Wanna have a discussion about Snead/McVay likely Draft strategy?

[Rams43]

First of all, I’m pretty relaxed as of now. It’s certain that a good football player will be sitting there at 52. Or even after a Probable Snead trade(s) down. Lol.

But which position, you say?

Based on reported Ram interest I’d say C or RB are high on their list, but who really knows?

Take it FWIW, but my crystal ball is giving me glimpses of the following:

First 4 picks will be some combo of RB, C, edge, and ILB.

A WR will be picked but who knows where or when? Too good of a WR draft not to take advantage, don’t you think?

A PK will be drafted late. I doubt that even Snead would want to have to sift through UDFA leftovers.

I doubt that more than one OL player is drafted. Might even be none, depending on who might fall at other need positions. Blythe, if nothing else, allows Snead to pounce on BPA and/or juicy tradedown opportunities. Besides, I think that the Rams like their current OL roster more than many fans do.

I’m looking for a helluva battle for starting position between a healthy and hopefully well conditioned Hav and Evans. Competition is always a good thing.

I suspect that Boom will be healthy enough to compete with Whit at LOT by camp but will be Whit’s backup until Whit might need a breather during the season. Wouldn’t be stunned if Boom starts to gradually see more and more game snaps by midseason on to prepare him for ‘21 starter status.

That deep CB roster has allowed much needed cap savings (NRC) and also still allows Snead to focus on other positional Ram needs. CB still looks deep and is a testament to Snead’s eval talent and draft strategy foresight.

I continue to have a real good feeling about this ‘new’ Staley D that we’re gonna see. A ‘new broom’ kinda thing. Wouldn’t be surprised to see a Top 10 D, maybe even better.

I especially am excited to see that AD, Brockers, ARob DL in action together. I suspect that AD is gonna see a few less double/triple teams and we all know that could be a good thing.

I’m expecting a Sean McVay just burning to reclaim that division crown and to once again go deep into the playoffs. His energy and fire will be contagious and result in higher ceilings for his asst coaches AND players.

Hard to say how much the Covid-19 restrictions will negatively impact Ram pre-draft eval accuracy. Then again, it’s the same for all teams so probably not much net effect either way.

I’m encouraged by recent news stories of possible downturn of new Coved-19 cases in some areas AND some encouraging news about successes with certain different meds. To the point that I’m cautiously optimistic that we will see a semi-normal camp and a full regular season.

What did I miss?

 

[nighttrain]

i think you posted a good summary of issues and needs, all we as fans can do is hope
train

 

[Merlin]

Picking at 52 means the Rams are at the mercy of the mob. And this year there's a ton of guys pretty close together so you see all kinds of deviation by the time the mocks get to us. That aside I'm looking at it via the "window" type approach for each need.

LT... Not everyone agrees that LT is a need. But regardless of what you might think there's a good chance that the window for that position is round 2. If they don't go that route (OTs with good feet go off the board faster than everything but QB, so even in this draft it makes it hard to see that happening) I think they wait for next year even if it means they need to trade up to find a LT. But IMO if a LT is there round 2 that they like they will take him. We might even see them drop a little then take a guy like Niang to help recoup draft capital after taking a dev type at the top.

Center... There's a lot more room for error here. It's a good position group so the window looks like rounds 2 through 4, although it gets rather hairy at the round 4 range IMO. So I'd guess round 3 is where the Rams plan to address the position barring a guy they love being there earlier.

WR... Another position a lot of folks don't realize is a need IMO. Interestingly enough this position is so deep that it will be in play with every pick, however for the Rams' purposes the type they need is a guy who can be ready to play this season and help out if JRey doesn't step up. Which seems to be again that round 2-4 range. Now with McVay's dialed in details on what they want I am sure they might be able to hit on a wideout after that, but they also need a kicker.

Kicker... I see this position as a round 4-7 range window. I doubt the Rams would go round 3 unless it's a guy they're over the moon with, so just unlikely to me. Should be some options though come round 4.

