Just for shits and giggles.....best 4 draft picks by HC

[PARAM]

I was born in the mid 50's and though I certainly don't remember anything Rams prior to 1965, I'll start with Sid Gillman and pick the best draft selections IMHO. Add your own if you care to partake. Red = HOF

Gillam 1955-59:
Eddie Meador; Lamar Lundy; Dick Bass; Jon Arnett

Waterfield 1960-62:
Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, Roman Gabriel, Charlie Cowan, Joe Schibelli

Svare 1963-65:
Dave Costa, George Saimes, Gary Larsen, Bill Munsen

Allen 1966-70:
Tom Mack, Harold Jackson, Rich Saul, Jack Reynolds

Prothro 1971-72
Jack Youngblood, Isiah Robertson, Larry Brooks, Lawrence McCutcheon

Knox I 1973-77
Jackie Slater, Dennis Harrah, Mike Fanning, Vince Ferragamo,

Malavasi 1978-82
Leroy Irvin, Irv Pankey, Kent Hill, Drew Hill,

Robinson 1983-91
Dickerson, Henry Ellard, Kevin Greene, Flipper Anderson

Knox II 1992-94
IKE, Bettis, Sean Gilbert, Wayne Gandy

Brooks 1995-96
Kevin Carter, Eddie Kennison, Fred Miller, Zack Wiegert

Vermeil 1997-99
Orlando Pace, Torry Holt, Dre Bly, Leonard Little

Martz 00-05:
Steven Jackson, Richie Incognito, Ryan Pickett, Brandon Manumaleuna

Linehan 2006-08:
Chris Long

Spagnuolo 2009-2011:
Rodger Saffold, Robert Quinn, Lance Kendricks, James Laurinaitis

Fisher 2012-16:
AARON DONALD, Todd Gurley, Jared Goff, Rob Havenstein

McVay 2017-
Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Quentin Lake, Jared Verse

There are some who should be in the HOF.
There were definitely more than 4 good selections under some coaches. Add to the list.

 

[XXXIVwin]

What jumps out at me from this list is the relative lack of star power in the McVay era draft picks. Trades and acquisitions and FA signings have been great-- but the draft picks themselves don't have that "wow" factor. I mean Quentin Lake is a solid player, but hard to realise he's one of the top 4 draft picks of McVay's entire tenure.

Great pickups under McVay include Stafford, Whitworth, Ramsey, and Garrett.

This list proves that "F them picks" really is a part of McSnead's success.

And Chuck Knox-- Ike, Bettis, Gilbert, Gandy is pretty damn solid!

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

Looking at the Martz picks, it's no wonder the Rams went backwards in a hurry. Then Linehan came in and finished the job, ensuring a decade of awfulness.

.

 

[David Ray]

I was born in the mid 50's and though I certainly don't remember anything Rams prior to 1965, I'll start with Sid Gillman and pick the best draft selections IMHO. Add your own if you care to partake. Red = HOF

Gillam 1955-59:
Eddie Meador; Lamar Lundy; Dick Bass; Jon Arnett

Waterfield 1960-62:
Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, Roman Gabriel, Charlie Cowan, Joe Schibelli

Svare 1963-65:
Dave Costa, George Saimes, Gary Larsen, Bill Munsen

Allen 1966-70:
Tom Mack, Harold Jackson, Rich Saul, Jack Reynolds

Prothro 1971-72
Jack Youngblood, Isiah Robertson, Larry Brooks, Lawrence McCutcheon

Knox I 1973-77
Jackie Slater, Dennis Harrah, Mike Fanning, Vince Ferragamo,

Malavasi 1978-82
Leroy Irvin, Irv Pankey, Kent Hill, Drew Hill,

Robinson 1983-91
Dickerson, Henry Ellard, Kevin Greene, Flipper Anderson

Knox II 1992-94
IKE, Bettis, Sean Gilbert, Wayne Gandy

Brooks 1995-96
Kevin Carter, Eddie Kennison, Fred Miller, Zack Wiegert

Vermeil 1997-99
Orlando Pace, Torry Holt, Dre Bly, Leonard Little

Martz 00-05:
Steven Jackson, Richie Incognito, Ryan Pickett, Brandon Manumaleuna

Linehan 2006-08:
Chris Long

Spagnuolo 2009-2011:
Rodger Saffold, Robert Quinn, Lance Kendricks, James Laurinaitis

Fisher 2012-16:
AARON DONALD, Todd Gurley, Jared Goff, Rob Havenstein

McVay 2017-
Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Quentin Lake, Jared Verse

There are some who should be in the HOF.
There were definitely more than 4 good selections under some coaches. Add to the list.

