Rams needs

[Elmgrovegnome]

I've long harped on the Rams need for a better, stronger center. I also am vocal about the need for a faster, more complete ilb. But after watching certain defenses stifle the Rams offense buy stuffing the run and stifling the short passing game, I believe that the biggest current need is a fast deep threat that can catch and get open. Reynolds is not getting it done and its stifles the offense in certain games.

 

[Corbin]

I’m tired of Blythe. Guy gets beat consistently now. I’d love to get 2 damned good interior prospects. Think this might actually be the year for that to.

Also ILB, as a former ILB it pains me to watch out LB’s making bad reads and or taking horrible angles in coverage and at a runner. Then seemingly on some plays seem very well to fit as a perfect center piece. Need some consistency.

We need another TE opposite Higbeast once Everett gets walked to another team. I’d love to see that Gronk/Hernández type of O that I gurantee McVay would exploit heavily in the 12.

 

[Dz1]

Agree, we do need a Wr with speed.

 

[badnews]

First I want the kind of reciever Al Davis' corpse would draft. Someone whose speed is scary all by itself.

Second I want some mean spirited and powerful Center who isn't on Rollerblades.

After that, I want a couple of LBers who might not be total liabilities in the passing game.

This means that we have to hope one of our young and injury prone pass rushers can step up and stay healthy.

 

[thirteen28]

I want a C more than anything, and I want this line brought up to the standards of 2017-2018. Get that fixed and our offense, QB included, will instantly be better and the head coach/playcaller will not have to try to mask its weakness as he has the last two years.

Fix that then we can talk about deep threats, ILB's, etc.

 

[Memento]

I'll throw out this: we need a punt returner. I mean, Calais has proven himself on kickoffs, but I don't think he's good at punt returning. I've seen enough of Webster, and if someone puts Kupp back there again, I'm gonna scream.

 

[Mackeyser]

Order of needs as I see it (not necessarily players)

1) STUD Center. #1 need and it's NOT close.

2) McVay MUST revert the changes in the offense and bring back the deep routes. Martz liked to use MaxQ or 6 sigma as an idea and it was always problematic (for Martz, a play that scored, but got the QB blasted was a positive...which is part of why he's not coaching anywhere now) and McVay has a similar sin that that's "efficiency". McVay's pursuit of ever greater efficiencies ignores the single greatest axiom in the modern NFL: The greatest ability is availability.

Players can become unavailable due to injury, but also be taken out of the game by the opponent's scheme. When we factor in how often Goff has no one to throw to or how often an RB is met at or before the LOS, this offense isn't nearly as efficient as it was in 2017-18. Why? At a certain point, greater efficiencies require outside factors. It's no longer a matter of perfect execution, but also finding the mismatch, the defense fully committing to the misdirection, etc.

Examples of this in real life are air conditioners. Sure, you can get a modestly efficient one, but the very expensive ones in the EXACT SAME CONDITIONS are only slightly more efficient. In order to nearly double the efficiency, a host of conditions that have nothing to do with the unit must be met. We also see that with cars. The difference between a Camaro ZL1 and a Bugatti Chiron is plenty inside... but try to pull into a Wendy's with a Bugatti. Woops, that's $30k in damage to the front. At some point the COST of all that efficiency is a LIMIT on the conditions in which success is even achievable let alone reasonable to expect.

In order to allow this offense to truly be able to be successful even in less than optimal conditions, McVay must return some of the "wobble" to the offense which truly led to it being unpredictable. That will include a return to some concepts while also bringing in new or at least outside concepts. For example, I STILL can't believe that McVay didn't use ANY of the concepts that Belichick used when he had both Gronk and Hernandez. So many dime packages out there that as we've seen with Higbee and Everett separately, secondaries struggle with them. To not incorporate both of them in the 12 personnel sets was a mistake imho.

Anyway, TL;dr, McVay needs to ease up on the efficiency metric and focus on the success metric more. We get the failure if imperfect as is. Removing the success if imperfect options in retrospect was aiming too high, especially this year.

3) Burner WR. While Robert Woods (Not Van Jefferson) could take on that role, I truly think we need a WR who will force the overwatch to back up another 5 yards. When we had Brandin Cooks, guys knew you weren't gonna catch him if he got by you, so you had to stay over the top of him. This left what in the NFL is a square acre of land in the middle for Woods and Kupp to feast in. As well, when that extra safety is playing very deep, it's one less player to put in a box or short zone which helps the run game.

