Jrry32's Post-NFCCG Loss Rams Mock Offseason

[jrry32]

Admittedly, I haven't had a lot of time to dig into the Draft yet, so don't expect this to be good. I am projecting that the Browns hire PGC Nate Scheelhaase to be their HC, which nets us a third round pick this year and next. Here's what I'm thinking right now:
Cut
CB Darious Williams

Love D-Will, but he's gotten too old and lost too many steps for how much he's slated to make.

Re-sign
S Kam Curl
CB Roger McCreary
LS Jake McQuaide
EDGE Nick Hampton
OL Justin Dedick (ERFA)
WR Xavier Smith (ERFA)
K Harrison Mevis (ERFA)

Curl is a solid player for us. I want him back. I like McCreary as depth due to his versatility and willingness to tackle.

Free Agency
Jaylen Watson CB Chiefs
Isaiah Likely TE Ravens
Nick Scott S Panthers
Christian Harris ILB Texans
Fred Johnson OT Eagles

Watson gives us the big outside CB we desperately need. At 6'2" 197 pounds, Watson is one of the league's best run defenders at the position and had a good year in coverage. Likely isn't a need, but I think he's undervalued and would be a great fit in our offense as a movable chess piece for McVay, especially with McVay's newfound love of TEs. He's surehanded (excepting his rookie year), gifted after the catch, and a good route runner. We bring back Nick Scott for his special teams prowess. I also added Christian Harris for special teams. We need some speed and hitting on that unit. Fred Johnson will serve as our swing OT.

Trade
Titans trade QB Will Levis
Rams trade Round 6 Pick #29

With the QB options in this Draft drying up, the Rams bring in Levis to replace Garoppolo as Staff's backup. With Levis's contract expiring after 2026, they want to see what he's made of.

NFL Draft
Round 1 Pick #13 - Sonny Styles ILB Ohio State
Round 1 Pick #29 - K.C. Concepcion WR/RS Texas A&M
Round 2 Pick #29 - Malik Muhammad CB Texas
Round 3 Pick #29 - Kage Casey OT Boise State
Round 3 Pick #37 - Mikail Kamara EDGE Indiana
Round 5 Pick #4 - Ephesians Prysock CB Washington
Round 5 Pick #29 - Eric Gentry ILB USC
Round 6 Pick #26 - Albert Regis DT Texas A&M
Round 7 Pick #16 - Caullin Lacy WR/RS Louisville
Round 7 Pick #34 - Jager Burton IOL Kentucky
Round 7 Pick #40 - Xavier Nwankpa S Iowa

Analysis: Like I said, I haven't done much evaluating for the Draft to this point. I've watched these guys casually and thought they were impressive. Styles is a big, rangy ILB who excels in coverage and tackles well. We desperately need that guy next to Landman. I took him because I considered him the BPA here. Concepcion is a playmaker at WR and in the return game. He has inside-out versatility, great YAC skills, and the ability to be a high-level route runner. He also has the vertical speed to threaten defenses deep. I think he could develop into a great WR with Davante and Puka mentoring him. Muhammad is a big-time athlete at CB who has good size. His game needs some polishing, but he has legit cover skills. Casey seems like a solid OL who can offer depth across the unit. Kamara is short, but he was incredibly productive in college and excels at pressuring the QB. Prysock is a long CB with good athleticism and great intangibles. He can be a bit grabby. I see Gentry as a potential special teams ace. Long, athletic, and can tackle. Good zone coverage ILB too. Regis is a short, squatty NT. Think he can help with run defense. Lacy is a gifted returner and a productive slot WR. Burton is a solid, experienced IOL. And I see Nwankpa as a special teams player.

Starters
QB: Matthew Stafford
HB: Kyren Williams
WR: Puka Nacua
WR: Davante Adams
TE: Terrance Ferguson
TE: Isaiah Likely
LT: Alaric Jackson
LG: Steve Avila
C: Coleman Shelton
RG: Kevin Dotson
RT: Warren McClendon

EDGE: Byron Young
DE: Braden Fiske
NT: Poona Ford
DE: Kobie Turner
EDGE: Jared Verse
ILB: Nate Landman
ILB: Sonny Styles
CB: Jaylen Watson
CB: Emmanuel Forbes
SLCB: Quentin Lake
FS: Kamren Kinchens
SS: Kamren Curl

K: Harrison Mevis
P: Ethan Evans
LS: Jake McQuaide
RS: KC Concepcion

 

[den-the-coach]

I am still lukewarm on Forbes, but you drafted Muhammad out of Texas and I believe he would eventually take over. I am a fan of adding special teams pieces as Scott, Harris and Conception would improve the unit overnight. Also as to Levis, if Stafford went down, would you truly trust Will Levis? Maybe or maybe not? However, they are going to have to do something because I see the Jets or the Browns signing Jimmy Garoppolo, especially if the Browns hire Nate Scheelhaase as you project.

 

[Memento]

I cannot justify bringing X back, even as an ERFA. He had one job, and he failed miserably. If Pharoh Cooper gets cut for the Falcons game, I see no sense in bringing X back, especially with Presley, Williams, and Edwards already in the fold.

