Stock up, stock down from Rams training camp: Allen and Jackson rising, Lewis falling

Ram_Rally · Aug 11, 2021

Do you understand how pumped about Brian Allen I am? Just think about it. We were all okay with the idea of Austin Corbett being the starting center. But apparently Brian Allen has played so well that McVay is now comfortable with leaving Corbett at guard? That's an incredible gem to find in the offseason. I think we're going to find out a lot in these preseason games. Because of Allen doesn't even play much then he certainly is the starter.

ottoman89 · Aug 11, 2021

Call me shocked that Brycen Hopkins is falling. Thought he was having a red shirt rookie Season so he could take over for Everett. Boy, was I wrong.

Also, I'm extremely skeptical of Kenny Young. I hope they're not holding onto him because they got fleeced in the Marcus Peters trade. Dude just isn't a starting calibur player to me, per last season tape.

Also, if Terrell Lewis can't keep his knee right, just cut him loose. Can't sit here and have a guy who can only play a snap or two every game or two on the roster at a position we're already questionable at outside of Floyd.

Psycho_X · Aug 11, 2021

1

Stock up: C Brian Allen

Will be the best news of the offseason if Allen pans out to be the starter we all hoped he'd be years ago. He has put in a lot of work evidence by his physical change. This offense goes from great to juggernaut if Allen can be a good Center.

2 Stock down: OLB Terrell Lewis

It's a shame his knee isn't allowing him to compete. The guy is probably our most physically impressive linebacker on the entire team. All it takes is one joint to derail you in the NFL though. I hope he can make a comeback but I have zero expectations he will have a career in the NFL until proven otherwise.

3 Stock up: WR DeSean Jackson

I don't think anyone was down on DJ talent wise just health wise. Nothing has changed since we signed him... he stays healthy our offense is instantly better with him. If he isn't healthy we luckily seem to have several rookies/young guys who can step into the role to at least some satisfactory ability.

4 Stock down: TE Brycen Hopkins

I don't even know who this dude is other than his name and that we drafted him. He could disappear today and I'd never think twice about it.

5 Stock up: ILB Kenny Young

His salary cap savings made this training camp a must for Young to impress and apparently he has. ILB has been an issue more because of health and inconsistent availability. If Young can play average ball and stay healthy he'd be worth the cap savings. But he's got Jones nipping at his heels and it won't take much to be replaced if he has a bad game.

6 Stock down: RG Bobby Evans

Never saw Evans as a guard but that seems to be where they are forcing him. After watching him last season I don't trust him yet. But I also don't quite trust Allen yet either which hopefully will change. Maybe time can turn him into a starter at some point.

7 Stock up: RB Xavier Jones

I don't know much about Jones other than highlight reels which makes me feel like he can be a really good one cut and go back in this offense. His speed is a bit concerning but as long as he follows his blockers and sets up defenders to miss like he did in college I am cautiously optimistic.

8 Stock down: ILB Christian Rozeboom

Like said I don't see a chance he makes the 53 this season but with Kiser, Howard, and Young all on the last years of their contracts he will have an easy hole to earn next offseason if he sticks on the practice squad and learns.

Tano · Aug 11, 2021

Psycho_X said:
Stock up: RB Xavier Jones
I don't know much about Jones other than highlight reels which makes me feel like he can be a really good one cut and go back in this offense. His speed is a bit concerning but as long as he follows his blockers and sets up defenders to miss like he did in college I am cautiously optimistic.

8

Another Malcolm Brown type back?

Ram65 · Aug 11, 2021

kurtfaulk said:
7
Stock up: RB Xavier Jones

John McCoy-USA TODAY Sports
McVay said Tuesday that he thinks Jones is “going to carve out a role for himself” and someone the Rams are “expecting to count on throughout the season.” That’s high praise for the second-year back, and it seems he’s poised to emerge as Darrell Henderson Jr.’s backup. McVay added that Jones is aware and willing in pass protection, a crucial part of playing the position, especially if he’s going to be a third-down back for the Rams. Jake Funk has also done a nice job and impressed McVay, but Jones has received a lot of high marks from the coach.

