7-round Rams mock draft: Finding starters at OLB, C and ILB (yahoo.com)

7-round Rams mock draft: Finding starters at OLB, C and ILB
BY Cameron DaSilva
https://search.yahoo.com/search?p=Los Angeles Rams

The 2021 NFL draft is just a month away as we change gears from free agency to the six draft picks the Los Angeles Rams have this year. They have needs at edge rusher, inside linebacker, center, cornerback and along the defensive line, with depth needed at other positions, too.

Using Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator, I put together my first seven-round projection for the Rams. There were no trades involved in this mock, standing pat at each of the team’s six draft slots to show which prospects could be options along the way.

I found potential starters at outside linebacker, center, inside linebacker and cornerback, as well as a return specialist with high upside as a wide receiver. So let’s get to the picks.

57. Texas OLB Joseph Ossai

Despite re-signing Leonard Floyd, the Rams still need pass-rush help. Justin Hollins, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Terrell Lewis may not be enough to get the job done on the other side at OLB, especially given Okoronkwo and Lewis’ injury histories. Ossai is one of the better pass rushers in the class and he’s a fringe first-round prospect. There’s a chance he won’t even make it to the Rams’ pick at 57, but if he does, they shouldn’t pass him up. He has the size and athleticism you want in an edge rusher, and in the last two seasons, he had 29 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. Ossai should be a target in the second round if available.

88. Wisconsin-Whitewater OL Quinn Meinerz

To be honest, taking Meinerz at No. 57 was a consideration because there’s a decent chance he’ll be a second-round pick. The small-school prospect is gaining momentum in this class as one of the top centers, with the versatility to play guard, too. The Rams are among the teams interested in him, meeting with him twice – including a Zoom call with OL coach Kevin Carberry. Meinerz would be an immediate starter at center in the event that Austin Blythe doesn’t return, making this a good value pick for Los Angeles.

103. Georgia ILB Monty Rice

Inside linebacker might be the Rams’ most pressing need, and LSU’s Jabril Cox would be an ideal prospect at No. 57. But he was taken at 42 by Dallas, so I settled in and waited for Rice to fall in Round 3. Rice doesn’t have the coverage skills or explosiveness that Cox does, but he’s athletic enough and is sufficient in coverage. Despite being a third-round pick in this scenario, Rice would be a Day 1 starter for the Rams. They can't head into the season with the same group of linebackers as last season. Playmakers are needed and Rice is an underrated one.

142. LSU CB Kary Vincent Jr.

Thomas Graham Jr. was an option at No. 88, but I decided to wait on a cornerback in favor of a linebacker (Rice). Vincent fell to No. 142 and he offers a good skill set for both the slot and safety. He played corner and safety at LSU and though he’s somewhat undersized at 5-foot-10, he’s quick enough to cover the slot and possesses plenty of athleticism. Vincent would compete with David Long Jr. and potentially Terrell Burgess as the starting slot corner, while also contributing some at safety if needed. As a fourth-rounder, Vincent brings good upside if put in the right situation.

209. Iowa WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette

The Rams have met with Smith-Marsette in the pre-draft process, showing interest in the speedy wide receiver and return specialist. He has excellent downfield speed, good size (6-foot-2) and can contribute as a punt returner, possessing a high ceiling for a likely Day 3 pick. In college, he averaged 14.7 yards per catch with 14 touchdowns, and also rushed 34 times for 274 yards and four scores. His versatility and potential will be tough to match at this point in the draft for a team that doesn’t have a pressing need at wide receiver. But he can take over the deep-threat role from DeSean Jackson in 2022 and possibly replace Nsimba Webster as the primary returner.

252. Florida State OLB Janarius Robinson

Robinson will likely get drafted earlier than this simply because of his raw athleticism and frame. He’s 6-foot-5 and 266 pounds, with 35 3/8-inch arms and a massive 87-inch wingspan. Those measurables alone should get him drafted in at least the fifth or sixth round, but stranger things have happened. His production at FSU was unimpressive, with just 20.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 34 career games. His ceiling is relatively high if he can refine his pass-rushing skills, but his floor is also on the lower side because he’s raw and an unfinished product.