Love the Likely signing. Not a need, but he'd be a hell of a replacement for Higbee. Like the Jaylon Watson signing, too.

Not much of a Levis fan at all, but I can understand the move with the draft lacking QBs at the top and bottom.

Styles over a corner or edge? I mean, I like the player, but with Landman already signed and Dolac on the roster, I'd prefer to upgrade those positions first (considering that we had a huge drop-off when Young went out, I'd love to get Cashius Howell if we're staying at #13).

Concepcion is a good pick. No issues with him.

Like Muhammad a lot. Big, rangy, athletic. Lots to work with.

Prysock and Kamara. No issues with them either; seem like solid enough picks.

Wondering if we should double-dip at receiver instead of a potential swing tackle in Casey (especially since you've already signed Fred Johnson), but I have no issues with the pick itself.

Enormous fan of Regis, Burton, and Nwankpa; in fact, Burton is going in my mock.

Haven't seen much of Lacy. I'll have to check him out.

I don't know why Gentry is a pick. I like him, but adding others, you have Landman, Styles, Speights, Dolac, and Harris to go along with Gentry. That's already five, and a lot of inside linebackers as it is. Would prefer something like a developmental edge at that spot.

 

[JonRam99]

Thank you, @jrry32 -- nice mock, and a good distraction for today.
Oh & the Rams need you to help them draft lol. I honestly think that one of the main reasons the team regressed on D and ST is the '25 draft. Several players who needed to be D and ST contributors did not work out at all. Namely the Chris Paul and Jarquez picks -- both of whom should've at least been playing on ST's this year. Hunter couldn't even return kicks / punts for us? or even run downfield to make ST tackles?? inactive literally all year??? Nevermind the loss of a LB pick -- we really needed to hit on that pick & not only did he not get a starter role he got completely shipped off the team.
Ferg & J.Stew were good picks, but not as good as other teams' TE and OLB selections who started immediately. Our draft in '25 just wasn't up to our usual standards. I think we miss Gladstone more than we realize.

 

[jrry32]

I am still lukewarm on Forbes, but you drafted Muhammad out of Texas and I believe he would eventually take over. I am a fan of adding special teams pieces as Scott, Harris and Conception would improve the unit overnight. Also as to Levis, if Stafford went down, would you truly trust Will Levis? Maybe or maybe not? However, they are going to have to do something because I see the Jets or the Browns signing Jimmy Garoppolo, especially if the Browns hire Nate Scheelhaase as you project.

Would I trust Levis? No. But my view is that Jimmy isn't winning us a Super Bowl, so if Staff goes down, we ride it out with Levis. If he shows well, you re-sign him. If he doesn't, it'll improve our draft position in a draft that should have better QB options.

I cannot justify bringing X back, even as an ERFA. He had one job, and he failed miserably. If Pharoh Cooper gets cut for the Falcons game, I see no sense in bringing X back, especially with Presley, Williams, and Edwards already in the fold.

Love the Likely signing. Not a need, but he'd be a hell of a replacement for Higbee. Like the Jaylon Watson signing, too.

Not much of a Levis fan at all, but I can understand the move with the draft lacking QBs at the top and bottom.

Styles over a corner or edge? I mean, I like the player, but with Landman already signed and Dolac on the roster, I'd prefer to upgrade those positions first (considering that we had a huge drop-off when Young went out, I'd love to get Cashius Howell if we're staying at #13).

Concepcion is a good pick. No issues with him.

Like Muhammad a lot. Big, rangy, athletic. Lots to work with.

Prysock and Kamara. No issues with them either; seem like solid enough picks.

Wondering if we should double-dip at receiver instead of a potential swing tackle in Casey (especially since you've already signed Fred Johnson), but I have no issues with the pick itself.

Enormous fan of Regis, Burton, and Nwankpa; in fact, Burton is going in my mock.

Haven't seen much of Lacy. I'll have to check him out.

I don't know why Gentry is a pick. I like him, but adding others, you have Landman, Styles, Speights, Dolac, and Harris to go along with Gentry. That's already five, and a lot of inside linebackers as it is. Would prefer something like a developmental edge at that spot.

Thanks, Jemma! A few thoughts:
1. X is a ERFA. So I bring him back and let him compete. He likely doesn't make the team.
2. Seattle and SF have for years attacked our weakness at ILB. We saw it last night. They punished Speights and Landman in space. I like Landman as a thumper, but we need speed and cover skills next to him. I don't know why people are so optimistic about Dolac, a UDFA who couldn't win the job over Speights. Styles has top-tier athleticism and cover skills. He's also huge and a great tackler. IMO, if he's there, he's likely BPA. Two birds with one stone: BPA and fills a glaring need.
3. I could swap out Gentry, but I like him as a special teamer.

 

[Memento]

Would I trust Levis? No. But my view is that Jimmy isn't winning us a Super Bowl, so if Staff goes down, we ride it out with Levis. If he shows well, you re-sign him. If he doesn't, it'll improve our draft position in a draft that should have better QB options.

