[PARAM]

If they stay, they can’t really go wrong at LT, WR, Edge, corner. Any other pick, except maybe Bowers, would be a head scratcher. Do you think there are 19 can’t-miss surefire difference makers in the first round? How many of them are in the draft altogether? I am all for getting great players and as many as possible. Don’t care how or where. Just get them. I too am pumped about this draft.

I am skeptical about anybody being a sure fire can't miss. I think the demand for QBs might push some guys down. The top 3 are taking QBs.

Denver needs one but will they take one in the first? They don't own a 2nd round pick. Will a good one be available at #76? They're spending a shit-ton of money on the QB position now with Wilson gone, so wouldn't it be wise to draft one in the first so if he's good, they have him cheap for 5 years? Could they take McCarthy or Penix at #12? Or move down? Maybe we move up to #12 and grab a stud Edge or WR?

Philly is sitting at #22. Rozeman is aggressive and they like Alabama and Georgia boys. If Turner is still there, they could trade up and get him at #12...seeing how Reddick and Sweat are allowed to explore trade options.

There will be trades. Philly might move up. They're shifty!! Buffalo needs a WR and they let a C go and some defensive players. Could they move up for one of the top 3 WRs? Maybe get ahead of Miami and take JPJ?

It's gonna be fun to watch. But to answer your question, yeah I think there are 20-25 players worth drafting at #19 or lower. Maybe more.

[Elvis]

The exception to that was 2023 where in the time between round 1 and their pick in round 2, they re-did the board and agreed that the absolutely top ranked player on their new re-worked board was Avila. Obviously they had a #2 on their list they would have taken if Avila went before they picked.

Right. And it's not like the Rams have never traded up to get a specific player they like...

[/zn/]

I know it's common for fans to claim they haven't invested in the OL but that's not true. Originally, they signed Whit and Sullivan. They along with Saffold and Havenstein stayed together 2 years. They drafted Noteboom (3rd) and Allen (4th) in 2018 with their first two selections and put them in the starting lineup in 2019. In 2019 they drafted Evans (3rd) and Edwards (5th). Then when injuries occurred, they traded for Corbett and Edwards became a starter. In 2020, with all those guys still on hand they drafted Anchrum in the 7th. In 2021 they didn't draft any O lineman and won the Superbowl. In 2022, they extended Noteboom and Allen. In 2022 they also used their first pick on OL (Bruss) and their last pick on Arcuri. In 2023 they drafted Avila (with their first pick), McClendon (in the 5th) and traded for Dotson. They have continually invested draft capital and money in their OL. The fact some of them haven't worked out doesn't mean they haven't invested or have neglected OL. This year they sign two huge free agents, one they traded for last year.

Over the 7 years together they've drafted 10 OL, 3 times with their first pick.
They've traded for 2 OL and they've signed 4 free agent OL.
They found UDFA's like Alaric and FA Shelton (a UDFA of SF in 2018).
That's 18 guys in 7 years.
Certainly doesn't seem like neglect or ignoring the position to me.
This is the first time in 7 years they've invested big with 2 guys in free agency but one is, in reality, actually an extension for a guy they already had. They have continually tried to improve the OL over those 7-8 years. To suggest otherwise IMHO, is incorrect.

The issue with OL has been (1) injuries, and (2) sometimes related to that, "misses" with picks like Noteboom and Allen.

But actually except for the injuries they've done fairly well. Starting in 2017, this Rams regime has several solid/good to very good acquisitions.

Solid/good:
Sullivan
Corbett
Edwards
Shelton
Jackson

Very good:
Whitworth
Dotson
Avila
Jackson

Misses and (IMO) underperfomers (often due to injuries):
Blythe
Allen
Noteboom
Demby
Evans
Anchrum
Thomas

Don't know yet:
Bruss
Arcuri
McClendon
McAllister

So basically, out of 20 acquisitions, 9 were definite hits, 7 were either busts or didn't work out or just weren't good enough, and 4 we don't know about yet. That's a hit rate of 45%, which is actually pretty dang good.

