Kneejerk Central: Draft Grades

[FaulkSF]

B+ - I liked how most of the draft was to give Shula more toys to work with and to take down Quon at the front seven level. I also liked how McVay got a solid TE and a RB that punishes. Overall, I liked how we picked up “punishing” football players on both sides.

I really wanted to see a CB who was impactful in zone and could at least hit and slow down a runner. I know we run disguised zones, but at some point, McVay and Shula need to let the kids make small mistakes here and there to learn the system.

 

[SWAdude]

got one word for ya husker...

UDFA....

(is that one word)? ... i'll let the post police sort that out...

go rams

slo

Book 'em, Danno!

That would be an acronym.

I only know this because in my profession we have so many and it is really annoying.

UDFA is not one of them that is annoying.

I like where you are going with this.

This draft class was kind of weak to me.

Getting the extra 1st round next year could become an epic move. And we may be in desperate need for an epic move.

But I feel compelled to give it a grade.....

A++++++++++++++
I am blind to the future and shamelessly devoted for over 50 years now.

GO RAMS!!!

 

[IowaRam]

Has to be one of the quietest drafts in recent memory

B-

 

[Memento]

Has to be one of the quietest drafts in recent memory

B-

Quietest? We traded down and got a first round pick next year, traded up three times to get our guys.

It was anything but quiet. Quiet with the picks, but not a quiet draft.

 

[FaulkSF]

Totally uncalled for

No blue font my bad. We’re just kidding around. The thread was really meant for knee jerk or overreactions. @Merlin and I are just trying to give you a difficult time cause we like ya.

 

[Gandalf]

Not as hyped on this draft as last years. IMO it's a C+. As of right now none of the position groups are vastly better than last year.

The First Rounder Next Year is a huge plus, that will factor into the 2026 draft.

I hope those that graded this an "A" are right, I can handle being wrong when it's means the Rams are better.

Does Fiske fit into this year's draft.

 

[TexasRam]

I need to watch some more film on these later draft picks before having a real opinion.

This draft looks bad to me but I seem to have these Kneejerk Reactions every year.

In real life I am an optimist but with the Rams I seem to get all pessimistic

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

B+

I love getting a first for next years draft. That alone is a huge win.

I hope Ferguson turns out to be a stud and I just don’t see it yet.

I love the Stewart pick. He fits right in with the Rams pass rushers

Hunter is a great pick imo. Maybe because I’ve liked him for the Rams for a few months now.

Ty Hamilton and Chris Paul could end up being good. For now they are just depth. So I’m not getting crazy over depth.

Mumpfield will surprise me if he sticks long term. But I don’t expect much from a 7th round pick.

 

[12intheBox]

I like that they seemed to go get their guys and I really like the 1 next year. This team has had 2 straight home run drafts - I think this one may make 3 in a row.

 

[SWAdude]

I am hoping for a Rock Star TE.

I sure hope Ferguson is that guy.

We have been lacking that for too long now.

Higbee is respectable, but not a Rock Star.

 

[thirteen28]

Chris Paul is going to be a starter sooner rather than later. And Stewart is going to get a lot of reps.

This D definitely got better.

I like Hunter and Ferguson, although I need to see the former get good at pass blocking and want to see how the latter develops, given that TE is not an easy position to transition from college to pro. But I hope both of them get plenty of reps, and I'd like to see more of a committee approach to RB this year.

And the #1 for next year? Oh hell yeah. Whether it's Manning or someone else, we could be going into a draft with good QB talent with 2 #1's. We got ammo to make a move.

 

[Merlin]

@Gandalf is the grey and not the wise version.

I would never argue with a wizard rockin a bass.

 

[RamFan503]

F - They didn't trade the farm to go up and get Ward.

 

[Ramrasta]

Terrence Ferguson: A
Productive, balanced tight end that is a red zone threat. He will push Higbee for the TE1 role as a rookie. Has the potential to be dominant.

Josaiah Stewart: C
This was a luxury pick. An undersized pash rush specialist. He wins a lot with a quick first step and leverage but that may not work as well against NFL tackles. He is a complete liability against the run and gets blown off the line of scrimmage. His NFL ceiling is a rotational rusher that only plays passing downs.

Jacquez Hunter: C
Another small back that wins with great contact balance. He brings a lot of the same skill set as Kyrien except less developed as a blocker and pass catcher. A bit more burst than Kyrien and Corum. A lot of mileage already.

Ty Hamilton: B
An undersized NT with a great motor. Short arms but good instincts. Good run defender. Offers very little pass rush ability. Will need time to develop before taking on an NFL role. Similar player to Tyler Davis.

Chris Paul Jr.: A
Very surprising he was still available where he was drafted. Very smart, rangy linebacker that tackles with pop and consistency. Very solid in coverage as well. Instantly the best ILB on the roster.

Konata Mumpfield: C
Slender frame receiver that is excellent at tracking the ball in the air and adjusting to the catch. Doesn’t particularly excel in any other area. Could keep a roster spot if he can flash on special teams.

