[ramsww]

Not complaining, just not willing to heap praise on an underwhelming draft. If the talent wasn’t there at #26 I get it but we won’t know if the #1 next yr pans out or is even substantially better. Trying to move way up with 2 late round picks will be a challenge if it turns out that way.

What we do know: We did not address CB, S, MLB, OLine or QB but we did repeat our desire to draft yet another small, quick RB, several ST players and depth. The TE looks like the best bet at making an impact and we know how good the Rams are at polishing gems in their late round picks. Miami said they’ll take a 3rd for Ramsey. If they don’t eat some of his contract I hope they pass. A few successful post-draft signings should help.

[Dare]

This was a very focused draft with two obvious starters for next year, Ferguson and Hunter. I love both these players. Ferguson has the same speed as Higbee but IMO is more advanced as a route runner than Tyler was as a rookie. Hunter when he learns how to pass protect looks like he could be very good at it. He's extremely strong, lifting 655 lbs! His speed, strength and balance are clear upgrades to Williams.

Stewart, Paul and Hamilton project as quality players next year in key rotational areas. Hamilton paired with Ford will plug that center DL vs the run. Stewart and Paul complete the Ram's ILB position along with Landman and Speights. This will give Shula a rotational pairing at ILB.

But the crown jewel of the draft was coming away with a second first round pick next year. There has been much made of Arch Manning but IMO his uncles will advise Arch to stay one more year to give teams confidence that he's a legit talent and has two stellar seasons to prove it.

That said there is an overlooked QB more likely to enter next year's draft that is very good. Nico Iamaleava is 6'6" tall with extremely good arm talent. If you aren't familiar with him watch the 2024 Citrus bowl. Nico dominated for the Vols in a blowout. Yeah he would benefit with a year of understudy work and the Rams can extend Jimmy G one more year much cheaper than Stafford. Nico needs some work on technique related issues but it looks more like polish than developmental. If Manning stays in school I think Nico will declare and it will make him the #1 QB on the board. Nico is a mobile QB not an RPO running QB. He's got enough speed to threaten in the red zone and to covert third and 5s. In the Ram's system he projects to be very good.

This draft was all about setting up the roster for next year and the Rams have done exactly that.

[actionjack]

In another post, I posted that our draft for this season,
is most likely for backup roles or rotational roles,
and for the future in starting position.
There is not one that we drafted this season that will start,
unless there is an injury to one of the starting players.
We signed FA Landman as the ILB,
I don't see a rookie starting over him or Speights.

Landman is nice insurance, Paul Jr is a stud and will be starting sooner than later.

[BobCarl]

extend Jimmy G

Passively - Summarily .... I'm starting to enjoy your style of writing.

[Elvis]

As ZN points out, lot of times only one ILB is on the field so i think the most interesting question is, who will wear the green dot for the Rams in 2025?

[PARAM]

As ZN points out, lot of times only one ILB is on the field so i think the most interesting question is, who will wear the green dot for the Rams in 2025?

Lake. He played 100% of the snaps in 2024, except for the Seattle game. And they didn't need him to play 100%.

[Elvis]

Lake. He played 100% of the snaps in 2024, except for the Seattle game. And they didn't need him to play 100%.

I would think so too except last year safety made the most sense (to me, from my couch) and Shula went with Reeder. He might really prefer LB to wear the dot...

[Joe Pendleton]

how 'bout ol' Jalen wearing it

[69RamFan]

But won't you agree, we and the coaching staff have not seen Landman or Paul practice or play. Isn't it possible, however unlikely, the rookie is better from the jump and as a rotational guy ends up with more starts/snaps when it's all said and done?

As I stated, in one of my other postings, those that we drafted,
would be possible rotational players, and or future starters,
but to say that the coaching staff haven't seen Landman,
I'm sure they have plenty of tape on him,
plus, he played one year under HC Morris,
So, he has the experience playing in some of the same system that we use now,
to include his experience being in the league.
So, to say Paul is going to be a starter, I doubt it,
unless there is an injury to one of our starters. IMO

[PARAM]

As I stated, in one of my other postings, those that we drafted,
would be possible rotational players, and or future starters,
but to say that the coaching staff haven't seen Landman,
I'm sure they have plenty of tape on him,
plus, he played one year under HC Morris,
So, he has the experience playing in some of the same system that we use now,
to include his experience being in the league.
So, to say Paul is going to be a starter, I doubt it,
unless there is an injury to one of our starters. IMO

Nope. Not saying Paul is going to be the starter. Not saying they haven't seen Landman play.

Just looking at the possible differences of the two players. Landman went undrafted but yeah, he's played 3 years, starting 23 games. Paul is a green rookie but a talented green rookie who the Rams traded up to get.

As far as Landman having experience in Raheem's system, yes he has. He started week 1 but was injured and missed the next 4 games. Then he saw a lot of snaps from game 6 through game 11 (averaged 88% of team snaps). But from game 12 through 16, he averaged a meager 37%. Why the drop off and then allowing him to walk? If he was an important contributor to Raheem's defense, I'd think they would have kept him. The Rams signed him to a cheap 1.1 mil deal. That means if he's a starter, what a steal but if he doesn't earn the job out of camp or loses it to Paul, no big loss money wise. Was he an important signing or was his signing a contingency if they couldn't get a LB in the draft?

Hey, I hope he plays lights out but I don't know how much the Rams are tied to that wagon.