Which was your favorite pick and why?

[Allen2McVay]

I feel much better about the Defensive line coaching with Henderson in charge. Much better than I did with guys like Coach Holler (Kollar). I have more confidence that he can get the best from his players.

Bill Kollar!

You went pretty far back for that one.

 

[Mackeyser]

Well, I was holding my new granddaughter while watching a Rams draft review. She was handed to me just after Tutu was shown so I dunno how she felt about him.

For background, she's 4.5 months old at this time. She can sit up and drools like a St Bernard and is about to start crawling.

So... Jones and Rochelle she sat up for. She has object permanence and actually watches the screen (not all babies can do this which is why Peek-a-boo is a game. She currently loves Bluey on Disney Jr.) She saw their faces and had a slightly positive reaction.

She leaned forward for Bobby Brown IV.

However... for Jacob Harris? She leaned forward and started BANGING THE TABLE. I was so shocked I started laughing super hard. I had to rewind the video because I couldn't contain myself.

After that, she tuned out. She literally turned away from the screen for the next guy (RIP Earnest Brown).

She sat still for Funk, but that may have been me singing the PFunk song.

But yeah... her reaction to Jacob Harris was... like next level. She started giggling and banging the table.

This is how I read that.

My granddaughter is a drafting savant. She liked our draft, especially at the top. Oh, and she thinks Jacob Harris is gonna be amazing.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Also, she's a legit Ram fan. She'd already be buried in Rams onesies, but the freaking Rams are one of only two teams in the entire NFL who don't sell officially licensed baby gear. So anything she has includes old colors and logos. /shrug. Not the worst, but not great... and still no onesies. For anyone who doesn't know, onesies are the shirts that snap in the crotch. For babies, if they are wearing just a shirt, it's immediately a bunched up crop top the minute you pick them up... which is why one always uses onesies. #lifehack #babyparentinghack

When we were watching the draft, I was holding her at various points. At one point, on the 2nd day I think, she got to see the Rams, Seahawks and 9er helmets. She got excited to see the Rams helmet, got agitated when she saw the Seahawk helmet and started to get fussy when she saw the 9er helmet. As a TRUE Rams fan, she had no reaction to the Cards helmet. At all.

 

[Merlin]

This is a really interesting draft for me. Usually the fourth and later round guys I'm a bit more ambivalent towards. I observe them and pull for them of course but I don't get too geeked up over them. This year for different reasons I'm far more excited about the latter half of this draft.

That never happens to me. At least that I can remember.

But honestly I love this draft round 4 and later. It's probably the best round 4 I can recall too. Brown, Rochell, Harris. All three need some development but all three also have really high upside. All three slot into the dev cycle and maybe one or two of them are big factors this season. Brown being the one I hope most is a quick study.

I love that they targeted physical players who don't mind getting their hands dirty. I love that they got teams types with positional upside. And I love that they got two big targets for the passing game that might be nice conversion projects. Both those guys are good special teams types and are physical which is fantastic. This means they're going to translate well to the "Rams' Way" of eligibles blocking and maybe have a better chance to succeed at that conversion than many realize.

I really wish I could make camp this year man. I might need to find a reason to visit my kid in Vegas so that I can sneak over to camp and catch a day or two.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

This is a really interesting draft for me. Usually the fourth and later round guys I'm a bit more ambivalent towards. I observe them and pull for them of course but I don't get too geeked up over them. This year for different reasons I'm far more excited about the latter half of this draft.

That never happens to me. At least that I can remember.

But honestly I love this draft round 4 and later. It's probably the best round 4 I can recall too. Brown, Rochell, Harris. All three need some development but all three also have really high upside. All three slot into the dev cycle and maybe one or two of them are big factors this season. Brown being the one I hope most is a quick study.

I love that they targeted physical players who don't mind getting their hands dirty. I love that they got teams types with positional upside. And I love that they got two big targets for the passing game that might be nice conversion projects. Both those guys are good special teams types and are physical which is fantastic. This means they're going to translate well to the "Rams' Way" of eligibles blocking and maybe have a better chance to succeed at that conversion than many realize.

I really wish I could make camp this year man. I might need to find a reason to visit my kid in Vegas so that I can sneak over to camp and catch a day or two.

I agree but at the same time I feel its a conundrum. This years draft was supposedly very, very thin after the first two days. 2022 will be the deeper draft. So, are we getting excited about players that would be 6th, 7th rounders and UDfAs? Or did Snead and his staff do what many predicted/hoped and found the gems by delving into the numbers and targeting high upside high character guys?

I guess we find out in a few months if any of them show instant production or even some sign that they belong quickly, like Fuller last year. Otherwise the rest we wait and hopefully they develop in two or three years.