RB... Like wideout this is a stacked position in this draft. Rams could address it at any of their picks. And they'll probably need to accrue more picks by moving down at some point so it wouldn't surprise me if we saw RB go off the board later. But I'll go with rounds 2-7 at RB since we need a guy who can eat carries which is not hard to accomplish, but it is very possible that a top RB falls to us at 52 and given our problems running the ball if that happens they take him.

ILB... I see multiple windows for this position. Guys who can start now for us, who have the potential to stay on the field three downs and/or who bring some flexibility in their impact will need to be taken by round 2 and that's if the ones the Rams like even get to them. The run fill types are going to be available from rounds 2-7 though so much easier to fill in depth that way. Also the dev nickelbacker/coverage types will be available through midrounds (note this is the average SS types not the freaks who go round 2).

OLB... There's guys I like through round 4 to 5 range. Of the midround types there's quite a few who could help us in the rotation, and even some I think would start for us. Like Anae for example, who I am convinced will be a very good midround selection for some lucky team. But there's a ton of mentions on this group on ROD so a lot of options.

Safety... In any given draft you can get really good primary sub types in round 2 and that is true in this draft as well. But this draft (which is very weak in deep middle types) has a lot of guys who are better around the LOS, so if the Rams wanted to bring in a depth option who can compete they should be able to find one into midrounds. Now that aside the larger SS types who are more the nickelbacker role players (i.e. like Chinn) should slot into round 2 window.

Non-Need Positions...

Depth OT/OG types are plentiful, so Rams should be able to find them well into the later rounds.

CB you can't have enough of, but IMO with their other needs in consideration it's a position the Rams will take only if the player falls to them and they are certain he'll win CB2. So that means relatively early for those types, and throughout for the depth and special teams or returns types.

Interesting, isn't it, how looking at all the needs vs our available picks almost screams trade down.

 

[Memento]

Get the sixths. Get all the sixths.

Les Snead.

 

[Neil039]

I am hoping for Oline at 52. Reality is they may have a really high draft grade at another position (RB, ILB or WR) and just can't pass up "their guy".

I don't always agree with the trades or players chosen, although with this Coach GM combo it's been good the last few years.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Yeah... it feels like everything hinges on improved oline play. I am confident in internal development, I am.

But... give me a lot of options. This has gotta work. I am hoping oline at 52, too.

I won’t be pissed if we go LB or WR if a coveted one drops.

 

[Loyal]

I think Snead will draft for athletic freakishness, and hope we can coach them up.... ~2016

 

[TexasRam]

As always the smart thing is to play the board. Don’t reach. Get value at position of need UNLESS there is some tremendous talent at another position.

C/G and MLB in Rd 2 and 3 if possible.

you can always find an edge rusher or scheme up a pass rush. If you don’t have a ILB you can get run on all day.

 

[Ram65]

This is what I wrote in another thread...with a few tweaks.


I think they target one or two players they like at each position of need. They try to get as many as they can considering where they are drafting. They could go three or four deep depending on position depth.The offensive center position is a good example this year.

It's a balancing act of how they think they can get the best values. They have to be flexible as they draft evolves. These seem to be positions of need at least here at ROD. You could argue WR and safety should be on the list. Punter and starting QB is off the table, They could draft in any order based on combined values.

OC or Other linemen
RB
ILB
Edge

That first pick starts things off. It could be any position order depending on grades and availability throughout the draft. I think they weight the groupings individually and as a whole with need rating. They could take a lesser OC because they value a RB higher and feel they can still get one of their OCs later or visa versa. Of course, if a much higher rated player at a lesser position of need is available they would still consider taking that player.

In McVay's first draft they targeted TE Everett and were able to trade down and pick up another draft pick which they targeted J Johnson in round three. You know they had Cooper Kupp as a target and were smart enough to get him in round three.

