Kneejerk Central: Draft Grades

[TheTackle]

Now that draft euphoria has worn off I give this draft a lower grade than I did. I’m not sold on Ferguson. He doesn’t look explosive or ‘twitchy’. I hope I’m wrong. Stewart is light with short arms and small hands. That’s tough for an edge at this level. Hunter is my favorite pick. He's explosive and has good vision. His size doesn’t concern me.

I don’t get too excited about late round picks. It’s icing on the cake if any pan out, but in a draft low on talent that’s not likely. Paul is very small to be an impactful linebacker. Hamilton needs a lot of technique work. Mumpfield is small but could pan out. If he can avoid being pushed around like Tutu struggled with his first few years I think he has a chance to stick.

C+ for players. Getting that first round pick from Atlanta bumps it up to a B.

I think those are fair concerns. I can’t wait to camp when and the joint team practices when all will be revealed. I expect some of our UDFAs as always so it’s going to be tough cutting down to 53

 

[jjab360]

Now that draft euphoria has worn off I give this draft a lower grade than I did. I’m not sold on Ferguson. He doesn’t look explosive or ‘twitchy’. I hope I’m wrong. Stewart is light with short arms and small hands. That’s tough for an edge at this level. Hunter is my favorite pick. He's explosive and has good vision. His size doesn’t concern me.

I don’t get too excited about late round picks. It’s icing on the cake if any pan out, but in a draft low on talent that’s not likely. Paul is very small to be an impactful linebacker. Hamilton needs a lot of technique work. Mumpfield is small but could pan out. If he can avoid being pushed around like Tutu struggled with his first few years I think he has a chance to stick.

C+ for players. Getting that first round pick from Atlanta bumps it up to a B.

Fair assessments.

I'd counter a bit that being twitchy isn't a necessary trait to being a good TE. Most of the recent greats like Kelce/Gronk/Witten, etc have a lumbering purposeful running style as the old school inline TE and not the current trend of twitchy move TEs/slot receivers like Bowers, Laporta, and McBride.

Also I want to like Hunter but I wish there was more there than just the explosiveness. Darrell Henderson was explosive as well and had that same one speed running style. Not much nuance in acceleration, not really any open field moves, just hit the hole hard and keep going. It works for some RBs though, off the top of my head Dalvin Cook seems to have that same style as well. At the end of the day though, Hunter's playing time depends almost entirely on if he'll be able to pass protect so we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[FrantikRam]

Knee jerk
I’m giving it a B-

The future 1st saves it. Feel we drafted a few good players in the mold of the type of players the Rams are attracted to. That is mostly a good thing but I also feel like they shy away a bit from high upside more riskier picks(offensively). I like the added defensive depth.

So, adding up FA and the draft…The knock is that I don’t feel like they did enough to move the needle offensively for 2025.
As of today it still rests on Stafford’s older arm, the durability of Nacua and Adams to have a really great season.

The RB’s will still be pawn chain movers, goal line finishers and pass protectors.

Ferguson could upgrade the potency at TE. I don’t see it. Once he takes the #1 from Higbee I’ll start paying attention to the kid.

If anything, I expect the defense to take a step up this season and for the offense to remain “fine.” It’s not enough.

TE room is massively upgraded over last season with Higbee (since he missed most of the season) AND Ferguson

RB depth is upgraded with Corum going into year 2 AND Hunter - who can add a speed element if he sees the field this year

Adams is likely to be a sizable upgrade to Kupp, for multiple reasons - but namely, availability

Paying Tutu indicates we will have a deep threat on the field

Shelton means the center position should be upgraded either way


I don't see Hunter making an impact this season, but for my money we will be better at WR, TE and on the OL. That should be enough to get us a fringe top 10 offense

 

[Mojo Ram]

TE room is massively upgraded over last season with Higbee (since he missed most of the season) AND Ferguson

RB depth is upgraded with Corum going into year 2 AND Hunter - who can add a speed element if he sees the field this year

Adams is likely to be a sizable upgrade to Kupp, for multiple reasons - but namely, availability

Paying Tutu indicates we will have a deep threat on the field

Shelton means the center position should be upgraded either way


I don't see Hunter making an impact this season, but for my money we will be better at WR, TE and on the OL. That should be enough to get us a fringe top 10 offense

You can’t quote a knee jerk post in a knee jerk thread a week later and inject reason into it!

