Roster holes/upgrades as of 4/4/18

[WestCoastRam]

So, Snead basically said there's not much they can do now in FA and that they're basically done.

Where do we stand now guys with the draft fast approaching? What holes or places we need upgraded do we have?

Holes/Upgrades:

-Swing Offensive Tackle/future LT
-OLB (We probably need a third guy above Longacre and Ebukam regardless if he starts in front of them or behind them) Ideally, we'd uncover a pass-rush specialist in the draft
-ILB (Even with the addition of Wilson, I'd feel way more comfortable with one more guy for depth there or a gem in the draft to supplant Littleton)
-Backup QB (Mannion did not look great in limited time last season, an upgrade or competition there would be nice).
-OG/C (Bythe seems like he might be a spot starter at C but definitely doesn't seem like he can offer anything at G and not sure we have much depth at G as it is).
-Safety (I was about to write something here after losing Davis but we seem to have decent depth as it is).

3rd down RB: This actually feels like a real and true hole here. Brown is great but he's not a guy you'd necessarily send out on routes on 3rd down (and I'm not sure how his pass blocking is).

At the bear minimum, we will be able to fill out our depth in the draft, without any problems whatsoever. What we may not be able to do is find any future starters.

 

[dolphinlover123]

So, Snead basically said there's not much they can do now in FA and that they're basically done.

Where do we stand now guys with the draft fast approaching? What holes or places we need upgraded do we have?

Holes/Upgrades:

-Swing Offensive Tackle/future LT
-OLB (We probably need a third guy above Longacre and Ebukam regardless if he starts in front of them or behind them) Ideally, we'd uncover a pass-rush specialist in the draft
-ILB (Even with the addition of Wilson, I'd feel way more comfortable with one more guy for depth there or a gem in the draft to supplant Littleton)
-Backup QB (Mannion did not look great in limited time last season, an upgrade or competition there would be nice).
-OG/C (Bythe seems like he might be a spot starter at C but definitely doesn't seem like he can offer anything at G and not sure we have much depth at G as it is).
-Safety (I was about to write something here after losing Davis but we seem to have decent depth as it is).

3rd down RB: This actually feels like a real and true hole here. Brown is great but he's not a guy you'd necessarily send out on routes on 3rd down (and I'm not sure how his pass blocking is).

At the bear minimum, we will be able to fill out our depth in the draft, without any problems whatsoever. What we may not be able to do is find any future starters.

Pretty much what I was thinking.
We need to draft one or two linebackers, one or two backup olinemen, a safety, and a TE.

Not really worried about 3rd down RB. Brown is pretty good at catching. Plus we have a lot of versatile players like Tavon Austin and Brandin Cooks who can take snaps at RB if Gurley needs a break.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Pretty much what I was thinking.
We need to draft one or two linebackers, one or two backup olinemen, a safety, and a TE.

Not really worried about 3rd down RB. Brown is pretty good at catching. Plus we have a lot of versatile players like Tavon Austin and Brandin Cooks who can take snaps at RB if Gurley needs a break.

When it comes to Brown, other than him catching screens, I'm not sure what he offers as a route runner and I haven't watched enough of his pass blocking to really know how he would do on third down there. Regardless, we can definitely upgrade at 3rd running back or 3rd down back (two positions that are not mutually exclusive, per se).

 

[OldSchool]

I see this comment a lot about not being able to fin starters in the third round or later and I take exception with that. Right now we have Kupp, Sullivan, Higbee and Brown starting on offense all third round picks or later. We have Johnson and NRC not to mention the line backing crew all starting that we’re third rounders or late. Then you have our All Pro snapper, kicker and punter all late round picks. Don’t assume that we can’t get starters late in the draft. I keep saying this in thread after thread but let the front office do their thing!

In Wade we trust
In McVay we trust
In Snead we trust

These guys are good at what they do. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

 

[Ram_Rally]

I'm hoping they just go for it and take Orlando Brown in the third round.

 

[badnews]

I'm hoping they just go for it and take Orlando Brown in the third round.

Do you think there is any chance that happens? His combine sucked but damn, he has the film.

 

[Ram_Rally]

Do you think there is any chance that happens? His combine sucked but damn, he has the film.

I think the third is about where he'll be. There's gonna be guys up the second that could push him down. If not then guys like Alex cappa may be options

 

[badnews]

I think the third is about where he'll be. There's gonna be guys up the second that could push him down. If not then guys like Alex cappa may be options

Brown would be a great pick in the 3rd.

 

[bubbaramfan]

They'll find depth when the rosters get trimmed to 53.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Do you think there is any chance that happens? His combine sucked but damn, he has the film.

