[Elvis]

http://www.fanly.me/c/VsJQoZIY07

Kiper sees possible value in Rams waiting to draft a quarterback

Nick Wagoner

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The Los Angeles Rams once again find themselves in a sort of no man's land when it comes to quarterbacks and the NFL draft.

After a 7-9 campaign in 2015, the Rams continued their tradition of being not quite good enough to turn the corner and make the playoffs but not quite bad enough to put themselves in position to draft a franchise signal-caller.

So it is that they head to this week's scouting combine in Indianapolis with the 15th overall pick and no guarantees that they can land the top quarterback they so desperately need. That's not to say they can't find one at No. 15 or even later as there are plenty of examples of successful quarterbacks drafted outside the top five.

But in looking at this year's draft, there doesn't appear to be a Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota available. And while players like Cal's Jared Goff and North Dakota State's Carson Wentz could go in the top 10 or even the top five, neither player is thought to be the level of prospect of either of last year's top two choices.

Which means that drafting 15th will likely leave the Rams with little in the way of a solution to their quarterback quandary unless they choose to chase a prospect who might not be ready to play right away.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. recently released his second mock draft and decided to send Mississippi receiver Laquon Treadwell to Los Angeles instead of Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch, the player he chose for the Rams in his first edition. In fact, Kiper dropped Lynch out of his first round altogether.

"I had Paxton Lynch there," Kiper said. "That would be the pick that would make sense if you want to develop a quarterback. If you have somebody that you're OK with -- Paxton Lynch is not going to be ready right away -- and you would be better to watch for a little bit. I think if you look at Treadwell, if he runs a good 40, he could go the top 10. I put him at 15 to be conservative knowing that speed is not his forte, but he's a great player. So if you get Treadwell then you could maybe come back and there's some second-round quarterbacks who could be intriguing."

Kiper's opinion that Lynch could take some time to get up to speed is not singular. The book on Lynch is that he has all the physical tools to succeed but he's coming from an offense that didn't ask him to make NFL progressions or push the ball downfield with any regularity. While still intrigued, Kiper currently views Lynch as a better option for a team early in the second round or late in the first.

But Lynch isn't the only prospect who could be available at that time. He lists Michigan State's Connor Cook, Penn State's Christian Hackenberg and Mississippi State's Dak Prescott as other potential second-round options.

The Rams have two second-round picks, so it's possible one or more of those players could be available or, if the Rams wanted to ensure they had their pick of the litter, they'd be well positioned to package those picks to move up to get the guy they want.

"And who is to say Lynch couldn't be an early two?" Kiper said. "I didn't think Derek Carr would be an early two when he got drafted. Andy Dalton, a lot of people had him in the first round, early second. I look at which quarterback could be a viable second-round pick and I just gave you several."

Kiper even sees value at quarterback beyond the first two rounds, perhaps more so than in other years.

"You're looking at middle-round guys that are intriguing, would be guys like Brandon Allen from Arkansas would be a nice pick at that point," Kiper said. "Vernon Adams from Oregon. Jacoby Brissett [of] NC State, Cardale Jones [of] Ohio State. So there's going to be a lot of guys in play, I think, in that fourth-, fifth-round area this year, and like I said, there's going to be three or four that have the ability to be second-round picks."

[Neil039]

Oh to a draft analyst. You can change your mind a 100 times and always justify your change of heart on a player. Funny how all of the top media analyst all tow the line when building up or tearing down a player. I always figured it's predicated on agents paying them to bring the hoopla! I am likely wrong but money drives the machine.

[snackdaddy]

The draft is always a crap shoot. Anyone who thinks the draft is going their fortunes immediately is going to be disappointed. Almost all decent to good players are better a year or two after their rookie season. If you're under pressure to win now you gotta do through free agency and trades. This years draft is for 2017 and beyond.

[Hacksaw]

The draft is always a crap shoot. Anyone who thinks the draft is going their fortunes immediately is going to be disappointed. Almost all decent to good players are better a year or two after their rookie season. If you're under pressure to win now you gotta do through free agency and trades. This years draft is for 2017 and beyond.

I tend to agree with this sentiment. Not to mention the questionable talent at the QB position in this years draft. I'm leaning towards a FA.

[ramsman34]

The draft is always a crap shoot. Anyone who thinks the draft is going their fortunes immediately is going to be disappointed. Almost all decent to good players are better a year or two after their rookie season. If you're under pressure to win now you gotta do through free agency and trades. This years draft is for 2017 and beyond.