Recap

What is the Rams’ plan at inside linebacker for 2021? (yahoo.com)
What is the Rams’ plan at inside linebacker for 2021?
Cameron DaSilva

Although the first wave of free agency is already in the books, the Los Angeles Rams still have plenty of opportunities to bolster their roster before the regular season begins in September.There are free agents to sign, prospects to draft and players to acquire via trade, but the Rams have yet to make a single move at inside linebacker.

They haven’t been linked to any free agents at that position, nor have they been reported to have met with any linebacker prospects. That doesn’t mean they haven’t looked into adding help to the linebacker corps, but it doesn’t seem to be a high priority for the front office.

This has made some wonder what the Rams’ plan is heading into the 2021 season. Are they going to roll with the same group as last season? Is Travin Howard going to become a starter after he was slated to be one in 2020? Will the draft bring notable reinforcements?

All of these are very possible for Los Angeles, given the way its defense is built. Despite getting subpar play from Micah Kiser, Kenny Young and Troy Reeder a year ago, the Rams still had the NFL’s No. 1 defense. That has to count for something, and it’s probably why the front office didn’t go out and sign Kyle Van Noy, Denzel Perryman or Christian Kirksey.

As unimpressive as the Rams’ linebackers were at times, all had their flashes of potential. Reeder had a three-sack game, Kiser won Defensive Player of the Week and Young had a pick-six. That doesn’t mean they should be locks to play significant snaps next season, but the Rams obviously see something in them to deprioritize the position in free agency.

There are still players out there who could fit with the Rams, such as K.J. Wright, Kwon Alexander and Avery Williamson. All should come relatively cheap, even by the Rams’ standards.

But in all likelihood, Les Snead and the front office are waiting for the draft. It’s a somewhat deep class at linebacker, with plenty of athletic and rangy prospects available on Day 2. Jabril Cox, Jamin Davis, Monty Rice, Chazz Surratt, and Justin Hilliard could all be options for the Rams in the second or third rounds, and all of them would be potential Day 1 starter.

If they add one of those rookies, it’s not unreasonable to think they could pair him with a player such as Reeder, Young, Kiser, or Howard. Reeder and Kiser are better run defenders than they are in coverage, so ideally, the Rams would add a rangy coverage linebacker as a compliment. Or, they could bring in a thumper to pair with Howard, who’s a former safety and has promising pass-defense skills. They have options available, it’s just a matter of which path the front office wants to take – or which way their draft board falls.

Regardless, it’s hard to imagine the Rams going into Week 1 without drafting at least one linebacker or signing one in free agency. They need talent in the middle of their defense and shouldn’t rely on the holdovers from 2020 to improve next season.

There's hope for us, @Juggs ! Dude has kicked 60 yarders in college...

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This article was posted today people here should find it pretty interesting its a 7 round mock draft for the Rams that gives an idea how they could fill up some of the holes left on the roster in the upcoming draft. If this is the wrong location for this feel free to move it.

-MT

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7-round Rams mock draft: Finding starters at OLB, C and ILB

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Cameron DaSilva


March 29, 2021 9:50 am



The 2021 NFL draft is just a month away as we change gears from free agency to the six draft picks the Los Angeles Rams have this year. They have needs at edge rusher, inside linebacker, center, cornerback and along the defensive line, with depth needed at other positions, too.
Using Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator, I put together my first seven-round projection for the Rams. There were no trades involved in this mock, standing pat at each of the team’s six draft slots to show which prospects could be options along the way.
I found potential starters at outside linebacker, center, inside linebacker and cornerback, as well as a return specialist with high upside as a wide receiver. So let’s get to the picks.

57. Texas OLB Joseph Ossai


(Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Despite re-signing Leonard Floyd, the Rams still need pass-rush help. Justin Hollins, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Terrell Lewis may not be enough to get the job done on the other side at OLB, especially given Okoronkwo and Lewis’ injury histories.
Ossai is one of the better pass rushers in the class and he’s a fringe first-round prospect. There’s a chance he won’t even make it to the Rams’ pick at 57, but if he does, they shouldn’t pass him up. He has the size and athleticism you want in an edge rusher, and in the last two seasons, he had 29 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. Ossai should be a target in the second round if available.


