Rams Fans United - Los Angeles Rams Fan Discussion Forum

IMO to really understand the impact two drafts have had you look at the totality of the impact.

Young is no after thought. He leads the NFL in pressures resulting in turnovers. IMO this team has more than replaced Miller and Fowler. Young is clearly an upgrade to Fowler and Verse is well on his way to being the impact player Miller was in his prime. Now add in Turner and Fiske and you have one of the best DLs in the NFL.

Hoecht has stepped up to be a key rotational guy capable of playing both sides. I've had serious reservations about Brown but he's beginning to flash why they drafted him. He's beginning to blossom in Shula's scheme where he never really did when played as a 0T NT under Morris. Brown and Davis are flashing as rotational IDL players.

Both Lake and Kinchen's have shown they are legit and simply need continued experience. I think the Rams are hoping that Durant and now Forbes can be their boundary CBs in 2025. Yet to be determined is their SCB.

Speights and Rozeboom are flashing, and I think the Rams have their ILBs for next year along with Fields.

This year the OL: A. Jackson, Avila, Limmer, Dotson, and Havenstein must play up to their expectations. If they do this is an offense primed for the offseason. I still expect the Rams to have two new OTs next year. I would be surprised if the Rams took an OT in the first round. First round OTs have a high bust rate. Since they don't have a 2nd round pick I see them taking an OT in round three if they can't sign a FA.

That said the Rams could place a first-round tender on Alaric and if he accepts a higher offer the Rams would get a 2nd round pick as compensation. I don't think Jackson will accept the original offer of the Rams so I can see them tendering him to get something in return. Jackson is a decent LT but I don't see the Rams being willing to over pay for him. IMO he's about as good as he will ever be right now. He's going to want a multi million $$ for multiple years and I simply don't see the Rams being willing to give it to him.

But I think the Rams will make a run at both Sam Darnold and Cam Robinson (LT) both will be FA after playing with the Vikings. KT Leveston is an interesting rookie. Though most project him as an OG he would offer an alternative to McClendon at RT if they want to replace Havenstein who will be in an option year with a $6.8M dead cap.

Leveston though heavier than McClendon looks like he might have better feet to play outside. I view him as a RT or OG backup at the very least next year. Leveston would need a lot of coaching up to play OT in the NFL. But the Rams do have McDermott who can be a bridge.

I see the signing of Forbes as their CB pick in the draft simply acquired early. I think he will see spot duty this season if he progresses well in practices. But IMO this was a pick for next year and beyond. I think Forbes has late first round to early second round value that they got simply by signing him off the wire.

My GF's family in Seattle is lamenting the Seahawks passing on both Verse and most of all Fiske.

I'm glad they re-signed Charlie Woods CB. He's got average height (5'11") with average timed speeds (depending upon the source mid 4.4-4.5). But what I like is he is more quick than fast (I.e. long speed). He has looked to have decent agility, all of which could make him a candidate inside at SCB. He plays with aggressiveness and confidence which is a must at SCB. With the signing of Forbes, and Durant impressing on the other boundary then the need is clearly at SCB and as a depth and STs player. From reports he had a good TC. I think he's a better prospect than Tre Tomlinson who has shown speed but nothing else except a penchant for grabbing WRs.

If Shula is going to play a lot of different secondary schemes he will need depth/rotational DBs that he can plug and play. Guys like Woods are very necessary. Think of him as a physical clone of Troy Hill. (Same height, weight, and speed) who played safety and CB and was best in zone coverage (a typical zone coverage CB where quickness trumps long speed).