 

[kmramsfan]

I like that they seemed to go get their guys and I really like the 1 next year. This team has had 2 straight home run drafts - I think this one may make 3 in a row.

All of the picks have great upside I think....... except for maybe Mumpfield.
Not too sure that there wasn't maybe an OT or CB that would have served us better than a camp body WO type.
But then again, I really don't know about it. I just watch the games.
After all, who was Puka Nacua to anybody 2 years ago at this exact time?

 

[Steve808]

My only wish is that they would have drafted some depth on O-line. We know that the Rams fortunes recently have hinged on O-line play. A potential developmental player at tackle would have been good. I know there's still UDFAs but hitting those are not easy.

 

[fearsomefour]

Terrance Ferguson - A.

(I would’ve preferred Fannin…but I absolutely cannot complain about getting a potentially-high 2026 first round pick in the process. And Ferguson has exemplary athletic traits. Easy A.)

Josaiah Stewart - A+.

(Stewart could and should have gone much higher. He’s not big or lengthy, but he’s an outstanding athlete with the ability to bend around the edge, an explosive first step, and one of the most sophisticated rushing plans in this class. An outstanding pick and an easy A+.)

Jarquez Hunter - A-.

(Maybe not the running back I expected, but I’m still pleasantly surprised. Fast, surprising ability to break tackles and pound the rock between the tackles, underrated receiver. I think he could be what we expected Tre Mason would be after 2014; that’s who he reminds me of in size and ability. Easy A-.)

Ty Hamilton - A.

(Trade up is the only reason I don’t have the grade higher. Outstanding and versatile tackle who can play 1 and 3 tech, great run stuffer, still has pass-rushing potential. Should’ve been a fourth round pick at least. Easy A.)

Chris Paul Jr. - A+.

(Absolute. Fucking. Steal. We don’t need Nick Bolton; we have our own. Violent tackler, steady run defender, has good instincts in the passing game. Playmaker. I don’t even care that we traded up. We would’ve never gotten him in the sixth. Easiest A+ in this draft considering need and talent.)

Konata Mumpfield - C-.

(I’m not warming up to Mumpfield, mind you. He has had a lot of bobbled passes at Pitt that will be drops at the next level, he’s slow (4.6) for his size (5’11”, 186 lbs.), and his production is very lacking, unlike others in his situation like Restrepo or Nash. But he’s a great route runner with decent quickness. I don’t think he makes this team, but for a seventh round pick, it could be worse: we could’ve drafted Shilo Sanders. C-.)

Draft overall grade: A.

In conclusion, it was a draft for quality instead of quantity and a stronger class next year. CPJ and Ferguson will be playing significant snaps, if not starting outright. Hamilton, Stewart, and Hunter will see significant snaps, and in the case of the latter two, I believe they could eventually start. I don’t think Mumpfield makes the team, but we’ll see with him as well - and I’ve been wrong many times before. Add in very intriguing undrafted free agents, per usual, and this could be a third masterclass by McSnead in a row.

Paul Jr was graded out as a 2nd by a lot of draftnics. Getting him in the 5th round is a tremendous steal.
He will be getting plenty of reps sooner than later I think. The only reason he isn't a 1st round guy is some physical size limitations, but, he is a baller.
I really like the Ty Hamilton pick as well. I think he will get snaps subbing in for Ford at NT.
The RB and TE picks were not the guys I expected, but, that fine by me. Given the last two years Snead and Co have earned a lot of leeway and patience.
Overall, I really like this draft. I like that it is fewer players (indicating a tougher roster to make), Ferguson, Hunter and Paul fill immediate needs, the other maybe not so much but still fill roles. Hamilton as depth at NT and Stewart in that Hoeght role....I assume.
Mumpfield seems like another WR in that Ram mold of tough route runners. Don't really see where he would fit in. I would have preferred a developmental OT in that spot.

 

[fearsomefour]

My only wish is that they would have drafted some depth on O-line. We know that the Rams fortunes recently have hinged on O-line play. A potential developmental player at tackle would have been good. I know there's still UDFAs but hitting those are not easy.

Right now the Rams depth (as far as I can tell) has Acuri at LT, Dedich and Leveston at G, Limmer and McMahon at C and McClendon at RT. I too would have liked a swing T at least. But, I would not really want that over any of the draft picks except the last pick. But, that would be a development T at that point anyway.
I like Dedich and Limmer. McClendon has been hit and miss. Can see some potential at RT but the Rams need to add more at both T spots.

 

[HitStick]

If Rams can add to the CB room with a trade or FA (Ramsey, Samuel Jr.) then it will be an A. Not addressing the CB position has me somewhat concerned, so it drops to a B for me

 

[gogoat1]

My reaction.
We have the best front office in the NFL. Have the beast coach, so that means we have the best organization in football.
These guys kill it and are a step ahead of everyone else.
Players "want" to be Rams.
Snead and McVay have brought this draft stuff to a art form and I could not be happier about it.
After years of the Niners having most of what I just said, the shoe is on the other foot.
And its about time !