Last year the Rams again traded down and drafted Taylor Rapp. They say that was the plan all along but, the Chargers drafted Nasir Adderley another safety with the pick before the Rams. Rams could have wanted him. Either way, they got their targeted position and either their first or second choice player. Darrel Henderson was a target to a point that they traded IIRC two third-round picks to move up and get him. They also targeted Greg Gaines and trade picks to get him. They found RB value they liked later in round three and didn't have to take one earlier.

They use a weighted system based on player grade, positional need, position depth, and availability. At least that's the way I see it. We can take guesses and have our favorites. I think the defense needs an ILber that can be an can stay on the field for three downs, that can stop the run, rush the passer and cover. I don't think they have two that can do that. A player like Zack Baun fits Staley's scheme of versatile LBers if available or Logan Wilson. This could become a top 5 to 10 defense believe it or not.

 

[PARAM]

I think they've had a pretty good handle on who will be available when. That makes them unpredictable for me but I'm not a draftnik. Of course we should always expect Snead to make a trade. Down early, up later maybe? And we really have no idea what they think is the position of most need. Some think they're happy with the OL. Some don't. How deep is the Edge position in this draft? IMO, RB is the highest need. But they could think Edge or ILB. Offensive guys like toys so with this being a deep WR draft, that wouldn't surprise me. If they got RB and WR or TE on the offensive side, I don't care if they go D with the rest, except a good point was made about drafting a PK instead of relying on a UDFA or pre camp cut. That's why leading up to the draft....and hopefully the draft....are entertaining.

 

[rams1fan]

My Crystal ball. Rams draft wither an RB or and Edge with the their first pick.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Sadly there is no way the Rams can fill all of these needs with top talent in one draft. LB, and Center are the two most glaring holes on the team right now imo. I just hope they have one of each on their board at the time of their first two picks.

And I'd prefer that Snead stop trading back for mediocre volume. This team has plenty of young roster fillers to serve as backups. And if any of them step up and shine, like I hope for Travin Howard, they will be heading near their second contract in a year or two. So the holes that they filled may soon reappear.

So my preference would be C/LB first two rounds, RB next. There seems to be enough talent at all three to go something like that. However, Snead loves measurables, a And McVay loves his offense and RBs. McVay may push for a premier running back with the first pick. Running backs are often great athletes, so that fits Sneads bill too and they just said bye to Gurley, and their rookie Henderson had some injuries and didn't seem to pass block so good, so they may feel pressured to fill that role early. I could see them having a lot of interest in Johnathon Taylor. To me it will be putting the cart before the horse. Cesar Ruiz and had great Sparq scores and should be the type of player Snead likes at Center. There is a definite need for a sideline to sideline run stuffing linebacker and it's not common to get lucky on one of them late. Running back shelf life, especially those with high mileage can be short.

but with Les' love for dealing it is hard to predict what he will do anymore. The Rams interviewed a lot of TEs. Maybe they will surprise us and go that direction early.

 

[fearsomefour]

Hard to tell with McSnead.
They seem to often go against perceived biggest need.
A RB in the second would make me want to vomit.
I would go either line in the second round.
After that enough needs to find players in each round.
Edge, DB, S, ILB, K....I’m going either DL or OL with that second round pick.
I have been terrible at projecting what they will do but I have liked their drafts overall and found their approach interesting.
As usual I think the draft will show what they think of the young guys on the roster now in terms of starting.

 

[Rams43]

I think that it’s impossible to accurately predict the Rams first 3 picks at this point. Either by specific player or even the more general position group.

But I also think that their general draft strategy is fairly easy to predict.

They’ve already plugged ‘screaming need’ holes except for PK.

Rams have stacked their board paying close attention to plateaus of more or less equally rated players.

Snead will aggressively pursue trade down partners IF he sees equally rated players at ‘need’ positions that would still be available. Chances are quite high that Snead will be able to make 1-2 such trade downs by the end of Day 2, maybe even more in rounds 4-7. A classic example of this was in ‘17 when they traded down in the 2nd, still got there targeted Everett, and gained JJ with the extra 3rd.

