Definitely on our board, albeit taken a round earlier than expected. Then again, Cobie Durant was one of those players, so I have high hopes for Turner. He's got a great motor, definitely a need.

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Looks like the Rams chose Quantity over Quality in this year’s Draft.

I am guessing they went this direction because they felt like they needed to fill out their roster and better to do that with late draft picks than to wait for the undrafted free agents to become available AND Snead probably thought he could find some underrated players/gems in the later rounds (I hope he is right!!).

Quick bendy athlete with a non-stop motor. Not whom I'd pick at the pick, but here it is.

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Road-grading guard/center who is 330 lbs., won the Outland Award for best interior offensive lineman, only one sack allowed in his college career. I am in love with this pick.

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EDIT: Outland Award semifinalist. Thank you, @jjab360 for the correction.

Rams need a qb for the future. A couple of years under Stafford/McVay will get him ready for 2025.

I’m going to give my 30 random draft thoughts in three parts.

Here are my first 10, based on day one of the draft. I’ll post 11-20 tonight after the Rams make their picks, and 21-30 Saturday night after the draft ends.

Here we go…

1. Alas, Jahmyr Gibbs was not to be.

2. That’s okay. There are still a lot of good players available.

3. My top choice is Darnell Washington, who I regard as a hybrid OT/TE. I think that’s a new toy that Sean McVay would enjoy working with. Imagine a Swiss army knife like Ben Skowronek, only four inches taller and sixty pounds heavier.

4. The top defender on my board is Adetomiwa Adebawore, DL, Northewestern. Another physical freak who I’d love to see lined up next to Aaron Donald.

5. Ironically, Washington was my pick in my Mock 1.0, and Adebawore was my top selection in Version 2.0. Talked myself out of them as I thought they’d both go on Thursday!

6. Speaking of falling players, Joey Porter, Jr. is a guy I didn’t expect to last. I’d be very happy to see him go to the Rams.

7. I don’t want a QB (Will Levis or Hendon Hooker) with the 36th pick. If we were able to swing a deal to turn our three day 2 picks into four, though, I’d be on board with using one for a potential starting QB of the future.

8. If the Rams were to choose a speedy WR (i.e. Jalin Hyatt) instead of a premium OC (John Michael Schmitz), will that be Tutu/Creed II?

9. Given the presence of two QBs who are deemed Top 50 prospects still available, I expect that Rams will have some enticing trade down offers. If a player they truly love as an immediate impact guy is there, though, I’d rather they just make the pick.

10. Hoping for some offensive firepower today. Four guys I really like who could be 3rd round options: Israel Abanikanda, Tyler Scott, Jonathan Mingo and Cedric Tillman.

Stay tuned!

Can we expect more action from him today? Could he have something already in the works??

Friday, April 28 – Rounds 2 and 3

• 7 p.m. ET on NFL Network, ESPN, ABC, and ESPN Deportes. Plus, stream on mobile with NFL+
• Listen on SiriusXM NFL Radio and ESPN Radio

Saturday, April 29 – Rounds 4 through 7

• 12 p.m. ET on NFL Network, ESPN, ABC, and ESPN Deportes. Plus, stream on mobile with NFL+
• Listen on SiriusXM NFL Radio and ESPN Radio

Some good talent left, so much so that I'm still hoping for a trade down. With McDonald and Forbes gone, I'm in favor of it.

TE - Mayer
CB - Porter Jr
S - Branch
QB - Hooker
QB - Levis
OG - Avila
OG - Torrence
TE - Washington
TE - Laporta
DE - Adebawore
OC - Michael Schmitz
CB - Ringo
OT - Mauch
DE - K.White
WR - Hyatt
WR - Mingo
CB - C.Smith

And I'm probably missing some guys

What are you all hoping for?

One my favorite things about our team in recent years is the media with our former players that has been created and produced the last 4-5 years for the draft.

Post what you find out there here.






Miss hearing some Marshall

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It's not an easy transition with established personnel, but seeing as we only have one lineman (AD) and one LB (E. Jones) from our starting SB defense, it's hard to come up with a better time if you are inclined to switch (I'm expecting 7 of our 11 picks to be on defense) .

Raheem Morris used the 4-3 before inheriting our (top 5) 3-4 from Staley and Wade Philips. We don't project as a top anything defense now, we have one superstar on D and he doesn't really come with scheme limitations. AD was drafted for a 4-3 defense under Fisher and has clearly excelled within both formats. Could this be the year we flip back?

Additional thought: none of our division opponents have the sort of veteran pocket QBs with the presnap capacity to diagnose and potentially carve up a 4-3, so it might be a more beneficial scheme in the near term to contain mobile qbs, plug the gaps and to rush the passer.

Will post links next

I have to go with

BUMPER POOL, LB, ARKANSAS

Which stadium song gets you excited when cheering on your team? If you don't see one that you like, post it!