I’m kidding, sort of. I do like the OL this year. Continuity etc. Not concerned there.

I like Higbee but he’s old with durability issues. If Fergie can come in and take the #1 because he’s that good? Awesome. I doubt it. The rest are JAG’s.

Need a full season from Adams and Nacua and Tutu HAS TO BE an impact player week to week. Can’t disappear or get dinged. I still see a thin room.

The biggest issue is still that Stafford has to win every game with his arm. No one else on offense can take over games or even threaten to take over games. Our RB’s are just guys who help Stafford get first downs, and punch it in at the goal line.

I see another year of try hard offense and maybe 25ppg. Successful but not enough. I do love the defense this year. Maybe it’s enough to support the offense and get to the promised land.

 

[Merlin]

TE room is massively upgraded over last season with Higbee (since he missed most of the season) AND Ferguson

I like Higbee but he’s old with durability issues. If Fergie can come in and take the #1 because he’s that good? Awesome. I doubt it. The rest are JAG’s.

Again I think Ferg is worst case the "Higs replacement 2026" pick. Higs after all is a good, sound, inline TE who can do a lot for you in the pass game, so to me that's a damn nice floor. But what's nice about the selection is Ferg's got that top end size and movement ability to him and the Rams undoubtedly loved the player, who btw seems like a great kid in every interview I've watched on him.

So a high floor pick with room to grow into that special TE we have never had is well worth a round 2 pick. I mean compare that with Everett, who was McVay's first draft choice in horns. Everette was a smaller move type TE that McVay identified to fill that critical role in his offense. Kupp in fact was a carbon copy of that as well, both of them being precisely the size and type of player McVay had in Jordan Reed. Turns out Everett was a bust of a pick and Kupp was elite in this offense in that role. But you line up Ferg and Everett and the difference in prospect quality is night and day.

Ferg is as athletic as both those guys. Doesn't look it because he's big as hell. But just like we've seen with the full sized elite TEs in this league they cover ground without looking like they do it. Gronk looked like he was running in mud at times but always seemed to be in the right position and was always open even with DBs on him.

And lastly I think Stafford operates best with big targets. First because he can look anyone open, or at least look them into a seam, provided they actually beat their man. Second because Stafford likes to throw his targets open with ball placement, or away from danger, and between that and the no-look passes can be erratic over the middle, so that size for bodying DBs and the catch radius to haul in the passes is a force multiplier with Stafford at QB.

Pass game weapon TEs can include dudes with smaller size, or significantly lighter builds, and can make do. But when you have a player who can fit that inline physical profile of today's NFL where they can hold up to edge players, perform all those classic responsibilities while also having threat in the pattern with that athleticism package, you enter that Gronk sweepstakes. Because Gronk could get open by faking a block at the snap and make opposing fans rage over "how the fuck can you ignore that dude" etc. But he could also flex in the redzone or third down and convert for you in the pass game. It's not to say he's gonna be Gronk, chances are he won't be, but I am stoked as hell to see this kid pair with Higs in his rookie season. Cannot wait for preseason, hope McVay fucking plays him.

 

[Boston Ram]

After reading all this I feel like I am in the minority. This draft was very underwhelming, both with players and what we did. Probably grade a B- and only cause we robbed Atlanta blind. Getting a 1st next year was brilliant. But my rundown of the picks.

Ferguson: Good solid player. Should be TE2 and I do think will develop into a good player. Would of preferred a different approach here, minor cause Ferguson is a player they targeted so hard to criticize too much. But CB Johnson, CB Amos, OT Trapilo, OT Belton, WR Bech, WR Harris all players I would of prefered.
Stewart: I dont get this pick at all. He is a tweener that I dont think his game will translate at the next level. There was some Tackle depth and Corner depth to pick from. Hope I am wrong on this one but my second least favorite pick. As a later pick I would of been ok here.
Hunter: My least favorite pick. Another clone of Williams and Corum with a little more speed but not enough to make a difference. Still some good players here, Gunner Helm was still on the board, but Elic Ayomanor was still on the board and Joshua Farmer as well as Malachi Moore.
Hamilton: Solid pick, really like this one. Good fit and should be a serviceable rotational player in year 1.
Paul: Great pick here. Dont be surprised if our 2 starting ILBs next year are Paul and Landman.
Mumpfield: Really like this pick. Although not explosive he is a willing blocker who runs great routes and high IQ. Got to see alot of him last year and he was the only real weapon for Pitt.