88. Wisconsin-Whitewater OL Quinn Meinerz


Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
To be honest, taking Meinerz at No. 57 was a consideration because there’s a decent chance he’ll be a second-round pick. The small-school prospect is gaining momentum in this class as one of the top centers, with the versatility to play guard, too.
The Rams are among the teams interested in him, meeting with him twice – including a Zoom call with OL coach Kevin Carberry. Meinerz would be an immediate starter at center in the event that Austin Blythe doesn’t return, making this a good value pick for Los Angeles.

103. Georgia ILB Monty Rice


(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Inside linebacker might be the Rams’ most pressing need, and LSU’s Jabril Cox would be an ideal prospect at No. 57. But he was taken at 42 by Dallas, so I settled in and waited for Rice to fall in Round 3. Rice doesn’t have the coverage skills or explosiveness that Cox does, but he’s athletic enough and is sufficient in coverage.
Despite being a third-round pick in this scenario, Rice would be a Day 1 starter for the Rams. They can’t head into the season with the same group of linebackers as last season. Playmakers are needed and Rice is an underrated one.


142. LSU CB Kary Vincent Jr.


Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Thomas Graham Jr. was an option at No. 88, but I decided to wait on a cornerback in favor of a linebacker (Rice). Vincent fell to No. 142 and he offers a good skill set for both the slot and safety. He played corner and safety at LSU and though he’s somewhat undersized at 5-foot-10, he’s quick enough to cover the slot and possesses plenty of athleticism.
Vincent would compete with David Long Jr. and potentially Terrell Burgess as the starting slot corner, while also contributing some at safety if needed. As a fourth-rounder, Vincent brings good upside if put in the right situation.


209. Iowa WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette


The Rams have met with Smith-Marsette in the pre-draft process, showing interest in the speedy wide receiver and return specialist. He has excellent downfield speed, good size (6-foot-2) and can contribute as a punt returner, possessing a high ceiling for a likely Day 3 pick.
In college, he averaged 14.7 yards per catch with 14 touchdowns, and also rushed 34 times for 274 yards and four scores.
His versatility and potential will be tough to match at this point in the draft for a team that doesn’t have a pressing need at wide receiver. But he can take over the deep-threat role from DeSean Jackson in 2022 and possibly replace Nsimba Webster as the primary returner.

252. Florida State OLB Janarius Robinson


(AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
Robinson will likely get drafted earlier than this simply because of his raw athleticism and frame. He’s 6-foot-5 and 266 pounds, with 35 3/8-inch arms and a massive 87-inch wingspan. Those measurables alone should get him drafted in at least the fifth or sixth round, but stranger things have happened.
His production at FSU was unimpressive, with just 20.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 34 career games. His ceiling is relatively high if he can refine his pass-rushing skills, but his floor is also on the lower side because he’s raw and an unfinished product.

I know that many will see this as controversial, because we debated whether Wolford would be a better starter than Goff.

With Saffold as QB, the debate of Wolford as starting QB have ended.

So how do we see Wolford as the backup?

To stir the pot, I will say that I think Bortles in 2019 was a better backup than Wolford in 2020.

Meaning, if Saffold goes down, I don’t see Wolford as the answer.



Have at me.

Jackson says coming home to LA is like when Lebron went back to Cleveland.
Not sure comparing yourself to maybe the greatest player of all time is a good move. We might be getting ahead of ourselves a bit.

Matthew Stafford can cement legacy in Los Angeles

Matthew Stafford is going to set career-highs in just about every category this season.

We know this because, if all goes according to plan, he's going to play a career-high 17 games in 2021.

But on a per-game basis, is there reason to believe the 33-year-old's best football is ahead of him in Los Angeles?

Sean McVay and Les Snead must think so.

And for many of the reasons discussed below, so do I.

But the primary reason I'm enthusiastic about the blockbuster move the Rams made before the Super Bowl doesn't have anything to do with Stafford. It has to do with a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Aaron's Era

Aaron Donald will turn 30 before the Rams see the field together again. He's an athletic marvel, and I venture into this discussion very hesitantly and humbly, fully expecting him to earn another six straight First-Team All-Pro honors.

