Rams Failed in 2026 Draft Approach

[Coliseum Ram]

Trade for 32 year old Buckner when you've got Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Branden Fiske? It's possible. If they outbid the 49ers.

But he's not even in Myles Garrett's talent class. The Rams wanted and needed a closer on the DLine. That's Garrett. Not Buckner.

The sad part of this whole thread is that the Rams executed a PERFECT offseason. Why do you think terms like "Super Team" and "17-0" were thrown around? If Myles Garrett who has never been an injury case, were healthy and normal Myles Garrett the Rams would be 5-2 OR 6-1 and this thread wouldn't even exist.

 

[Coliseum Ram]

I think their defense would've been every bit as good this season.. *to this point* without the Garrett trade.
They would not have had Donald.. but they would have had Verse playing.. and playing from Game one, healthy.

And they would've had the draft capital to make upgrades if they so chose to.

Yeah the defense would be every bit of good up to this point. We would have Verse and no Donald. About a push.

But when we have Garrett AND Donald in there minus Jared Verse our Defense will be leaps and bounds better.

This thread MAINLY exists because of the Myles Garrett injury. Almost a mockery.

 

[Memphis Ram]

You really didn't get it did ya.....by chasing the dude that dude is Myles Garrett. Snead was trying to get him for YEARS. This whole idea that the Rams only went after Garrett because they drafted Simpson is media and fan driven by far. If you're chasing an elite talent like that, you're giving up the picks with Stafford as your QB. Would people really be pissed if we got Garrett and didn't draft Simpson first? I highly doubt most would. By the way, I understand the Rams are more comfortable making the trade because they drafted a QB they liked, but I can't see Snead turning away from it after "humping" the Browns leg for years about Garrett lol

I don't think you get it.
I'm sure that Snead has asked or checked in about other players as well. It's a part of the job.

My guess is the chase went like this:

Year one
Snead: Hey would you be interested in trading Garrett?
Browns: No.

Year two.
Snead: Hey would you be interested in trading Garrett?
Browns: No.

And so on.

I'd guess the Rams got calls like this every year for Aaron Donald.

Snead even stated that when they changed his contract that's when they decided to check in again. And then they worked something out.

Would people be pissed if we got Garrett and didn't draft Simpson first? It would depend upon the compensation required to obtain him and how it would affect the chances of obtaining a potential franchise QB. (As I recall some didn't even like the deal because Verse was involved).

Why? Because some of us understand the importance of the QB position and how difficult these guys are to obtain AND as great as Myles Garrett has been, we've seen him play and lose on some pretty decent Browns teams that didn't have one. I think they went through about 15 QBs when he was there and got to the post season maybe once or twice. QB simply trumps pass rusher in this game.

Over the years I believe that we've even watched some pretty talented Rams teams falter due to having nothing a QB.

 

[Fire Ants]

I'm OBSERVING that the strategy was the wrong one for THIS SEASON.

But the season isn't over yet.

You probably thought the Eagles game was over with 10 minutes left in Q4.

 

[snackdaddy]

Agree

Personally, I'm of the belief you ALWAYS use the Draft for future use and NEVER use the Draft for the upcoming single season.

Yup. If you're putting all your hopes on a rookie class in their first year you're probably gonna be disappointed.

 

[Ramstien]

It usually takes around three years to determine how well a draft class develops in the NFL.

 

[PARAM]

But this still goes back to the loaded roster. While it would be something, competition doesn't mean that the rookie was going come in and beat out a veteran who knows the scheme for his spot or get snaps within the first 7 games. Just like Klare didn't beat out the guys ahead of him.

And they could have drafted all special teamers with those final selections. But there are still only so many active spots on the game day roster.

More common sense Memphis? What are you trying to do, mentally paralyze some fans?

According to theory, there was no competition leading up to week 1?

How in hell did Wesley Bailey get a job? Must have been just given to him?

We also just handed out backup OL spots too?

So that's why we're 3-4. No competition in camp!

Damn I really thought McVay was smarter than that!!

