So, which Ram rookies are gonna REALLY exceed expectations this year?

[Merlin]

Rapp is going to play the 30% or whatever snaps that Countess had last year in hybrid LB and SS type roles. That will limit his impact although I do think he'll be a fan favorite quickly for making key stops and blitzing. His closing speed is ridiculous.

But Gaines has a starting job waiting for him. So of course he should have much bigger impact in total snaps defensively. I am confident he will play extremely well on the nose for us, that he and Donald will be soulmates on that line because both are high energy and ultra competitive types that will pi$$ off the OL in camp.

Henderson will get plenty of snaps to keep Gurley fresh. Also he will get returns duties most likely and with our returns teams giving that dude lanes watch out. He's a really nice fit if he can do the returns. So I'd say he's second impact, but also should give us a lot of splash plays.

Long is the darkhorse I think. He's the insurance against Peters imploding, so of all the picks he's the guy I'll be focusing on most in camp. Rams are going to need him to show better vs the run for him to push for playing time on the outside and be that replacement for Peters. But if he does that then yeah they got a hell of a steal. If not, he'll be NRC's replacement in the slot.

Lastly I look at Okorwrongkwo as a rookie. He was behind all year and had no clue what he was doing. This is going to be his window to wow people and he might do that, the dude is a fine LB prospect so hopeful with him.

 

[ReekofRams]

First I’ll go with Rapp. No his forty times weren’t very good, but his cone times were the best at the combine. Meaning it’s going to be hard for a receiver to lose him with a few moves. He’ll also be great around the line of scrimmage, meaning he’ll be great against the run. He’ll also be a terrific in blitzes. Plus actual game tape shows him playing plenty fast against any receiver.

Second I’ll go with Long. Simply stated, he didn’t allow his man to get open so the quarterback hardly ever threw his direction, enough said.

Third I’ll go with Gaines. Watch the tape, he wasn’t pushed out of where he was standing. Instead he did the pushing, and this was true even when he was double teamed. Like they brought out when he was drafted, he bench pressed more than anyone else there. As long as Donald, Brockers, Fowler, Matthews, JFM, are there Gaines will never be double teamed.

Fourth I’ll go with Henderson. He’ll be used at least on Kick returns, and those quick hitting plays that McVay has been wanting to use more of.

The 2 Olinemen are a work in progress, Scott has to hope that he can make his mark in special teams. And nothing I’ve read or watched makes me think that Allen has a chance of making the team.

 

[Akrasian]

I think Gaines will be in on running downs at least, clogging up the middle, so should get a lot of time, and be effective at his role. He showed some signs in 2018 of being a decent pass rusher too, but likely needs more work. He will be a surprise to a lot of teams, and as the season goes on may start moving from a two down guy to a three down guy. Extremely strong, too.

Others will have good moments, but aren't likely to get as much playing time as Gaines. It wouldn't shock me if Rapp got used on more special plays as the season went along.

Long will do well - and if somebody goes down could show he is ready for more like starters minutes.

 

[Ram65]

I give a shout out to S Joseph-Day from last years draft. He has been working out and will be ready to split time with Gaines. So Gaines gets good playing time and should hold his own.

Looks like many are expecting the top guys to play some. More doubt about Henderson since the draft so I'll go with him. He will make some big plays. Think he can get going right away on punt and kickoff returns.

I wouldn't be surprise if all top four picks produce this year. Even Evans has a chance if he shows better than Blythe.
Long could fill in for injuries. I think he could play against certain players if the Rams like his coverage match up.

 

[VegasRam]

First I’ll go with Rapp. No his forty times weren’t very good, but his cone times were the best at the combine. Meaning it’s going to be hard for a receiver to lose him with a few moves. He’ll also be great around the line of scrimmage, meaning he’ll be great against the run. He’ll also be a terrific in blitzes. Plus actual game tape shows him playing plenty fast against any receiver.

Second I’ll go with Long. Simply stated, he didn’t allow his man to get open so the quarterback hardly ever threw his direction, enough said.

Totally agree - very excited about these two. I really want(ed) to love Peters and Joyner but don't/didn't.
Like 'em, but don't excite me like these two.

BTW, Long was the best of the NFL in the cone drill.
Number two.....?
You guessed it - Rapp by .02 seconds.:yess:

 

[LesBaker]

Ain’t it great to be a Ram fan these days?

The last two years, with a couple of exceptions like post season losses, feel like finally making it through the desert and ending up at an oasis with food, water, booze, lonely women, sports cars, piles of cash and an all new wardrobe.

 

[LesBaker]

BTW, Long was the best of the NFL in the cone drill.
Number two.....?
You guessed it - Rapp by .02 seconds.:yess:

They were #1 and #2 in the 3 cone drill?

Damn!

 

[DR RAM]

They were #1 and #2 in the 3 cone drill?

Damn!

And that is not a coincidence, we took note of Kamara, and Edelman killing us in the playoffs. Add Henderson, and we got some really explosive guys on both sides of the field.

