Most glaring need

[Malibu]

I agree. I think our chances of a ring improve more by solidifying the offensive tackle position than any other - I guess is what I’m saying.

More than anything - to chase rings for 3-4 more years, Stafford needs to be protected

I understand your pov but I keep asking what did Jackson show that wasn't good enough he was never considered the weak link on the OL only gave up 2 sacks. Never felt we couldn't run the ball to the left never worried about Staffords blindside sure maybe Alt/Fashanu may be slightly better but to me the OLBs CBs and Safeties were our Akilles heal last season we have addressed to an extent the S and CB position still feels need more help but we got killed due to no pass rush.

 

[Merlin]

I believe Ajax did just that. Only allowed a single sack for the season. Personally, thinking a rookie LT will come in and be better then an ascending LT doesn't make sense to me. I do not think the improvement we might get from a rookie LT will be more effective then adding a disruptor on defense. Or even a WR, which I'm not totally a fan of, but I think moves the needle more then a rookie LT.

We reached two Super Bowls with Whit locking down the blindside. I think it is unlikely we will reach Super Bowls with Jackson at LT. When we get deep into the playoffs we're going to see DLs and DCs that can isolate weaknesses up front and this year the weak link is going to be LT. At some point in that potential four consecutive games vs the best teams, which leads to hoisting that Lombardi, you are going to be affected schematically by Jackson at LT. And in that min/max environment that type of thing can and will send you home.

And beyond that Jackson is going to want to get paid. In his mind he's a LT now. Rams are probably not going to pay him, based on the fact they now have two OGs in well paid status and the RT also being paid even if it's a median contract. Avila and a young LT will be required to be part of that group I think, otherwise they are tying up too much cap value in one position group.

So if the Rams go get a LT the payoff is the long term fix at the most important spot for a QB's mental well being. They avoid putting too much cap value into one position. And they avoid overpaying a player who is probably a LG or RT. I think the failure with Boom was a wake up call for them. I think it was part of that OL awakening that McVay has had overall, where he seems to be valuing the big boys up front a bit more than he used to.

Fans will whine and complain because that's what we do. But also because OL are not sexy like players who score TDs and do silly dances. However what OL will give you is more players doing silly TD dances, so it balances out. Imagine if they hit on LT. If they do that I guarantee any complaints you may have will dry up down the road and you'll be thankful they went and got that LT when they did.

 

[Kupped]

Sadly, I'm not sure they'll know that till camp this year. Figure how he shows up there will give them an idea if he's gonna make a jump.

Man.. I don't know what's holding him back, unfortunately.
You look at all the measurable traits and he's a 1st or 2nd round prospect. Maybe just doesn't have that dog in him.

 

[blackbart]

I think it is none of the above.

With the first round pick I have to think they go Edge, DT or CB.

However to me the most glaring need is improvement in special teams. Kicker was a mess last year, punt coverage was even worse and the return game was almost nonexistent.

They may get away with not drafting a kicker, not my favorite choice, they need a player who fixes that spot for at least 4 years.

They absolutely have to get the kick off returns working with the new rules. This sounds to me like a huge plus if they can get 1 or 1 key blocks on each kick, every team could house one a game.

Coverage on punts they have got to get a couple of athletes who can tackle, EVERY time.

 

[DzRams]

My feeling is taking the best player available at a position of need at pick #19 and that means either an Edge or DT, of course if Brock Bowers is still on the board, he is the pick.

So in your mind, we just have 2 needs?

 

[El Chapo Jr]

I agree. I think our chances of a ring improve more by solidifying the offensive tackle position than any other - I guess is what I’m saying.

More than anything - to chase rings for 3-4 more years, Stafford needs to be protected

So is not resigning Dotson plus signing Jackson at the other guard position not enough? Think Staff will be pretty protected and that these signings were done so Staff has a clean pocket to step into plus upgrade our ground game. Think signing OT is a waste unless they really move up and get a cornerstone one. Even then, I think it would have minimal impact vs upgrading the defense. It's crazy to heavily rely on just one side of the ball to get the job done. We need the D to at least be average to take full advantage of the offense getting upgraded. Just my 2 cents

 

[WestCoastRam]

So is not resigning Dotson plus signing Jackson at the other guard position not enough? Think Staff will be pretty protected and that these signings were done so Staff has a clean pocket to step into plus upgrade our ground game. Think signing OT is a waste unless they really move up and get a cornerstone one. Even then, I think it would have minimal impact vs upgrading the defense. It's crazy to heavily rely on just one side of the ball to get the job done. We need the D to at least be average to take full advantage of the offense getting upgraded. Just my 2 cents

There may be some people who think trading up for a top flight tackle is the best move but I think there's just a decent amount of us who see it now as likely neither favoring it nor dismissing it entirely. I put a ton of stock in what Allbright says though he could still be wrong or the Rams attempts to trade up for a tackle may still fail if they think the price is too steep.