Thanks, Jemma! A few thoughts:
1. X is a ERFA. So I bring him back and let him compete. He likely doesn't make the team.
2. Seattle and SF have for years attacked our weakness at ILB. We saw it last night. They punished Speights and Landman in space. I like Landman as a thumper, but we need speed and cover skills next to him. I don't know why people are so optimistic about Dolac, a UDFA who couldn't win the job over Speights. Styles has top-tier athleticism and cover skills. He's also huge and a great tackler. IMO, if he's there, he's likely BPA. Two birds with one stone: BPA and fills a glaring need.
3. I could swap out Gentry, but I like him as a special teamer.

Levis just scares me period. I'd rather just roll with Stetson if Stafford goes down, honestly - and this is coming from a gal who isn't Stetson's biggest fan either. If Stafford goes down, we're screwed either way, so why not just ride with Stetson instead of Levis?

Pharoh Cooper was cut for much less after a lot more production than X, also because of his playoff woes. I can't see McVay keeping X. It doesn't matter if he's an ERFA; he was one of the main reasons that game was lost.

I know they've attacked our weakness, but as for Dolac, it took McVay how long to start Speights over Reeder? He trusts his vets, and I happen to like Dolac. I'm not against a linebacker. I'm just against one in the first.

I don't blame you for going after special teams. I just think that's a lot of linebackers as is. Another safety would work more if special teams is that much of a concern.

 

[jrry32]

Levis just scares me period. I'd rather just roll with Stetson if Stafford goes down, honestly - and this is coming from a gal who isn't Stetson's biggest fan either. If Stafford goes down, we're screwed either way, so why not just ride with Stetson instead of Levis?

Pharoh Cooper was cut for much less after a lot more production than X, also because of his playoff woes. I can't see McVay keeping X. It doesn't matter if he's an ERFA; he was one of the main reasons that game was lost.

I know they've attacked our weakness, but as for Dolac, it took McVay how long to start Speights over Reeder? He trusts his vets, and I happen to like Dolac. I'm not against a linebacker. I'm just against one in the first.

I don't blame you for going after special teams. I just think that's a lot of linebackers as is. Another safety would work more if special teams is that much of a concern.

If Stetson wins the job over Levis, we'd roll with Stetson. I disagree that we shouldn't take an ILB in the first. It's a strength of the Draft. If a top ILB falls in our lap, we should take him, whether that's in the first, second, or third round. If I thought Caleb Downs would be available at #13, I'd be all for taking him.

 

[OldSchool]

If Stetson wins the job over Levis, we'd roll with Stetson. I disagree that we shouldn't take an ILB in the first. It's a strength of the Draft. If a top ILB falls in our lap, we should take him, whether that's in the first, second, or third round. If I thought Caleb Downs would be available at #13, I'd be all for taking him.

Been working on a mock with a CB at 13 and CJ Allen at 29.

 

[Memento]

Also, one thing about the draft: we don't have the Titans fifth. That was dealt in the McCreary trade. We get a comp sixth from the Titans: our own. So, we have one fifth and two sixths.

Apologies for not mentioning it before; I had to look it up myself for my own draft.

 

[jrry32]

Also, one thing about the draft: we don't have the Titans fifth. That was dealt in the McCreary trade. We get a comp sixth from the Titans: our own. So, we have one fifth and two sixths.

Apologies for not mentioning it before; I had to look it up myself for my own draft.

Thanks. I was relying on the Drafttek chart. They must not have updated that trade on there.

 

[Badfinger]

1. Sign Alec Pierce
2. Draft Mansoor Delane at 13
3. Trade 29 for Max Crosby

 

[Memphis Ram]

I think Likely and Watson are going to be too expensive for the Rams. Besides, signing Likely to a big deal makes that Ferguson selection last year look horrible to me.

 

[jrry32]

I think Likely and Watson are going to be too expensive for the Rams. Besides, signing Likely to a big deal makes that Ferguson selection last year look horrible to me.

TEs are cheaper than you think. Ravens paid $13m per year to extend Mark Andrews, so my expectation for Likely is $11m to $13m. And I disagree on Ferguson. I see them as complementing each other. Ferg is the inline guy. Likely is the move/slot TE. Kind of like Hernandez and Gronk back in the day.

As for Watson, I disagree there too. We need to spend on a CB. We have a lot of cap room and flexibility. Stafford is nearing retirement. Now is the time to be aggressive.

 

[Memphis Ram]

TEs are cheaper than you think. Ravens paid $13m per year to extend Mark Andrews, so my expectation for Likely is $11m to $13m. And I disagree on Ferguson. I see them as complementing each other. Ferg is the inline guy. Likely is the move/slot TE. Kind of like Hernandez and Gronk back in the day.

As for Watson, I disagree there too. We need to spend on a CB. We have a lot of cap room and flexibility. Stafford is nearing retirement. Now is the time to be aggressive.

My guess is a younger Likely is going to cost more than a 30 year old Andrews. Ferguson may have to shift into an inline guy like Parkinson and his close to $10 cap number. But, IMO, a move/slot via the draft would be a better and more fiscal option.