It's good to hear some positives on Jones. You don't know really how much McVay really likes him. I do think that he has confidence that Jones can be good as a blocking RB. Jones was just under 5'10" and reportedly at 208lbs. He could have added another 5-7 Lbs and got stronger. He does have the one-cut ability. Let's see how he does in preseason games. He and Funk will get a lot of carries. He was NOT invited to the combine per the article which gives a little more info.

Analyst: Xavier Jones the best RB without a combine invite

Xavier Jones could be moving up NFL Draft boards.

247sports.com

Analyst: Xavier Jones the best RB without a combine invite

ByBILLY EMBODY Apr 13, 2020

Former SMU running back Xavier Jones notched 25 total touchdowns in his final season playing for the Mustangs, good enough to lead the NCAA in points per game during the 2019 season at 11.6 points per contest.

It wasn't good enough an NFL Combine invitation and without a Pro Day, Jones is left to letting his film do the talking to NFL teams. NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said Sunday that Jones is his best running back that didn't land an invitation to Indianapolis for the annual draft showcase.

"Spent the day watching RBs w/o combine invitation," Jeremiah wrote on Twitter. "Best of the bunch? SMU RB Xavier Jones. 5’11 208 (no pro day) Excellent vision, balance and toughness. Lacks elite top speed. Reliable in pass game."

While he's not among the best running backs for some NFL Draft analysts, Jones will have a chance to make a roster in fall camp, likely as an undrafted free agent.

The NFL Draft is still slated to be held virtually on April 23-25 when SMU draft hopefuls like wide receiver James Proche, safety Rodney Clemons, safety Patrick Nelson, defensive lineman Demerick Gary and others will await to hear if their names get called by Roger Goodell.

According to SportsTalkLine's scouting report on Jones, he's a sixth round NFL draft pick.

"Jones has speed to burn. He runs a very direct line, not a lot of sideways movement. When he does get sideways its pretty to watch. A right step that has you looking twice. Makes himself small and slides through gaps," Jones' scouting report read. "Not a lot of yards after contact. Needs to show a lot more in 2019. Inconsistent from year to year, week to week and even play to play. Needs to work on many parts of his game."

A Doak Walker Award semifinalist, Jones edged out Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor, the only other player to average over 11 points per game. Jones rushed 244 times for 1,276 yards and 25 total touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per carry in SMU's offense.

Entering his senior season, Jones and the team knew the group had a chance to be special. As the team bought in, SMU was able to achieves its best season since 1985.

“It was just all the hard work we put in. Going into the offseason that was the standard," Jones said of the 10-win season. "We were tired of losing and we weren’t going to accept that this year. We have some good guys on this team and everyone bought in. I can’t say that about past years but this year everyone is. We just love winning.”

LARAMSinFeb. · Aug 11, 2021

"McVay added that Jones is aware and willing in pass protection" Okay now it makes sense why McVay is liking this guy. Blocking ability = inside track.

oldnotdead · Aug 11, 2021

I'm not shocked about what the media thinks is a stock down trend for Hopkins. All these things are motivated by fantasy trends not reality. C'mon man after all these years to suddenly see Mundt as a viable receiving threat? I call BS. Mundt makes this roster only if the Rams break their roster trend of carrying only 3 TEs. That IMO hinges on Mundt's ability to be a viable lead blocker on runs, something he couldn't do last year. There is no way I see Hopkins not being #3 TE. His emphasis on blocking this TC would point to his replacing Mundt. The weakness of Higbee is his poor blocking which is why they needed Mundt who isn't much of a receiving threat. Hopkins can play that role and expand upon it as a receiver as well.

The Allen move is all Carberry, and I agree Corbett is the better OG compared to Evans who still needs work. Also, there is no doubt in my mind this is a financial move. It makes Corbett more financially affordable next year and keeps Allen a Ram next year as well. That isn't to say Corbett is a better center because IMO he isn't right now. Like I've said it takes more than one season to develop a quality center. It's far more complicated than that. It looks to me that Carberry is pushing for their best 5 to start. The lack of a clear-cut replacement for Havenstein not named Noteboom is IMO why he still has a job. But IMO the writing is on the wall and he's gone next year. Evans now gives them a better option at RT reserve than Anchrum. I can see Alaric Jackson taking Anchrum's roster spot with Anchrum moving to the PS.