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Thursday, April 27 – Round 1

• 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network, ESPN, ABC, and ESPN Deportes. Plus, stream on mobile with NFL+
• Listen on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Westwood One, and ESPN Radio

Friday, April 28 – Rounds 2 and 3

• 7 p.m. ET on NFL Network, ESPN, ABC, and ESPN Deportes. Plus, stream on mobile with NFL+
• Listen on SiriusXM NFL Radio and ESPN Radio

Saturday, April 29 – Rounds 4 through 7

• 12 p.m. ET on NFL Network, ESPN, ABC, and ESPN Deportes. Plus, stream on mobile with NFL+
• Listen on SiriusXM NFL Radio and ESPN Radio

With the our team being full of many holes throughout the roster the team can do many many things with our first pick this year.
I know I'm going out on a limb here so bare with me..


Let's think about what our identity as a team with our leader? We have a dynamic offensive head coach who runs an offense that goes through the run game and play action.
The run game more specifically follows two concepts of Duo and Inside Zone.
Example of Inside Zone:
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As you can see our O-Line down blocks down towards the play side


Example of Duo:
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The Duo concept is used to create double teams at the line of scrimmage, generally with the center and backside guard and the playside tackle and guard.


This was true in 2021 as it has been McVay's entire career with us.
McVay absolutely loves 12 personnel ( 1 RB and 2 TE's) and when he has used it in the past with two decent TE's we used to by far the most than any other team. With Higbee on the roster who is a pretty decent blocker how could we tip the running game towards our favor even more?

By drafting a 6th offensive linemen to overpower the defense when we run 12 personnel!

Enter Darnell Washington TE Georgia Bulldogs.

Darnell Washington's specialty is devastating blocking and catching passes from play action.
6'7 270lbs
A bit of the good and bad with Washington:
Per PFF:
Washington is a unique 6-foot-7, 270-pound tight end. His height and weight don't do justice to just how massive he is. If your offense wants an offensive tackle who can also run routes and make guys miss after the catch, Washington is your man.
It's rare to see a tight end who has just 45 receptions in college be so highly regarded, but that is Darnell Washington's skillset. At 6-foot-7 and 270 pounds, he is a huge athlete who boasted a top-10 run-blocking grade at the position this past season. He can be an intriguing option in the passing game as well, as he averaged 17.2 yards per catch over the course of his college career. On those 45 receptions at Georgia, he forced 14 missed tackles and averaged 7.5 yards after the catch per reception.
Where he wins: Frame

Washington’s size changes the calculus for defenses. He can be a sixth offensive lineman in the run game while also being a post-up weapon against smaller linebackers in the passing game.

What’s his role: Inline tight end

If you’re not one of the run-heavier teams in the NFL, I’d suggest you look elsewhere. Washington’s real mismatch ability comes in the ground game and when running routes off play action. Over half his yards came off play action last year.

What can he Improve: Waist-bending

Washington is never going to look like Travis Kelce as a receiver so putting anything to do with that is insane. He can easily grow into being an actual offensive tackle, though, if he so chooses. To be effective as a blocker regardless, Washington will have to cut out the waist-bending and sink from his lower half.

Per NFL.com:

0-Yard Dash
4.64
Seconds
10-Yard Split
1.57
Seconds
Vertical Jump
31’’
Broad Jump
10’ 2’’
3-Cone Drill
--
20-Yd Shuttle
4.08
Seconds
Bench Press
21
Reps

Washington was rated one of the top 25 recruits in the country after his career at Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas. He started seven of 10 games played in 2020 for the Bulldogs (7-166-23.7) as a true freshman. Washington missed the first four games of the 2021 campaign with an injury from preseason camp but returned to start six of 11 contests (10-154-15.4, one TD) for the national champions. He was a second-team All-SEC selection in 2022 (28-454-16.2 two TDs), starting 14 of 15 games played as Georgia repeated as champs. -- by Chad Reuter

Overview
In-line tight end with rare size and power at the point of attack to help soften defensive edges up front. Despite sloppy overall technique, Washington can be effective at moving defenders when he’s centered on his block. He must improve his footwork and hand usage, as NFL defenders will slip away from his clutches more easily if he’s unsound. He plods into his routes but catches with above-average focus and can be a handful to bring down. Washington could become a dominant run blocker with better technique, which makes me wonder if a team might give him a look at offensive tackle at some point in his career.
Strengths

• Massive frame and shredded physique.
• Mismatches linebackers at the point of attack.
• Pure power to torque and displace defender.
• Creates considerable advantage near goal line.
• Size requires careful coverage consideration.
• Able to adjust to off-target throws and catch in congestion.

Weaknesses

• Footwork into block fits needs work.
• Gets into blocks with wide hands.
• Waist-bender and head-ducker at point of attack.
• Angles to second level lack accuracy.
• Stiff-kneed, limiting speed to attack seam.
• Unable to sink and break off routes underneath.

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I can't stop thinking about it and with our HC being an ex-TE's coach it seems like a perfect fit. I haven't heard anybody else suggest selecting him for the Rams.

What do you think? Am i crazy?