On Earnest Jones, I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but don't see the sideline to sideline job I thought they needed. Many are crossing their fingers on Tutu as well. But I do see potential with the rest as role players that could develop further. I guess I just like safer picks in rounds 1-3

 

[Riverumbbq]

I agree but at the same time I feel its a conundrum. This years draft was supposedly very, very thin after the first two days. 2022 will be the deeper draft. So, are we getting excited about players that would be 6th, 7th rounders and UDfAs? Or did Snead and his staff do what many predicted/hoped and found the gems by delving into the numbers and targeting high upside high character guys?

I guess we find out in a few months if any of them show instant production or even some sign that they belong quickly, like Fuller last year. Otherwise the rest we wait and hopefully they develop in two or three years.

On Earnest Jones, I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but don't see the sideline to sideline job I thought they needed. Many are crossing their fingers on Tutu as well. But I do see potential with the rest as role players that could develop further. I guess I just like safer picks in rounds 1-3

I understand where you're coming from, we fans do have a tendency to hold high expectations from our drafted players, perhaps unreasonably so, ... although on the other hand, once we take a closer look at who/what we've acquired and at which positions, somehow it all feels OK, and that our scouting teams/analytics guys may have knocked this one out of the ballpark. Sure, some of these good feelings may be the result of an excellent strain of pot I've been smoking, but I also think our team may have set up a potentially lethal combination of players heading into the future. Even if only one or two draftees were named as starters this season, our Special Teams is likely 90% improved, and the added talent depth creates an atmosphere seething of potential success going forward. The Rams are returning with THE top defense as well as many new offensive targets, ... and then there is the Stafford factor, there's a lot to look forward to on this team. jmo.

 

[Merlin]

I agree but at the same time I feel its a conundrum. This years draft was supposedly very, very thin after the first two days. 2022 will be the deeper draft. So, are we getting excited about players that would be 6th, 7th rounders and UDfAs? Or did Snead and his staff do what many predicted/hoped and found the gems by delving into the numbers and targeting high upside high character guys?

I guess we find out in a few months if any of them show instant production or even some sign that they belong quickly, like Fuller last year. Otherwise the rest we wait and hopefully they develop in two or three years.

On Earnest Jones, I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but don't see the sideline to sideline job I thought they needed. Many are crossing their fingers on Tutu as well. But I do see potential with the rest as role players that could develop further. I guess I just like safer picks in rounds 1-3

Great question and I can't explain it. I don't do a full board like teams do, so I have no idea how strong this draft was overall compared to previous years and all that. I see the same media comments you do and hear all that but I like who we took in that latter half.

Like I said it's strange and for me makes this draft memorable.

 

[Rams43]

Interesting thread topic.

Well, this draft has grown on me. Like many others, I had had preconceived notions about certain positions and players that the Rams ‘should’ pick.

But looking back and after educating myself about these players I think that the Rams may have accomplished their goals. Might not be a single immediate starter in the bunch, but what a haul in exceptional analytics elites that both love football and are football smart. Just the perfect ingredients for development for future openings and current ST demons.

It is entirely possible that we may look back on this draft in 3 years and both smile and nod our heads.

As to the OP’s question? Hard to pick just one favorite, but if forced to I’m gonna go with Rochell. I’ve got a strong feeling about this kid’s upside and think he might fairly soon provide tremendous bang for a 4th round pick.

 

[Corbin]

If you’re watch his play reel and not his highlight reel, this is where his issues come up. He constantly takes the wrong step guessing or nervousness or whatever which puts him out of angle and position to fill in the correct hole, timing, and angle.

Depending on the read with the OG or the RB he seems to get lost with the read and not trust it depending on the defense and set the defense is in.


My biggest problem is if you do all that you above, have to be extremely violent with your hands, arms, and body angle to make up for the bad/slow reads and put yourself in proper position from a blocker to the carrier which is seems he rarely does when said issues happen which causes him to be washed out of a play.

I’m sure Morris and our LB coach(s) will touch on all those areas this TC and throughout the season.

I’m not saying you’re full of shit, Corbin, because I know you’re not a Seahawk fan... But I don’t know about this one. Most scouting reports list on-field IQ as a strength, recognition, etc.

'What are some of the things I would've wanted somebody to teach me?': How Bobby Wagner is aiding Ernest Jones' Year 2 development

As Rams linebacker Ernest Jones enters an important second season, veteran Bobby Wagner is leaning on that same time in his own career to help Jones.

www.therams.com

All Pro’s Bobby Wagners take on Ernest Jones heading into season 2:

When Wagner works with Jones, he wants to teach him to slow the game down. In their first or second season, a player can feel like they need to "get everywhere fast." As they get older, they realize there's a lot of wasted motor movement – something Wagner learned and applied to the way he played.