 

[Rams43]

The last two years, with a couple of exceptions like post season losses, feel like finally making it through the desert and ending up at an oasis with food, water, booze, lonely women, sports cars, piles of cash and an all new wardrobe.

Geez, you left out home-made ice cream, Les! Lol.

 

[André]

Geez, you left out home-made ice cream, Les! Lol.

He had me at lonely women.

 

[OregonRamsFan]

I think with Henderson we will be looking at a few new plays designed just for him. I expect him to make quite a splash and perhaps a game changer.

Gaines will also likely be fun to watch, I think. He will be compared to Suh a lot this year. I think he tears it up pretty good.

I kind of wish we had drafted Safety Ugo Amadi with a late pick from the Ducks, he has unfortunately landed with Sheattle.

 

[ReddingRam]

Rapp, Henderson, Long and Gaines are all set to make impact is some way, shape or form. They fill immediate needs more that the other guys. But David long is my sneaky pick. His lockdown percentage in college was phenomenal ... and he reminds me of a former Ram with slightly more size ... Dre Bly. I believe DL WILL be the replacement starter for one (or two) starting spots in 2020

 

[RamFan503]

I think Long is going to supplant NRC frankly - and I really like NRC. I just think they are going to use him a lot - especially on third downs.

 

[den-the-coach]

Kendall Blanton. I think he'll become the new third tight end, and as an undrafted rookie, he already doesn't have many expectations.

Hope you're right on this one as I've seen others communicate about the other two UDRFA TE's in Romeo Booker who caught 33 passes last season for Houston with 7 touchdowns & Keenan Brown, who when finally given an opportunity after transferring from Oklahoma State caught an amazing 51 receptions for 577 yards and 5 touchdowns with Texas State.

 

[Memento]

Hope you're right on this one as I've seen others communicate about the other two UDRFA TE's in Romeo Booker who caught 33 passes last season for Houston with 7 touchdowns & Keenan Brown, who when finally given an opportunity after transferring from Oklahoma State caught an amazing 51 receptions for 577 yards and 5 touchdowns with Texas State.

Can Brooker and Brown block? That's what Blanton specialized in. He didn't put up gaudy stats because he was behind a future first round pick at Missouri in Albert Okwuegbunam (whom I hope we take next year), but he was a great blocker, and he could catch the ball as well.

 

[Soul Surfer]

mostly its the 4.74 40 time I have heard that he may have an injury that caused that time but if not I don't think that speed will work at safety.

If he had run his true 4.5 ability, (which Scouts thought he would run) he would never have fallen to us and we would have missed out on a great talent.
Since Safeties play over the top, they don't really need or require the speed of a cornerback.
The ability to track where the ball is going and meet it there to make the play.
Having the guts to make a tough tackle.
The aforementioned mentioned ability to knife through offensive lineman and sack the quarterback.

Much more important than 4.7/40 speed, (but Scouts think he plays faster).

 

[den-the-coach]

Can Brooker and Brown block? .

Not sure, but I'm in Blanton's corner because of his size, just thinking that Booker also has good size at 6'5 253 and Brown at 6'3 250 seems like the best receiving TE. The Killer B's ought to make for a good battle in preseason.

 

[iamme33]

If he had run his true 4.5 ability, (which Scouts thought he would run) he would never have fallen to us and we would have missed out on a great talent.
Since Safeties play over the top, they don't really need or require the speed of a cornerback.


Much more important than 4.7/40 speed, (but Scouts think he plays faster).

well if running a 4.74 dropped him down to our pick a lot of teams must have had the same concerns that I have. if his true speed is 4.5 then I have no problem with this pick.

 

[Soul Surfer]

well if running a 4.74 dropped him down to our pick a lot of teams must have had the same concerns that I have. if his true speed is 4.5 then I have no problem with this pick.

The underwear Olympics are overrated, in my humble opinion.

I think the truth is in the game tape.

His tape had people judging him is a 1st or 2nd rounder.

 

[badcop]

I'll name two. Gaines and Rapp. I've closely followed the Huskies and have watched all their games.

Gaines- I think Gaines will play because he's that good. Often limited by the defensive scheme and play assignments at UW he is able to do quite a bit more than most people think. Watched his high school career and he played DE, RB and TE. More athletic than most think and a bit faster. I have watched him absolutely destroy offensive lines for 8 years. To watch him stack bodies, close holes 2 or 3 over and defeat double teams (when allowed without system or assignment limitations) has been fantastic. Players behind Gaines like Rapp and Ben Burr-Kirven racked up a lot of tackles by being kept clean by Gaines. BBK led the nation in tackles. Interesting tidbit is that Gaiines won the UW front seven award 3 years straight even when Vita Vea was playing. Gaines often demanded a very large number of double teams.

Rapp- Watched his college career because of my interest in Gaines. Kids a ball hawk and outstanding open field tackler and blitzer. Great closing speed and play diagnosis. Smart, athletic and in the right place at the right time. Makes great well timed plays on the ball and receiver. I think he'll do very well.