4) SOLID ILB. Kizer has had his moments and Reeder has as well, but the Jets picked on Reeder all day with those crossing patterns to the RB. We need a London Fletcher type or even a James Laurinaitis type who's a sure tackler, solid in filling the gap and not a total shitshow in covering those crossing routes.

5) SOLID+ Edge. I want Floyd to return even if Goff and AD have to restructure. If not, hopefully Floyd leaves for an obscene contract and Yannick Ngakoue decides to be a rental for that next contract. He'd be the best pass rusher of the 3 by far and can hold the edge. I know YN has had some sacks as of late, but apparently, it's not really working in Minny and while Floyd has put together a very solid year, YN has been spotty and that scheme doesn't really suit him. I could see us in what could be a down year for a lot of players YN taking the 1 year and parlaying that into a special contract.

I'm sure there are more needs, but if we had those 5, we'd see a resurgence of Goff, the return of our scoring and an even a better D than this year.

With those changes and good health, we're a Super Bowl team.

 

[Dz1]

Order of needs as I see it (not necessarily players)

1) STUD Center. #1 need and it's NOT close.

2) McVay MUST revert the changes in the offense and bring back the deep routes. Martz liked to use MaxQ or 6 sigma as an idea and it was always problematic (for Martz, a play that scored, but got the QB blasted was a positive...which is part of why he's not coaching anywhere now) and McVay has a similar sin that that's "efficiency". McVay's pursuit of ever greater efficiencies ignores the single greatest axiom in the modern NFL: The greatest ability is availability.

Players can become unavailable due to injury, but also be taken out of the game by the opponent's scheme. When we factor in how often Goff has no one to throw to or how often an RB is met at or before the LOS, this offense isn't nearly as efficient as it was in 2017-18. Why? At a certain point, greater efficiencies require outside factors. It's no longer a matter of perfect execution, but also finding the mismatch, the defense fully committing to the misdirection, etc.

Examples of this in real life are air conditioners. Sure, you can get a modestly efficient one, but the very expensive ones in the EXACT SAME CONDITIONS are only slightly more efficient. In order to nearly double the efficiency, a host of conditions that have nothing to do with the unit must be met. We also see that with cars. The difference between a Camaro ZL1 and a Bugatti Chiron is plenty inside... but try to pull into a Wendy's with a Bugatti. Woops, that's $30k in damage to the front. At some point the COST of all that efficiency is a LIMIT on the conditions in which success is even achievable let alone reasonable to expect.

In order to allow this offense to truly be able to be successful even in less than optimal conditions, McVay must return some of the "wobble" to the offense which truly led to it being unpredictable. That will include a return to some concepts while also bringing in new or at least outside concepts. For example, I STILL can't believe that McVay didn't use ANY of the concepts that Belichick used when he had both Gronk and Hernandez. So many dime packages out there that as we've seen with Higbee and Everett separately, secondaries struggle with them. To not incorporate both of them in the 12 personnel sets was a mistake imho.

Anyway, TL;dr, McVay needs to ease up on the efficiency metric and focus on the success metric more. We get the failure if imperfect as is. Removing the success if imperfect options in retrospect was aiming too high, especially this year.

3) Burner WR. While Robert Woods (Not Van Jefferson) could take on that role, I truly think we need a WR who will force the overwatch to back up another 5 yards. When we had Brandin Cooks, guys knew you weren't gonna catch him if he got by you, so you had to stay over the top of him. This left what in the NFL is a square acre of land in the middle for Woods and Kupp to feast in. As well, when that extra safety is playing very deep, it's one less player to put in a box or short zone which helps the run game.

4) SOLID ILB. Kizer has had his moments and Reeder has as well, but the Jets picked on Reeder all day with those crossing patterns to the RB. We need a London Fletcher type or even a James Laurinaitis type who's a sure tackler, solid in filling the gap and not a total shitshow in covering those crossing routes.

5) SOLID+ Edge. I want Floyd to return even if Goff and AD have to restructure. If not, hopefully Floyd leaves for an obscene contract and Yannick Ngakoue decides to be a rental for that next contract. He'd be the best pass rusher of the 3 by far and can hold the edge. I know YN has had some sacks as of late, but apparently, it's not really working in Minny and while Floyd has put together a very solid year, YN has been spotty and that scheme doesn't really suit him. I could see us in what could be a down year for a lot of players YN taking the 1 year and parlaying that into a special contract.