With three 4'th round picks and four 6'th round picks, seems we might package at least one of them with our 3'rd round pick to move up, either higher in the 3'rd or possibly into the late 2'nd round. With Snead running the show you always have trade options. jmo.

 

[badnews]

With three 4'th round picks and four 6'th round picks, seems we might package at least one of them with our 3'rd round pick to move up, either higher in the 3'rd or possibly into the late 2'nd round. With Snead running the show you always have trade options. jmo.

Kinda what I have been thinking, just focused on an edge rusher.
For our ling term viability, getting a possible quality LT in the 3rd would be brilliant.

I wonder if our draft picks will fit our win SB this year offseason model or will emphasize our need to continue to build our roster for the future...

 

[FrantikRam]

So, Snead basically said there's not much they can do now in FA and that they're basically done.

Where do we stand now guys with the draft fast approaching? What holes or places we need upgraded do we have?

Holes/Upgrades:

-Swing Offensive Tackle/future LT
-OLB (We probably need a third guy above Longacre and Ebukam regardless if he starts in front of them or behind them) Ideally, we'd uncover a pass-rush specialist in the draft
-ILB (Even with the addition of Wilson, I'd feel way more comfortable with one more guy for depth there or a gem in the draft to supplant Littleton)
-Backup QB (Mannion did not look great in limited time last season, an upgrade or competition there would be nice).
-OG/C (Bythe seems like he might be a spot starter at C but definitely doesn't seem like he can offer anything at G and not sure we have much depth at G as it is).
-Safety (I was about to write something here after losing Davis but we seem to have decent depth as it is).

3rd down RB: This actually feels like a real and true hole here. Brown is great but he's not a guy you'd necessarily send out on routes on 3rd down (and I'm not sure how his pass blocking is).

At the bear minimum, we will be able to fill out our depth in the draft, without any problems whatsoever. What we may not be able to do is find any future starters.

Agreed about LT, OLB, and G/C.

Safety - they obviously like Countess, and he made some good and bad plays last year - but he played. That's decent depth. We also had Christian who they held onto, so I think we're okay there (depth is never going to be as good as your starters).

ILB - Littleton/Barron/Wilson/Hager - aside from drafting a guy like Griffin who can play multiple spots, I don't think there's room for anyone else here.

QB - Mannion is fine here. Give him another year with McVay.

3rd down RB - I don't see it. Brown caught some passes last year, Gurley is the best pass catching RB in the NFL, Tavon can play RB, and I loved what I saw from Justin Davis in preseason. No room.


Griffin kills two birds with one stone. Another OLB would be good. Then a few OL. We can even draft a safety, QB and RB late if it would make you feel better.

 

[Riverumbbq]

I wonder if our draft picks will fit our win SB this year offseason model or will emphasize our need to continue to build our roster for the future...

I'd guess a little of both. With 8 draft picks, albeit, mostly later rounds, the Rams can still move up and make the most of that first pick while using the remaining for improving depth. ROLB, for me, remains that one position which still needs to be seriously addressed for a team using most every other resource for a Super Bowl run, still i'm hoping the Rams go after the BPA rather than reach for a need. It really depends on what value Rams scouts have pinpointed for quality depth with those later round picks and how many they may be willing to sacrifice to move up for a really desirable potential starter. jmo.

 

[dolphinlover123]

Agreed about LT, OLB, and G/C.

Safety - they obviously like Countess, and he made some good and bad plays last year - but he played. That's decent depth. We also had Christian who they held onto, so I think we're okay there (depth is never going to be as good as your starters).

ILB - Littleton/Barron/Wilson/Hager - aside from drafting a guy like Griffin who can play multiple spots, I don't think there's room for anyone else here.

QB - Mannion is fine here. Give him another year with McVay.

3rd down RB - I don't see it. Brown caught some passes last year, Gurley is the best pass catching RB in the NFL, Tavon can play RB, and I loved what I saw from Justin Davis in preseason. No room.


Griffin kills two birds with one stone. Another OLB would be good. Then a few OL. We can even draft a safety, QB and RB late if it would make you feel better.

No thank you on Countess - hope we find better depth.
Anybody know what our current Safety group looks like? JJIII and Marqui Christian are at SS? Isaiah Johnson and Countess at FS?

 

[OldSchool]

No thank you on Countess - hope we find better depth.
Anybody know what our current Safety group looks like? JJIII and Marqui Christian are at SS? Isaiah Johnson and Countess at FS?

LaMarcus Joyner

 

[dolphinlover123]

LaMarcus Joyner

Well, I'm at least very happy with the starters at Safety
Hope Joyner can stay healthy.