"So when you watch me play, I don't waste no steps," Wagner said. "Like, if I only got to take two steps, I'm taking two – I'm not gonna take six. And so just slowing the game down, processing the game, understanding ... you want your mind to be fast, but your body to be slow."’




We got a steal with him and Wagner together!

Should it prove to be necessary I can send you some road kill crow from here in Alaska. We've got plenty. Or from the parking lot at Costco, where they steal food from shopper's bags as they leave the store. Unless sending crow across state lines to be eaten is a federal crime of some kind.

Still waiting for that crow.. 500 career receiving yards after this season I’ll feast on crow!

This is an intriguing conversation. Which is a nice breathe of fresh air I must say.

ILB's are obviously at a disadvantage going head on with Offensive Linemen in size and strength obviously so "blowing up" an offensive linemen isn't likely, but what the LB does have at his disposal usually is quickness, speed, and the ability with adequate strength to have a linemen at a bad angle, transition his weight the wrong direction, and/or use techniques to get his hands/extension off of you to pursue the play properly.

If you watch film on first and second round guys they constantly do this which is why they are taken so highly. I'd expect Jones will be shown that here in LA more consistently. and hopefully it is a habit/ lack of knowledge rather than will to pursue with Jones.

As you pointed out his mobility and decision of angle to pursue towards the outside is some of my favorite things about him. I'm very excited to see what his future has in store with us. Have you heard him speak in his interviews? He seems like a very likeable guy to.

Wondering if he starts by halfway into the season?



Honestly this is about the thing I'm most excited with come TC, pre season, and the regular season is seeing how they fit and adapt into our defense as future placeholders. ( also not forgetting Rochelle... that guy has some potential to be special, he reminds me very much of a poor man's Champ Bailey)

God can’t wait for season two for some of these guys! I pray to Odin that Tutu learns how to fields punts and/or kickoffs this offseason.

 

[thirteen28]

All Pro’s Bobby Wagners take on Ernest Jones heading into season 2:

When Wagner works with Jones, he wants to teach him to slow the game down. In their first or second season, a player can feel like they need to "get everywhere fast." As they get older, they realize there's a lot of wasted motor movement – something Wagner learned and applied to the way he played.

"So when you watch me play, I don't waste no steps," Wagner said. "Like, if I only got to take two steps, I'm taking two – I'm not gonna take six. And so just slowing the game down, processing the game, understanding ... you want your mind to be fast, but your body to be slow."’




We got a steal with him and Wagner together!

I am so ready to see our Run D with these two next year.

 

[Merlin]

The fun thing about an upside draft like that should be year two on. So this camp we should start seeing some real moves by these guys, well, the ones who will end up making a difference.

Harris getting hurt really sucked. Now he's a tweener who will be fighting for a roster spot on a stacked roster. But this class should be ready to compete and have a good handle on the scheme.

IMO after they got a full year's look at the 2020 draft and its focus on upside (I think being a weak draft was the rationale for that approach) they went back to guys who project to impact the roster faster with this draft. They're gonna need guys who can contribute quickly in this roster approach, if a guy needs a redshirt that's a quarter of his team control gone. But either way excited to see what these guys can do with all that upside. Won't hit on all of them of course but maybe a couple really step up.

 

[Loyal]

Les tickled my pickle and then ripped it off with the Tutu pick….

 

[Corbin]

I am so ready to see our Run D with these two next year.

I'm getting a semi just thinking about it now! It gives me confidence on being able to help secure our edge on the left edge of the line. Along with being able to move AD around it's going to help having Jones and Wagner shifting behind... it's intriguing.

The fun thing about an upside draft like that should be year two on. So this camp we should start seeing some real moves by these guys, well, the ones who will end up making a difference.

Harris getting hurt really sucked. Now he's a tweener who will be fighting for a roster spot on a stacked roster. But this class should be ready to compete and have a good handle on the scheme.

IMO after they got a full year's look at the 2020 draft and its focus on upside (I think being a weak draft was the rationale for that approach) they went back to guys who project to impact the roster faster with this draft. They're gonna need guys who can contribute quickly in this roster approach, if a guy needs a redshirt that's a quarter of his team control gone. But either way excited to see what these guys can do with all that upside. Won't hit on all of them of course but maybe a couple really step up.

I think this might be our under appreciated strength how our team leaders build talent is alot of our depth is allowed to redshirt behind legit top of the line professionals and adjust themselves to later on contribute to our team.

Excited to see how things pan out this year.

Not expected much from this draft class outside of our OG Bruss from the rookie class.

Les tickled my pickle and then ripped it off with the Tutu pick….