[Elvis]

Be safe out there:

[Elvis]

We'll get reports of who the Rams are meeting with but they didn't draft any of the guys they met with last year and didn't meet with Fiske or Verse so info might be useful, might not...

[ramsman34]

The medical is probably all they care about. Players are too prepped for the meetings.

[Dare]

Not tipping their draft hand has been part of their MO for a long time now. It's who they aren't looking at that we should look at. LOL

Their needs are QB, RB, NT, ILB, 2 OTs (one starter each side) and one more rotational CB. Wallace isn't really a CB, he's played as a zone DB (i.e. more like a safety as his speed is better suited to that role). With Witherspoon, Durant and Forbes they are 3 deep but need a 4th to have desired depth and rotation. It will be interesting if Forbes is strictly a rotational boundary CB or if he will also play SCB. I see them drafting another CB.

Both ILB and NT can be addressed in FA with guys like Anzalone and Gaines. They have McDermott as a swing OT or bridge OT. I think Leveston was drafted as the next starting RG if they can't extend Dotson at a reasonable contract. He will also be 30 in 2026 so normally that is when they would be looking at his replacement. At $17.9M that's more than they paid Havenstein and I don't see them extending Rob who will be 33 this year.

Leveston is a big man at 6'4", 336 lbs with 34.5" arms giving him a good play radius. He looks to have decent feet to play RG so it's why he could also be in the mix at RT. He looks like he might have better feet than McClendon. Both KT and Warren are the same height with same arm length. If KT's feet are indeed quicker and smoother than Warren's than he might be looked at as a RT in OTAs with Warren kicking inside when Dotson is released or traded next year.

Regardless IMO McClendon needs to improve this year. His technique was all over the place at RT. Moving him inside to RG might cure a lot of his ills. His best performance came as a run blocker, while he struggled with speed off the edge when playing RT.

Regardless, I see the Rams taking a OT on the third day to develop as a swing OT or eventual RT if needed. If Stafford is expected to start for the next two years than they could use their first round pick on a LT this year. If he's going to be a bridge for his successor then they will draft a QB this year in the first round. Which is another reason the structure of Stafford's contract is important.

I have the feeling that if Stafford's contract reflects two years of starting, then he and McVay might be linked in terms of retirement. If so, then they will probably take a QB in the third round and develop him over two years while he holds the clipboard as Matt's backup. If McVay is going to retire, I think that is what is under discussion now, along with how many years Stafford will be a starter here. If McVay is going to leave after 2026, I hope they hold on to Shula to promote him to HC, and Pleasant can be DC (who I also highly regard).

Shula is highly regarded in the locker room, and most of all, he's proven he's creative, aggressive, and a good play-caller. Even though it was only for a year, he was very highly regarded as far back as San Diego.

[Zen_Ronin]

Listening to McVay speak since our playoff elimination, about how he wants the offense to be faster and more dynamic, I'll be amazed if our first 2 picks aren't WR and TE.

I'm not sure there are any free agents that really fit our needs, but I admitedly don't know each and every FA out there.

As I've said in another thread, I hope we can sneaky pick McCord somehow, but with Matt and AJ resigning our most pressing needs imo (after the above mentioned WR, TE) are CB, ILB, and for the love of god a big, mean, run stopping NT!!!

So glad we got the Stafford stuff out of the way. I'm super excited for the draft now, the Rams never fail to surprise!

[ramman2999]

Be safe out there:

Sheffty with the passive aggressive jokes. He’s too funny!!!!!

Remember the Kobe meet me in Temecula now the new will be meet me at Starbucks.

[69RamFan]

Listening to McVay speak since our playoff elimination, about how he wants the offense to be faster and more dynamic, I'll be amazed if our first 2 picks aren't WR and TE.

I'm not sure there are any free agents that really fit our needs, but I admitedly don't know each and every FA out there.

As I've said in another thread, I hope we can sneaky pick McCord somehow, but with Matt and AJ resigning our most pressing needs imo (after the above mentioned WR, TE) are CB, ILB, and for the love of god a big, mean, run stopping NT!!!

So glad we got the Stafford stuff out of the way. I'm super excited for the draft now, the Rams never fail to surprise!

I agree with all of your needs except for TE,
I don't see a major need, not until it's one of the lower picks.

[ramman2999]

I like Elijah Arroyo. I see so much skill in him. Travis Kelce Tony Gonzalez Aaron Hernandez.

just a guy who can get anywhere he wants on the field a Vernon Davis. I think he’s gonna explode.

More speed than Mason Taylor.

I think if we got him he’s a player who can take us far. just because the matchup issues.

Basically Mason Taylor is Mark Andrews Arroyo is Travis Kelce.

Kind of a Brock Bowers.

[Zen_Ronin]

I agree with all of your needs except for TE,
I don't see a major need, not until it's one of the lower picks.

I only say TE knowing how McVay wants to use a TE. Big Rig is going to age out before we know it and McVay is absolutely going to want another Tight End capable of big play catches downfield. That kind of threat is invaluable at opening up the playbook, especially in the hands of someone who can scheme like McVay.

And if we're being honest Parkinson, Allen, and Long have been at best average, but mostly disappointing in comparison to Higbee, let alone premier tight ends like Kelce or Gronk, and now Brock Bowers (who was on our draft board, but already gone when we picked Verse).

McVay wants a weapon like that.

Is it a pressing need?

.....maybe not.

Do I personally think it's a priority for McVay? Absolutely.