 

[Ramhusker]

I can't wait for this draft. The Rams definitely have their eyes on some 4th round guys that will be steals. You know they do. I just hope the needs of other teams align properly at that stage of the draft. I'm thinking we don't draft more than 5 players with those 8 picks.

 

[So Ram]

So, Snead basically said there's not much they can do now in FA and that they're basically done.

Where do we stand now guys with the draft fast approaching? What holes or places we need upgraded do we have?

Holes/Upgrades:

-Swing Offensive Tackle/future LT
-OLB (We probably need a third guy above Longacre and Ebukam regardless if he starts in front of them or behind them) Ideally, we'd uncover a pass-rush specialist in the draft
-ILB (Even with the addition of Wilson, I'd feel way more comfortable with one more guy for depth there or a gem in the draft to supplant Littleton)
-Backup QB (Mannion did not look great in limited time last season, an upgrade or competition there would be nice).
-OG/C (Bythe seems like he might be a spot starter at C but definitely doesn't seem like he can offer anything at G and not sure we have much depth at G as it is).
-Safety (I was about to write something here after losing Davis but we seem to have decent depth as it is).

3rd down RB: This actually feels like a real and true hole here. Brown is great but he's not a guy you'd necessarily send out on routes on 3rd down (and I'm not sure how his pass blocking is).

At the bear minimum, we will be able to fill out our depth in the draft, without any problems whatsoever. What we may not be able to do is find any future starters.

Great break down on the depth of the roster.

I will say about Malcom Brown !! You might not think of him as a RB that catches the ball out of the backfield well, but to me he did one heck of a job as a 3rd Dwn back last season.
McVay likes to dump the bal off & there were a few times he got first downs & positive yards.

—Turner was raw last year & doesn’t block well.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Just wish those 4th rounders were higher but I suspect that we'll package some 6ths with our late 4th rounders to trade up a few spots from the end of the round.

 

[Ram65]

Holes/Upgrades:

-Swing Offensive Tackle/future LT
-OLB (We probably need a third guy above Longacre and Ebukam regardless if he starts in front of them or behind them) Ideally, we'd uncover a pass-rush specialist in the draft
-ILB (Even with the addition of Wilson, I'd feel way more comfortable with one more guy for depth there or a gem in the draft to supplant Littleton)
-Backup QB (Mannion did not look great in limited time last season, an upgrade or competition there would be nice).
-OG/C (Bythe seems like he might be a spot starter at C but definitely doesn't seem like he can offer anything at G and not sure we have much depth at G as it is).
-Safety (I was about to write something here after losing Davis but we seem to have decent depth as it is).

3rd down RB: This actually feels like a real and true hole here. Brown is great but he's not a guy you'd necessarily send out on routes on 3rd down (and I'm not sure how his pass blocking is).

http://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/depthchart/LAR

OLB 96 Longacre, Matt CF15 53 Thompson, Carlos SF17
OLB 50 Ebukam, Samson 17/4 56 Sickels, Garrett CF17 51 Price, Ejuan 17/7
ILB 54 Hager, Bryce 15/7 00 Wilson, Ramik U/KC
ILB 26 Barron, Mark T/TB 58 Littleton, Cory CF16

Thompson look like he has good potential. I see a draft pick for outside and UDF for both spots.

Backup offensive lineman should be a priority. They need bodies at OT. With later round picks it's hard to say they will package picks and still get quantity. UDFA's could be a couple surprises. RBs can be found anywhere and a draft pick wouldn't surprise me. QB can wait.
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https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2018/...-brandin-cooks-trade-transactions-free-agency
2018 NFL Draft LA Rams Order
Rd # overall # in round Pick
3 87 23 Rams pick
4 111 11 Rams pick (via Dolphins)
4 135 35 Rams pick (via Giants)
4 136 36 Rams pick (via Patriots)
6 176 2 Rams pick (via Giants)
6 183 9 Rams pick (via Dolphins)
6 194 20 Rams pick (via Lions)
6 195 21 Rams pick (via Bills)
Suffice to say, the Rams are sacrificing long-term stability for the chance at short-term success. I suppose most people’s ultimate feelings about it will be (a) how much success the Rams have in the end and (b) if Cooks stays in LA beyond 2018.

As it pertains to the draft, it’s going to make for some passive entertainment for the first two rounds. The Rams don’t have a single pick in the first 86 selections and have just one in the first 110. So be it.

This isn’t a team building a future so much as they’re trying to capitalize on the window that’s open now.

With the offseason program starting in just two weeks, that effort to capitalize on this window begins in earnest soon.

Very soon.
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They do have a lot of later picks. Getting one even part time edge rusher would be nice. On the other hand a OT in round three could be good insurance. Wow glad I don't make the picks.