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- Jan 13, 2016
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Objective
The Rams did a great job with their coaching hires and made good use of their resources in Free Agency to put Jared Goff in the best position to succeed. Moving forward in the draft the Rams need to continue that trend by drafting players at that fit what McVay and Wade want to do. This draft will attempt to do that, analyze all new players who weren't mentioned in version 1.0, and introduce good players who may not have a ton of exposure on this board. I'll try to put the best tape I can find above my breakdown so you can see a full picture of the players skill set. Long winded as usual, but hopefully worth it.3rd Wave FA Signing
John Sullivan, C, Redskins- IMO it still makes alot of sense for the Rams to make this signing or a similar vet signing it. I am not in love with this center class and according to Snead with Goff in year 2 the Rams prefer to having a vet starting or an older guy to mentor a young guy. Sulivan could potentially fill either role if his health checks out. On another note, both McVay and Kroemer converted career guards to center last season with good results. The Rams have three potential options in Wichmann, Brown, and Donnal who have all started games in the NFL. These guys have only one year less of experience at center than some of the more attractive options in the draft like Roullier and Elflein. Unlike those guys the Rams young guys have nearly 3 years in an NFL strength and conditioning program and starting experience against NFL talent. IMO Kroemer's and McVay's experience converting guards to centers supplemented by a vet like Sullivan is a more attractive proposition than any rookie center available.
Draft
2. Evan Engram, TE, Ole Miss. Size: 6'3 235
Defining athletic traits: Speed (4.42 40), Quickness (6.92 Three cone)
Jordan Reed made the Redskins offense go more than any other Redskins weapon. It was interesting seeing Jay Gruden admit as much at the NFL coaches breakfast when asked about the loss of Garcon and DeSean Jackson. Reed's ability to be a mismatch against LB and safeties at all levels of the field and especially in the redzone was a huge part of McVay's offense. Engram can fill a similar role for the rams. Engram is an elite athlete and produced at an elite level in the SEC which is an automatic plus in Snead's book. With his speed, quickness, and overall athleticism Engram can come in be a mismatch in the slot and lined up out wide against LBs and Safeties. Engram had more reps inline early in his career and did a great job stretching the seam from that alignment. Engram is certainly not a good blocker from any alignment, but that's not what you are bringing him in to do. He also looks better in contested situations outside the hashes as opposed to inside the hashes. Engram is more polished than Reed coming out of college who didn't settle in as a TE until late in his college career. However, like Reed Engram has the moldable traits to grow into that mismatch role and I wouldn't discount a productive rookie season like Reed's. The Rams have shown a ton interest meeting with him at senior bowl and bringing him in for a predraft visit. His speed and quickness complement Higbee's size and the two could form a dangerous TE combo. If anyone know how to best utilize his both skills sets together and separately it is former TE coach Sean McVay.
3. Mack Hollins, WR, North Carolina
Size: 6'4 221
Defining Athletic Traits: size speed combo 4.53 40 time (pulled up injured)
At 6'4 221 with legit deep threat ability Hollins, has everything the Rams WR core is currently lacking. McVay's offense which is heavily influenced by Kyle Shanahan and Jay Gruden and needs a big time deep threat. Lafleur's and McVay's and mentors had dynamic guys like Julio Jones, AJ Green, DeSean Jackson, Andre Johnson, and Josh Gordon. Last year the skins drafted Josh Doctson because they thought he was similar to AJ Green. If I had to compare Hollins to any of those guys it would be Josh Gordon at his best, because Hollins is a big guy who gets up to elite top speed quickly and can win in contested situations. Unlike Gordon Hollins is a high character guy who initially walked on primarily playing as a great special teamer then became a team captain and one of the premier deep threats in the ACC. It was really unfortunate seeing him suffer a broken collar bone ending his senior season early and a calf injury at combine on his first 40 attempt where he still ran a 4.53 that derailed his pre draft process. On film he uses a variety of release moves to beat defenders off the line and once he gets past them he's gone. He can run by DBs even when they have safety help and can really track the deep ball and run it down. He is also quicker out of his breaks than expected for a WR his with size. You would like to see more career production, but I his TD rate of 20 TDs on 81 catches highlights his big play ability. I also like seeing him being productive against elite college secondaries like Clemson and Florida State who are constantly loaded with NFL talent. Hollins is not a finished product, but he is a good blocker, a hard worker, and has NFL deep threat chops so he can fit in to "the basketball team" multi faceted WR group McVay is trying to build. At worst he is initially a situational deep threat. Some would argue this is early for him, but Hollins is as talented as any WR in this draft and has the makeup to make sure his potential is fulfilled.
4. Shaquill Griffin, CB, Central Florida
Size: 6'0, 32 3/8' arms.