Donald is under contract for four more years, by which time he'll have played his age 33 season, and realistically, I think that horizon is a fair approximation of what can be considered his prime.

Might he wreak havoc into his mid-and-late 30s? Sure.

However, the only man to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year after his 34th birthday was Reggie White in 1998 at 37-years-old.

If you can get better while Donald is still generating MVP discussion, and especially if you can get better at quarterback, I think it's incumbent upon the Rams to do so. Because his replacement isn't on the horizon, and even if he was, the likelihood of drafting said player is slim-to-none.

Clearly, this urgency isn't lost on the Rams.

Postseason Proof

"But Stafford's never won a playoff game," says the peanut gallery.

It's a bit paradoxical for a team that's in a Super Bowl window to be attempting to capitalize with a signal-caller who is 0-3 career in the postseason.

In fairness to Stafford, his last opportunity predates Harry and Meghan's engagement, and all three career chances were as the road team in the Wild Card round.

Andrew Whitworth hadn't won a playoff game before coming to Los Angeles, either, and that's worked out swimmingly.

Kneel Before The Comeback King

Perhaps Stafford's greatest attribute is his ability to steal victory from the jaws of defeat.

An astounding 42 percent of his career wins have been earned via fourth-quarter comebacks (31 out of 74), and no player has more such wins since Stafford's name was called atop the 2009 Draft.

While that's a welcome club to have in the bag, the goal for Stafford as a Ram should be to finish more games in victory formation than in the two-minute drill.

The Long Game

It was recently reported that Stafford played through a laundry list of wear and tear last season. And I asked Stafford how it feels to be seen as injury-prone, despite playing 16 games in nine of his 12 professional seasons, including all but one since 2011.

"Everybody out there is dealing with something," he said on the Rams Revealed podcast. "I'm excited to feel good going into this season and hopefully stay clean, stay healthy and help our team score a bunch of points."

Stafford confirmed that he'll be ready physically for whatever off-season program may come, and certainly training camp. To his point, as he joins forces with a contender, it should be stressed that his objective as a Ram is to be available for January and February. If some recalibrating needs to be done to prioritize protecting himself at the expense of a down, here's hoping that a change of scenery reinforces the need to play the long game in Los Angeles.

Great Expectations

So what are fair expectations of Stafford in his debut season in Horns?

To start, I'll take the under on his career-best total of 41 touchdowns in 2011, for a few reasons.

First, Jared Goff's 2018 was the closest approximation of this offense's apotheosis, and he passed for 32 touchdowns that season.

Second, if the Rams defense is even nearly as productive as they were a season ago, time and score may not necessitate putting up 30-plus points to win most weeks.

Thirdly, if Cam Akers and the running game deliver like we expect, 41 passing scores is a big number. Despite being an average offense in 2020, the Rams rushed for more touchdowns (19) than the scoring champion, Green Bay (16). They've averaged nearly 20 per season since McVay was hired.

What I'd be enthused about statistically is if Stafford can keep his interception percentage below 2.0, as he has for five consecutive seasons, and if he can set a new high-water mark for ANY/A (adjusted net yards per pass attempt).

But if I'm making a prediction for his traditional stat line in 2021, assuming 17 games?

67% completion | 4,900 yards | 35 touchdowns | 12 interceptions

MVP?

Would that be enough to catapult him into the NFL MVP conversation?

Depends on the Rams record, of course. But I wouldn't be surprised.

It's certainly not on Stafford's mind.

"Obviously, at the quarterback position, if you play well, your team's got a better chance of winning games. And when your team wins, people talk about you more," he said. "I'm not worried about all that kind of stuff. I'm just going to go out there and try to play as good of football as I can, put up a bunch of points for this offense, and cheer on what's a heck of a defense."

Best In West?

Whether or not he can outperform Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers, it's not an outrageous position for the Rams to feel like they now have the best quarterback in the division.

Russell Wilson is more accomplished and statistically impressive; no one is arguing otherwise.

