So... now that we're through most of the talent movement/acquisition phase of the offseason, which teams are most likely to break into, and fall out of, the playoffs in 2022.

Here are my lists:

Most Likely Party Crashers

1. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts just missed the playoffs last year, and responded by replacing Carson Wentz with Matt Ryan. I also like the additions of Yannick Ngakoue, Stephon Gilmore and Nick Cross to an already strong defense. I could easily see them jumping over the Titans and winning the AFC South.

2. Los Angeles Chargers
Another team that was on the cusp last year, and made splash moves by trading for Khalil Mack and signing J.C. Jackson. I'm not sure they've solved their run defense problem but, more importantly, their division is a beast. Still, I think that they have a strong chance of making it to the postseason in 2022.

3. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens imploded last year when Lamar Jackson was injured. They need to keep him healthy this year. As for their other injury bug issues... a strong draft provides them with great depth, and a couple of immediate impact starters in Kyle Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum.

4. Cleveland Browns
This one comes down to the status of newly acquired QB Deshaun Watson. If (1) the Browns can win without him if he is suspended for several games, and (2) he regains his form from two years ago, the Browns have a ton of talent and should be a playoff contender. I still see some disfunction in this organization, though, so I wouldn't be my house on them.

5. New Orleans Saints
I considered going with the Broncos here, but how many AFC teams can crash the party? The NFL seems a bit more static at this point, with most of the teams that made the postseason positioned to return. The Saints, though, could be the team that breaks through, as they have a very strong defense, and could have a great receiving corps with the return of Michael Thomas and the addition of Chris Olave. Its going to come down to the QB play, which is definitely a concern, and will likely be their ultimate downfall.

Most Likely to Fall From Grace

1. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers were lucky to make it last year, and now will be starting either Mitch Trubisky or rookie Kenny Pickett at QB. The Ravens' and Browns' rise will be the Steelers' fall in the NFC North.

2. New England Patriots
Another playoff team from last year that really didn't impress me that much. They will face much tougher competition within their own division. The Bills are stacked, and the Jets and Dolphins (who are not "party crashers" because I don't trust their QBs) are much improved. It would not shock me if the Patriots struggle to win 8-9 games in 2022.

3. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders improved their roster this offseason, adding Davante Adams and Chandler Jones, and could nonetheless drop out of the playoff picture. A big reason is that the rest of their division also improved significantly. I'm guessing some will disagree with me here, but I see the Raiders as a likely "odd man out."

4. Philadelphia Eagles
As I have one NFC party crasher, I feel like I should identify the team they're likely to replace. I consider Arizona, a team that really fell off the rails late last year, but the Eagles are my choice. I just don't trust their QB play, and they're not exceptional in any phase of the game.

5. Tennessee Titans
This one may be a reach, but I feel like there very well could be a 10 win team in the AFC that will miss the dance. The Titans could be that team, as they have the least reliable QB among the playoff contenders, and will face tougher competition from the Colts within their own division.

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Well this can be laid to rest now.

1. Welcome to our 8 new Rams!

2. The Rams lost 6 starters from their Super Bowl winning team. Now that the draft is over, we can evaluate how those positions will be manned in 2022.

3. Left Tackle: Andrew Whitworth (retired). Joe Noteboom has been groomed to replace him. While I don't think Noteboom will ever be the player Whitworth was, he has demonstrated the ability to man the left side in this offense.

4. Wide Receiver: Odell Beckham (injured/unsigned). This one is complicated, as OBJ may return. The signing of Allen Robinson, though, ensures that this spot will be filled by a very capable player. If OBJ comes back, the WR corps could be stronger next year than it was last by the time we enter the playoffs.

5. Right Guard: Austin Corbett (FA/signed with Carolina). The Rams drafted Login Bruss from Wisconsin in Round 3, and re-signed Coleman Shelton. They are the most likely candidate to take over this spot. My money's on Bruss, who I think can provide the same level of play as Corbett.

6. Inside Linebacker: Troy Reeder (FA/signed with L.A. Chargers). The Rams signed Bobby Wagner. Massive upgrade.

7. EDGE: Von Miller (FA/signed with Buffalo). This was the one that surprised me. I thought that the Rams would target an EDGE rusher in Round 3 or 4. Instead, they waited until Round 7 to take Daniel Hardy, who is a developmental prospect at this point. There are two primary reasons for this. First, the Rams may believe that they have enough with Justin Hollins, Terrell Lewis and Chris Garrett. Second, the Rams could be targeting one of the veteran FAs still out there (Jadaveon Clowney, Melvin Ingram, Jerry Hughes). I could see this one going either way.

8. Cornerback: Darrious Williams (FA/signed with Jacksonville). I feel much much better about this spot now. In addition to Robert Rochelle, who is an interesting second-year player, the Rams added Decobie Durant in Round 4, Derion Kendrick in Round 6, and Troy Hill via trade. The Rams now have depth at the position, and some young players who could develop into starters who could exceed DWill's performance.

9. I'm not expecting Tyrann Mathieu at this point, but I won't rule him out. He'd be an interesting addition, but he's not essential.

10. I thought the Rams would take a RB in Rounds 3-5, but I had them targeting bigger power backs. Kyren Williams doesn't have that size, but he's a tough, hard-nosed runner who has the receiving and blocking skills to be an ideal 3rd down back. That could save a lot of wear and tear on Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson. I also love Williams' obvious passion fort the game.

11. I'm pretty surprised the Seahawks didn't take a QB.

12. I'm not impressed by the Cardinals' trade for Hollywood Brown. At most, he'll replace Christian Kirk's production.

13. The 49ers are in a bizarre circumstance. They were 15 minutes from the Super Bowl just a few months ago, now they have a lame duck QB waiting to be traded, an offensive MVP wanting to be traded, and a starting QB to-be who's barely played in the last three years.