Defining Athletic Traits: Speed (4.38 top 5 combine), Explosion (38.5 VJ, 132 BJ both positional top 5), Quickness (top 10 Short shuttle and three cone)
Griffin has great size, long arms, and is an elite athlete in all regards. On the field he has loose hips, speed, and physicality to play in Wade's press man scheme. With his size, cover skills, and athletic traits he definitely should go higher, but his technique can get sloppy and his coverage instincts are not fully refined. He and his teammates struggled against Michigan las year, but the whole team was over matched. He may not be able to play heavy snaps right away, but he may not be asked to with Gaines and Joyner being options in the Nickel. Griffin has starting CB upside with the right coaching, and by all accounts Aubrey Pleasant is a terrific CB coach.
4. Deatrich Wise, DE, Arkansas
Size: 6'5 275, 35 5/8' arms
Defining Athletic Traits: Power (22 bench reps with freakishly long arms)
Wise and his freakishly long arms have the power to rag doll blockers and be effective in the run and pass game playing 3-4 DE in Wades scheme. He had better production in 2015 compared to 2016 playing mostly as a 4-3 DE, but IMO his power and lack of pure edge rush ability make him a better fit as a defensive interior player. Additionally, being productive in the SEC is always a plus in Snead's eyes. With his length and power Wise provides a different skill set behind Easley and has starter potential down the road. Wise tore up the shrine game as you can see above.
5. Keion Adams, EDGE, Western Michigan
Size: 6'2 247
Defining Athletic Traits: Burst (4.68 40 time at pro day)
Adams is one of my favorite edge rushers in the draft and I could see him going as early as round 3. He has the pure pass rush ability every team craves. Adams posses an explosive first step with the ability to bend that make his speed rush a nightmare for tackles. He is developing a quick inside counter move and and a spin move that needs more refinement. Right now Adams doesn't have the play strength to consistently set the edge in the NFL, but his pass rush ability and ability to penetrate in the run game will allow him to get on the field early. His best fit is learning and developing behind Quinn as an open ended rusher. Adams will only become more effective as he continues to develop counter moves to go with his devastating speed rush.
6. Avery Moss, EDGE, Western Kentucky
Size: 6'3 264, 34.5' arms
Defining Athletic Traits: No outstanding combine results, but length is a huge asset.
(Moss is #9 usually lined up on the opposite end of the highlighted guy Rivers)
Moss is an interesting player who could go higher, but has character issues. He was kicked out of Nebraska for exposing himself to a woman, so those issues will hurt his draft projection especially in the current NFL climate. On the field Moss has long arms, decent power, and experience playing with his hand in the ground and standing up. He was very productive playing opposite Derek Rivers who could get drafted as early as round 2. Moss has natural ability, can set the edge, but isn't a refined pass rusher yet. However, he gives Wade and his staff alot of tools to work with and refine in order to develop him into a complete player.
6. Treyvon Hester, DL, Toledo
Size: 6'2 300
Defining Athletic Traits: N/A Missed Pro Day and Combine due to Shoulder Injury will work out April 13
Hester could be a versatile reserve DL. As the 6th DL he probably wont be active on game day, but could play as a pass rushing nose or a 3-4 DE. Hester has good hand usage, can penetrate, and holds up decently against double teams. He ducks his head and looses the ball a little too often, but could be a versatile d line reserve in the future
7. Levon Myers, OL, Northern Illinois
Size: 6'5 309
Defining Athletic Traits: Mean Streak (not athleticism but it's the trait that makes him effective)
Myers was heavily recruited out of high and could have gone to Lineman U Wisconsin, but chose to make his own mark at Northern Illinois. He has good size, is technically sound, plays mean, and has power. Myers profiles as swing tackle prospect who could also play guard. Rams paid a lot of attention to him at his Pro Day and he fits the profile for a Kroemer lineman.
(For those interested late round OL tape)
2017 Depth Chart
QB: Goff, Mannion, Murray
RB: Gurley, Dunbar, Brown, Green
X WR: Hollins, Thomas
Z WR: Woods, Spruce
Y WR: Tavon, Cooper
TE: Engram, Higbee, Harkey, Hemingway
LT: Whitworth, Myers
LG: Saffold, Donnal
C: Brown, Sullivan
RG: Havenstein, Wichman
RT: Robinson,
LE: Easley, Wise
NT: Brockers, Hester
RE: Donald, Walker
SOLB: Barwin, Moss, Littleton
MIKE: Ogletree, Forrest
MO: Barron, Hager
WOLB: Quinn, Adams `
LCB: Tru, Griffin, Jordan
RCB: Webster, Gaines
FS: Joyner, Davis
SS: Alexander, Randolph
LS: McQuaide
K: Zuerline
P: Hecker
