My crystal ball view of upcoming offseason…

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Rams43

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I think we should relax and enjoy the afterglow from this SB win because Snead/McVay are all over these personnel questions.

And yet it’s always fun to speculate, isn’t it?

Here’s what my crystal ball has revealed:

The biggest thing is Miller extends. And I feel 90% sure of this one.

OBJ extends on an incentive laden contract. Will be a huge contributor late in season and playoffs. Once again uncoverable.

Woods will be our #2 until OBJ returns and Jefferson will be a quality #3 until then. This was the plan when OBJ was first signed and it will be an unstoppable WR corps late in season while catching passes from an even more comfortable Stafford.

Speaking of Stafford, I expect him to exceed his ‘21 numbers, possibly by a good margin. I expect less ‘hero ball’ plays in the process.

Boom will be extended and will play well. We will scarcely notice that Big Whit has retired.

I just don’t know how they’ll ultimately handle the Allen and Corbett questions. I keep waffling on both guys. So many pros and cons with keeping or releasing and going with backup(s) or alternative FA’s for that matter. I just dunno…

I think Mundt is gone and they will draft a nice TE from a reportedly deep class for development. Meanwhile, Higbee, Blanton, and Hopkins (gulp) are our top 3.

Wolford walks and Perkins moves up to #2 which saves a roster spot. A QB will likely be drafted but strictly for a flyer with development in mind.

Michel, unfortunately, will be a cap casualty. At least one RB will be drafted on Day 3 for depth. This will probably be an annual thing. I think 2nd contracts for RB’s is generally not a good thing.

That’s it for the O. Not a long list, really. And the skill positions are already on the roster.

As far as D is concerned, I’ve already mentioned the Miller extension. This one makes too much sense for all parties, don’t you think? Finding the money will NOT be a problem.

Keeping ARob is a no brainer. Speculation about him leaving for marginal cap savings is absurd after what we just saw from him late and in the playoffs. He was a stud.

I like Jones and Howard at ILB but still expect an ILB drafted if only to keep the pipeline full.

We will be very strong at edge with Floyd and Miller but they will almost certainly draft one anyway, if only to keep the pipeline full. Obo and Lewis’ Rams future seems clouded as backups so the ‘next year’ fresh blood will keep coming in.

CB might well be our first pick, depending on who is BPA there. DW is almost certainly a goner. Either he ran over Morris’ dog or couldn’t adapt to the Morris scheme. A promising ‘20 season devolved into a rather disappointing’21 season for him. The good news is that I’m optimistic about Rochell being paired with Ramsey. I see a high ceiling for that kid.

Safety won’t be neglected, either. For one thing, I consider Rapp a square peg in a round hole in this D. Rams might move him via trade if they can get decent compensation. I like Fuller and Scott back there but Rams surely will keep reloading via draft. Rams have excelled at restocking their secondary players since Snead came on board.

Probably not gonna see a major FA move, although one never knows what Snead is gonna do. Maybe a FA for LOT if they don’t like Boom? Maybe a RG to replace Corbett if they think he’s too expensive and they don’t like their current options already on the roster? (I’m on record as not wanting Evans at either OG position). Perhaps a CB or ILB that they consider good value? Even so. I think any Tier I FA is unlikely and probably unneeded.

Not a helluva lot of real holes, y’all. This is a tremendous roster if Rams can extend Miller and OBJ. Well coached and surprisingly deep as we saw in the playoffs.

You can color me very optimistic about the ‘22 season barring catastrophic injuries.
 

Tano

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I just don’t know how they’ll ultimately handle the Allen and Corbett questions. I keep waffling on both guys. So many pros and cons with keeping or releasing and going with backup(s) or alternative FA’s for that matter. I just dunno…
They will insert Creed to replace them .... oh wait

I am sorry to keep harping on this but Tutu was such a stupid pick instead of Creed
 

Rams8821

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They will insert Creed to replace them .... oh wait

I am sorry to keep harping on this but Tutu was such a stupid pick instead of Creed
Give the kid a chance, you never know he might surprise you.....
 

Tano

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Give the kid a chance, you never know he might surprise you.....
I see Creed as an all - pro performer with Tutu possibly being a part time role player that opens up the defense.

I see the value of the potential that Tutu brings but I always consider OL a much heavier value and it was a need last offseason.

I was pleasantly surprised that Allen played capably but the center position is still the weakest position on the offensive side IMHO.

If Tutu was a number 1 receiver then I would be okay with him over Creed but he will never be a number 1 receiver.

At best, I see a number 3 or 4 receiver and those are a dime a dozen
 

Riverumbbq

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I was pleasantly surprised that Allen played capably but the center position is still the weakest position on the offensive side IMHO.

Take it for what it is, but didn't Allen receive the highest PFF grade of our 3 starting interior offensive linemen ?

Perhaps a PFF subscriber could re-post those grades ?
 

