The rams should trade up to pick twice in the in the 2nd Round

[TheTackle]

The list I shared included only one player, Duveney-Tardif, who was drafted late. I don't know if he won a starting job out of camp but he was re-signed by the Chiefs to a second contract, so he was good enough for that.

Many others on the list were picked up as free agents, two of them earning less than a million dollars in 2019. My point was good scouts and GMs can find quality offensive linemen later in the draft or though other means besides pursuing a Ricky Williams type trade of draft picks to find one sure-fire starter. Which isn't a sure thing anyway.

Depth is what you use when your starters are injured,. Depth is what you always have on hand to develop, groom, train, etc. to hopefully, eventually take the place of your current starters. Right now, Evans and Edwards might be better players than anyone available at their positions in the second round of April's draft. Quality depth is what makes teams perennial winners.

We will cut some good players to get down to the final squad-again. Just how much depth can we keep? We need starters this season

 

[fearsomefour]

A playmaking DL to team with Donald and Joseph and a starting OL would be fantastic.

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

A playmaking DL to team with Donald and Joseph and a starting OL would be fantastic.

I really hope we just steer capital into OL--we have the rest of the pieces on offense, and being able to run/sustain drives would sufficiently elevate the defense we have imo.

 

[baconandbread]

RG is the least important position on an OL - not JMO - we would be mad to tie up so much money in that position. Does he play there to cover his pass blocking deficiencies? I would much prefer we draft Ruiz, who has pro bowler in his future IMO

In my opinion if we somehow draft Ruiz, we will be set.

Whitworth, Corbett, Ruiz, Edwards, Havenstein with Allen, Noteboom, Brewer, Evans as Reserves is pretty solid... especially if they add a mauling guard late in the draft. I just don't see the need/value for Scherff at such a high cost, especially since money can be used elsewhere.

 

[ramfan46]

In my opinion if we somehow draft Ruiz, we will be set.

Whitworth, Corbett, Ruiz, Edwards, Havenstein with Allen, Noteboom, Brewer as Reserves is pretty solid... especially if they add a mauling guard late in the draft. I just don't see the need/value for Scherff at such a high cost, especially since money can be used elsewhere.

Forgetting Evans here.

 

[baconandbread]

Forgetting Evans here.

Yes, meant to put him there as well

 

[wolfdogg]

The biggest issue with the oline is center and the rams cant afford another whiff this season.

Im all for picking one at 52 and it looks like the rams will have a good shot at one of the top 2 centers in the draft. But can they take that risk.

Id rather make a play for the starter from either the broncos or the niners.

If the rams highest rated center is available at 52 id still take him and move him or McGovern to guard.

We have plenty of options for the 2 remaing guard and tackle potions

I think these 2 moves would solidify the line at a very reasonable cost.

The rest of the draft can be spent on defense.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I don't disagree that center is an issue but asking a draft pick to come in and start at center is a tall order. I don't think there's a ton who can just do that so burning a draft pick on a guy who might not even start this year when the problem is this year... I don't know. In that case, you may have a guard calling some of the protections for most of the year. I think Blythe even did that with Allen, no?

I may be in the minority here but I think the better bet is if a very good guard is sitting there at one of our higher picks, you take them. I think if you're able to upgrade the interior at guard there's a carryover affect that will support a less talented center.

 

[wolfdogg]

I don't disagree that center is an issue but asking a draft pick to come in and start at center is a tall order. I don't think there's a ton who can just do that so burning a draft pick on a guy who might not even start this year when the problem is this year... I don't know. In that case, you may have a guard calling some of the protections for most of the year. I think Blythe even did that with Allen, no?

I may be in the minority here but I think the better bet is if a very good guard is sitting there at one of our higher picks, you take them. I think if you're able to upgrade the interior at guard there's a carryover affect that will support a less talented center.

It is a tall order and thats why i like going after McGovern but if center is your biggest need and the best one is available at 52 you get him.

And even with McGovern i would add the top center since McGovern can also play guard. This gives you great flexibility if the rookie is up to the task but if he isnt then you still have a high quality starting center and maybe the rookie can be a guard.

 

[Kevin]

We will cut some good players to get down to the final squad-again. Just how much depth can we keep? We need starters this season

If we had our first round pick at #20 we could draft someone who would likely be a starter at guard or center early into the next season, but we don’t. Depth players can become starters. Evans and Edwards were depth last year, this year they should be able to step up and be starters. Allen was depth two years ago and he became a starter, though he may not be good enough to stay a starter. Maybe we have to live with Allen and/or Corbett at center next year while we draft a center in the third or fourth round in April. That center becomes depth and is trained up to maybe become the starter in 2021.