Prothro 1971-72
Jack Youngblood, Isiah Robertson, Larry Brooks, Lawrence McCutcheon

I would add Dave Elmendorf and Jim Bertelsen.

 

[PhillyRam]

What jumps out at me from this list is the relative lack of star power in the McVay era draft picks. Trades and acquisitions and FA signings have been great-- but the draft picks themselves don't have that "wow" factor. I mean Quentin Lake is a solid player, but hard to realise he's one of the top 4 draft picks of McVay's entire tenure.

Great pickups under McVay include Stafford, Whitworth, Ramsey, and Garrett.

This list proves that "F them picks" really is a part of McSnead's success.

And Chuck Knox-- Ike, Bettis, Gilbert, Gandy is pretty damn solid!

I think Kyren Williams has to be considered over Lake. Kobie Turner as well. I mean losing Turner to injury would be a bigger loss than Lake.

I might take Keith Lyle over Gandy for Knox's best picks, especially since he was a later pick on that sane draft.

 

[den-the-coach]

Bob Waterfield was a lousy Head Coach, but those five picks are epic. Plus Old George Allen should not get credit for Harold Jackson because he traded him to the Eagles and DE John Zook (great player for Falcons) for RB Israel Lang. George Allen WTH. And @Allen2McVay you got some splaining to do.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Plus Old George Allen should not get credit for Harold Jackson because he traded him to the Eagles and DE John Zook (great player for Falcons) for RB Israel Lang. George Allen WTH. And @Allen2McVay you got some splaining to do.

... let me ask my Assistant General Manager ...

 

[PhillyRam]

Bob Waterfield was a lousy Head Coach, but those five picks are epic. Plus Old George Allen should not get credit for Harold Jackson because he traded him to the Eagles and DE John Zook (great player for Falcons) for RB Israel Lang. George Allen WTH. And @Allen2McVay you got some splaining to do.

View attachment 75890

Back then the Eagles traded more picks than Snead. One of the most amazing accomplishments of an NFL head coach is the job Vermeil did when he took over Philly. His first 3 years there he didn't have a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd rd pick, yet he took a doormat team to the playoffs in year three. And this was before FA . So all he had was draft rds 4-12, trades and street FAs/castoffs. A tremendous feat.

 

[den-the-coach]

One of the most amazing accomplishments of an NFL head coach is the job Vermeil did when he took over Philly. His first 3 years there he didn't have a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd rd pick, yet he took a doormat team to the playoffs in year three. And this was before FA . So all he had was draft rds 4-12, trades and street FAs/castoffs. A tremendous feat.

Eyes Left.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Back then the Eagles traded more picks than Snead. One of the most amazing accomplishments of an NFL head coach is the job Vermeil did when he took over Philly. His first 3 years there he didn't have a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd rd pick, yet he took a doormat team to the playoffs in year three. And this was before FA . So all he had was draft rds 4-12, trades and street FAs/castoffs. A tremendous feat.

Wow ... did not realize that. Great Pull.

Went back and looked-up the Eagles' picks in 1976-1978 ... Vermeil's first three seasons in Philadelphia.

The Eagles found their D-Line with mid-round picks ... Carl Hairston, Charlie Johnson and Dennis Harrison formed a high-quality three-man-line on that Eagles' 3-4 Defense.

They also got Wilbert Montgomery in the 6th Round of the '77 Draft.

