Who, among the “other half” of the 2023 draft class do you still have hope for?

[AvengerRam]

Puka Nacua became an instant superstar. Steve Avila, Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Ethan Evans emerged as long-term, high-end starters. Davis Allen and Desjaun Johnson showed promise in their limited snaps.

The other half of the class pretty much underwhelmed. Nick Hampton, Zach Evans and Ochaun Mathis and Jason Taylor II had trouble finding a role. Warren McClendon waited for an opportunity to grasp, while Tre Hodges-Tomlinson never missed an opportunity to grab a receiver. And, of course, Stetson Bennett was nowhere to be seen.

Among the “other half,” who do you have the most hope for? Or, perhaps, are these players who won’t make it and are just the inevitable downside of having very large draft class?

 

[André]

I chose Mathis as someone who could end up playing a decent role, but I think that McClendon could also be a win, potentially taking over for Big Hav when he retires. Jason Taylor could also be a solid special teams guy, which is a win for a seventh round pick.

I think Tomlinson could also be a good special teamer, which is still solid for a sixth rounder, but I think his window for making a difference in the defense is closing pretty quickly.

I like Hampton, but think he is just too light/small to make a defense from the Linebacker position. Maybe he switches inside, or becomes some kind of a dime-backer, but I'm not counting on anything.

This is likely Evans' last shot with the team - he may even be cut before the season. Disappointing, and not a for sure thing that he gets cut, but he sure looks fungible at this point.

Bennett looked like a bad pick at the time, and aside from a couple of interesting pre-season starts hasn't done anything to make me think differently.

 

[VegasRam]

Fungible...?

Look at you!

 

[Flatlyner]

I picked THT. The dude won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2022 and was 1st team All American. He has serious skill and it doesn't hurt that he has bloodlines with an all time great. He is also a top end athlete. I think we will see big improvement from him this season.

 

[OnceARam]

I picked THT. The dude won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2022 and was 1st team All American. He has serious skill and it doesn't hurt that he has bloodlines with an all time great. He is also a top end athlete. I think we will see big improvement from him this season.

He also cant keep his hands to himself.

 

[Ramstien]

I like everything Andre had to say on his post, but I am still holding out hope for Bennett.

 

[Mackeyser]

I like everything Andre had to say on his post, but I am still holding out hope for Bennett.

The one surprise from the Day 1 OTAs was the note that Bennett threw his best pass as a Ram. I’m not giving up on him. Apparently, he’s very present and it’s showing in his play.

I can’t wait to see him in Preseason

 

[TheTackle]

THT was one of the best CBs in college football and we need a great slot corner so he has every opportunity

 

[Loyal]

Puka Nacua became an instant superstar. Steve Avila, Byron Young, Kobie Turner and Ethan Evans emerged as long-term, high-end starters. Davis Allen and Desjaun Johnson showed promise in their limited snaps.

The other half of the class pretty much underwhelmed. Nick Hampton, Zach Evans and Ochaun Mathis and Jason Taylor II had trouble finding a role. Warren McClendon waited for an opportunity to grasp, while Tre Hodges-Tomlinson never missed an opportunity to grab a receiver. And, of course, Stetson Bennett was nowhere to be seen.

Among the “other half,” who do you have the most hope for? Or, perhaps, are these players who won’t make it and are just the inevitable downside of having very large draft class?

I don't really have any expectations about the lower half, but who knows? Surprise me, guys.

 

[Alaskan Ram]

I picked THT. The dude won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2022 and was 1st team All American. He has serious skill and it doesn't hurt that he has bloodlines with an all time great. He is also a top end athlete. I think we will see big improvement from him this season.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to root for the guy.
I know everybody makes mistakes - -especially in the heat of battle. But his facemask take down of Mims to prevent a touchdown was egregious. It wasn't sport. Hell, he should have arrested.
I would have cut him on the spot if I was McVay.

View: https://twitter.com/i/status/1695607227447386395

 

[CGI_Ram]

I picked Stetson. I think he'll make a very good backup.

My second choice was Tomlinson, but I voted Stetson.

 

[Memento]

Unfortunately, I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to root for the guy.
I know everybody makes mistakes - -especially in the heat of battle. But his facemask take down of Mims to prevent a touchdown was egregious. It wasn't sport. Hell, he should have arrested.
I would have cut him on the spot if I was McVay.