But Wilson against the Rams and Wilson against the rest of the NFL are two different quarterbacks, and in that context, I think it's perfectly legitimate to say, "Give me McVay and Stafford and I'll take my chances."

As an aside, it's also remarkable that there was a time this off-season – and that time still might come – when Kyler Murray could have been the only returning quarterback in the West.

Help Him Help You

This isn't just about Stafford making Los Angeles better, though.

I think we all believe that Sean McVay and the Rams can bring out the best the quarterback has to offer.

Mike Golic, Jr. summarized this as succinctly as anyone in the wake of the trade, delineating all the things we know improve the performance of NFL quarterbacks and how McVay's Rams have stayed on the leading edge.

From pre-snap motion to play-action diet to some of the best in the world at scheming and executing yards after the catch, there's ample reason to believe Stafford is one of the off-season's biggest individual winners.

That, as much as anything, is why Stafford's best might be ahead of him, not behind in Detroit.

Can't Spell Legacy Without "L.A."

Which begs the question: How long is the horizon for Stafford and the Rams?

Let's take the optimistic view that the plan comes to fruition and the longtime Lion delivers the best quarterback play the Rams have enjoyed since returning to Los Angeles.

While his contract covers 2021 and 2022, it's hard to imagine both sides wouldn't want to extend the relationship so long as that championship window is open.

Would there be another proven commodity available at quarterback to steward the rest of Donald's prime (and that of Jalen Ramsey, for that matter)? If and when McVay ever drafts a quarterback, would he be groomed and ready by 2023?

Would Stafford want to transition to a new system for his late-30s? Or would the thought of retiring as the all-time passing leader of two different franchises be appealing? What might an All-Pro nod, an MVP honor, and especially a ring do for his standing within this Golden Era of quarterbacks?

Those are questions without concrete answers, of course. But they frame the next two seasons for the Rams, as well as Stafford's opportunity to improve his legacy.

ROUND TWO


OFF THE BOARD
Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma
Quinn Meinerz,G/C, Wisconsin Whitewater
Liam Eichenberg, T, Notre Dame

TRADE: Rams trade their 2nd round selection (#57) to the Cleveland Browns for their 2nd round choice (#59) & the 5th round choice (#159) obtained from the Rams for Austin Corbett. Browns jump ahead of rival Ravens.

2-59) Jabril Cox, LB, LSU 6'2 7/8", 235 (from Browns)
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Former Ram S John Johnson wouldn't have had to spend so much time in the box if the Rams had a LB who offered anything in coverage. Cox is a playmaking LB capable making up for that loss with a bigger body, and fulfills what may be Snead's Senior Bowl requirement (38.5 TFLs, 15 sacks, 26 passes defended and four fumble recoveries in 55 career games).

3-88) Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford, 6'1" 198
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Darious Williams will be an UFA next year. David Long Jr. hasn't shown much yet. And if Ramsey ever gets hurt, the secondary is toast. Here the Rams select a 2020 Opt-out who has good size, speed, and playmaking abilty (8 interceptions and 24 passes defensed in two seasons). His HC Shaw believes that had he played a full season, he'd be a 1st rounder.

3-103) Kendrick Green, G/C, Illinois, 6'4" 315
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Here we have a converted DT who has started 33 straight games during his final 3 seasons (29 at guard, 4 at center). Green didn't allow a sack last season and is very good run blocker. If he wasn't, he probably should have been on Feldman's Annual Freak List after his 4.85/40 and 35 1/2" VJ during his Pro Day.

4-141) Jaylen Moore, OT, Western Michigan 6'4 1/8 311
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Rams go back to Senior Bowl here for the other Western Michigan prospect not named Eskridge. Moore a potential future replacement for Whitworth and his 33 3/8" Arms & 10 3/4" Hands is said to have enjoyed a really good week of practices.

5-159) Jalen Camp, WR, Georgia Tech, 6'2" 226 (from Browns)
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Now here's a kid who was on Feldman's Annual Freak List. IMO, the Rams will be making a HUGE mistake if they don't provide Stafford a large WR target capable of going up and making contested catches. Camp (and his 4.43/40) provides the team this with his size, vertical (40 inches), and strength (30 reps of 225) for blocking and making these down field and red zone catches Stafford got from Megatron and Golliday. If he makes it to this spot he'd be a great 5th WR as he's already and accomplished experienced special teams contributor.