I don't love it but it will certainly help out the team next year and long term. If we didn't have a Stafford timeline, I might even think it was the best move outside of getting Odunze.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

There may be some people who think trading up for a top flight tackle is the best move but I think there's just a decent amount of us who see it now as likely neither favoring it nor dismissing it entirely. I put a ton of stock in what Allbright says though he could still be wrong or the Rams attempts to trade up for a tackle may still fail if they think the price is too steep.

I don't love it but it will certainly help out the team next year and long term. If we didn't have a Stafford timeline, I might even think it was the best move outside of getting Odunze.

I get why, but feel that it really doesn't impact this year much more than it's a next year type move. It makes me wonder if maybe next year's crop of defensive pass rushers may be better? Honestly, I just don't know. I find it extremely odd to keep putting more into the offense when our defense needs attention badly. Yeah we have 2 tackles that may need replacing but I don't see Big Rob until after next year so it's really maybe one right now. Also our CBs aren't a lock either since Williams is a 30 year old CB on a 2 year deal and White is only signed for 1 year. Add in that our pass rush took a huge hit with AD's retirement and it just makes too much sense to go defense with the amount of talent available. Regardless I'm just taking a wait and see approach since no one truly knows the Rams intent.

 

[Ramstien]

So in your mind, we just have 2 needs?

I'm talking about the obvious biggest needs. I am interested to know what you believe their biggest needs are going into this draft.

 

[RamDino]

IMO... their biggest need is improving the pass rush. Don't care how they improve it, but they just lost their best pass rusher on a team that was already weak rushing the passer.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I get why, but feel that it really doesn't impact this year much more than it's a next year type move. It makes me wonder if maybe next year's crop of defensive pass rushers may be better? Honestly, I just don't know. I find it extremely odd to keep putting more into the offense when our defense needs attention badly. Yeah we have 2 tackles that may need replacing but I don't see Big Rob until after next year so it's really maybe one right now. Also our CBs aren't a lock either since Williams is a 30 year old CB on a 2 year deal and White is only signed for 1 year. Add in that our pass rush took a huge hit with AD's retirement and it just makes too much sense to go defense with the amount of talent available. Regardless I'm just taking a wait and see approach since no one truly knows the Rams intent.

I think part of the reason they may want to do it is that the defensive players just aren't that great in this draft.

Still, I just feel like there are guys we can get that would help like you believe too. I think I'm starting to end up in the Dejean camp at 19 to be honest but think he's gone by then.

 

[Flatlyner]

I think part of the reason they may want to do it is that the defensive players just aren't that great in this draft.

Still, I just feel like there are guys we can get that would help like you believe too. I think I'm starting to end up in the Dejean camp at 19 to be honest but think he's gone by then.

I get thinking they aren't top end elite, but, what we currently have isn't really even above average. As it appears on paper, we are not going to be stopping anyone on D.

Dejean would not be a bad pick at all, I agree. If we went versatile defenders in the first 2 rounds, Dejean and Cooper/Wilson would not be a bad combo. All three of those guys are impact players and can contribute at a pretty high level multiple positions. Although I'd have Cooper above Wilson for age and injury concerns.

 

[Flatlyner]

Totally agree ILB is getting overlooked by the fan base. Jonesxin his last year and someone that can go sideline to sideline like Payton wilson wd be amazing in rd 2 move up a little

3 good options for this, my favorite being Cooper (Who I think can been a pretty damn good edge too), Colson, Wilson (worried about age and injury history but productive as hell).

 

[Loyal]

Starters: Jackson / Jackson / Avila / Dotson / Havenstein

Depth: Boom (OT & OG) / ROOK (LT) / McAllister (C) / McClendon (RT)

Way I see it the room quality drops precipitously after McClendon. Maybe Bruss comes out of nowhere but when you're hoping a guy comes out of nowhere as depth after a couple seasons it means chances are he's a bust. So to me adding that OT this year would be very wise. It's not as pressing a need as Edge. Due to Jackson's presence it is doable to even wait until next offseason, but this is a strong OT group and they're drafting in a range where they may have an option fall to them.

It's tough to get one of these guys. If one doesn't drop then they may roll the dice on one of the projects, who still require a pretty high pick. I mean even Guyton probably doesn't make it to 50 range. He's a project but will go off that board prior to that range we normally pick.

Thing of course is that if we move up for one of these guys you gotta be real sure about him. Has to be a guy everyone in the room is unanimous on, where they all love him. And the advantage with OT is that even if you miss on the LT he may end up recouping some value as RT.