View: https://twitter.com/i/status/1695607227447386395

The name of the game on defense is preventing touchdowns. Without going too off-topic, I won’t judge a rookie for one bad play. THT has oodles of potential defensively, and was arguably our most talented gunner on special teams.

There’s a reason we’ve kept him on.

I’m probably Hampton’s biggest defender. I think he could be a solid special teams player. Same with Taylor II. Probably won’t start, but they don’t have to start to be solid contributors.

With that said, my choice is easily McClendon. I think he eventually replaces Havenstein and provides a similar skill set, not winning with strength or athleticism - even though McClendon has it - but technique and a huge knowledge of leverage.

 

[Alaskan Ram]

The name of the game on defense is preventing touchdowns. Without going too off-topic, I won’t judge a rookie for one bad play.

I too, won't judge someone for one bad play. I just don't consider that a "football play". It looked more like one man trying to end another man's life on live TV. A player just can't go "last boy scout" mode to prevent the touchdown.

Maybe it was just an extreme one time lapse in judgement -- and I'm just being too harsh on the lad. It would be nice to see THT match his college dominance at the Pro Level.

But hell, don't mind me. I was disappointed with Donald for a few weeks after he broke that running backs arm. I got over it!

Go Rams.

 

[Memento]

I too, won't judge someone for one bad play. I just don't consider that a "football play". It looked more like one man trying to end another man's life on live TV. A player just can't go "last boy scout" mode to prevent the touchdown.

Maybe it was just an extreme one time lapse in judgement -- and I'm just being too harsh on the lad. It would be nice to see THT match his college dominance at the Pro Level.

But hell, don't mind me. I was disappointed with Donald for a few weeks after he broke that running backs arm. I got over it!

Go Rams.

Again, we aren’t talking about Haynesworth stomping on Gurode.

This play, Lamarcus Joyner’s hit on Bridgewater? Desperate plays? Of course. Should they have been penalized and ejected? Absolutely. But were they still done within the context of football without true intent to injure? Yes.

 

[RamFan503]

I went with THT. I think he has the best chance to make an impact. I would, however, really like to see Bennett come alive. How great would it be to have our next QB sitting in the wings learning the system and being able to hit the ground running when called upon. Not holding my breath on that one though.

 

[Tano]

Unfortunately, I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to root for the guy.
I know everybody makes mistakes - -especially in the heat of battle. But his facemask take down of Mims to prevent a touchdown was egregious. It wasn't sport. Hell, he should have arrested.
I would have cut him on the spot if I was McVay.

View: https://twitter.com/i/status/1695607227447386395

I don't think he was intentionally trying to hurt Mims. I think it was the heat of the moment and he trying to give a good impression and really had a lapse in judgement.

I will give him one dirty play that he better learn from.

After that - then I will be extremely harsh on him.

 

[Faceplant]

But hell, don't mind me. I was disappointed with Donald for a few weeks after he broke that running backs arm. I got over it!

I assume you mean Justin Forsett's arm in Baltimore? I was at that game!!


That game SUCKED!!!!!

As far as the thread goes, I will go with Jason Taylor II.

 

[André]

All in all though, what a draft class. Avila, BYoung, Turner, Puka, Allen, Ethan Evans, Desjuan Johnson ... plus a top-end long snapper in Alex Ward. That is before considering all these other guys. Just a couple more to come through and it will be an all-time haul.

 

[Tano]

I assume you mean Justin Forsett's arm in Baltimore? I was at that game!!


That game SUCKED!!!!!

As far as the thread goes, I will go with Jason Taylor II.

I was at that game too. And yes it sucked. And for good measure, I was freezing my ass off up high in that stadium.

 

[Psycho_X]

I would have picked Hampton or Mathis until we loaded up on defensive front and outside edge in the offseason. Now I'm not sure there's much room for either after the dust settles. So I'd have to go with McClendon as most likely to make team and contribute as a primary depth piece.

Tre, I was excited for last offseason until I saw him flounder during preseason. I hope I'm wrong and there's marked improvement this season but I just didn't see enough that he can overcome his physical detriments. Hopefully the game speeds up enough he starts making up for his height with smarts and those long arms.