6-209) Avery Williams, PR/CB, Boise State
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Special teams freaking matter!!! And this team has needed a quality return specialist since McVay got here and this kid may be the best in the country with 9 TD (6 on punts, 3 on kickoffs). One of the strongest pound for pound players on his team, Williams can also be the team's 5th CB.

7-252) Ben Mason, FB/TE/H-Back, Michigan 6-2, 246
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Going back to the Senior Bowl again. My hope is that new OLine Coach and running game coordinator Carberry can impress upon McVay to add someone like this to the roster. Great blocker. Another core special teams player. He can catch and can potentially even be a physical short yardage runner which is probably a need now that Malcolm Brown is gone.

Oweh at 6'5" 256 pounds ran a 4.36 40. 39.5 vertical and an 11'2" long jump

Last year Isaiah Simmons was the first linebacker since 2003 to record a 38" plus vertical and over 11' in the broad jump and sub 4.40 40 yard dash while weighing 230 plus pounds.

Crazy athletic.



Micah Parsons ran a 4.39 forty

Let’s review recent reports and speculation...

Rams had a mysterious departure of coach Kromer, and rather late in the offseason, at that. Kinda implies a conflict with McVay regarding OL methods and results.

Rams hire a college OL coach in Carberry. McVay seemed excited about the hire, not unlike when he hired Staley the previous year. Implies that ‘new thinking’ regarding OL might be in store.

Rams trade for new QB Stafford. Wouldn’t an improved OL be a great thing for a new QB? One that allows McVay to ‘open his entire playbook’?

Blythe is allowed to walk and no new vet is added as of late March. This surprisingly leaves Rams with glaring hole at C entering draft, something Snead HATES.

Jourdan reports that her Ram sources have hinted that 3 new OL players will probably be brought in, and Jourdan is a very well connected Ram reporter. What to think?

Rumors were swirling about Rams desire to go to more ‘inside power blocking’ and away from ‘outside zone’ blocking on their OL.

Good Center prospects will be there at Rams picks on Day 2, so is it Rams’ plan to simply draft their new starting C and throw him into the fire? That doesn’t seem like typical McVay thinking.

Or are the Rams so confident in their Center bench that they intend to promote one to starter status? Allen, Anchrum, Shelton, or Corbett? Goodness, what a ballsy move THAT would be for the brand new OL coach out of Stanford. Yet the current Rams C posture seems to hint that they might.

Here’s another off the wall thought I read from another poster (BonifayRam). That perhaps the Rams are intending to execute a prearranged player-for-player trade to acquire their starting Center? A non-Center starting OL player (Hav, for example?) for the new starting Center? Perhaps even as late as draft day to possibly catch other teams by surprise?

Lots to think about from the above, huh? I had previously thought that I could kinda predict Rams Center strategy, but anymore I have to say that I can possibly seem them going in 4-5 different directions.

I have immense confidence in Rams FO to have a plan for possessing a quality Center starter for this ‘new’ 2021 Offense. They’ve earned that over the last 4 years.

Sure hope they get this right.

The NFC West figures to be interesting again... We are mostly queued up for the draft, with all 4 teams legitimately in the mix.

Our Rams and Stafford. Returning a strong team. Clearly the favorite team around here.

Seattle has been mostly quiet, but seem poised to make a run draft day on offensive linemen to pasify Wussell. Or will they? Always tough, Seattle is maybe weaker now than in many years? Or at least the tension with Wussell seems to point to potential problems on the horizon.

Arizona seems to be going all-in with some aging players, strengthening their offensive line considerably on paper. But, there is a look of desperation with some of their moves... this team feels all about “how hot they start”. Start hot, they probably hang around and could be good... start cold... they crumple up and need to start over. Lots of dice rolled here. Big year for their regime.

SF is making a big move at QB. That’s worth watching. Big decision coming for them; get it right and they will be tough for years to come. Get it wrong, they will be hurting to recover. With 40 some odd free agents, this team figures to look a lot different in 2021 one way or another.