I tend to agree with this sentiment. Not to mention the questionable talent at the QB position in this years draft. I'm leaning towards a FA.

I agree...and I don't. I think F/A shows proof that a player has performed at the NFL level..FOR HIS TEAM. Its also a crap shoot on F/A equaling their past performance on your/our team. Also, some rookies perform really well year one, and also improve over time. And I think all of us would take that at the QB position. Or a F/A QB that can outplay what we have.

[majik]

Maybe signing Ryan Fitzpatrick for 3 years, developing Mannion, and drafting BPA with the first three picks is the way to go. Based on what I have read I am not thrilled with Treadwell either

[TSFH Fan]

I always figured it's predicated on agents paying them to bring the hoopla! I am likely wrong but money drives the machine.

I don't know about the agents paying the media but . . .

I remember the year Bradford was drafted. There was debate of Suh v. Bradford and early on in the process, Adam Schefter came out and declared that Bradford would be the first pick of the draft. Yes, Schefter was represented by CAA and Sam was represented by CAA at the time. Click on ESPN and, I think it was Dilfer . . .Dilfer was down on Bradford, saying he was not the top QB in that draft. Dilfer was higher on Colt McCoy. Yes, Dilfer and Colt McCoy both were represented by David Dunn/Athletes First. Just coincidences, I'm sure.

Anyhow, we all had our BS detectors and skepticism turned up to 11 during the relocation stuff. Maybe we should crank it up to 12 for the draft?

[Hacksaw]

The draft is always a crap shoot. Anyone who thinks the draft is going their fortunes immediately is going to be disappointed. Almost all decent to good players are better a year or two after their rookie season. If you're under pressure to win now you gotta do through free agency and trades. This years draft is for 2017 and beyond.

I tend to agree with this sentiment. Not to mention the questionable talent at the QB position in this years draft. I'm leaning towards a FA.

I agree...and I don't. I think F/A shows proof that a player has performed at the NFL level..FOR HIS TEAM. Its also a crap shoot on F/A equaling their past performance on your/our team. Also, some rookies perform really well year one, and also improve over time. And I think all of us would take that at the QB position. Or a F/A QB that can outplay what we have.

Getting a guy from another team usually either means the team didn't want the guy for some reason or said FA is looking for a payday. At least you have a body of work in the pros with a FA. The college guys can be had for less money but there is more risk of them not fitting at the pro level.
Agreed, no one is knocking my socks off coming out of the NCAA.
The Rams have a ton of money, but at least half of it will be used to keep or strengths (DB) strong (hopefully).
I can't shout it loud enough, we need a better QB or we will be mediocre. I;m sort of comfortable with Wentz of Goff,, maaaaaybe Lynch, but I don't see them making a huge impact this year ,, or probably next.

[Neil039]

Maybe signing Ryan Fitzpatrick for 3 years, developing Mannion, and drafting BPA with the first three picks is the way to go. Based on what I have read I am not thrilled with Treadwell either

Just read he's not running the 40 at the combine. I think that's a red flag about to rise. There have been some really good WRs with 4.7-4.8 speed(Boldin comes to mind recently). IMO if you're not hurt you gotta run!

[Hacksaw]

Maybe signing Ryan Fitzpatrick for 3 years, developing Mannion, and drafting BPA with the first three picks is the way to go. Based on what I have read I am not thrilled with Treadwell either

Just read he's not running the 40 at the combine. I think that's a red flag about to rise. There have been some really good WRs with 4.7-4.8 speed(Boldin comes to mind recently). IMO if you're not hurt you gotta run!

We are of a like mind.

That isn't going to help his wallet. That's the only real rap against him.....
If he is a stud champion, he runs unless he is/was injured.

'Treadwell said he has spent limited time training for the 40 while in Miami and wants more time before he runs it in front of NFL team scouts and general managers. He said his goal is to run "in the 4.4s or 4.5s."

"I've only had a week and a half here (in Miami) and want to wait 'til I'm at our facilities," he said.

Treadwell, the SEC's leading receiver in 2015, is well built (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) but is not known for his speed. In fact, it's one of the big questions about him that NFL teams will want answered sooner or later. In this case, he's chosen later.'

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000 ... 21357951=1

Heck, my goal is to run a 4.4 or 4.5 too.


From my recliner to the beer fridge ... lol