Kneejerk Central: Draft Grades

[IowaRam]

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.

yea , quiet , and I don't mean that as a bad thing

and I'm just talking the Rams side of it

very little drama ,


trade out the first round , so we waited like 5 hours to draft a tightend

we drafted a total of 6 players , has to be one of the smallest draft classes we had in a while

no sexy picks , no rock stars , but no huge reaches either , just 6 good players half the board never even heard of

reading the board after each pick , no one was jumping up and down shouting HELL YEA !!! , but I didn't read of anyone throwing a brick through their TV either

just reading the general tone of the board after each pick , after they had a minute to read that draft picks draft evaluation , the board was , well , OK

so yea , it was a quiet draft , no huge board disagreements , other then maybe the lack of not drafting any DB's

so if I was to rate this years draft

I give it a OK

in a good way

 

[snackdaddy]

Mainly because what they'll be able to do next year following a Superbowl championship.

 

[fearsomefour]

Imagine Jackson or Havenstein going out for the season.

I think we are playing with fire here and need to consider signing some old vet if there is any sitting around still.

We saw what McClendon and Acuri are capable of and it's not pretty.

McClendon can play well at RT only.. As it stands now I don't think we have a real back up at LT. I would expect UDFA and probably a vet type signing for T depth. Im sure there will be a couple that end up on the PS.

 

[RamDino]

I would grade this draft a B+. I like the TE pick, the Edge, the RB, and the DT. I think all of those guys will play meaningful snaps this year and could develop into very good players. However, the best pick of this year's draft has to be the #1 pick in next year's draft and that's why I grade this draft a B+.

 

[Ramstien]

Chris Paul was the best pick in this draft based on the Ram's needs, he will probably be stating day one and be the captain of the defense.

 

[PhillyRam]

McClendon can play well at RT only.. As it stands now I don't think we have a real back up at LT. I would expect UDFA and probably a vet type signing for T depth. Im sure there will be a couple that end up on the PS.

Scour the wire for a vet camp cut. Someone who has started games and can get you by for a few weeks.

 

[Jacobarch]

B

Simply because I don't get drafting another RB. Other than that I'd give it an A

 

[fearsomefour]

B

Simply because I don't get drafting another RB. Other than that I'd give it an A

Drafting a RB with a different skill set makes sense to me.
Kyren had one run over 30 yards year.
For everything he is great at, he basically get the yards that are blocked. The lack of big plays offense wide was sort of startling.
Add an explosive RB (second most explosive runs in college football last year), a big play potential at TE, resign Tutu etc.

 

[Jacobarch]

all the bitchin and whining about not going after a corner....

mcvay and demarco answered it...

we have a pretty good mix already, and they both mentioned the bane of the board by name...

DK....

im rooting for the kid to come back stronger than ever.. but we'll see, knee injuries are tough...

go rams

slo

Issue is DK was never good to begin with. I don't care how he looks at practice I care how he looks gameday

 

[Jacobarch]

Drafting a RB with a different skill set makes sense to me.
Kyren had one run over 30 yards year.
For everything he is great at, he basically get the yards that are blocked. The lack of big plays offense wide was sort of startling.
Add an explosive RB (second most explosive runs in college football last year), a big play potential at TE, resign Tutu etc.

In theory your thoughts make sense. However Mcvay doesn't play rookie RBs especially ones way down the depth chart I just see it as a wasted pick

 

[fearsomefour]

In theory your thoughts make sense. However Mcvay doesn't play rookie RBs especially ones way down the depth chart I just see it as a wasted pick

Got to be able to pass block.
I think that is the biggest issue.
I think we will see a more balanced use at RB....but, McVay gets in his groove with players. As we've seen over and over.
Im sure having a, say, a 50%, 30%, 20% carry split between the top three makes sense and may be the goal. Can McVay implement that come Sunday? Probably not.
I will the pick and would like to see him get some reps to mix things up a bit.

 

[fearsomefour]

In theory your thoughts make sense. However Mcvay doesn't play rookie RBs especially ones way down the depth chart I just see it as a wasted pick

If not a RB back there I think many would have said to draft a T.
Now, that pick would also make sense but, could be considered a "wasted" pick as well as that player would be solely a depth guy for a year or more.

 

[FrantikRam]

A.

If we trade for Ramsey, I'll give the entire offseason a grade of "Super Bowl"

 

[RamDino]

In theory your thoughts make sense. However Mcvay doesn't play rookie RBs especially ones way down the depth chart I just see it as a wasted pick

If this guy shows out in practice you can bet McVay will use him on gameday. I think he's a stud. And if 1 of the other running backs goes down... even for a few weeks... we will definitely see this kid.

 

[PhillyRam]

B

Simply because I don't get drafting another RB. Other than that I'd give it an A

Need a RB that break off a run longer than 15 yrds.

 

[Flatlyner]

2.14 Ferguson, TE (B+) - Hey, if McSnead had him as their top offensive weapon after Tet, I'm fully on board. The most athletic TE in the draft with plenty of RAC sound like a great add in my book. I did have him as a 3rd rounder, but what do I know? I think he will be great here.