Overall it does not feel like we got explosive anywhere. Concern from last year was lack of explosive plays especially on offense. We did nothing to improve that or protection for Stafford to allow for more shots downfield. We got some solid players but feel like we had chances to improve certain areas and missed. Our FO is one of the best in the bussiness and I know we had a plan so excited to see how this all plays out.

 

[JonRam99]

Again I think Ferg is worst case the "Higs replacement 2026" pick. Higs after all is a good, sound, inline TE who can do a lot for you in the pass game, so to me that's a damn nice floor. But what's nice about the selection is Ferg's got that top end size and movement ability to him and the Rams undoubtedly loved the player, who btw seems like a great kid in every interview I've watched on him.

So a high floor pick with room to grow into that special TE we have never had is well worth a round 2 pick. I mean compare that with Everett, who was McVay's first draft choice in horns. Everette was a smaller move type TE that McVay identified to fill that critical role in his offense. Kupp in fact was a carbon copy of that as well, both of them being precisely the size and type of player McVay had in Jordan Reed. Turns out Everett was a bust of a pick and Kupp was elite in this offense in that role. But you line up Ferg and Everett and the difference in prospect quality is night and day.

Ferg is as athletic as both those guys. Doesn't look it because he's big as hell. But just like we've seen with the full sized elite TEs in this league they cover ground without looking like they do it. Gronk looked like he was running in mud at times but always seemed to be in the right position and was always open even with DBs on him.

And lastly I think Stafford operates best with big targets. First because he can look anyone open, or at least look them into a seam, provided they actually beat their man. Second because Stafford likes to throw his targets open with ball placement, or away from danger, and between that and the no-look passes can be erratic over the middle, so that size for bodying DBs and the catch radius to haul in the passes is a force multiplier with Stafford at QB.

Pass game weapon TEs can include dudes with smaller size, or significantly lighter builds, and can make do. But when you have a player who can fit that inline physical profile of today's NFL where they can hold up to edge players, perform all those classic responsibilities while also having threat in the pattern with that athleticism package, you enter that Gronk sweepstakes. Because Gronk could get open by faking a block at the snap and make opposing fans rage over "how the fuck can you ignore that dude" etc. But he could also flex in the redzone or third down and convert for you in the pass game. It's not to say he's gonna be Gronk, chances are he won't be, but I am stoked as hell to see this kid pair with Higs in his rookie season. Cannot wait for preseason, hope McVay fucking plays him.

Great post. Yes, I saw lots of plays just like what you just described, in Ferg's highlights: he fakes a block at the snap, leaks out into the flat while the OL gets in position for a TE screen, and he's off to the races. He was very smooth doing it, too. Possibly Higs has done this, but I don't remember McVay using him for any TE screens.
For the other "move TE": losing Kupp hurts, but I saw J.Whitt used in the same role & he did pretty well iirc. A hybrid WR/TE is a great weapon, one we had w/ Kupp, but he just couldn't play the WR role anymore.
Anyway, I think we have potential for both types of TE roles.

 

[Tano]

Turns out Everett was a bust of a pick and Kupp was elite in this offense in that role.

My definition of a bust is a guy who doesn't help much at all at where he was picked at.

I wouldn't call Everett a bust. He was okay when he was a Ram - not great but okay.

Tutu on the other hand was a complete bust until last year when he actually did okay when he was in the game and actually targeted.

 

[JonRam99]

My definition of a bust is a guy who doesn't help much at all at where he was picked at.

I wouldn't call Everett a bust. He was okay when he was a Ram - not great but okay.

Tutu on the other hand was a complete bust until last year when he actually did okay when he was in the game and actually targeted.

Everett has carved out a nice role for himself in the NFL. But man his drops were maddening.

 

[Tano]

Everett has carved out a nice role for himself in the NFL. But man his drops were maddening.

Yeah that was his biggest weakness.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I’m not impressed by our picks. But it looks like defensively we picked guys who can run down or catch Hurts and Barkley.

 

[OldSchool]

Reading through this is realize a lot of people are judging the player when they've never watched him actually play.

