Rams 53-man roster projection: How injuries change outlook at LB, OL

[FaulkSF]

Well, he did actually start 1 game for the Rams, with Sean "Dink and Dunk" Mannion at the healm.
Thomas in that game? Against "starters"?
3 catches on 4 targets for 75 yards
Seems like he can produce, and has been a solid ST performer

Corners that game:
Dontae Johnson - in 2018 was the 17th best free agent among corners per PFF. Not so good.

Akhello Weatherspoon - 2017 PFF grade was 43rd among corners. That's pretty average. However, in 2018 he was dead last among starting corners. Not so great.

K'Waun Williams - 2017 PFF one of the worst cover corners in the league.

Thomas' ability against solid NFL corners is an unknown. Yes he's good on ST, but does his value supersede the skills of Hodge's ability to run routes and break tackles and his ST contributions? What about Webster's ability on returns and running 3rd and short yardage routes?

 

[Zaphod]

Sullivan?

View attachment 29856

Laurence Tureaud is still in looking good for his age ...

 

[fearsomefour]

Which may be true but then you want somebody who if we judge by his last few games can’t either.

I would classify everyone of the Ram backup OL in that category as of now.
None have impressed.

 

[OldSchool]

I would classify everyone of the Ram backup OL in that category as of now.
None have impressed.

Perhaps though I think Brewer has shown well. But I’ll take young guys learning over aging oft injured declining players every day.

 

[Ram65]

Updated from the other 53 roster thread.

Scott-out/Fox in

I was thinking of letting Hodge go for Patrick. Patrick should be able to make the practice squad. I like him but, he is a bit slow. I like Hodge too but, will the Rams really need him is the big question.


Offense:


2.QB Goff - Bortles
4.RB Gurley - Brown - Henderson - Kelly
2.XWR - Woods - Reynolds
3.YWR - Kupp - Hodge - Webster
2.ZWR - Cooks - Thomas
3.TE Everett/Higbee/Mundt
1.LT Whitworth
1.LG Noteboom
1.C Allen
1.RG - Blythe
1.RT - Havenstein
3.O-line: Edwards, Evans, Demby
24 Total Offense


2.DE/DT Brockers/Franklin-Myers/Fox
2.NT Joseph Day/Gaines
2.DT Donald-Smart
2.WIL Fowler/Okoronkwo
2.OLB Mathews/Ebukam
2.ILB Littleton/Howard
2.ILB Hager/Allen
2.RCB Talib/Long/Hill
2.LCB Peters/Peterson
2.Slot Roby-Coleman/Darious Williams
3.FS Weddle - Rapp -
3.S Johnson - Christian - Parker
26 Defense

LS McQuaide
P Hekker
K Zuerlein
KR Scott-Webster-Thomas
PR Webster

 

[dieterbrock]

Corners that game:
Dontae Johnson - in 2018 was the 17th best free agent among corners per PFF. Not so good.

Akhello Weatherspoon - 2017 PFF grade was 43rd among corners. That's pretty average. However, in 2018 he was dead last among starting corners. Not so great.

K'Waun Williams - 2017 PFF one of the worst cover corners in the league.

Thomas' ability against solid NFL corners is an unknown.

They are NFL corners whether you like them or not, dismissing his game because you don't like them isn't a compelling argument. And again, his QB was Sean Mannion...

Yes he's good on ST, but does his value supersede the skills of Hodge's ability to run routes and break tackles and his ST contributions?

What routes and tackle breaking, has he done in a real NFL game? And I'd say Thomas has shown more ST contributions in real games

What about Webster's ability on returns and running 3rd and short yardage routes?

He's played an NFL game? You wont credit what Thomas has done against actual starting NFL players but value what these guys have done against future Fed Ex drivers? Cmon man...

I like Hodge and I like Webster and I'd keep Hodge as WR #6 and put Webster on the PS
Mike Thomas can play and with former Rams coaches in GB and Cincy, wouldnt surprise me if they picked him up if let go

 

[fearsomefour]

Perhaps though I think Brewer has shown well. But I’ll take young guys learning over aging oft injured declining players every day.

I understand.
My suggesting Sullivan was not say that he would be good, it was to point out how putrid the other options are. Sort of tongue on cheek as well.
Will be interesting to see if they pull anyone in post cuts.

 

[“Turbo set!”]

Middle linebacker is a big issue.

 

[PhillyRam]

I'll play:

Offense (24)

QB1: Goff
QB2: Bortles
Wolford to the PS.

RB1: Gurley
RB2: Brown
RB3: Kelly
RB4: Henderson
Henderson needs to learn how to set up blocks and build lower body strength. This shouldn't exclude him from seeing a couple snaps at WR.

TE1: Higbee
TE2: Everett
TE3: Mundt

WR1: Cooks
WR2: Woods
WR3: Kupp
WR4: Reynolds
WR5: Hodge
WR6: Webster
Greene to the PS. As much as I want to root for Thomas, I don't think he can produce against starters in real games. Call it Gibson syndrome. Hodge has more upside and Webster beats out JoJo for ST abilities.

OL1: Whit
OL2: Note
OL3: Allen
OL4: Blythe
OL5: Have
OL6: Evans
OL7: Edwards
OL8: Hrynkiewicz
OL9: Brewer
Considering Whit's age and the youth on the line, we bring 9 to the 53 to hedge these risks.

Defense(26)

DT1: D-MVP
DT2: SJD
DT3: Gaines
DT4: Smart

DE1: Brockers
DE2: Fox
DE3: JFM

OLB1: Fowler
OLB2: Ebukam
OLB3: Obo
OLB4: Patrick
Durham and Lawler to PS.

ILB1: Littleton
ILB2: Matthews
ILB3: Hager
ILB4: Allen
Surprised to see Matthews here? Don't be. In 2014 and 2015 Matthews was selected to the pro bowl as a ILB. Kiser is injured and Hager just isn't ready yet for a starting role. Reeder to the PS.

CB1: Talib
CB2: Peters
CB3: NRC
CB4: Peterson
CB5: Long Jr.
CB6: Williams
Something isn't right with Troy Hill. These soft tissue injuries are tricky and he risks going on IR and/or trade bait. Deayon to PS.

S1: JJ3
S2: Weddle
S3: Rapp
S4: Parker
S5: Christian

Pro-Bowlers(3)
PB1: Hekker
PB2: GZ
PB3: McQuaide

Howard makes this team.... Might be the best young ILB on the roster. And the fastest.