Overall Roster Analysis

[Merlin]

KEY: Elite +Starter Starter Depth Shitter

(Using https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthchart/LAR for roster reference)

OFFENSE

OL

LT: Noteboom
LG: Jackson
C: Allen
RG: Bruss
RT: Havenstein

Depth: Shelton (C/OG), Anchrum (OG/OT), Thomas (OT/OG), Arcuri (OT)

- OL has a low talent level but that is nothing new. My hope is the Rams address iOL by taking a C or G but it is possible they go again with most of the same pieces and the only new additions being pipeline types from mid to late rounds or UDFA from this draft. I suspect they're gonna give Boom & Jackson this season and I don't like it any more than you do but in some ways it is unavoidable due to overall roster needs. Things do look very different if Boom & Jackson or just one of them demonstrate an ability to be a starter and it is possible. Also and for the record I am praying they add a cheap FA but running out of hope on that as we speak.

QB

QB1: Stafford
QB2: ???
QBd: ???

- QB clearly is a position McVay is not happy with. Stafford I think would be moved if it wasn't for his contract, just my suspicion on the matter. I love him and don't want him moved for the record. But this is just my read on it. I think the rumors are valid and it makes sense because he did not play well last season, the Rams are in a rebuild, and he is very old with hard miles under his belt. Tough MFer but age beats us all. Expect to see a minor trade made for backup with probably a young QB who is out of favor with his team, and then maybe a pick in the draft for QB development if one they like is there. This pick could happen anywhere though I think midrounds is most likely. Also and btw it may be one or the other, though I do expect them to make a move before the draft.

WR

WR1: Kupp
WR2: Robinson
WRs: Atwell

Depth: Jefferson, Skowronek, McCutcheon

- WR we need Atwell to win that slot job. Period. If that happens and if Robinson knows what he's doing this year it is possible we see a resurgence by this unit. I am of the mind that Robinson's problem is mostly knowing the scheme and reads so if he can fix that then maybe Stafford starts throwing him the ball. This group is not great but they do represent a position where the Rams can stand pat in a rebuild year and still maybe see improvement. So that is my expectation. Only thing is McVay likes his toys so we'll see.

TE

TE1: Higbee
TE2: Long

Depth: Hopkins

- TE might have added a better piece in Long than people realize. Went back and watched his college tape and he's a big target with good hands and catch radius. Not a high quality starter and probably will never be that but he may be able to approach what Higs has been for us which is to say if we are lucky the Rams find a TE2 of even just low starter quality with him. I have no faith in Hopkins and praying we draft a TE in this year's haul.

RB

RB1: Akers
RBc: Williams

Depth: Rivers (RBc)

- RB we have solid starter level type players right now at the bell cow role and change of pace role. Would be nice to do better than that but at a minimum what we need is a backup for the bell cow role. Hopefully with this new RB coach the team can get smart on that.

OFFENSE NOTES

Overall the biggest problem with the offense is too much reliance on iffy players to step up across the board. We can have a good offense IF we get production from a handful of players. If if if. So not feeling confident about them but it is better than the defensive side in roster quality.

DEFENSE

DL

3T: Donald
1T: Brown
5T: Williams

Depth: Brown IV, Murchison, Carter

- DL the main need is a 5T. Generally speaking the ideal 5T is a big/lanky type strong enough to mix it up with the opposing RT but also add a little rush threat on pass downs. They're not easy to find, though not as rare as 3T where we have the best in the business. The NT types at 1T are numerous and easier to find well into drafts in comparison, though the ones who can show some interior rush threat on passing downs in addition to stuffing the run are valued and we just lost one of those in Gaines. Translation for the Rams is they will try to find a 5T or 1T in this draft if one is there at any point that they like. More than that is unlikely due to the fact they have a ton of holes and not enough picks. Also and btw Brown may have enough to him to play 5T but I kept him on the nose for now because like most of these guys he has a ton to prove, the key is him simply becoming a starter on that line which is possible. So this unit is potentially solid if that happens plus AD's presence.