Snead will thereby wind up with 8, maybe 9 picks in this draft when all is said and done.

If Snead drafts as well as he has recently then the Rams will continue to keep their pipeline full with talented depth/development players.

That’s as specific as I can be. I know one other thing. I’m planning on enjoying the hell out of watching this draft unfold.

 

[BonifayRam]

Sadly we have a problem with our GM Snead's thinking on the true value of his top draft selections on how these top selections help keep you out of Salary Cap Hell.

As always the smart thing is to play the board. Don’t reach. Get value at position of need UNLESS there is some tremendous talent at another position...............................

I would strongly suggest Snead follows your excellent advice.

.....LT... if a LT is there round 2 that they like they will take him.

I would go this route if it were me.

Center... .....round 3 is where the Rams plan to address the position

I would have no issues with this either. Rams have a good amount of OC (five) prospects but none look to have what is needed now or the future. Upgrade is badly needed after this season.

WR... this position is so deep that it will be in play with every pick

I see the WR situation as a not needed this yr but next season its a very big need. With both Kupp, Reynolds & Everett being UFA's & that monstrous Cooks contract along with his concussion issues.......as you said factor in the abundance of nearly a dozen first round caliber WR prospects there would never be a better time for Snead to get his future star wide out for a bargain!

Its a very bad draft for 34 D ER/OLB'ers. I would plan on utilizing both 6th & 7th rd picks for RB needs. I am still worried about the CB Ramsey situation enough to keep an outside corner on my get list.

I would center in on the following positions LT/ OC/ CB/ WR/ RB's

 

[FrantikRam]

Remember: the draft is for the future. The Rams have also been behaving this way with most of their draft picks over the past two years. For example: Noteboom and Allen were selected but at the time, we had starters and they saw very little to no playing time. When we drafted Rapp, we had our starters set and Christian who had been on the team for years. David Long - same thing.

With that in mind, we actually should be looking to next season to see which players will be leaving:

Ramsey*
Kupp*
John Johnson
Everett
Reynolds
Ebukam
Hill
Floyd

*can't see the Rams not re-signing these guys

Whitworth - seems like this be his last year despite the 3 year deal

My best guess is that we will have 7 key contributors leaving next year - their positions are: S, TE, WR, EDGE, CB and T



Now for the self scouting part, which McVay and Snead may disagree on - this is the hardest part as fans because we think we're right but often, the staff disagrees - the following positions are ones that I believe we should upgrade for the 2020 season:

ILB/S (subpackages)
RB
G (many say Center but I'm fine with Blythe there)


QB, WR, T, C, TE, EDGE, DT, S, CB - some will disagree, but I am fine with all of the penciled in starters at this position. The OL stabilized AFTER Blythe went to C.

When you overlap those two, you get OL and S as the biggest priorities.

The next step is for the staff to figure out which of those players they will re-sign.



I actually hope I'm wrong, but I believe that our day 2 picks will be OL, S, RB - then on day 3 I think it will be EDGE, WR and CB

I personally would prioritize ILB, but I have a feeling we're going to roll with what we have.

 

[dang]

So is it better to have several high priced stars (Donald, Ramsey, Fowler’s) on defense
supplemented by over the hill vets (Talib, Matthews, Weddle) and JAGs (SJD, Reeder). -or - more even distribution of $$$ and talent? I hope the Rams are looking for the latter (Donald being the exception at this point in his career).

 

[BonifayRam]

Rams confident in Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown, but could add another RB via draft

Rams like Darrelll Henderson and Malcolm Brown, but may draft another running back

www.therams.com

 

[Soul Surfer]

Rams confident in Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown, but could add another RB via draft

Rams like Darrelll Henderson and Malcolm Brown, but may draft another running back

www.therams.com

Isaiah Pead
Tre Mason
Todd Gurley's 2nd contract that only starts this season.

Snead needs to do a little better.