I'm sure there are more needs, but if we had those 5, we'd see a resurgence of Goff, the return of our scoring and an even a better D than this year.

With those changes and good health, we're a Super Bowl team.

Really agree with 3,there's just something missing on the O without that deep threat.

 

[8to12]

I agree about upgrading at Center. But, I'm not sure the Receiver issue is as easy as saying, "Rams need a deep threat".
When the Rams had Cooks, in 2018, Cooks only avg'd 1 yd more per touch than Woods. Also, with Gurley having a good season, The Rams were averaging 4.9 yds per touch in the running game. This provided the respect of the defense for the Play-action to work. Then, in 2019 everything fell off....won't touch that right now. Moving on to this season, all the receiver's numbers are down. Kupp and Woods are between 10 to 11 yds per touch compared to 13 in 2018. But, when comparing the ground game from 2018 to 2020, it is almost the same ; between Akers and Henderson, they are averaging 4.7 yds per touch. So, the Play-action should be working....right? Not as well if you ask me. Are the deep routes missing? Yes. But, I don't think it because of the loss of Cooks. Woods, Jefferson and Reynolds all have the speed to beat coverage deep on the right play. It is just not part of the game plan in most games. I think there are many reasons for this. Number one, defenses are playing the Rams differently than in 2017 & 2018. When Goof fakes run-right and goes to his left for the reverse boot, defenses are leaving their OLB or DE at home and this player is making it difficult for Goff to create enough space to see the play develop and to get the pass off. In addition, as the receivers make their break to the left on this same play, defenders are recognizing this route concept and covering them which forcing Goof to hold the ball and run. Second reason is MCVay continues to use some of these same plays over and over even when the defense shows they have been able to stop. Well, at least I remember 2 games this past season where he stopped calling the same play when not working ... he is learning a bit. Last, even with the 4.7 yd avg on running plays, it still seems that the O-lineman and TE's have regressed in sustaining their blocks.
I'm not against drafting a deep threat, I just hope it someone with size. I still think the Rams win the Superbowl if Cooks was 4" taller with longer arms.

 

[den-the-coach]

Order of needs as I see it (not necessarily players)

1) STUD Center. #1 need and it's NOT close.

Draft Josh Meyers and let's end this request for the next decade or so.

 

[FrantikRam]

At this point I'm on board with C and WR but I'm not a big fan of relying on rookies and McVay doesn't really do that.

C/OL and WR need to come via free agency, then we can draft more OL, and backfill the defense.

 

[ljramsfan]

At this point I'm on board with C and WR but I'm not a big fan of relying on rookies and McVay doesn't really do that.

C/OL and WR need to come via free agency, then we can draft more OL, and backfill the defense.

This is exactly what I was thinking. Look for a team that cannot sign everyone but has a helluva C that will be out there. I dont know about the WR. Surely there will be one out there that wants more money.

 

[Reddog99]

Id get a center, ILB, WR and CB for sure. Maybe another OL, RB and TE with later picks.

Upgrade center and get a burner at WR and I think this offense will look a lot better.

Defense needs an upgrade at ILB and with both Williams and Hill possibly leaving we need a CB.

 

[Merlin]

1) STUD Center. #1 need and it's NOT close.

It really is not close. By far our worst starter. Such a big need that I wonder if Les will enter the draft with that hole in the roster.

Figure that out Les. Then just BPA your ass off and get us more difference makers.

 

[jrry32]

This is my outlook on it:
1. Future LT - I'd explore trading Noteboom. I don't like the idea of having to commit to him after 2021 with him having less than a half year of starts at LT. He showed he can hold up as a pass blocker at LT, so I think we could get something in return for him this offseason (he's slated to hit FA after next year, and Whit says he's returning).

2. ILB - I think we all know we need one at this point.

3. OLB - I hope we can keep Floyd, but it's going to be tough. Lewis, Hollins, and Okoronkwo aren't a bad group if we keep Staley, but if Floyd goes, we're going to need somebody else there.

4. WR - We need a deep threat. I think we can all agree on that.

5. QB - I'm on the fence on this one, but if we can find a QB who can push Goff, it would help.

6. Depth - We're going to need some additional depth at DL, CB, TE, HB, OLB, and S with the FAs we're likely to lose (JJIII, Fox, Samson, M. Brown, Everett, and Hill).