OLB

Blind side: Hardy

Strong side: Hoecht

Depth: Thomas, VanValkenburg

- Edge I have Hoecht on strong side because he is our best option to handle opposing OT/TE combos. He's also our best rusher of the holdovers so no telling what side he ends up on but I am guessing strong side more often than not with a draft pick handling the rush on the blindside. Barring a situation where a good one falls to us at 36 the chances are whoever we draft will be marginal on the rush but with hopefully good contain. At the very least this group must hold up vs the run and contain well. Last but not least with this group I think it is possible that Hardy develops into a guy who can help us. But as we have seen with other positions we are talking rainbows and unicorns which generally are not going to come home for you across the board.

ILB

SILB: Jones

WILB: Hummel

Depth: Rozeboom

- ILB is not as bad as it looks. Jones may not be special as an ILB but he's not gonna be terrible either, he's a starting talent for us there. I think he saw where the bar was while playing back there with Wags (who is not what he was but is still a starter) and hopefully he is working his ass off to become a top player. Would not surprise me to see Jones move to being a +starter and one of the reasons they moved Wags (other than cap) was to clear room for the young ILB they drafted. At that other spot we will see more of a rotation with safety perhaps, though there is a chance Hummel steps up and plays well in that role for us this year because his college tape had similar usage with excellent results. We are actually in better shape than it looks at ILB I think.

CB

CB1: Durant
CB2: Rochell
CBs: Kendrick

Depth: Jolly

- CB is probably our position of greatest need on this roster now that Ramsey is gone. Even with Ramsey they needed another corner. Now that is even more true. But the silver lining in all this is that the Rams got out at a good time with Jalen and it's a good draft to restack this group. At a minimum they require a good starter for outside the hash to pair with Durant. That bumps Rochell down to depth where he should be. Unit still is not ideal because I am not certain Kendrick is fully bought in mentally, but if he is then he is definitely capable of being a good slot corner because you can get away with a lack of athleticism there if the corner has good hand use/control which he does. Some will quibble with Durant being a starter but I think he demonstrated his quality and he is going to get a lot better. He is likely going to be a +starter for us I think and probably this season. I'll feel best if they draft two corners but we only have so many picks so I am expecting one plus a ton of UDFAs.

S

S1: Fuller
S2: Yeast

Depth: Lake, LeCounte

- Safety is really interesting. It is entirely possible they have more here than meets the eye for a couple reasons, those being that first off it's a position where quality can be found anywhere, meaning we probably have enough raw talent in that group. Second reason being our staff was not good last season with this group and changes were made to fix that by bringing back a quality secondary coach. Complicating things is I have no idea what is up with Fuller. Can we count on him next season. If the Rams have any doubts on this then S is a need and they'll take one.

Looking at the rest of the guys who appear to be depth types, are Yeast and Lake capable of pushing for jobs in camp. So if they bring in a good safety in the draft and Fuller is healthy in 2023 it is possible this unit quickly returns to being a team strength.

DEFENSE NOTES

This unit is reliant on too many what-if scenarios to expect a top unit. The question is can we have a solid unit and that comes down largely to the secondary because they are the weakest part of this 11. Chances are this group will be hit and miss game to game and will need to be carried by the offense. But if they can find a starting corner in this draft and get some good breaks in development it is possible this defense surprises by finishing somewhere mid-pack in scoring which would be a miracle from where we are sitting now.

OVERALL

Everyone wants to count us out. Even our own fans. And we can be counted out as Super Bowl contenders. But so long as we have McVay steering this ship we will always be a few games better than people expect.

Unfortunately this season is going to be dependent on the draft, and from that perspective our front office has not shown an ability to consistently find starters. So from where we are sitting now it feels unlikely we surprise by chasing a wildcard and more likely we end up selling players at the deadline. But since we're still early in the FA period I see no reason to throw in the towel quite yet. Will revisit this after the draft and hopefully have a more positive outlook with two or three position groups which may be enough for us to irritate the Foolios of the media circlejerk by putting up another winning season for McVay.

 

[CGI_Ram]

KEY: Elite +Starter Starter Depth Shitter

Shitter

I haven’t read the post yet. Couldn’t get past the key!