Tano

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Take it for what it is, but didn't Allen receive the highest PFF grade of our 3 starting interior offensive linemen ?

Perhaps a PFF subscriber could re-post those grades ?
So did Blythe last year and you know how I feel about him
 

Jorgeh0605

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First off, I'll say that a lot of talk has been about us building a super team to win the superbowl this past year. We all know this isn't the whole story and its the line that talking heads are pushing. But if there was ever a time to mortgage the future and "buy" a Superbowl I think its the 2022 season with a roster that has proven they can get there and win it all. I'd trade a a few bad years and dead cap for an opportunity to run it back!

With that said, I think we sign Miller and OBJ back no matter what. These stars helped us become champions, and I don't think we make it there without either of them.

I think one of our interior OL FA's leaves. My gut says Allen stays and Corbett leaves.

I also think we may possibly trade for an OT. We are not signing a big splash FA like Armstead. Boom leaving could net a draft pick that offsets the draft capital needed to do a trade. But I really don't know how much he will cost, if he isn't getting top LT money we may just resign him.

My hope is after a not so great season, D Will can be had for cheap and we re-sign him. If he's expensive, he walks.

Rapp doesn't fit this defense, but safeties aren't valued all that much so finding a trade partner for anything more then a 6th round pick would be hard. If he's traded, it will be after the draft. But our depth is not great and we were plagued with injuries, so he may have some value to us as a Troy Reeder style off the bench player but for safeties.

SJD walks I think. We keep Ashawn I hope.

Final prediction, win the SuperBowl again.
 

Riverumbbq

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So did Blythe last year and you know how I feel about him

I think the entire Rams fan base felt that way about Blythe, and for a couple of years, but Allen, even with his record of injuries is in a higher echelon classification for Centers. Unlike Blythe, Allen will get a far better than minimum wage pay-day from some team.
jmo.
 

Tano

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I think the entire Rams fan base felt that way about Blythe, and for a couple of years, but Allen, even with his record of injuries is in a higher echelon classification for Centers. Unlike Blythe, Allen will get a far better than minimum wage pay-day from some team.
jmo.
Oh I agree - Allen was 10 times better than Blythe but I still would rather have drafted Creed instead of Tutu

The main thing being - we would have Creed for 3 more years instead of hoping we resign one of our centers
 

Riverumbbq

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Oh I agree - Allen was 10 times better than Blythe but I still would rather have drafted Creed instead of Tutu

The main thing being - we would have Creed for 3 more years instead of hoping we resign one of our centers

I have absolutely no argument with that. Thing is, as we proceeded with every round following the 2'nd, many of us kept wondering when will they take that OL flyer, and it never came. Even a very slight trade down in the 2'nd could have brought us Quinn Meinerz and likely Atwell as well, ... but nothing, and that did feel over the top considering we were facing 3 OL starters hitting free agency at the beginning of 2022.
jmo.
 
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payote75

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I'm not comfortable with unprovens on the line if we really intend to run it back. Stafford isn't a young Burrow or a young anyone. If you give him a wall he will run it back himself. If we decide to just bring Von and Obj and couple others then I free up whatever cap necessary that doesn't ruin us badly and go offensive line and secondary for the secondary we need one above average dude opposite Ramsey then sign and draft heavy at those two positions. If we resign our own line back then you can possibly save a bit sign an excellent corner and do the same in the draft.

I'd like a better all around line keep Stafford upright but open up running lanes. I definitely don't want to put Stafford back there with unprovens and watch him blow out a knee. No no no way!!!
 

Tano

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I have absolutely no argument with that. Thing is, as we proceeded with every round following the 2'nd, many of us kept wondering when will they take that OL flyer, and it never came. Even a very slight trade down in the 2'nd could have brought us Quinn Meinerz and likely Atwell as well, ... but nothing, and that did feel over the top considering we were facing 3 OL starters hitting free agency at the beginning of 2022.
jmo.
100% agree
 

dang

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I’m in the corner for signing Miller and OBJ. But what if Miller wants a 3 year $42m ($14m/year) deal? What if OBJ wants the same? I’m wondering what the limit is for the Rams because there is and should be a limit.
 

Riverumbbq

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I’m in the corner for signing Miller and OBJ. But what if Miller wants a 3 year $42m ($14m/year) deal? What if OBJ wants the same? I’m wondering what the limit is for the Rams because there is and should be a limit.

Demoff has been known for setting limits and sticking to it, he won't create more problems than the team can deal with. jmo.
 

So Ram

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Oh I agree - Allen was 10 times better than Blythe but I still would rather have drafted Creed instead of Tutu

The main thing being - we would have Creed for 3 more years instead of hoping we resign one of our centers

Say all you want about Austin Blythe.
I know he was & is a solid player.,not necessarily a starter at all. What I do think with all the Blythe bashing & the Creed should have been drafted.
Austin Blythe I’m sure helped Creed out a lot his rookie season as he did with Brian Allen.
He never cost The Rams much in salary,but he always did out play his contract. As for Tutu ? Time will tell,I thought Creed should have been the pick. I’m not big on Smallish NFL players.
Tutu has good hands & tracks the ball well. My hope is he develops into a player like the KC WR who is a Star.
 

