Why Brycen Hopkins can’t be overlooked

[Psycho_X]

the rams knew this when they drafted him. so the question is why did they draft him in the 4th round? doesn't that make you think they had a plan for him?

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This ^^^. Snead likes to draft positions a year early especially ones that take time to develop. And TEs are one of the hardest positions to play as a rookie. Hopkins was purely a pick for this upcoming season because they knew Everett was gone. Doesn't mean he won't suck but I'd bet money that they have big plans for him.

 

[Memento]

the rams knew this when they drafted him. so the question is why did they draft him in the 4th round? doesn't that make you think they had a plan for him?

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Yeah, they had a plan for him, but he couldn't beat out Mundt, couldn't beat out an injured Higbee, couldn't beat out an ineffectual Everett.

I have zero hope for Hopkins to turn things around, seeing what I saw in college, and his lack of total snaps (how many times was he healthy scratched this year? Eleven times, not counting the postseason?) gives me enough pause to think that he's simply not - and never will be - the answer.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Right, for the right player, adding salary to the Cap isnt an issue. You'd add Dunlap for 6 mill and wouldnt blink at the cap. (So would I btw) If the Rams think Hopkins is the guy, then that's that. But if they dont, they can make room for 6 mill

I didn't say that about Dunlap. I imagine teams have offered 1 year deals to him where the Rams couldn't compete due to CAP limitations, but Dunlap at 33 years old is more likely interested in a multi-year deal, and that could work to our advantage. The Rams could sign Dunlap to two years with heavy incentive clauses that if met aren't payable till the following year.

 

[dieterbrock]

I didn't say that about Dunlap. I imagine teams have offered 1 year deals to him where the Rams couldn't compete due to CAP limitations, but Dunlap at 33 years old is more likely interested in a multi-year deal, and that could work to our advantage. The Rams could sign Dunlap to two years with heavy incentive clauses that if met aren't payable till the following year.

So you would add a player or you wouldnt? You're talking in circles.

 

[Riverumbbq]

So you would add a player or you wouldnt? You're talking in circles.

No circles here, what are you unclear about ?
It's simple, I would add a player if the price is right and we can squeeze him into our 2021 CAP, why is that so hard to understand ?

 

[dieterbrock]

the rams knew this when they drafted him. so the question is why did they draft him in the 4th round? doesn't that make you think they had a plan for him?

Exactly. They had a plan for him. And that plan was to have him play in 2020. They spoke of designing "exotic packages" for him, that they drafted him because of big play capability that they were looking to add.
In Rams world, a 4th rounder plays, right away. McVay plays his rookies, right away. Hopkins? Only active in 5 games. That was clearly not the plan they had for him when they drafted him.
He surely wasnt drafted to play special teams

 

[dieterbrock]

No circles here, what are you unclear about ?
It's simple, I would add a player if the price is right and we can squeeze him into our 2021 CAP, why is that so hard to understand ?

It makes perfect sense, however its not the rationale you are using in regards to Njoku. Why is that so hard to understand?

 

[Ramstien]

In Rams world, a 4th rounder plays, right away. McVay plays his rookies, right away. Hopkins? Only active in 5 games. That was clearly not the plan they had for him when they drafted him.
He surely wasnt drafted to play special teams

He was drafted to play this year and he will make some big plays, for the Rams. You just watch and see. "Oh ye of little faith".

 

[Riverumbbq]

It makes perfect sense, however its not the rationale you are using in regards to Njoku. Why is that so hard to understand?

Since you seem to understand my rationale better than me, please elaborate.
Two different positions, one requiring a trade, two differing needs, both have individual situations, one will be 25 years of age, the other will be 33, ... both would need to come in with contracts acceptable to our 2021 CAP limitations. jmo.

 

[Mojo Ram]

I would just like to add that hypothetically with less restrictive cap issues Everett is resigned here and a guy like Hopkins is probably not drafted in the first place. I feel like the angst over his production as a #2 TE is rather irrational on this board.

I suppose an argument could be made that if he was that good he would have supplanted Higbee at some point but Higbee got the extension 2 yrs ago and IMO has been pretty good in justifying that contract. You're not gonna demote him.

Idk.

 

[kurtfaulk]

I feel like the angst over his production as a #2 TE is rather irrational on this board.

it wasn't his production, it was his lackadaisical efforts during crucial times of the games. his drops were brutal. he allowed a smaller db to outmuscle him to the ball on a 4th down play at the end of the jets game.