It's pretty obvious that Rozeboom is facing an uphill battle at ILB with guys like Reeder, Young, Jones and Howard in front of him. That said I question whether Kiser and Moncrief make this roster. I see Moncrief as his primary competition for a PS spot. The Rams need a go-to option to cover Howard's injury tendency. If Rozeboom clears waivers, not a given, I can see him on the PS as a protected player.

Lewis, Kiser and even Howard are on thin ice due to their injury history. I think Lewis gets an injury designation or is released outright as the Rams have roster options for his position. Without a clear medical diagnosis on Lewis it's hard to simply move on from him. I think the Rams will put an injury tag on him and try once again to find medical assistance in a knee specialist. From what I'm hearing it sounds like a micro-fracture type of injury that is career-threatening.

Cartilage doesn't heal in an adult. Surgery is the only long-term option but it doesn't resolve the problem which will worsen with age particularly in a contact sport. At best surgery will probably reduce pain levels up to 80% which means playing with a brace forever. He would have to get the surgery and be put on IR with the option to return. Regardless the Rams need to begin to move on. They have Hollins as an edge rusher and J. Williams to play a Brockers like role at DE so the team looks to be prepared to give Lewis one more year or move on from him.

Xavier Jones is having a very good TC. I think it's clear that he and Funk will share #2 RB duties in rotation until one clearly separates himself. I think that will be Funk by the end of the season.

What this TC showed is just how good the Rams draft class this year really was. Tutu will be a starting Y WR on this team next year. Harris will eventually replace Higbee as their #1 TE. E. Jones looks like he is definitely going to be in the ILB rotation. Rochell looks to replace Long as #3 CB and probably Darious Williams next year. Funk looks like a solid #3 RB and could be counted on as a starter behind an injury-prone Henderson this year. Benny Sko has flashed and definitely will have a receiving role going into the future.

On a side note, I think the signing of Tyler Hall was a quiet acquisition that will make this roster. He's a Morris signing and played for Morris in Atlanta. He gives them an option to David Long next year and a clear SCB this year. Next year I see Ramsey, Rochell and Hall as the Rams starting CBs giving the Rams probably the fastest secondary in the NFL with 4.3 speed across the board. This signing will also have implications for Morris depending upon Scotts injury.

Merlin · Aug 11, 2021

Ram_Rally said:
Do you understand how pumped about Brian Allen I am? Just think about it. We were all okay with the idea of Austin Corbett being the starting center. But apparently Brian Allen has played so well that McVay is now comfortable with leaving Corbett at guard? That's an incredible gem to find in the offseason. I think we're going to find out a lot in these preseason games. Because of Allen doesn't even play much then he certainly is the starter.

I think this is probably about Allen vs Evans moreso than it is having to do with Corbs. Hopefully from there it's also more about Allen looking great than Evans not looking good.

Shitty thing though is we gotta wait to know for sure. Last year they started Boom over Edwards. In that scenario I was certain it was a mistake, whereas in this one I honestly have zero idea. But waiting to see how the line plays is the key and unfortunately we won't see any of these guys in preseason.

Kind of makes me feel sorry for the backup QBs lol. Boy is Perkins gonna be using that mobility.

ottoman89 said:
Also, I'm extremely skeptical of Kenny Young. I hope they're not holding onto him because they got fleeced in the Marcus Peters trade. Dude just isn't a starting calibur player to me, per last season tape.

Agreed. When guys like that get talked up I get depressed about that position. Jones may upgrade us at ILB in a big way, but that opposite spot meh. Probably gonna be mostly subbed anyway though so whatevs.

oldnotdead said:
Mundt makes this roster only if the Rams break their roster trend of carrying only 3 TEs.

You have to look at TEs by role. Hopkins is unlikely to win the backup job behind Higs because he was a passing game specialized guy in college. Very unlikely a guy like him is an under-the-radar all star blocker in one offseason.