MachS

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God dammit can we have just a few weeks of glory. Fuck

1645671089971.png
 

PhillyRam

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I see Creed as an all - pro performer with Tutu possibly being a part time role player that opens up the defense.

I see the value of the potential that Tutu brings but I always consider OL a much heavier value and it was a need last offseason.

I was pleasantly surprised that Allen played capably but the center position is still the weakest position on the offensive side IMHO.

If Tutu was a number 1 receiver then I would be okay with him over Creed but he will never be a number 1 receiver.

At best, I see a number 3 or 4 receiver and those are a dime a dozen
Yeah, with drafting like that and this team will never win a Super Bowl.
 

FarNorth

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I think we should relax and enjoy the afterglow from this SB win because Snead/McVay are all over these personnel questions.

And yet it’s always fun to speculate, isn’t it?

Here’s what my crystal ball has revealed:

The biggest thing is Miller extends. And I feel 90% sure of this one.

OBJ extends on an incentive laden contract. Will be a huge contributor late in season and playoffs. Once again uncoverable.

Woods will be our #2 until OBJ returns and Jefferson will be a quality #3 until then. This was the plan when OBJ was first signed and it will be an unstoppable WR corps late in season while catching passes from an even more comfortable Stafford.

Speaking of Stafford, I expect him to exceed his ‘21 numbers, possibly by a good margin. I expect less ‘hero ball’ plays in the process.

Boom will be extended and will play well. We will scarcely notice that Big Whit has retired.

I just don’t know how they’ll ultimately handle the Allen and Corbett questions. I keep waffling on both guys. So many pros and cons with keeping or releasing and going with backup(s) or alternative FA’s for that matter. I just dunno…

I think Mundt is gone and they will draft a nice TE from a reportedly deep class for development. Meanwhile, Higbee, Blanton, and Hopkins (gulp) are our top 3.

Wolford walks and Perkins moves up to #2 which saves a roster spot. A QB will likely be drafted but strictly for a flyer with development in mind.

Michel, unfortunately, will be a cap casualty. At least one RB will be drafted on Day 3 for depth. This will probably be an annual thing. I think 2nd contracts for RB’s is generally not a good thing.

That’s it for the O. Not a long list, really. And the skill positions are already on the roster.

As far as D is concerned, I’ve already mentioned the Miller extension. This one makes too much sense for all parties, don’t you think? Finding the money will NOT be a problem.

Keeping ARob is a no brainer. Speculation about him leaving for marginal cap savings is absurd after what we just saw from him late and in the playoffs. He was a stud.

I like Jones and Howard at ILB but still expect an ILB drafted if only to keep the pipeline full.

We will be very strong at edge with Floyd and Miller but they will almost certainly draft one anyway, if only to keep the pipeline full. Obo and Lewis’ Rams future seems clouded as backups so the ‘next year’ fresh blood will keep coming in.

CB might well be our first pick, depending on who is BPA there. DW is almost certainly a goner. Either he ran over Morris’ dog or couldn’t adapt to the Morris scheme. A promising ‘20 season devolved into a rather disappointing’21 season for him. The good news is that I’m optimistic about Rochell being paired with Ramsey. I see a high ceiling for that kid.

Safety won’t be neglected, either. For one thing, I consider Rapp a square peg in a round hole in this D. Rams might move him via trade if they can get decent compensation. I like Fuller and Scott back there but Rams surely will keep reloading via draft. Rams have excelled at restocking their secondary players since Snead came on board.

Probably not gonna see a major FA move, although one never knows what Snead is gonna do. Maybe a FA for LOT if they don’t like Boom? Maybe a RG to replace Corbett if they think he’s too expensive and they don’t like their current options already on the roster? (I’m on record as not wanting Evans at either OG position). Perhaps a CB or ILB that they consider good value? Even so. I think any Tier I FA is unlikely and probably unneeded.

Not a helluva lot of real holes, y’all. This is a tremendous roster if Rams can extend Miller and OBJ. Well coached and surprisingly deep as we saw in the playoffs.

You can color me very optimistic about the ‘22 season barring catastrophic injuries.
Very excellent post!! Just to chime in fwiw...

Agree that Stafford will improve as he becomes more comfortable with all the receivers and the playbook. Most QBs take a year to really learn a new offense. But I also expect Olson and others to work with him on avoiding some of the pass plays that went awry. No doubt there were multiple reasons, including poor play calls or unexpected routes by receivers. But Stafford needs to use better judgment on some throws too.

The bottom line is I believe Stafford can reach an even higher level of execution. Especially when he has Kupp, Woods, and OBJ all back and healthy.