 

[Riverumbbq]

I don't disagree that center is an issue but asking a draft pick to come in and start at center is a tall order. I don't think there's a ton who can just do that so burning a draft pick on a guy who might not even start this year when the problem is this year... I don't know. In that case, you may have a guard calling some of the protections for most of the year. I think Blythe even did that with Allen, no?

I may be in the minority here but I think the better bet is if a very good guard is sitting there at one of our higher picks, you take them. I think if you're able to upgrade the interior at guard there's a carryover affect that will support a less talented center.

I agree.

There also seems to be some controversy over what Scherff might earn and whether it's worth the expense. Saffold was paid $44.mil for 4 years by Tennessee, and look what he did to help turn around what had been a rather poor OL the year prior. We are one year removed from that new Saffold contract averaging $11mil. per, ... if Spotrac is correct in its estimation of what Scherff might earn, he goes to his next team averaging near $12.5mil per, which is not out of line, especially when you factor in his age being 3 years younger than Saffold.

If the Rams decide to shoot their draft wad on a rookie Center, you are basically allowing that 2020 will be more of a developmental year for our OL rather than one which is potentially play-off caliber. The Rams have no starting offensive linemen which have a proven ability as a quality rush blocker, so Gurley & Henderson will suffer again at the hands of this developmental OL.
I just want people to be honest with themselves about what they expect of a rookie Center and how long it may take to reach the level of production our 2017/2018 OL had. I'm not against taking a year off from the play-off hunt if management feels its in our best interests to rebuild thru the draft after losing several players to free agency, but lets call it what it is. What's good for the long-term isn't always what's good for the short-term, so make up your minds on the path you wish to follow.
jmo.

 

[TheTackle]

It is a tall order and thats why i like going after McGovern but if center is your biggest need and the best one is available at 52 you get him.

And even with McGovern i would add the top center since McGovern can also play guard. This gives you great flexibility if the rookie is up to the task but if he isnt then you still have a high quality starting center and maybe the rookie can be a guard.

I don’t see McGovern signing here, what with our cap situation but we will see

I quote, ‘there are some who speculate McGovern could command as much as $10mil per year’

Redirect Notice

 

[TheTackle]

Ruiz is a three year starter. That is a massive plus if we were to trade up for him. As others have said it is a strong center class, but he is the one player I believe we should covet

Trading up in the second round isn’t going to cost the earth, but the pay off could be huge

 

[TheTackle]

I don't disagree that center is an issue but asking a draft pick to come in and start at center is a tall order. I don't think there's a ton who can just do that so burning a draft pick on a guy who might not even start this year when the problem is this year... I don't know. In that case, you may have a guard calling some of the protections for most of the year. I think Blythe even did that with Allen, no?

I may be in the minority here but I think the better bet is if a very good guard is sitting there at one of our higher picks, you take them. I think if you're able to upgrade the interior at guard there's a carryover affect that will support a less talented center.

I haven’t given up on Allen and agree with your point. There are some great prospects at guard for sure

 

[wolfdogg]

I don’t see McGovern signing here, what with our cap situation but we will see

I quote, ‘there are some who speculate McGovern could command as much as $10mil per year’

Redirect Notice

I thougjt we had 90 million in space but even if thats not the case i stopped trying to figure out who the rams will sign based on cap numbers. Its seems as if they will pretty much sign who they really want.

With contract restructures, bonuses and other options and factors like brockers weddle mathews and Fowler to name a few, I'm not concerned with the cap.

We need a high caliber center and i feel that this will be a priority with Mcvay. Settling with what we failed at last year or rolling the dice on the draft doesnt seem to be what i expect from the talented coaching staff and fromt office.

 

[Akrasian]

With contract restructures, bonuses and other options and factors like brockers weddle mathews and Fowler to name a few, I'm not concerned with the cap.

Restructures just push the problem forward. For instance, converting Goff's roster bonus and most of his 2020 salary to a signing bonus would give the Rams an extra $24 million to spend this year, at the expense of raising his cap hit by $6 million per year for the rest of his contract. Maybe that makes sense, but that's one or two good vets that would be gone those seasons. Brockers, Fowler, and now Weddle don't affect the space - their contracts are over. Cutting Mathews would save some space, while leaving a hole to fill. Maybe not a big issue, given that he didn't play well after coming back from an injury - he was solid before though. Keep in mind that the Rams need cap space for their draft and for any UDFAs they sign too - not a ton, but since the Rams don't have a lot of space it matters.

I would expect some restructures, but probably not all that much - since the team does need to worry about the future too and is short of draft picks.