I've said this several times but I also think that hiring Wendell as OL coach was a huge score.

[BrooklynRam74]

With AD's sudden retirement I believe it changes our past draft outlook. Before yesterday I wanted either Latu or Verse. Now I'm thinking DT Byron Murphy is the pick, if available.

Also now I believe we should trade BACK in the 1st round or even OUT of the 1st round altogether to pick up extra 2nds and 3rds. Having been really successful finding D-Line gems like Kobie Turner and Byron Young in Round 3, I say, "more of these" please?

But If Murphy is the stud they say he is, gotta pick him at 19 to TRY and replace AD.

[rams74]

But If Murphy is the stud they say he is, gotta pick him at 19 to TRY and succeed AD.

Fixed it for you. AD can't be replaced.

[BrooklynRam74]

Fixed it for you. AD can't be replaced.

I'm well aware and meant no disrespect. You did see I printed "try" in bold letters in both sarcasm and also a nod to the Greatest Ram ever?

[PARAM]

The issue with OL has been (1) injuries, and (2) sometimes related to that, "misses" with picks like Noteboom and Allen.


Misses and (IMO) underperfomers (often due to injuries):
Blythe
Allen
Noteboom
Demby
Evans
Anchrum
Thomas


I've said this several times but I also think that hiring Wendell as OL coach was a huge score.

I agree with your entire post. But isn't it ironic that two of the "misses" or "under performers" started for the Rams in Superbowls? And a third helped them in a big way, to get there. I think what we don't realize is those guys the Rams drafted with their first pick(s), were in the 3rd round, 4th round, 3rd round and 2nd round. Clearly, the 2nd rounder was head and shoulders better than the others. Were our expectations a little higher than the Rams? Then again, if Noteboom was such a failure, why did they pay him on a 2nd contract and why did they renegotiate with him this off season rather than let him walk and take the hit? Because he has a value, even if it's only as a #6 OL. He'll be gone soon enough but the guy has been a Ram for 7 years. That's more than a career from many NFL players.

Anchrum was first next man up in 2022 but was injured on the 2nd play of the game. Evans was a total waste pick, though he did look promising at times during the 2019 season.

[ramsman34]

I think this will be a very heavy defensive draft with OL, RB, WR sprinkled in.

Signed,

Capt. Obvious

[PARAM]

With AD's sudden retirement I believe it changes our past draft outlook. Before yesterday I wanted either Latu or Verse. Now I'm thinking DT Byron Murphy is the pick, if available.

But If Murphy is the stud they say he is, gotta pick him at 19 to TRY and replace AD.

Murphy is intriguing and though his play has been loosely compared to AD, I think drafting him would be because of his talents, not his NFL comparison. We lost AD and after 2024, unless he takes a huge step B.Brown probably won't be around. IF they drafted Murphy, they know he wouldn't be replacing AD but Murphy might see it that way, so a wise Les Snead might want to tell him "we're not expecting you to be Aaron Donald. We just want you to be Byron Murphy. And if that makes Aaron Donald proud, we're all winners."

[/zn/]

Then again, if Noteboom was such a failure, why did they pay him on a 2nd contract and why did they renegotiate with him this off season rather than let him walk and take the hit? .

Well they took a hit by keeping him. He's on a 1-year in 2024 and because of his restructure, they will have 10 M in dead money on next year's cap.

Anyway. I included the statement "often due to injuries," which partly explains NB's story. But either way, I can't count a guy as a "hit" who was behind Jackson at LOT last year even when healthy. And Allen did play in a super bowl, yet they didn't start him last year cause of Shelton, and then cut him this year while he was still under contract. As for extending them? This wouldn't be the first time a Rams extension didn't hold up in retrospect.

It's a tough bizz. But given that I was praising the Rams for a 45% hit rate. That's a very good hit rate.