 

[PARAM]

Yup. If you're putting all your hopes on a rookie class in their first year you're probably gonna be disappointed.

In all fairness, that's done a lot with 4-13 or 5-12 teams. The rookie class is EXTREMELY important. With perennial playoff teams, not so much. But I could see how that may be confusing to some.

 

[Ramstien]

The thing about the NFL injuries and crappy officiating plays a big role in the outcome of the season.

 

[Tumak61]

As far as use of 1st round draft capitol Snead turned that into one of the best Corners in the league and a QB that the team liked. Two premium positions. I don't know how you can make better use of those premium picks. To say you know we could use a 3rd WR so let's take the best available with pick 13 is just dumb.

 

[Pupped]

You can shout about how it's hindsight, but there is a massive difference between "I think the Rams had the wrong strategy in hindsight" and "the Rams had the wrong strategy in hindsight because they should have picked these specific players who went later in the Draft who are playing well as rookies." The former point is debatable. I think you're wrong because drafting Simpson made them feel confident enough to trade future draft compensation for Myles Garrett. If Simpson turns out to be a bust, well, we'll pay for it. If he pans out, we'll be in a good spot.

But the latter point is incoherent. If your draft strategy is "pick the best players based on knowledge you'll have midway through their rookie season," your strategy isn't viable.

So this conversation can absolutely be about the opportunity costs of drafting Simpson and Klare and whether that was the right call. But we have to be honest about those opportunity costs, not create a fantasy land where the Rams would have drafted the guys who are making immediate impacts as rookies. It would be one thing if you were pounding the table before the Draft for these guys. You could say that you've been vindicated. But you weren't.

Finally, if my memory is correct, your solution to the QB of the future problem was that some veteran QB would shake loose and McVay and Snead would figure it out. But McVay and Snead clearly were not comfortable with that solution, so I'm a bit baffled as to how you can say, "We can trust McVay and Snead to figure it out," as you're championing a solution they rejected. Have a nice night.

Again.. I disagree.. completely.
As I've said.. it's about the entire draft approach.. from using the top two picks on players who were not going to contribute as rookies and were very much future picks.. to how they used their lower picks.

You think it's silly to speculate.. this is a fan discussion board.. discussing hypotheticals and analyzing our team is what we do.

The word "impact" seems to be one that creates a real issue for people. You don't have to be rookie of the year to make an impact.

A huge part of my argument is the lack of competition on the lower end of roster and lack of plus athletes that can contribute to special teams.. yes, I think it was a big mistake not to even try to address that.

And.. finally.. I trust them to be able to figure stuff out. Does that mean they'll always figure it out *the first time*? Or that it won't take a little time? No!

And whatever their process was.. they're 3-4.. and decision making has contributed to at least 2 of the losses, on top of roster issues. So.. they're human! They'll correct course, the question is whether it will be enough to save this season.. especially one where, because of roster construction.. they're only competing in 2 of three phases of the game.

 

[Coliseum Ram]

As far as use of 1st round draft capitol Snead turned that into one of the best Corners in the league and a QB that the team liked. Two premium positions. I don't know how you can make better use of those premium picks. To say you know we could use a 3rd WR so let's take the best available with pick 13 is just dumb.

Our Draft was a Master Class.

Obviously depends on how Simpson turns out, but the execution, flawless. Since I'm of the opinion Ty will be good I personally love it.

 

[Pupped]

More common sense Memphis? What are you trying to do, mentally paralyze some fans?

According to theory, there was no competition leading up to week 1?

How in hell did Wesley Bailey get a job? Must have been just given to him?

We also just handed out backup OL spots too?

So that's why we're 3-4. No competition in camp!

Damn I really thought McVay was smarter than that!!

Thanks, again.. for making my point.

Most people thought they were set at the edge.. but *bringing in a plus athlete to compete for the spot* happened and improved the roster.

I would've like to see that scenario play out across more position groups and with even greater potential for impact.

Again.. I appreciate you observing the same things I am.