 

[David Ray]

I was born in the mid 50's and though I certainly don't remember anything Rams prior to 1965, I'll start with Sid Gillman and pick the best draft selections IMHO. Add your own if you care to partake. Red = HOF

Gillam 1955-59:
Eddie Meador; Lamar Lundy; Dick Bass; Jon Arnett

Waterfield 1960-62:
Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, Roman Gabriel, Charlie Cowan, Joe Schibelli

Svare 1963-65:
Dave Costa, George Saimes, Gary Larsen, Bill Munsen

Allen 1966-70:
Tom Mack, Harold Jackson, Rich Saul, Jack Reynolds

Prothro 1971-72
Jack Youngblood, Isiah Robertson, Larry Brooks, Lawrence McCutcheon

Knox I 1973-77
Jackie Slater, Dennis Harrah, Mike Fanning, Vince Ferragamo,

Malavasi 1978-82
Leroy Irvin, Irv Pankey, Kent Hill, Drew Hill,

Robinson 1983-91
Dickerson, Henry Ellard, Kevin Greene, Flipper Anderson

Knox II 1992-94
IKE, Bettis, Sean Gilbert, Wayne Gandy

Brooks 1995-96
Kevin Carter, Eddie Kennison, Fred Miller, Zack Wiegert

Vermeil 1997-99
Orlando Pace, Torry Holt, Dre Bly, Leonard Little

Martz 00-05:
Steven Jackson, Richie Incognito, Ryan Pickett, Brandon Manumaleuna

Linehan 2006-08:
Chris Long

Spagnuolo 2009-2011:
Rodger Saffold, Robert Quinn, Lance Kendricks, James Laurinaitis

Fisher 2012-16:
AARON DONALD, Todd Gurley, Jared Goff, Rob Havenstein

McVay 2017-
Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Quentin Lake, Jared Verse

There are some who should be in the HOF.
There were definitely more than 4 good selections under some coaches. Add to the list.

Knox I 1973-77
Jackie Slater, Dennis Harrah, Mike Fanning, Vince Ferragamo,

Ron Jaworski, Cullen Bryant, Jim Youngblood, John Cappelletti, Bill Simpson, Doug France, Monte Jackson, Rod Perry, Carl Ekern, Pat Thomas, Nolan Cromwell, Wendell Tyler, Billy Waddy, Bob Brudzinski.

 

[PARAM]

Yeah, he held tryouts for the Eagles and that's when Vince Papali got a roster spot and a movie about him. Vermeil was awesome.

 

[PARAM]

Knox I 1973-77
Jackie Slater, Dennis Harrah, Mike Fanning, Vince Ferragamo,

Ron Jaworski, Cullen Bryant, Jim Youngblood, John Cappelletti, Bill Simpson, Doug France, Monte Jackson, Rod Perry, Carl Ekern, Pat Thomas, Nolan Cromwell, Wendell Tyler, Billy Waddy, Bob Brudzinski.

I found it an interesting exercise to look at the number of games played in the NFL and rank the picks that way.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Knox I 1973-77
Jackie Slater, Dennis Harrah, Mike Fanning, Vince Ferragamo,

Ron Jaworski, Cullen Bryant, Jim Youngblood, John Cappelletti, Bill Simpson, Doug France, Monte Jackson, Rod Perry, Carl Ekern, Pat Thomas, Nolan Cromwell, Wendell Tyler, Billy Waddy, Bob Brudzinski.

Outstanding group; and it was indeed the Chuck Knox years, but I think of the draft acquisitions much more about the GM Don Klosterman than the head coach.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Yeah, he held tryouts for the Eagles and that's when Vince Papali got a roster spot and a movie about him. Vermeil was awesome.

Well ... the movie was very entertaining ... But ... not entirely accurate.

Papale did play both semi-pro and in the World Football League, where he got attention playing with the Philadelphia franchise of the WFL.

 

[David Ray]

Outstanding group; and it was indeed the Chuck Knox years, but I think of the draft acquisitions much more about the GM Don Klosterman than the head coach.

True dat.

 

[Ground Chuck]

Martz 00-05:
Steven Jackson, Richie Incognito, Ryan Pickett, Brandon Manumaleuna

Thanks for putting together these lists.

I'd have to go through these again to make my choices, but I was immediately drawn to this one. Wow, what inept drafting in this era!

Other than Jackson, of course, but I would substitute the other 3 with Pisa Tinoisamoa, Kevin Curtis and Ryan Fitzmagic! (HM Adam Archuleta)