 

[Lunchbox]

Pass rush and Oline can cover a lot of other weaknesses. That's my main focus in the draft along with CB and offensive skill positions. Good breakdown. Hard to argue with any of it.

 

[Karate61]

Pass rush and Oline can cover a lot of other weaknesses. That's my main focus in the draft along with CB and offensive skill positions. Good breakdown. Hard to argue with any of it.

I'm with you on pass rush and online! Those two win games!

 

[RamFanWA]

Pass rush and Oline can cover a lot of other weaknesses. That's my main focus in the draft along with CB and offensive skill positions. Good breakdown. Hard to argue with any of it.

No doubt - because last year was a shining example of sucking at the O-line and RB aspect of the game..... Scoring points and moving the ball will cover a lot of weakness.....

 

[Riverumbbq]

The Rams have 3 draft picks they absolutely must get right, and they fall between #36 and #77, after that it's gonna be a crap-shoot since we won't see the podium again until pick #167, those late round remaining 8 picks will probably be more about roster need where the first 3 should be strictly BPA. jmo.

 

[oldnotdead]

I for one don't count the Rams out. Far from it. There is talent on this roster more than most realize. Most didn't think much of the 2021 roster either. But guess what they won a Lombardi. I said then it was a championship caliber roster that was built. I'm saying now that this roster can be good if used properly across the board and they avoid a repeat of the devastating injuries of last season. I think they will. I believe what Dielman told me about good OL coaches preventing injury by teaching proper technique. Look at all the leg and chest injuries. That is poor technique type injuries and that is why Carberry is gone and Wendell is here. Wendell was an OL for 9 years in the NFL.

I think that Pleasant might be here to change how Morris' scheme is played.

Hardy was playing in rotation with Floyd on the strong side. I think that is where he will play. I agree they might move Hoecht to the strong side because his size would seem to be a better fit. But I also think he will be asked to lose weight to regain his speed. He had 4.6 speed at 185 lbs which is classic weakside DE size and weight. So even though most rookie edges play the weakside, they might leave Hoecht over there.

I think they will go to a two man rotation with Brown on early downs and Murchison on passing downs. They started to do that in December after they grabbed Murchison. That will be the way they replace Gaines. AD stays at 3T even though they could bypass the edge in the draft and move AD to weakside edge and Hoecht to strongside edge with Murchison at 3T. The point is they have a whole lot of options. But they need to dump that Fangio one gap/two gap combo read and react scheme. They need to return to their one gap attacking style that Morris abandoned and went to the Fangio combo gap play scheme. That's what Detroit did and it improved their defense. That is why suddenly Detroit's defense came on strong at the end of the season. It was that combo gap read and react scheme that was the problem on the DL and LBs.

They need to play the secondary differently. They need to read and anticipate the route concepts when they play zone and jump and contest routes. This defense had ball hawks but Morris' passive style stifled them. Do what Aaron Glenn is doing in Detroit. Play a single gap attacking style in the front 7 with an alternating man and zone behind them in the secondary. Glenn uses almost a 50/50 split between man and zone.

With the safeties, they have they can play 3 safeties with Fuller in the middle zone, and Lake and Yeast in the deep shell. Then they can play quarters with the CBs or alternate having them play man outside with Durant and Rochell.

What I'm saying is that the roster gives them options defensively if they simply use them properly. The same can be said with the offense. If Robinson isn't traded, then it will be X Robinson, Y Jeffeson and Z Kupp with Atwell, Skowronek, and Powell. Long gives McVay to play twelve personnel with Higbee on the weakside running Y route tree and Long shoring up a weak Havenstein edge.

If Thomas starts at one of the OG positions it finally gives McVay a pulling OG, something he's wanted but hasn't had. If my sources are correct then Toner is on the roster as a backup center and OG. He could bump Brewer down the depth chart because he can play both OG/center. Toner has been a decent starter when given the starts. Not great but not horrible either, i.e. the definition of a backup, i.e. the Nsekhe of OGs.

Decent OL play is the key this season. Time for Stafford to read, and holes for Akers to run through. The offense is basically intact when talking about skill players. So with decent OL play they can roll again. The defense might not dominate but again if played properly good enough to get to the playoffs either as the division winner or a wildcard.