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[dieterbrock]

He was drafted to play this year and he will make some big plays, for the Rams. You just watch and see. "Oh ye of little faith".

He was drafted to play last year.

 

[Jacobarch]

Yeah, they had a plan for him, but he couldn't beat out Mundt, couldn't beat out an injured Higbee, couldn't beat out an ineffectual Everett.

I have zero hope for Hopkins to turn things around, seeing what I saw in college, and his lack of total snaps (how many times was he healthy scratched this year? Eleven times, not counting the postseason?) gives me enough pause to think that he's simply not - and never will be - the answer.

To turn things around? He hasn't even gotten playing time to even prove himself. Not sure why you're such a bump on the log at times.

 

[dieterbrock]

Since you seem to understand my rationale better than me, please elaborate.
Two different positions, one requiring a trade, two differing needs, both have individual situations, one will be 25 years of age, the other will be 33, ... both would need to come in with contracts acceptable to our 2021 CAP limitations. jmo.

I guess I do understand what you are saying better than you. You said, " I would add a player if the price is right and we can squeeze him into our 2021 CAP,"
But somehow this doesnt apply to Njoku? He's a player right? Check. Is the price right? 6 mill/1 year, check, can squeeze him under the cap? Convert salary to signing bonus, stretch out $$, check
Yep, you make sense. Too bad you cant follow your own logic

 

[Jacobarch]

I would just like to add that hypothetically with less restrictive cap issues Everett is resigned here and a guy like Hopkins is probably not drafted in the first place. I feel like the angst over his production as a #2 TE is rather irrational on this board.

I suppose an argument could be made that if he was that good he would have supplanted Higbee at some point but Higbee got the extension 2 yrs ago and IMO has been pretty good in justifying that contract. You're not gonna demote him.

Idk.

Same, for a #2 TE he was pretty damn good. It's a hyperbole tho some peeps think this is madden and every player should be ranked 99. And there's only one 99.

 

[Jacobarch]

it wasn't his production, it was his lackadaisical efforts during crucial times of the games. his drops were brutal. he allowed a smaller db to outmuscle him to the ball on a 4th down play at the end of the jets game.

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Welp that's generally what makes a #2 te and #2 te.

 

[Mojo Ram]

it wasn't his production, it was his lackadaisical efforts during crucial times of the games. his drops were brutal. he allowed a smaller db to outmuscle him to the ball on a 4th down play at the end of the jets game.

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Fair enough. I remember an easy dropped TD vs SF(?) Not sure. I saw mental lapses (and drops) from others as well though. I disagree that Everett's mental lapses were that much more often or brutal as other pass catchers on the team including Higbee.

I guess my point is that the temperature of the board seems to be that he was allowed to walk because he was too expensive for our books AND not good enough. I agree with the money aspect.

I will be surprised if he doesn't have his best year by far in Seattle this season w/Wilson. I'll leave it at that and move on for now.

 

[Riverumbbq]

I guess I do understand what you are saying better than you. You said, " I would add a player if the price is right and we can squeeze him into our 2021 CAP,"
But somehow this doesnt apply to Njoku? He's a player right? Check. Is the price right? 6 mill/1 year, check, can squeeze him under the cap? Convert salary to signing bonus, stretch out $$, check
Yep, you make sense. Too bad you cant follow your own logic

Stretch out check to when ? No CAP relief unless he is extended, as previously mentioned. When he is only signed for 2021, salary & bonus are all part of his 2021 CAP hit.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Given that Hopkins struggles with drops and is softer than a baby sea otter's ass in blocking...I'm not holding out much hope. I think tight end is a reasonable position to upgrade, particularly in the second or third rounds.

You just described Gerald Everett.

And he just became a multi-millionaire.

 

[dieterbrock]

Stretch out check to when ? No CAP relief unless he is extended, as previously mentioned. When he is only signed for 2021, salary & bonus are all part of his 2021 CAP hit.

As previously mentioned, (numerous times in fact) they can easily work that cap number down. Convert to signing bonus, add voided 2nd year. Cuts hit in half. Has a great year, Hopkins has another year to grow and then they get a comp pick when he hits FA. Easy peasy.
As it stands, a 6 mill cap hit right now wouldnt prevent the team from bringing on a player. Draft is a month and a half away, rookies wont sign for several weeks after that. Plenty of time to work the cap