14. If the Rams make it back to the Super Bowl, they might see the Bengals again. They've had a strong offseason.

15. I remember making picks in the first round... in the before time... In the long, long ago.

16. For our "UDFA most likely to, at least, make the practice squad," I'll go with Brayden Thomas, DE, NDSU.

17. It should be an interesting camp, with a rookie class of 8 prospects (plus UDFAs) competing with second-year players who had their rookie campaigns cut short by injury (Tutu Atwell, Jacob Harris, Robert Rochelle) or who were not able to consistently crack the active roster (Chris Garrett, Bobby Brown).

18. The lack of TE draftees suggest that Higbee, Blanton and Hopkins are likely safe as the depth chart for 2022.

19. There could be a flurry of FA signings after tomorrow at 4:00 (when signings no longer impact next year's Comp pick formula). Then, for the first time since last May/June... things will be quiet for a while.

20. And then... we run it back!

I was fully prepared, at some point, to pick up a Punter. More specifically Matt Araiza from San Diego State.
Hell two punters were drafted in the 4th round which should of set the urgency before Araiza was drafted at 180 for us!

I believe a big part of our success since McVay has been here has been Hekker holding it down. I was looking for another 10-12 years of a punter leveraging field position for us like a beast!

You can’t tell me some of these guys could contribute more to winning a game than ‘ The Punt God’!


I literally have no idea who our punter is now or what our direction is going to be! I’m sure it’s some random UDFA….

Anybody else have feels along these lines or any updates on our Punter situation?

IMO he is a better backup than Wolford. I like Perkins but would trust Foles a lot more with what's at stake this year.

Draft grades are pretty meaningless at this point, but for your entertainment, here's one view :

Is anyone tracking on how many will be in camp on the roster? Sure would be nice to see some depth of options for them. Obviously punt returners primarily but both have been lackluster for us prior to the end of last season.

I don't know a thing about him other than he is a UDFA who is 6'2 and 249 as a FB. We have never had a true fullback and GB uses Dillon out of BC who is the same height and weight to really help take some pressure off Rodgers and is great around the goalline. I am not saying Carter will amount to anything as good as Dillon but the concept of having a guy that big and powerful will add a new dimension to our offense.

McVay listened last year and ran the ball when we all know he wanted to throw it and it paid dividends well same can be true in adding a FB to our arsenal.

Good luck Roger

Rams really loaded up in their secondary. Maybe even a tad too much?

I’m now doubtful that they want Matthieu all that much anymore. Would be overkill, kinda?

Jourdan has been hinting rather strongly that Rams intendEd to make significant FA signings after the draft. Does she still feel that Rams are leaning that way? But is it an Edge? Or some other position?

And I’m curious about their plans for a punter, too. I had expected them to draft one from this class but other players kept falling into their lap it seems. As it stands I consider P as a team need. Dixon does not inspire confidence in me.

Are Rams still intending to restructure AD and Kupp? I think so and I would love to be a fly on the wall as they discuss their finishing FA strategy.

Signing OBJ seems highly likely and Edge is an area that I need reassurance upon through on the field evidence. Edge may be where they invest FA dollars in, don’t you think? Maybe someone modestly expensive but would provide vet insurance for a SB run. ANOTHER SB run, that is. Lol.

I’ve gotta say that I really like this current roster and these coaches.

Hot Damn!

How come is Russ Yeast not listed as one of the Ram’s draft picks? Pick 235

I'm thinking this could be a close call.

I'm inclined to think the vets will beat out the rookies for the job.

I'll pick Rochell, but I easily could see Hill or Long stepping up.

Who you got?!?!

As a long time Ram Fan ('76), I just can't express how grateful I am to continually have a world-class organization to root for. There were some really, really long stretches of ineptitude, which makes this current time and place so much more gratifying. To have a great owner, GM, cap-guy, and coach all in concert....just so blessed.

If you have been following along since McSnead, drafts like this weekend's make so much sense. So calculated. So much work into narrowing the right kind of player, person and competitor. Man, it's such a wonderful time to be a fan!

SBNATION
By David Fucillo@davidfucillo Updated Apr 30, 2022, 7:03pm EDT

The third and final day of the 2022 NFL Draft has officially come to a close. The seventh round wrapped with the San Francisco 49ers picking Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy at pick No. 262, also known as Mr. Irrelevant.

Now comes the chaos of undrafted free agency.

In reality, the mad scramble that is undrafted free agency begins before the draft is even over. Teams begin calling potential priority free agents during the third day of the draft to get on their radar in case they go undrafted. Once the draft ends, it’s every man for himself as players and teams scramble to get deals done. Sometimes a player will commit to multiple teams, and some of the people reporting signing news are not your traditional big name media personalities. It becomes absolute chaos.

Most UDFA signings will not last more than training camp, with some getting cut before we even get through mandatory minicamp in June. But, quality talent has emerged over the years and this year will be no exception.

​

Best available undrafted free agents following 2022 NFL Draft​

There’s a whole host of talent available after 262 draft picks. We take a look at the best available.

​

Let's start with Punter Ben Griffiths from USC.

Not exactly what you think, but because we specifically addressed areas of need and back up players.

We needed CBs and we got 2 in the draft and Hill. We added 2 safeties another need. We need a RG and we found one. The extra RB was a need.

The only area we seemed a little shy on was OLB/ILB and maybe a prunter. But hard to get every area.

There were no head scratchers like Tutu last year.

2 Safeties
2 CBs
1 trade CB
1 RB
2 OL
1 OLB

Hard not like what we went after.

I wish all the best hope they play their ass off and ball out.

Welcome to the squad young man!

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Nice to get a reliable known commodity. Go Les Go