 

[OldSchool]

View: https://youtu.be/0QNiK1_Xk90?si=8u2-MkCI2_q-MhCk

 

[FrantikRam]

After reading all this I feel like I am in the minority. This draft was very underwhelming, both with players and what we did. Probably grade a B- and only cause we robbed Atlanta blind. Getting a 1st next year was brilliant. But my rundown of the picks.

Ferguson: Good solid player. Should be TE2 and I do think will develop into a good player. Would of preferred a different approach here, minor cause Ferguson is a player they targeted so hard to criticize too much. But CB Johnson, CB Amos, OT Trapilo, OT Belton, WR Bech, WR Harris all players I would of prefered.
Stewart: I dont get this pick at all. He is a tweener that I dont think his game will translate at the next level. There was some Tackle depth and Corner depth to pick from. Hope I am wrong on this one but my second least favorite pick. As a later pick I would of been ok here.
Hunter: My least favorite pick. Another clone of Williams and Corum with a little more speed but not enough to make a difference. Still some good players here, Gunner Helm was still on the board, but Elic Ayomanor was still on the board and Joshua Farmer as well as Malachi Moore.
Hamilton: Solid pick, really like this one. Good fit and should be a serviceable rotational player in year 1.
Paul: Great pick here. Dont be surprised if our 2 starting ILBs next year are Paul and Landman.
Mumpfield: Really like this pick. Although not explosive he is a willing blocker who runs great routes and high IQ. Got to see alot of him last year and he was the only real weapon for Pitt.

Overall it does not feel like we got explosive anywhere. Concern from last year was lack of explosive plays especially on offense. We did nothing to improve that or protection for Stafford to allow for more shots downfield. We got some solid players but feel like we had chances to improve certain areas and missed. Our FO is one of the best in the bussiness and I know we had a plan so excited to see how this all plays out.

Puka can get deep, and went from our only true deep threat (with Robinson and Kupp on the field) to our 2nd/3rd best deep threat with Tutu and Adams on the field with him.

Ferguson runs a 4.63 40 which is probably the fastest TE on the roster now.

Hunter runs a 4.4 which is the fastest RB on the roster.

I think we got more explosive at every level - now, TE/RB are unlikely to be focal points - but no rookie really would, so we can't really complain about that post draft. We absolutely are more explosive and dangerous at WR, and that IMO is where we will see the biggest improvement next year.

 

[Merlin]

I wouldn't call Everett a bust.

I'm sure many agree. But a round 2 pick who doesn't consistently produce for you as a starter is a bust in my book.

You can create layers to that all you want. But the Rams missed on the pick. Good thing is round 3 was a grand slam.

 

[muggmeister]

Now that draft euphoria has worn off I give this draft a lower grade than I did. I’m not sold on Ferguson. He doesn’t look explosive or ‘twitchy’. I hope I’m wrong. Stewart is light with short arms and small hands. That’s tough for an edge at this level. Hunter is my favorite pick. He's explosive and has good vision. His size doesn’t concern me.

I don’t get too excited about late round picks. It’s icing on the cake if any pan out, but in a draft low on talent that’s not likely. Paul is very small to be an impactful linebacker. Hamilton needs a lot of technique work. Mumpfield is small but could pan out. If he can avoid being pushed around like Tutu struggled with his first few years I think he has a chance to stick.

C+ for players. Getting that first round pick from Atlanta bumps it up to a B.

Tend to agree with just about everything you said. I hope you(we) are wrong on Ferguson, I also don't see anything special, at least not mid 2nd round worthy. Maybe he turns into another Kittle or maybe he's just another Higbee. I do tend to think that Paul could be an impact LBer however, at least hopeful thinking. Stewart could be an upgrade from Young, better college stats on a better defense, we'll see. I give the draft a B- with a possible upgrade to A depending on next year's Atlanta pick.

 

[Merlin]

View: https://youtu.be/bYBv0RS-quY

 

[Merlin]

Rich baggin on Les about sharing the team's Seattle hotel with a furry convention... Classic.

 

[Steve808]

I trust in McSnead, but my only criticism is no addition to the O-line. One injury to one of our tackles and we might be in hot water.

 

[Loyal]

The QB class in 2026 is supposed to have 3-4 QB's better than the Top QB picked this year. Two first round picks next year should get us one of them and so that makes this draft an A++++ by itself.