Why not Center? I think Austin Corbett can play the position at a high level. Bobby Evans proved today he can play OG. Slide Corbett to C, start Evans at LG, and slide Edwards to RG. We'll have a very physical OL. Brewer, Anchrum, the future LT, and Allen/Shelton will provide depth.

 

[Memento]

This is my outlook on it:
1. Future LT - I'd explore trading Noteboom. I don't like the idea of having to commit to him after 2021 with him having less than a half year of starts at LT. He showed he can hold up as a pass blocker at LT, so I think we could get something in return for him this offseason (he's slated to hit FA after next year, and Whit says he's returning).

2. ILB - I think we all know we need one at this point.

3. OLB - I hope we can keep Floyd, but it's going to be tough. Lewis, Hollins, and Okoronkwo aren't a bad group if we keep Staley, but if Floyd goes, we're going to need somebody else there.

4. WR - We need a deep threat. I think we can all agree on that.

5. QB - I'm on the fence on this one, but if we can find a QB who can push Goff, it would help.

6. Depth - We're going to need some additional depth at DL, CB, TE, HB, OLB, and S with the FAs we're likely to lose (JJIII, Fox, Samson, M. Brown, Everett, and Hill).

Why not Center? I think Austin Corbett can play the position at a high level. Bobby Evans proved today he can play OG. Slide Corbett to C, start Evans at LG, and slide Edwards to RG. We'll have a very physical OL. Brewer, Anchrum, the future LT, and Allen/Shelton will provide depth.

My draft would include Nick Bolton at the very top. One of the best inside linebackers I've seen come out of Mizzou, and there's been a lot of them. He would transform our run defense into one of the most physical while being solid in pass coverage. Just a do-it-all linebacker, from everything I've seen of him. Only problem I see are the targeting fouls, but they were kinda bullshit. But there's tons of great inside linebackers in this class. I'm just hyping him because Mizzou.

Would add a great returner to the list. Webster scares me on punt/kickoff returns, and I never ever want to see Kupp back there again. I'd love to see two receivers with deep speed - one for kickoffs and the like; the other being a taller receiver who wants the ball in the redzone. Reynolds isn't the answer, Everett is guaranteed to be gone, and I simply do not trust Hopkins yet.

Absolutely agree with outside linebacker and left tackle as needs. This is a very strong outside linebacker class, and there's some solid left tackle prospects as well.

I still have faith in Michael Hoecht and Jonah Williams (and there's still Marquise Copeland to consider for extra depth), so I honestly wouldn't mind trading Robinson or Brockers for a pick or two; SJD and Gaines have been everything we've hoped for and more, and we still have AD, so we have enough depth to afford to lose a guy like Fox.

Cornerback is another serious need that I would consider drafting a guy in the mid rounds for (Williams is going to be in serious demand after this performance, Hill's likely gone, and we'll likely need to bring competition in for Long), but it looks like a solid class. Safety, I'm on the fence about. Even without JJ3, we still have Fuller, Rapp, Burgess, Scott, Hughes, and Reed to compete. That's a lot of good young talent. But if we could get someone like Talanoa Hufanga (Southern California) in the later rounds (possibly with a traded pick), I'd be down for that.

As for quarterback, I can agree with that, especially given the nature of Wolford's injury. If someone like Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati) is available in the fourth (even though I'm not sure he enters this class of QBs; he's a redshirt junior), I'd jump on the chance to take him.

 

[jrry32]

My draft would include Nick Bolton at the very top. One of the best inside linebackers I've seen come out of Mizzou, and there's been a lot of them. He would transform our run defense into one of the most physical while being solid in pass coverage. Just a do-it-all linebacker, from everything I've seen of him. Only problem I see are the targeting fouls, but they were kinda bullshit. But there's tons of great inside linebackers in this class. I'm just hyping him because Mizzou.

Bolton is certainly one to consider. I'm concerned, though, that he won't fall in the right range for us.

I still have faith in Michael Hoecht and Jonah Williams (and there's still Marquise Copeland to consider for extra depth), so I honestly wouldn't mind trading Robinson or Brockers for a pick or two; SJD and Gaines have been everything we've hoped for and more, and we still have AD, so we have enough depth to afford to lose a guy like Fox.

Seeing the DL play the way it did without Donald, I don't want to break something that is working extremely well. I hate losing Fox, but we have to pinch pennies. I wouldn't want to let the others go.