 

[wolfdogg]

Restructures just push the problem forward. For instance, converting Goff's roster bonus and most of his 2020 salary to a signing bonus would give the Rams an extra $24 million to spend this year, at the expense of raising his cap hit by $6 million per year for the rest of his contract. Maybe that makes sense, but that's one or two good vets that would be gone those seasons. Brockers, Fowler, and now Weddle don't affect the space - their contracts are over. Cutting Mathews would save some space, while leaving a hole to fill. Maybe not a big issue, given that he didn't play well after coming back from an injury - he was solid before though. Keep in mind that the Rams need cap space for their draft and for any UDFAs they sign too - not a ton, but since the Rams don't have a lot of space it matters.

I would expect some restructures, but probably not all that much - since the team does need to worry about the future too and is short of draft picks.

Last year the rams paid fowler weddle and brockers nearly 30 million combined. That money can be spent elsewhere.

Im guessing the rams have an idea of what players may be gone in 2 years so reatructuring wont be as much of a concern. I would be surprised if whit cooks mathrews brockers and fowler are here in 2121 and thats alot of money. Gurley and hav are wildcards depending on this season and unless they have significantly better production I wouldn't be surprised to see at least one of them gone.

 

[Akrasian]

Last year the rams paid fowler weddle and brockers nearly 30 million combined. That money can be spent elsewhere.

Im guessing the rams have an idea of what players may be gone in 2 years so reatructuring wont be as much of a concern. I would be surprised if whit cooks mathrews brockers and fowler are here in 2121 and thats alot of money. Gurley and hav are wildcards depending on this season and unless they have significantly better production I wouldn't be surprised to see at least one of them gone.

Whit, Brockers and Fowler already don't count against next year's cap, since they aren't under contract. Weddle is off the team, but the cap might not have been updated yet, if the paperwork hasn't been done yet. The limited cap space for next season will be reduced most likely by Whit signing a short contract for a lot of money, but also a big paycut from 2019.

It's not a cap apocalypse, but there will be significant cap casualties which are going to be difficult to replace given the many picks which have been traded. They are walking on a tight rope if they want to avoid having a ton of holes in their roster. But if they restructure too much, they just push the problem forward. where it could be even worse. Keep in mind that pushing money to future years might make it impossible to pay Ramsey and Kupp after this season. As I say, it's a tightrope, especially without many high picks. There are no easy answers, but doing a lot of restructuring to allow short term help would likely make it worse.

 

[Ram65]

That is why I am suggesting trading up, providing the players they target are available in spots that make sense. I wouldn't condone giving up the house, but believe we been starters over depth

The Rams gave up a lot of the house already with the Ramsey deal. lol.

I'm with you on quality this year. It's early in the process for everyone including the Rams. I see Ruiz is all over the draft boards and ratings. This is just one example. Others have Ruiz much higher and going in round #1. Reading this thread there are all sorts of directions the Rams could go. I think the Rams need to get more physical on the offensive line as far as the run game. From the little I watched I didn't see Ruiz as a great run blocker which is reflected by PFF grades (take it or leave it). It's really too early for any definitive answers.

2020 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Interior Offensive Linemen

Lead draft analyst Mike Renner presents the top 10 interior offensive linemen ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft.

www.pff.com

3. TYLER BIADASZ, WISCONSIN
Draft Board Rank: 49th
Biadasz has been one of the best run-blocking centers in the country for three straight seasons now. His lowest single-season run-blocking grade over that span was an 82.1 back in 2017. The reason why he dropped down our board from the beginning of the season has to do with his work in pass protection. We thought we'd see a lights-out year from the redshirt junior in 2019, but instead, Biadasz earned the lowest pass-blocking grade of his career at 70.5 and got taken off his feet far more often than we'd like. Biadasz has the size to play any position on the interior, even though he never played anything but center in three seasons at Wisconsin.

8. LLOYD CUSHENBERRY, LSU
Draft Board Rank: 87th
Cushenberry had some serious issues on tape dealing with quicker defensive tackles and reacting to stunts. He was a flat-out liability in LSU's empty sets and allowed 34 pressures this season after allowing only eight in 2018. It's head-scratching, though, as he went to the Senior Bowl and earned the highest win rate of any offensive lineman in the one-on-one pass protection drills. One thing is for certain — power is not a problem for the 6-foot-4, 315-pounder.


9. CESAR RUIZ, MICHIGAN
Draft Board Rank: 94th
The lone true junior on this list, Ruiz declared early because he's already shown all the physical tools needed to succeed at center in the NFL. He's so graceful for a 6-foot-4, 320-pound center that you often forget just how big he really is when watching his tape. He's still not quite a power player, though, as indicated by his 64.9 run-blocking grade from last year, but at only 20 years of age, he could still develop a good deal physically.

 

[Mojo Ram]

I think draft capital ends up going to DL, ILB, Edge, and prob WR or RB since it's such a deep class at those two spots.