Plus Mundt has had a good camp. He is well steeped in the offense and can be plugged in to any situation. Not sure that is true with Hopkins.

I see Higs > Mundt as the inline guys. We need two there who can block. In the move role Hopkins is almost surely behind Harris, so that means Harris > Hopkins as best case for Hopkins. And being bottom of the TE barrel means he's competing with the WR depth. And I don't know how anyone can look at Hopkins and think he compares favorably to the WR depth options, almost all of whom have had good to strong camps.

Elmgrovegnome · Aug 11, 2021

oldnotdead said:
I'm not shocked about what the media thinks is a stock down trend for Hopkins. All these things are motivated by fantasy trends not reality. C'mon man after all these years to suddenly see Mundt as a viable receiving threat? I call BS. Mundt makes this roster only if the Rams break their roster trend of carrying only 3 TEs. That IMO hinges on Mundt's ability to be a viable lead blocker on runs, something he couldn't do last year. There is no way I see Hopkins not being #3 TE. His emphasis on blocking this TC would point to his replacing Mundt. The weakness of Higbee is his poor blocking which is why they needed Mundt who isn't much of a receiving threat. Hopkins can play that role and expand upon it as a receiver as well.

The Allen move is all Carberry, and I agree Corbett is the better OG compared to Evans who still needs work. Also, there is no doubt in my mind this is a financial move. It makes Corbett more financially affordable next year and keeps Allen a Ram next year as well. That isn't to say Corbett is a better center because IMO he isn't right now. Like I've said it takes more than one season to develop a quality center. It's far more complicated than that. It looks to me that Carberry is pushing for their best 5 to start. The lack of a clear-cut replacement for Havenstein not named Noteboom is IMO why he still has a job. But IMO the writing is on the wall and he's gone next year. Evans now gives them a better option at RT reserve than Anchrum. I can see Alaric Jackson taking Anchrum's roster spot with Anchrum moving to the PS.

It's pretty obvious that Rozeboom is facing an uphill battle at ILB with guys like Reeder, Young, Jones and Howard in front of him. That said I question whether Kiser and Moncrief make this roster. I see Moncrief as his primary competition for a PS spot. The Rams need a go-to option to cover Howard's injury tendency. If Rozeboom clears waivers, not a given, I can see him on the PS as a protected player.

Lewis, Kiser and even Howard are on thin ice due to their injury history. I think Lewis gets an injury designation or is released outright as the Rams have roster options for his position. Without a clear medical diagnosis on Lewis it's hard to simply move on from him. I think the Rams will put an injury tag on him and try once again to find medical assistance in a knee specialist. From what I'm hearing it sounds like a micro-fracture type of injury that is career-threatening.

Cartilage doesn't heal in an adult. Surgery is the only long-term option but it doesn't resolve the problem which will worsen with age particularly in a contact sport. At best surgery will probably reduce pain levels up to 80% which means playing with a brace forever. He would have to get the surgery and be put on IR with the option to return. Regardless the Rams need to begin to move on. They have Hollins as an edge rusher and J. Williams to play a Brockers like role at DE so the team looks to be prepared to give Lewis one more year or move on from him.

Xavier Jones is having a very good TC. I think it's clear that he and Funk will share #2 RB duties in rotation until one clearly separates himself. I think that will be Funk by the end of the season.

What this TC showed is just how good the Rams draft class this year really was. Tutu will be a starting Y WR on this team next year. Harris will eventually replace Higbee as their #1 TE. E. Jones looks like he is definitely going to be in the ILB rotation. Rochell looks to replace Long as #3 CB and probably Darious Williams next year. Funk looks like a solid #3 RB and could be counted on as a starter behind an injury-prone Henderson this year. Benny Sko has flashed and definitely will have a receiving role going into the future.

On a side note, I think the signing of Tyler Hall was a quiet acquisition that will make this roster. He's a Morris signing and played for Morris in Atlanta. He gives them an option to David Long next year and a clear SCB this year. Next year I see Ramsey, Rochell and Hall as the Rams starting CBs giving the Rams probably the fastest secondary in the NFL with 4.3 speed across the board. This signing will also have implications for Morris depending upon Scotts injury.