Things to think about for ROD after this weekends draft

So as it pertains to our roster I think there are some distinct directions we need to go if we want to turn this thing around quickly. In a few days' time hopefully we are looking at these additions and seeing that the following are areas we have improved significantly:

1. Physicality in the defensive front. AD can two gap and does it quite well but it's not ideal to have a guy like him doing that. We lost two 1T types who both anchor well on the interior in Gaines and Robinson. As things stand right now every team is going to put up 6+ ypc in the run game against this front. Rams desperately need physicality in this group, and that's even if Brown has a future which is not a certainty at this point.

2. Pass game threat. This is largely due to less than ideal returns on both Jefferson and Tutu. Jefferson has not been bad, but what we are going to require from him or Tutu this year is a big step forward where one of them serve as our #2 threat. We need some threats out there other than Kupp. Who is going to provide that. This could be accomplished by TE, WR, or RB, or ideally some combination of all three, but since we do have many needs the Rams probably need to be surgical and hit on one of them to give this offense a shot in the arm before they go back to stacking this defense.

3. Coverage / Pass Rush. Our corners have not been great, even going back to the Super Bowl run. The problems had already begun back there, they just were masked by incredible pass rush potency. And now of course we need both the rush and the coverage, both areas ideally need to be improved. Can they find a way to improve both? I think so, but there are many needs once again. Just like you see with physicality being important for matching up with the Shitters and Shehawks, we also are going to need guys who have coverage and ball skills to make Shitter QBs hold the ball. So coming out of this draft ideally we see a boost to our rush and at least one corner added who can play outside the hash.

4. QB futures. Nobody wants to see the Rams "waste" a midround pick on a QB. But the truth is Stafford has some hard miles on him, and we have nothing behind him on that roster. They interviewed OConnell, Tune, and Hall. Probably some more besides. It's gonna happen and it needs to happen. And it comes down to getting McVay the guy he wants. Also and btw one thing McVay specifically mentioned is the leadership elements that are a natural part of the position. I think this is a big deal with QB. Older I get the more I think it's the mental resilience, competitiveness, and willingness to do the work that make guys succeed moreso than the measurables. Leadership too. Being comfortable out in front and running the guys. Some dudes just struggle with that, particularly when it's running grown ass men who are pros. You see that over and over with even some of these immature QBs like Wilson who in hindsight had zero chance of running the room. Hall seems like a guy who fits well there, to me at least. I think he's the guy, but I don't think the Rams get him, and either way here's hoping they find a QB we can enjoy in preseason.

I was watching an old CMT Crossroad's episode and remembered a pleasure that I had in 1983. I was training to be an electronic technician at Great Lakes Naval Station when on a weekend, my buddies and I ended up in a bar in Wisconsin when I heard it. The jukebox played "A Country Boy Can Survive" by Hank Williams Jr.
I was 19 years old and able to drink beer legally for the first time in my life because Wisconsin in those years allowed it. Before this I liked some Top 40 songs, but was mostly a heavy metal head. I loved me some AC/DC, The Who, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Eagles, ZZ Top, and Van Halen

Now, Hank Williams Jr?

I was born near LA and never lived in the country. I had fished, but have never hunted. Hell, I never fired a shotgun until 1983. I loved the song's message of self sufficiency and independence and it opened me to more Hank Williams Jr music, along with Johnny Cash. I used to mock cry in your beer country, but this Outlaw Country was different. Give it a listen and post the song that took you in a different direction, musically.

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If you don't, you should! Maybe all these opinon-aters should have a "think before you post" message too!

Here's a nice trip down memory lane...

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MOCK.



2023 Draft :


Major Trades :

Trade down Rams #36 with Detroit for #48 and #81 (3’rd. Round).
Higbee plus 2024 4’th rounder for 2023 4’th & 5’th.

Must say the Detroit trade was partly influenced by Jourdan Rodrigue.



1 - N/A

2(48) - DL Adetomiwa Adebawore, N.W. (Part 1 of Detroit trade)
3a(69) - OC/OG Steve Avila, TCU (Ramsey trade)
3b(77) - Edge D. Hall, Aub.
3c(81) - TE Tucker Kraft, S.D.St. (Part 2 of Detroit trade)
4 - WR/PR/KR Trey Palmer, Ne. (Higbee + 2024 4’th = trade for 4 and 5a)
5a - CB Riley Moss, Ia. (Higbee Trade part 2)
5b - K Jake Moody, Mi.
5c - WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton, W.V.
5d - Edge Andre Carter, Army or Ochaun Mathis, Ne.
6a - OG/C Ricky Stromberg, Ark.
6b - RB Chris Rodriguez, U.K.
6c - QB Aiden O’Connell, Pur.
7a - S DeMarcco Hellams, Al.
7b - P Michael Turk, Ok.


Re-sign :

CB Grant Haley
OT Ty Nsekhe
FB Roger Carter


Cheap Outside Free Agents :

ILB Myles Jack
CB Eli Apple



Please join me and post your final mocks here, ... but dear god, no computer simulations.

Lets say we are on the clock and all of the prospects listed in the poll are there. You cannot trade down, you have to make a pick. Who are you going with and why? I wanted to see if we could get a consensus for the board.

I choose the 10 most reasonable to be there and most talked about on the board (as far as I can tell).