Thoughts about the upcoming draft
PostPosted:4 weeks 21 hours ago
Yeah it's a bit premature but two things are clear, the Rams have needs and will be picking in the first round at the bottom of the rotation.
IMO this rest was primarily for Stafford and an indication that his marginal play since the Buffalo game is probably due to his chronic tendonitis. Remember they tried to hide it last year as well. But that said I think it will benefit all the starters.
I think that the Seahawk game showed that the roster is pretty good in its depth overall. So if the Rams are thinking of keeping their first-round pick here are some players they might consider. That said in all honesty I think they will trade that pick for multiple picks particularly if it includes a 2025 second round pick.
Benjamin Morrison CB
6'
40 time low 4.4
man coverage
Benjamin Morrison is the type of CB who projects to go in the late first or top of the second round. At 6', 190 lbs, he runs in the low 4.4 range. He's got the athleticism to excel in man coverage schemes including zone match. He had 5 INTs this year I believe.
Scouts when breaking down his film feel he needs a redshirt year of rotational spot snaps but could be a quality starter in his second year. He needs to bulk up and improve his technique to bring it up to NFL levels.
Morrison is IMO the kind of CB they could still be looking at in the first round (since they don't have a second round pick). He has a high ceiling in the right scheme with a good coach.
With Durant's future still TBD I think the Rams will draft a CB though with Forbes they have the luxury of waiting until the 3rd or 4th round.
OT
Will Campbell
6'6"
323 lbs
He probably won't drop to the bottom of the first round. But IMO he offers better value in the bottom half of the first round. That said he has a high ceiling but isn't without his flaws. He needs to be more consistent with his footwork and his hand play. Like most collegiate players he needs to strengthen and improve his technique. This is the kind of OT that could start in year one on the right side with moving to the left one or two years later. Otherwise he would be best served if given a year to refine his play and strengthen. He's got the tools to eventually become a franchise LT which is why he's likely taken in the top half of round one.
Wyatt Milum
6"6"
317 Lbs
Willing to play anywhere on the OL but projects as a LT or a RT to later move to the left side. He's the kind of OT you can get in the late round or who might drop into the top of the 3rd round. He's a bit raw and projects as a 2nd year starter.
QB
Riley Leonard
6'4"
216lbs
Right now projected by some as a day two pick. What drops him out of the first round by most evaluators is his issues with lower body mechanics and a need to bulk up a bit to withstand the hits he's going to take in the NFL.
He's mobile enough to be considered a dual threat. But make no mistake he's a pocket passer first. He's got a good arm with touch and accuracy at all levels, particularly in the short to intermediate ranges.
He projects as a second year starter with a high ceiling. Watching his video would seem to indicate he's a good fit for Sean's offense. Give him a red shirt year as a spot duty QB2 and they should have a quality starter in his second year.
If the Rams prioritize QB this draft then it wouldn't surprise me if they took him in the first round because they don't pick again until the late 3rd round. People make too much about so called over drafting. I think if you have a need and want a player who cares when you take him as long as you get him. There was a lot of criticism for the Ravens to take Lamar Jackson at the end of the first round. History has shown the team was right to do so.
The Rams were criticized for trading up in the second for Braden Fiske. But history has proved them right. In fact I was surprised when he dropped out of the first round.
My point is the draft is a crap shoot and Snead's track record is beyond reproach. Right now IMO the Ram's priorities this draft is OT, CB and QB. I would be surprised if all three positions aren't addressed in the first two days.
IMO this rest was primarily for Stafford and an indication that his marginal play since the Buffalo game is probably due to his chronic tendonitis. Remember they tried to hide it last year as well. But that said I think it will benefit all the starters.
I think that the Seahawk game showed that the roster is pretty good in its depth overall. So if the Rams are thinking of keeping their first-round pick here are some players they might consider. That said in all honesty I think they will trade that pick for multiple picks particularly if it includes a 2025 second round pick.
Benjamin Morrison CB
6'
40 time low 4.4
man coverage
Benjamin Morrison is the type of CB who projects to go in the late first or top of the second round. At 6', 190 lbs, he runs in the low 4.4 range. He's got the athleticism to excel in man coverage schemes including zone match. He had 5 INTs this year I believe.
Scouts when breaking down his film feel he needs a redshirt year of rotational spot snaps but could be a quality starter in his second year. He needs to bulk up and improve his technique to bring it up to NFL levels.
Morrison is IMO the kind of CB they could still be looking at in the first round (since they don't have a second round pick). He has a high ceiling in the right scheme with a good coach.
With Durant's future still TBD I think the Rams will draft a CB though with Forbes they have the luxury of waiting until the 3rd or 4th round.
OT
Will Campbell
6'6"
323 lbs
He probably won't drop to the bottom of the first round. But IMO he offers better value in the bottom half of the first round. That said he has a high ceiling but isn't without his flaws. He needs to be more consistent with his footwork and his hand play. Like most collegiate players he needs to strengthen and improve his technique. This is the kind of OT that could start in year one on the right side with moving to the left one or two years later. Otherwise he would be best served if given a year to refine his play and strengthen. He's got the tools to eventually become a franchise LT which is why he's likely taken in the top half of round one.
Wyatt Milum
6"6"
317 Lbs
Willing to play anywhere on the OL but projects as a LT or a RT to later move to the left side. He's the kind of OT you can get in the late round or who might drop into the top of the 3rd round. He's a bit raw and projects as a 2nd year starter.
QB
Riley Leonard
6'4"
216lbs
Right now projected by some as a day two pick. What drops him out of the first round by most evaluators is his issues with lower body mechanics and a need to bulk up a bit to withstand the hits he's going to take in the NFL.
He's mobile enough to be considered a dual threat. But make no mistake he's a pocket passer first. He's got a good arm with touch and accuracy at all levels, particularly in the short to intermediate ranges.
He projects as a second year starter with a high ceiling. Watching his video would seem to indicate he's a good fit for Sean's offense. Give him a red shirt year as a spot duty QB2 and they should have a quality starter in his second year.
If the Rams prioritize QB this draft then it wouldn't surprise me if they took him in the first round because they don't pick again until the late 3rd round. People make too much about so called over drafting. I think if you have a need and want a player who cares when you take him as long as you get him. There was a lot of criticism for the Ravens to take Lamar Jackson at the end of the first round. History has shown the team was right to do so.
The Rams were criticized for trading up in the second for Braden Fiske. But history has proved them right. In fact I was surprised when he dropped out of the first round.
My point is the draft is a crap shoot and Snead's track record is beyond reproach. Right now IMO the Ram's priorities this draft is OT, CB and QB. I would be surprised if all three positions aren't addressed in the first two days.