 

[Pupped]

If the Rams can't rally and win the Super Bowl this year, this year's draft will easily be argued as the opportunity cost and we'll be talking about it for years.

There's no guarantee... either way.. I mean, Simpson could fail (note, I like him as a prospect) .. or they could fail in building a successful roster around him.. who knows?

What I know is that they blew it on the WR issue and ST issue, which is a broader roster issue and one that should've been addressed in the draft.. and there wasn't even an attempt.

For those of you going back and forth.. in case you missed..

The Rams have roughly the worst allocation of resources to Special Teams in the league. This is reflected by years-long issues on STs that persist despite coaching changes. The Rams STs also have a very low collective RAS. If there's one place where being bigger, stronger and faster in aggregate matters on the football field.. it's STs. A bigger, faster guy is going to break through blocks.

 

[Pupped]

Our Draft was a Master Class.

Obviously depends on how Simpson turns out, but the execution, flawless. Since I'm of the opinion Ty will be good I personally love it.

Ummm..

How can we say we won't know how good this draft is for years AND that this draft was a "Master Class" without seeing any actual play from any of the players in a real game?

 

[Pupped]

I'm using your paradigms. You said that the offense needs an explosive WR, a #2. I don't think they can get that with a late 2nd.

Antonio Williams is a 3rd, for example.
Caleb Douglas as well.

I would've been much happier about the roster with either of those two and a developmental, athletic TE taken much later.

Douglas is also a good blocker.. so the fit with the Rams would be natural.
He could've played some in 3WR sets.. but, more importantly.. could play in 2 WR sets and rotate with Puka and Adams.. helping those two stay fresh/healthy.

 

[Pupped]

As far as use of 1st round draft capitol Snead turned that into one of the best Corners in the league and a QB that the team liked. Two premium positions. I don't know how you can make better use of those premium picks. To say you know we could use a 3rd WR so let's take the best available with pick 13 is just dumb.

To go into a season with an oft-injured 33 year old WR and not doing anything to improve the depth behind him is dumber.

 

[Coliseum Ram]

Ummm..

How can we say we won't know how good this draft is for years AND that this draft was a "Master Class" without seeing any actual play from any of the players in a real game?

I'm including the McDuffie trade in the "master class." One pick for now, one ultra-important pick for later, that can set us up for a Decade. While then allowing future moves using our first round draft pick capital like we've already done getting Hall-Of-Fame talent Garrett. And wait until HIS presence starts showing up for us.

 

[rdlkgliders]

I'm including the McDuffie trade in the "master class." One pick for now, one ultra-important pick for later, that can set us up for a Decade. While then allowing future moves using our first round draft pick capital like we've already done getting Hall-Of-Fame talent Garrett. And wait until HIS presence starts showing up for us.

That's fair and like most believe it is subjective and way to early to judge the future impact of the drafted players.
My comment was taking into consideration only the drafted players, top 3 specifically.
In this the 26' season we haven't gotten much from them, and that opens the door for @Pupped & others to question whether or not we would have benefitted more from players drafted with a better chance to contribute this season. That is fair too.
This is going on 30 pages which in itself displays the conversation has merit.

Let's just take care of business today and every gameday moving forward.

 

[Pupped]

That's fair and like most believe it is subjective and way to early to judge the future impact of the drafted players.
My comment was taking into consideration only the drafted players, top 3 specifically.
In this the 26' season we haven't gotten much from them, and that opens the door for @Pupped & others to question whether or not we would have benefitted more from players drafted with a better chance to contribute this season. That is fair too.
This is going on 30 pages which in itself displays the conversation has merit.

Let's just take care of business today and every gameday moving forward.

The last line is everything.

I hope I'm 100% wrong about this and that I'm being successfully mocked about it after a Super Bowl win.

There's a scenario where they win the next two.. Garrett comes back healthy after the bye and is a destroyer, turning the defense into a true weapon.. they add a WR in a trade.. and STs evolve into "just bad, not catastrophic" and they go on a run and challenge for the SB.