But it's next year that they can really make a run at a Lombardi and for the next few years depending upon QB1, be it Stafford or someone else.

 

[Loyal]

I am totally with you, Merlin. We should move up if necessary to get Gibbs. BRILLIANT!

 

[RAMSinLA]

In other words... 8 and 9

 

[Shuie3225]

 

[bubbaramfan]

No K, P, LS=missed FG's, bad snaps, short and blocked punts.

 

[Snaz]

I'm with you on pass rush and online! Those two win games!

No pass rush, Gonna play same bend don't break defense. So no point in that anyway.
Build a Good enough offense so that the defense can be effective seems to be the plan.

 

[Karate61]

No pass rush, Gonna play same bend don't break defense. So no point in that anyway.
Build a Good enough offense so that the defense can be effective seems to be the plan.

I hate our current defensive scheme. I think most of us here do.

 

[Malibu]

I for one don't count the Rams out. Far from it. There is talent on this roster more than most realize. Most didn't think much of the 2021 roster either. But guess what they won a Lombardi. I said then it was a championship caliber roster that was built. I'm saying now that this roster can be good if used properly across the board and they avoid a repeat of the devastating injuries of last season. I think they will. I believe what Dielman told me about good OL coaches preventing injury by teaching proper technique. Look at all the leg and chest injuries. That is poor technique type injuries and that is why Carberry is gone and Wendell is here. Wendell was an OL for 9 years in the NFL.

I think that Pleasant might be here to change how Morris' scheme is played.

Hardy was playing in rotation with Floyd on the strong side. I think that is where he will play. I agree they might move Hoecht to the strong side because his size would seem to be a better fit. But I also think he will be asked to lose weight to regain his speed. He had 4.6 speed at 185 lbs which is classic weakside DE size and weight. So even though most rookie edges play the weakside, they might leave Hoecht over there.

I think they will go to a two man rotation with Brown on early downs and Murchison on passing downs. They started to do that in December after they grabbed Murchison. That will be the way they replace Gaines. AD stays at 3T even though they could bypass the edge in the draft and move AD to weakside edge and Hoecht to strongside edge with Murchison at 3T. The point is they have a whole lot of options. But they need to dump that Fangio one gap/two gap combo read and react scheme. They need to return to their one gap attacking style that Morris abandoned and went to the Fangio combo gap play scheme. That's what Detroit did and it improved their defense. That is why suddenly Detroit's defense came on strong at the end of the season. It was that combo gap read and react scheme that was the problem on the DL and LBs.

They need to play the secondary differently. They need to read and anticipate the route concepts when they play zone and jump and contest routes. This defense had ball hawks but Morris' passive style stifled them. Do what Aaron Glenn is doing in Detroit. Play a single gap attacking style in the front 7 with an alternating man and zone behind them in the secondary. Glenn uses almost a 50/50 split between man and zone.

With the safeties, they have they can play 3 safeties with Fuller in the middle zone, and Lake and Yeast in the deep shell. Then they can play quarters with the CBs or alternate having them play man outside with Durant and Rochell.

What I'm saying is that the roster gives them options defensively if they simply use them properly. The same can be said with the offense. If Robinson isn't traded, then it will be X Robinson, Y Jeffeson and Z Kupp with Atwell, Skowronek, and Powell. Long gives McVay to play twelve personnel with Higbee on the weakside running Y route tree and Long shoring up a weak Havenstein edge.

If Thomas starts at one of the OG positions it finally gives McVay a pulling OG, something he's wanted but hasn't had. If my sources are correct then Toner is on the roster as a backup center and OG. He could bump Brewer down the depth chart because he can play both OG/center. Toner has been a decent starter when given the starts. Not great but not horrible either, i.e. the definition of a backup, i.e. the Nsekhe of OGs.

Decent OL play is the key this season. Time for Stafford to read, and holes for Akers to run through. The offense is basically intact when talking about skill players. So with decent OL play they can roll again. The defense might not dominate but again if played properly good enough to get to the playoffs either as the division winner or a wildcard.

But it's next year that they can really make a run at a Lombardi and for the next few years depending upon QB1, be it Stafford or someone else.

