[RamBro]

That's him, on the left lol.

[ramsman34]

I have nicknamed him “Bonecrusher”.

Is that because a strong wind might crush his bones???

[Dare]

Forbes looked about as good as could be expected. It's clear his technique needs a lot of work, and there is no doubt he needs to bulk up this off season. If he's coachable and has a good work ethic the Rams have gotten a real steal. This saves them a first round pick this year as they can use a third day pick to grab a depth CB.

I can see the Rams signing Witherspoon to a one or two year extension but by 2026 I would expect Durant and Forbes to be their boundary CBs if not next season. Playing SCB is the most difficult CB position to play. Witherspoon has the experience and athleticism to play that position. If Shula wants to play more man coverage then moving Witherspoon to SCB would be the natural move to make.

All that said I would be surprised if Forbes didn't see snaps during the playoffs. He's probably going to be looked at as their #4 CB in the playoffs.

Even elite CBs make mistakes or mis-judge things. The difference between them and the other CBs is that they have the speed and athleticism to recover. I hope the Rams don't repeat their mistake and not extend Witherspoon (offer him a two year deal). That will give them 3 good CBs in the 2025 season.

[ramsww]

Forbes looked about as good as could be expected. It's clear his technique needs a lot of work, and there is no doubt he needs to bulk up this off season. If he's coachable and has a good work ethic the Rams have gotten a real steal. This saves them a first round pick this year as they can use a third day pick to grab a depth CB.

I can see the Rams signing Witherspoon to a one or two year extension but by 2026 I would expect Durant and Forbes to be their boundary CBs if not next season. Playing SCB is the most difficult CB position to play. Witherspoon has the experience and athleticism to play that position. If Shula wants to play more man coverage then moving Witherspoon to SCB would be the natural move to make.

All that said I would be surprised if Forbes didn't see snaps during the playoffs. He's probably going to be looked at as their #4 CB in the playoffs.

Even elite CBs make mistakes or mis-judge things. The difference between them and the other CBs is that they have the speed and athleticism to recover. I hope the Rams don't repeat their mistake and not extend Witherspoon (offer him a two year deal). That will give them 3 good CBs in the 2025 season.

I also felt the 1st round pick could be used elsewhere but considering Forbes’ build, head, and history he’s still a project. You can’t have enough CBs. Draft a shutdown CB and assess the rest in 2025.

[Dare]

I thought about that but the Rams need 2 OTs that will have to start sooner than later. I don't see McClendon as a permanent solution at RT simply because of his poor feet. It's why he couldn't play LT. Speed will beat him every time. There are ways to improve your footwork as well as quickness. But he hasn't done it. IMO McClendon is a RG and that is about it.

We never got to see Leviston but he also looks like a RG. I think he was drafted to develop behind Dotson and eventually replace him.

Also it's rare you can draft a CB who can play well as a rookie. People simply don't understand how technique heavy the position is. When I lived in San Diego I had occasion to talk to a number of Charger players. I spoke with more than one CB who talked about how the biggest transition between college and the NFL was how much technique was the difference between success and failure at the position.

If you watch breakdowns of Kupp's early successes and it carries over into today, they show how he knows what route combinations he has by the alignment of the DB. He has imparted that to Nacua and it's why Puka has become the star that he is.

That is why I view CB as a developmental position, where you draft for traits and coach the hell out of them knowing it could take one or two years perhaps more before you have your starter. I think player work ethic is the biggest difference between those that are average starters and those that are elite.

Quentin Jammer was one I spoke with and he was picked #5 in the 2002 draft. Even he didn't start until his second year and he spoke about how hard he had to work during his rookie year to develop the techniques he would need.

In today's pass heavy NFL defenses need a minimum of 3 starting caliber CBs. McVay's passing scheme is predicated on most teams only having two starting caliber CBs which is why he is heavily reliant upon 11 personnel with 3 good WRs.

This is why I'm not surprised by the developmental time needed by Forbes. It's also why if they keep their first round pick I think it's used on either an OT, QB or CB because Durant will be in a contract year next season so it's a make or break year for him. This is why I think they should extend Witherspoon for two years to buy them the time to develop a 3rd CB.

Wallace has good instincts but he's scheme limited. He's fine in zone coverage schemes, but he lacks the athleticism and speed to play in man coverage, including zone match.