument would have more legs if I was arguing for using a first round pick on Kyle Pitts. Here are some facts. Pitts was talented enough to be a top 5 pick as a TE. He put up 1000+ yards as a rookie. He's still huge and incredibly athletic. And Burden repeatedly loafed this year, so I'm baffled how you could passionately argue for him in the first round while disqualifying Pitts for far lesser draft compensation for that reason.

If you don't think Pitts has the goods, so be it. I will disagree, but it's at least an argument I can square with your argument in favor of Burden. The loafing criticism is just a double standard, sis.

I'll also add that Pitts didn't have a competent QB this year. Cousins was a shell of himself. He was so shit that Rah benched him for a rookie QB. Reports are that the Bengals, Chiefs, and Ravens are interested in Pitts. Say what you will, but those are three pretty damn smart organizations when it comes to receiving talent. We'll see who trades for him (if anybody) and what it costs.

 

[Memento]

Aaron Donald might have had size questions, but nobody doubted his motor. You listed some great players who had character concerns. There's also a long list of guys who busted because they were lazy and selfish. Ultimately, fit is as important as talent. We ask our WRs to do a lot of things Burden didn't seem to like doing at Missouri. That worries me.

This argument would have more legs if I was arguing for using a first round pick on Kyle Pitts. Here are some facts. Pitts was talented enough to be a top 5 pick as a TE. He put up 1000+ yards as a rookie. He's still huge and incredibly athletic. And Burden repeatedly loafed this year, so I'm baffled how you could passionately argue for him in the first round while disqualifying Pitts for far lesser draft compensation for that reason.

If you don't think Pitts has the goods, so be it. I will disagree, but it's at least an argument I can square with your argument in favor of Burden. The loafing criticism is just a double standard, sis.

I'll also add that Pitts didn't have a competent QB this year. Cousins was a shell of himself. He was so shit that Rah benched him for a rookie QB. Reports are that the Bengals, Chiefs, and Ravens are interested in Pitts. Say what you will, but those are three pretty damn smart organizations when it comes to receiving talent. We'll see who trades for him (if anybody) and what it costs.

I listed elite players that would've gone a lot higher than their draft stock may say, and I feel that Burden could be another one of them. Burden may be a bit of a diva, but he wasn't lazy last year. And it's not like McVay wouldn't take divas on his team, given his chances on Desean Jackson, Odell Beckham Jr., and Marcus Peters.

Burden loafed when the ball wasn't going towards him this year. It wasn't a concern last year - and believe me, I've watched more Mizzou games than you (unless you, too, have watched all of them) and Burden in particular. And our quarterbacks sucked this year, unlike last year; we had our backup in multiple times, and Cook was playing hurt the whole year. Hell, Burden himself was playing hurt most of the year, which was more of a concern to me than him loafing on passes. I could at least justify it as protecting his draft stock, which I wouldn't mind; even players like Jamarr Chase have done that with Chase sitting out the whole year.

Pitts has loafed when the ball was going his way this year; there is tape on that. That's a massive red flag, and I don't know how anyone can justify it, especially going into what amounts to a contract year. If you were going for someone like Michael Mayer of the Raiders, I'd be all for it. Honestly, I think he has only a little less upside than Pitts, and he could potentially solve a massive tight end problem. Would it cost a fourth this year and another high pick next year? Sure, but that's a price I'm more willing to pay than Pitts, who is only signed for this next year. and hasn't produced since his rookie year.

 

[jrry32]

I listed elite players that would've gone a lot higher than their draft stock may say, and I feel that Burden could be another one of them. Burden may be a bit of a diva, but he wasn't lazy last year. And it's not like McVay wouldn't take divas on his team, given his chances on Desean Jackson, Odell Beckham Jr., and Marcus Peters.

Burden loafed when the ball wasn't going towards him this year. It wasn't a concern last year - and believe me, I've watched more Mizzou games than you (unless you, too, have watched all of them) and Burden in particular. And our quarterbacks sucked this year, unlike last year; we had our backup in multiple times, and Cook was playing hurt the whole year. Hell, Burden himself was playing hurt most of the year, which was more of a concern to me than him loafing on passes. I could at least justify it as protecting his draft stock, which I wouldn't mind; even players like Jamarr Chase have done that with Chase sitting out the whole year.

Pitts has loafed when the ball was going his way this year; there is tape on that. That's a massive red flag, and I don't know how anyone can justify it, especially going into what amounts to a contract year. If you were going for someone like Michael Mayer of the Raiders, I'd be all for it. Honestly, I think he has only a little less upside than Pitts, and he could potentially solve a massive tight end problem. Would it cost a fourth this year and another high pick next year? Sure, but that's a price I'm more willing to pay than Pitts, who is only signed for this next year. and hasn't produced since his rookie year.

As I said before, if you have an issue with the talent, fine. But you can't defend loafing with one player does it and condemn it when a different player does it. I will reiterate, Burden and Pitts are both great talents. I am willing to take a risk on character concerns, including loafing, at the right spot in the draft. I won't do that in the first round, unless we're talking about a Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson, etc. type talent. Burden isn't that.

 

[Memento]

As I said before, if you have an issue with the talent, fine. But you can't defend loafing with one player does it and condemn it when a different player does it. I will reiterate, Burden and Pitts are both great talents. I am willing to take a risk on character concerns, including loafing, at the right spot in the draft. I won't do that in the first round, unless we're talking about a Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson, etc. type talent. Burden isn't that.

There's loafing when you're not part of the play and then there's loafing when you're the part of the play. Burden is the former (and he didn't do it last year; only this year); Pitts is the latter. There are different kinds of loafing, like I've continuously said, and Pitts committed the cardinal - and in my eyes, inexcusable - sin of loafing on his route when the pass was coming to him.

As for talent? He may not be a Moss/Megatron talent, but we're talking about a receiver who would've been in the conversation of the top five - and certainly would've been drafted top ten - had he been eligible last year and would've ranked right up there with Malik Nabers. You don't pass on that at #26; we can ill-afford to let talent slip through when we have a chance to take them.

But that's beside my point. I already said that it's extremely unlikely that Burden falls to #26, which is why I wanted to pivot to Jalen Royals after a trade down. I also said that I didn't want Pitts on the team for the reasons I stated, and that Mayer was far more of my speed, even if we had to spend a fourth and a future Day 3 pick of the 2026 draft on him.

I will defend a player that I've seen for three years represent the Tigers as good, if not better, than a lot of players that come through here.

 

[jrry32]

There's loafing when you're not part of the play and then there's loafing when you're the part of the play. Burden is the former (and he didn't do it last year; only this year); Pitts is the latter. There are different kinds of loafing, like I've continuously said, and Pitts committed the cardinal - and in my eyes, inexcusable - sin of loafing on his route when the pass was coming to him.

And this is where we differ. There is no distinction for me. You're always part of the play as a WR, regardless of whether you're a blocker, a primary target, a secondary target, or a decoy.

 

[dieterbrock]

Another point is that Stafford seems to be headed towards a new contract to get more guaranteed money from the Rams. That will reduce free agent spending.

On the contrary, Stafford signing a new deal/extension could reduce his cap number and increase spending ability