How can you be so certain of all of these things when there is clearly some missing information to back some of it up.

oldnotdead · Aug 11, 2021

I agree Merlin that Hopkins can't compare to who they have as their Y receivers. But if Hopkins has improved his blocking then IMO he supplants Mundt whose only role was as an inline blocker. He was open because he was unaccounted for as a receiver. Higbee is accounted for by the defense as a receiver. Hopkins will likewise be accounted for as a receiver. Higbee isn't a good blocker. That said Hopkins can be used in a 12 personnel set to provide a lead blocker or a receiving threat, i.e. Brycen is far more versatile than Mundt and expands the offense.

Personally, I think the #2 TE will be a rotation between Hopkins and Harris. A 12 personnel set with Harris on the left will create an immediate mismatch with his size and speed. He's also a willing blocker. IMO we are likely to see this in the red zone with Jefferson at X replacing Woods. Jefferson has quicker feet and good hands. With two receiving TEs with one who can provide a lead block and two quick WRs in Jefferson and Kupp that is a very dangerous run or pass set. This is where McVay's offense IMO is headed. When Woods and Higbee are gone or not on the field. Jefferson, Harris, Hopkins, and Kupp will give McVay a very strong run or play-action pass game. Add in Funk at RB and they have real speed with Jefferson, Harris, and Funk. They can run inside motioning a TE as a lead blocker, or run to both perimeters, or play pass with essentially 5 receivers. I can see this evolution next year.

FarNorth · Aug 11, 2021

Psycho_X said:
1

Stock up: C Brian Allen
Will be the best news of the offseason if Allen pans out to be the starter we all hoped he'd be years ago. He has put in a lot of work evidence by his physical change. This offense goes from great to juggernaut if Allen can be a good Center.

3
Stock up: WR DeSean Jackson
I don't think anyone was down on DJ talent wise just health wise. Nothing has changed since we signed him... he stays healthy our offense is instantly better with him. If he isn't healthy we luckily seem to have several rookies/young guys who can step into the role to at least some satisfactory ability.

Agree it's great news if Allen can be the player we thought he was. Seems to me that having a center who actually played center in college is an advantage, and we still get Corbett at guard.

Not sure why anyone should be surprised that DJax is healthy. He was healthy and looking good the last couple of games last year. He may have surprised some with his still impressive skills and the seriousness of his approach at this point in his career.

It's now looking like DJax could be a key contributor to this offense. This is especially the case considering that DJax and McVay have been on the same page since they were together in Washington.

Ram65 · Aug 11, 2021

oldnotdead said:
I'm not shocked about what the media thinks is a stock down trend for Hopkins. All these things are motivated by fantasy trends not reality. C'mon man after all these years to suddenly see Mundt as a viable receiving threat? I call BS. Mundt makes this roster only if the Rams break their roster trend of carrying only 3 TEs. That IMO hinges on Mundt's ability to be a viable lead blocker on runs, something he couldn't do last year. There is no way I see Hopkins not being #3 TE. His emphasis on blocking this TC would point to his replacing Mundt. The weakness of Higbee is his poor blocking which is why they needed Mundt who isn't much of a receiving threat. Hopkins can play that role and expand upon it as a receiver as well.

Very interesting view of the TE room. I think Mundt can be replaced. Hopkins wasn't known for his blocking in college. I think he was willing but, not very stout. Maybe has been asked to become more of a blocking TE and that is why he was reportedly off to the side by himself in practice. Blanton at 6'6" has been looking good making while some catches. I wonder how he fits in. I'm not sure how it ends up.

oldnotdead · Aug 11, 2021

Elmgrovegnome said:
How can you be so certain of all of these things when there is clearly some missing information to back some of it up.

Because I know reporters are biased and even those who aren't can't report on everything. One thing was reported and that was Hopkins was working hard on his blocking. They know what they have in him already and simply because he's not in on every drill suddenly he's out of favor? They are not giving up on a 4th round pick after one year. More likely he was working on other aspects of his game elsewhere. He's a good receiving TE with good positional speed.