I absolutely disagree the defense has been decimated only AD and Jones are the only two good players on D. Durant and Fuller the jury is still out.

We have almost our entire st gone. No solid back up QB, maybe Robinson gets traded away on Offense. This OL sucked in every configuration it is below average C- to D+. We are stuck with Akers, Kupp, Goff and Higby and Skoronick on Offense and that's it.

We do not have a prayer with CBs, OL, Safeties and OLBs of competing.

Everyone keeps saying the draft the draft. History proves the draft is far from the answer. Most flame out, we don't have any 1sts and they usually take several years to get up to speed so stop thinking the draft is our savior because it's not.

If you want to move the thread into 2023 is a transitional year I'll go along but stop the fantasyland pie in the sky thinking this team is going to be remotely good. I not sure we beat AZ for last place in our division and they super suck with 4 new 1st time coaches/GM and Hopkins potentially moving on.

This disaster of 2023 is predicated on minimal injuries God forbid if we sustain heavy injuries again like last year. Imo we are one of the 5 worst teams in the NFL only Kupp, Stafford and AD keep us from being worse.

 

[PhillyRam]

I absolutely disagree the defense has been decimated only AD and Jones are the only two good players on D. Durant and Fuller the jury is still out.

We have almost our entire st gone. No solid back up QB, maybe Robinson gets traded away on Offense. This OL sucked in every configuration it is below average C- to D+. We are stuck with Akers, Kupp, Goff and Higby and Skoronick on Offense and that's it.

We do not have a prayer with CBs, OL, Safeties and OLBs of competing.

Everyone keeps saying the draft the draft. History proves the draft is far from the answer. Most flame out, we don't have any 1sts and they usually take several years to get up to speed so stop thinking the draft is our savior because it's not.

If you want to move the thread into 2023 is a transitional year I'll go along but stop the fantasyland pie in the sky thinking this team is going to be remotely good. I not sure we beat AZ for last place in our division and they super suck with 4 new 1st time coaches/GM and Hopkins potentially moving on.

This disaster of 2023 is predicated on minimal injuries God forbid if we sustain heavy injuries again like last year. Imo we are one of the 5 worst teams in the NFL only Kupp, Stafford and AD keep us from being worse.

 

[Snaz]

I hate our current defensive scheme. I think most of us here do.

I absolutely loathe it. But I think that's the plan. If the O can do their part the defense will be "good enough".

 

[El Chapo Jr]

I absolutely loathe it. But I think that's the plan. If the O can do their part the defense will be "good enough".

Not sure if good will be applied to our defense. Just gonna not have any expectations for 2023 and see how it goes.

 

[Snaz]

Not sure if good will be applied to our defense. Just gonna not have any expectations for 2023 and see how it goes.

I think with the current roster of players on "D" if will be pretty close statistically last year.
If the 'O' significantly improves. What do you think clone level of last year 'D' will look like?

Think about the scheme. The style of defense negates elite level of talent, but can be effective to the design with good reaction times and tackling. Have enough players there, to play to the coaches level of expectation.

 

[sjm1582002]

Not a single shitter?

Well, isn't that cause for celebration?

The front 7 lost 4 quality staters and I hope the new OL coach is one talented miracle worker because that group definitely needs one.

If I were one of the Ram's opponent this upcoming season, I'd be looking forward to playing that lineup.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

I think with the current roster of players on "D" if will be pretty close statistically last year.
If the 'O' significantly improves. What do you think clone level of last year 'D' will look like?

Think about the scheme. The style of defense negates elite level of talent, but can be effective to the design with good reaction times and tackling. Have enough players there, to play to the coaches level of expectation.

No way scheme alone makes up for talent. The only hope we have is that some of our younger players currently on the roster step up and improve more than we expect. It's a big ask. An example I'll give is who in our secondary can physically deal with Deebo Samuel or DK Metcalf? Those 2 will most likely out muscle our current secondary. I'm not trying to be negative but when you lose that much talent on D, it's most likely going to have a negative effect on it. Hopefully I'm wrong cuz I'd obviously want the Rams to do well, but I feel pretty strongly that our D is going to get handled by other teams quite a bit.