Cornerback is another serious need that I would consider drafting a guy in the mid rounds for (Williams is going to be in serious demand after this performance, Hill's likely gone, and we'll likely need to bring competition in for Long), but it looks like a solid class. Safety, I'm on the fence about. Even without JJ3, we still have Fuller, Rapp, Burgess, Scott, Hughes, and Reed to compete. That's a lot of good young talent. But if we could get someone like Talanoa Hufanga (Southern California) in the later rounds (possibly with a traded pick), I'd be down for that.

I don't see CB as a huge need. Think we should draft one. Gotta add depth and be ready for Williams to walk after 2021. But I feel comfortable with Ramsey, Williams, Long, and Burgess (can play S and CB) in 2021 (along with some additional depth).

 

[Memento]

Bolton is certainly one to consider. I'm concerned, though, that he won't fall in the right range for us.



Seeing the DL play the way it did without Donald, I don't want to break something that is working extremely well. I hate losing Fox, but we have to pinch pennies. I wouldn't want to let the others go.



I don't see CB as a huge need. Think we should draft one. Gotta add depth and be ready for Williams to walk after 2021. But I feel comfortable with Ramsey, Williams, Long, and Burgess (can play S and CB) in 2021 (along with some additional depth).

I think Bolton falls in the second round range for us, even if we win it all. He's simply not a big linebacker (I think he'll measure closer to 5'11", 230 lbs.), he's maxed out, and he's not elite in coverage like some of the other linebackers. I wouldn't be shocked if you're right and a team nabs him early, but I think it's more than possible he falls.

I totally get not wanting to break up a good group, but Robinson, in particular, would save cap (we'll need to cut some players and/or move money around if we're going to make it to cap compliance), he's good enough to bring back a pick, and his job at nose tackle is effectively taken by SJD and Gaines. And while Fox will likely leave for a starting role, let's remember where he came from: undrafted out of Colorado State College-Pueblo, got a knee injury and was out for a year, and then broke out. If there's one thing that Les Snead absolutely excels at, it's finding value in the undrafted ranks. Hoecht and Williams, like Fox, were great players in the FCS (Fox may have been Division 3, I'm not entirely sure), and have great physical traits. I have faith in what Snead and McVay see in them.

Yeah, I can agree with that. I worry about Burgess coming back from injury (not his talent, though; he proved to me that he belonged), but we do have solid cornerback play.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

This is my outlook on it:
1. Future LT - I'd explore trading Noteboom. I don't like the idea of having to commit to him after 2021 with him having less than a half year of starts at LT. He showed he can hold up as a pass blocker at LT, so I think we could get something in return for him this offseason (he's slated to hit FA after next year, and Whit says he's returning).

2. ILB - I think we all know we need one at this point.

3. OLB - I hope we can keep Floyd, but it's going to be tough. Lewis, Hollins, and Okoronkwo aren't a bad group if we keep Staley, but if Floyd goes, we're going to need somebody else there.

4. WR - We need a deep threat. I think we can all agree on that.

5. QB - I'm on the fence on this one, but if we can find a QB who can push Goff, it would help.

6. Depth - We're going to need some additional depth at DL, CB, TE, HB, OLB, and S with the FAs we're likely to lose (JJIII, Fox, Samson, M. Brown, Everett, and Hill).

Why not Center? I think Austin Corbett can play the position at a high level. Bobby Evans proved today he can play OG. Slide Corbett to C, start Evans at LG, and slide Edwards to RG. We'll have a very physical OL. Brewer, Anchrum, the future LT, and Allen/Shelton will provide depth.

I used to think the same about Corbett, but toward the end of this season his pass blocking has been as bad as Blythe's. He'd likely be an upgrade over Blythe but not by much when protecting Goff. Moving Evans to RG would help out Corbett a bit, because he'd have two good guards on each side. But if there is a chance to acquire a good center I'd be all for it.

 

[jrry32]

I used to think the same about Corbett, but toward the end of this season his pass blocking has been as bad as Blythe's. He'd likely be an upgrade over Blythe but not by much when protecting Goff. Moving Evans to RG would help out Corbett a bit, because he'd have two good guards on each side. But if there is a chance to acquire a good center I'd be all for it.

I don't agree. He has a tougher job at RG when it comes to pass protection, and I haven't seen him have the consistent issues Blythe has had. And we have limited resources. I'd rather not waste premium resources on a Center when I believe we have a perfectly good starter on our roster.