Just because a guy isn't in every drill doesn't mean he's out of favor. C'mon man, Brycen was a 4th round pick meaning he needs work to polish his game. He's been on the team a year, and they know what he can and can't do. TC is about looking at different combinations. The real work comes from here on out when they return to their normal facility.

Remember this whole downgrade language tells me they are directing their observations towards Fantasy Footballers which is just that fantasy. I have no doubt Hopkins makes the roster. Just how he is used is the question. Every year McVay talks about using his TE more. But now he has a QB in Stafford who reads defenses to know what to expect from his TE more than Goff.

bubbaramfan · Aug 11, 2021

Beg to differ oldnotdead. Mundt clearly has improved his route running and pass catching and I'm not the only one who has noticed.

Hopkins hasn't impressed anyone in TC. If he was, why is he running with the twos?

Ram65 · Aug 11, 2021

bubbaramfan said:
Beg to differ oldnotdead. Mundt clearly has improved his route running and pass catching and I'm not the only one who has noticed.

That is good news to me. I know he gets praised for his blocking but, he hasn't added anything as a receiver. He can be a surprise pass option. I would like to know his blocking grade. I know he gets props for it but, I not sure how good he really is.

badnews · Aug 11, 2021

Psycho_X said:
Stock down: OLB Terrell Lewis
It's a shame his knee isn't allowing him to compete. The guy is probably our most physically impressive linebacker on the entire team. All it takes is one joint to derail you in the NFL though.

raccoons-work-love-nature-so-much-beautiful-day-cia.png

oldnotdead · Aug 11, 2021

bubbaramfan said:
Hopkins hasn't impressed anyone in TC. If he was, why is he running with the twos?

You're kidding, right? He ran with the two's last year. He is #2 because Higbee is the #1 TE. McVay favors 11 personnel so there is only one TE on the field at a time. If he plays a 12 personnel set I would expect it to be Higbee and either Hopkins or Harris. So how is running with the twos a downgrade?

Remember the only one Hopkins needs to impress is McVay and Wes Phillips the TE coach. Impressing the media who get it wrong more than right is not even in the mix.

Also, this is the same media that was crowning Corbett as the starting center while I understood there were good reasons for Allen to play center. His experience, building off of a decent 2019 and financial. Also, understanding that you can't develop a top-tier center in just a few weeks from someone who hasn't played it in years. As I posted before the change that it simply did not make sense to bench Allen if you indeed want to start the 5 best OL on the roster.

I'm saying the same dynamic also applies to the TE position. Why demote a player with a much higher ceiling that they spent a 4th round pick for last year, that is faster with better hands? Hopkins is far and away more versatile than Mundt and brings more to the table. This is the same Mundt they knew they couldn't use as a lead blocker in the run game last year so they tried Everett. IMO he makes the roster if they carry 4 TEs which they haven't done in years, if not I don't see him making the roster.

dang · Aug 11, 2021

Tano said:
Another Malcolm Brown type back?

have you seen his college tape. His bread and butter is change of direction and cutting ability. I didn’t see that from Brown.

CGI_Ram · Aug 11, 2021

Ram_Rally said:
Do you understand how pumped about Brian Allen I am? Just think about it. We were all okay with the idea of Austin Corbett being the starting center. But apparently Brian Allen has played so well that McVay is now comfortable with leaving Corbett at guard? That's an incredible gem to find in the offseason. I think we're going to find out a lot in these preseason games. Because of Allen doesn't even play much then he certainly is the starter.

I am too.

Then I thought of this perspective; the 2020 oline was good, but I want to see improvement from the play we saw there (all of us do)…

The thought of Corbett at C and Evans at RG felt like sizeable change.

Now… we are “just” swapping Blythe for Allen. So, how much better will the line be? Doesn’t feel much different from last year.

Then again… Stafford helps the oline with his veteran play.

It’s all so connected in weird ways.

Allen may be a fraction better than Bythe in some areas and that’s all we need. That plus Stafford factor and maybe the whole line goes up a notch.

Stock up, stock down from Rams training camp: Allen and Jackson rising, Lewis falling