"I'm yur huckleberry" ~ Joe Alt

 

[WestCoastRam]

I get thinking they aren't top end elite, but, what we currently have isn't really even above average. As it appears on paper, we are not going to be stopping anyone on D.

Dejean would not be a bad pick at all, I agree. If we went versatile defenders in the first 2 rounds, Dejean and Cooper/Wilson would not be a bad combo. All three of those guys are impact players and can contribute at a pretty high level multiple positions. Although I'd have Cooper above Wilson for age and injury concerns.

I'm not sure about Cooper or Wilson being worth in if we stay at our spot in the 2nd round. I think there will most likely be superior talent at edge, IDL and corner. If Cooper was a savvier player and could read plays better than I'd say yes. I wonder if his eventual spot will end up being a situational pass rusher for some team. I like him and Wilson if we drop down in the 2nd but I imagine they may be gone too. After that though, nothing doing at ILB for rest of draft that's any better than Rozeboom.

 

[Flatlyner]

I'm not sure about Cooper or Wilson being worth in if we stay at our spot in the 2nd round. I think there will most likely be superior talent at edge, IDL and corner. If Cooper was a savvier player and could read plays better than I'd say yes. I wonder if his eventual spot will end up being a situational pass rusher for some team. I like him and Wilson if we drop down in the 2nd but I imagine they may be gone too. After that though, nothing doing at ILB for rest of draft that's any better than Rozeboom.

I'd rather Colson or Trotter Jr then Rozeboom, but I hear you.

 

[Loyal]

We reached two Super Bowls with Whit locking down the blindside. I think it is unlikely we will reach Super Bowls with Jackson at LT. When we get deep into the playoffs we're going to see DLs and DCs that can isolate weaknesses up front and this year the weak link is going to be LT. At some point in that potential four consecutive games vs the best teams, which leads to hoisting that Lombardi, you are going to be affected schematically by Jackson at LT. And in that min/max environment that type of thing can and will send you home.

And beyond that Jackson is going to want to get paid. In his mind he's a LT now. Rams are probably not going to pay him, based on the fact they now have two OGs in well paid status and the RT also being paid even if it's a median contract. Avila and a young LT will be required to be part of that group I think, otherwise they are tying up too much cap value in one position group.

So if the Rams go get a LT the payoff is the long term fix at the most important spot for a QB's mental well being. They avoid putting too much cap value into one position. And they avoid overpaying a player who is probably a LG or RT. I think the failure with Boom was a wake up call for them. I think it was part of that OL awakening that McVay has had overall, where he seems to be valuing the big boys up front a bit more than he used to.

Fans will whine and complain because that's what we do. But also because OL are not sexy like players who score TDs and do silly dances. However what OL will give you is more players doing silly TD dances, so it balances out. Imagine if they hit on LT. If they do that I guarantee any complaints you may have will dry up down the road and you'll be thankful they went and got that LT when they did.

It might be worth biting the bullet by trading up for Joe Alt. Depending on Stafford's own words that he wants 2-3 more Super Bowls and a gold jacket (so a minimum of 3 years) with the Rams, getting a cheap, young elite LT like Alt might be the cornerstone when we finally go after a QB in FA or the draft in 4 years. If Alt is a young Big Whit, then he is worth it.

 

[Flatlyner]

Fuaga can be had for much less (I believe) if we are going that route. Trading to 6 or 7 is going to be VERY expensive, probably more then we can afford currently. I mean, I love Alt, but, I like adding talent to the team too

 

[WestCoastRam]

I'd rather Colson or Trotter Jr then Rozeboom, but I hear you.

I mean, at least with those guys you restart the contracts again!

 

[Merlin]

It might be worth biting the bullet by trading up for Joe Alt. Depending on Stafford's own words that he wants 2-3 more Super Bowls and a gold jacket (so a minimum of 3 years) with the Rams, getting a cheap, young elite LT like Alt might be the cornerstone when we finally go after a QB in FA or the draft in 4 years. If Alt is a young Big Whit, then he is worth it.

I'm thinking there might end up being a few guys who are LTs out of this class. So much of these guys is projection so there's no telling. But I like a few of them and there's one or two others I may be undervaluing. It's a real thing to see a group like this go off in a clump too, with OTs teams will panic and jump in and take them once they start going off the board. Which means this could be the Rams doing their due diligence to know the price of moving up to different spots just in case.

Even after they sniff around and get prices they could still elect to stand pat and see if one they like falls to them. But I do think the rumors, if true, and I sort of believe they are true, insinuate they think there's a good chance they have to move up to get the guy they like. Now who that is, no telling of course. Ideally they don't have to move up, well, ideally they get Latu in my mind at least. But that's not gonna happen and watching the best OTs go off in their face might be real painful if they don't move up.