3.26 Stewart, EDGE (A)- Honestly love the pick. A wrecking ball from a big time program. He will more then fill in for Hoecht and eventually will replace BY when his contract comes up.

4.15 Hunter, RB (B+) - The more I look into Hunter, the more I love the pick. One of the top homerun hitters in the Nation last year (2nd I believe) who has speed to burn but does not lack in power and pushing the pile. This pick will allow the Rams to let Kyren walk and save 12-13m/year all while actually having a back that can break a long TD.

5.10 T.Hamilton, DT (B) - He wasn't on my radar but after looking into him, I'm happy with this pick. A very athletic DL rotational piece who will provide some pass rush. Can't hate that.

5.36 Chris Paul Jr, MLB (A+) - An absolutely steal homerun. Nobody would have batted and eye if this guy went in the 2nd round. We steal him in the late 5th. Could potentially be our starting MLB this season. Excellent pick.

7.26 K.Mumpfield, WR (C-) - Felt like a reach at the time and still has that feel. There were several prospects that went after this or UDFA I'd have rather we grabbed. That said, its hard to argue with McSnead and their later WR picks. Might be the best in the league at identifying these types. I would have rated this a D if not for that.

I'm giving them a B+ that could hit as high as A+ if the Falcons suck next year. Imagine getting a top 5-10 pick for trading back 19 picks?

GO RAMS

 

[Merlin]

3.26 Stewart, EDGE (A)- Honestly love the pick. A wrecking ball from a big time program. He will more then fill in for Hoecht and eventually will replace BY when his contract comes up.

I expect Stewart to win the starting role at some point. BY has games where he's a fucking beast, but he disappears too much for my taste. I think adding Stewart was about finding more consistency off that other edge. So at some point, somewhere in the midseason, Stewie will take charge of the most important edge role (rush downs) and we'll see BY play the early snap and contain role and rotation to keep the other two fresh.

 

[CoachAllred]

Was kinda hoping we would trade away a few 1st and 2nd round picks to get
in the top ten and grab Shedeur Sanders.

 

[tklongball]

Does Fiske fit into this year's draft.

That is an excellent point you make with that question. I bet if we had traded away all of our 2026 picks, people would consider that in how they judged this year's draft, so you have to count the 1st next year as part of this draft as well (Just like how people, rightfully, counted the 3rd we traded away last year (Fiske) as part of last year's draft).

When I evaluate a draft, I only look at the pics we had going in, and who we got. I don't care who was drafted where. I look at is as if someone asked, "If I told you we had these picks, and got these players and a 1st round pick next year... "

Another thing you have to look at pre-draft, is where the team/roster is. If you have a depleted roster that need tons of upgrades, then you better come out of a draft with more than 6 players. But, if you have a pretty solid roster (12 yards from the NCG), you are better off with a smaller number of players that fit into the roster/needs you have, because 12 new guys (plus UFAs) aren't going to make this roster. If you have an older QB who probably doesn't have more than 3 years left, but this year's QB class is weak, and next year's is supposed to be much stronger, you would LOVE to see them pick up an extra 1st in next years draft.

Having said all of that, I give this draft a solid A, as far as kneejerk reaction grade.

 

[dang]

2.14 Ferguson, TE (B+) - Hey, if McSnead had him as their top offensive weapon after Tet, I'm fully on board. The most athletic TE in the draft with plenty of RAC sound like a great add in my book. I did have him as a 3rd rounder, but what do I know? I think he will be great here.

3.26 Stewart, EDGE (A)- Honestly love the pick. A wrecking ball from a big time program. He will more then fill in for Hoecht and eventually will replace BY when his contract comes up.

4.15 Hunter, RB (B+) - The more I look into Hunter, the more I love the pick. One of the top homerun hitters in the Nation last year (2nd I believe) who has speed to burn but does not lack in power and pushing the pile. This pick will allow the Rams to let Kyren walk and save 12-13m/year all while actually having a back that can break a long TD.

5.10 T.Hamilton, DT (B) - He wasn't on my radar but after looking into him, I'm happy with this pick. A very athletic DL rotational piece who will provide some pass rush. Can't hate that.

5.36 Chris Paul Jr, MLB (A+) - An absolutely steal homerun. Nobody would have batted and eye if this guy went in the 2nd round. We steal him in the late 5th. Could potentially be our starting MLB this season. Excellent pick.

7.26 K.Mumpfield, WR (C-) - Felt like a reach at the time and still has that feel. There were several prospects that went after this or UDFA I'd have rather we grabbed. That said, its hard to argue with McSnead and their later WR picks. Might be the best in the league at identifying these types. I would have rated this a D if not for that.

I'm giving them a B+ that could hit as high as A+ if the Falcons suck next year. Imagine getting a top 5-10 pick for trading back 19 picks?

GO RAMS

Agree. The 2025 draft grade is on hold until we see what the Rams get with next years R1 pick from ATL.