It sure looks like these 4 teams will be at least “good” in 2021. No cake walks. The draft should only add to the potential of each.

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Preface: As of this time, we know all of the FA losses and resignings. With restructures done and possible restructure or extension for Matt Stafford, could leave the Rams with approx. 12-Mil in Cap space for a couple mid to lower tier FA’s. In this scenario, the Rams do not resign Austin Blythe.

Cut:

Pre-June 1 - Brian Allen, Kenny Young, Nasimba Webster, Justin Lawler, Kendal Blanton, Brandon Wright



Outside FA’s:

Center – Ben Garland (49ers)


Garland was cut by the 49ers. He is 6’5” – 305 lbs. He started 5 games last season. Played approx. 333 snaps, 1 penalty and no sacks allowed. He will be the veteran to anchor the starting job while the rookie learns the ropes. He signs a 1 year deal for 2.5-mil


ILB – LJ Fort (Ravens)

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Fort will provide an upgrade in terms of production at the ILB position. He has graded out much higher than any of the existing Ram ILB’s. And, he has decent coverage skills making him a valuable 3-down LB. He will basically take Kenny Young’s spot. Rams should be balanced with 2 early down LB’s in Reeder and Kiser, and (2) coverage LB’s in Fort & Howard. I don’t see the Rams using any draft picks for this position. His salary has been in the 2.5-Mil range, so a 3 year deal with a heavy bonus that can be prorated would be in the works. This signing should not impact the Rams Comp pick plan.



DL / 5T - Shamar Stephens (Vikings)


Stephens was recently cut by the Vikings. He played DT in their even front but at 6’5” – 310 lbs, should replace the size we lost at DE when Brockers was traded to Detroit. He agrees to a 1-yr Cap friendly deal.




Player Trade:

Rams send Rob Havenstein

Vikings send 4th Rnd (#117)


Draft:

Trade :

(trade up)

Rams send #57, 2022 3rd

Jaguars send #45


(trade up)

Rams send #88, #119, 2022 4th

Browns sends #59


(trade down)

Rams send #103

Chargers send #118, #159


Rams own 7 selections after trades

Rnd 2 pick #45 Center Creed Humphrey (Oklahoma)

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Humphrey is a known entity at this stage of the pre-draft process. I can only add that I think he is arguably the most stout in Pass Pro of all Centers in this class. And, after his Pro Day, he showed he can move in space as well as any O-lineman. His 5-10-5 shuttle, @ 4.46, was faster than his teammate Tre Norwoood (Safety) 4.50, and would’ve been #1 of all the O-lineman from the 2020 Combine.



Rnd 2 pick #59 Safety Hamsah Nasirildeen (Florida St)

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Nasirildeen is not only my favorite player in the draft, he may end up being the most impactful. He is 6’4” – 220lbs. He can play like a LB or play in space with good range. He can take over for John Johnson and IMO, be an upgrade at the Strong Safety position. He was outstanding in coverage against TE’s and RB’s during Senior Bowl week. In addition to his size and length he creates turnovers.


Rnd 4 pick #118 DL - Cam Sample (Tulane)

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Sample turned heads at the Senior Bowl. He was un-blockable in most 1-on-1 reps. He is 6’3” – 275 lbs and will fill the role that Morgan Fox had as a situational pass rusher.

Rnd 4 pick #141 CB (slot) Tre Brown (Oklahoma)

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Brown stands at 5’9-3/4” – 188 lbs. He was one of the best CB’s at the Senior bowl. He is sticky in coverage and even intercepted a couple passes as seen in the Senior Bowl video highlight. He ran a 4.40 /40 at his Pro Day, and has experience returning kicks.


Rnd 5 pick #159 WR – Josh Imatorbhebhe (Illinios)

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Josh transferred from USC to Illinois to play for Lovie Smith. He good size and strength for a wideout ; 6’2” – 220 lbs. He has decent speed, 4.45/ 40. But where he shines is contested balls. He has great body control going up and combating a defender for the ball. At his Pro Day, his vertical jump of 46.5” would’ve been an all time record at the Combine ; he outjumped the measurement stand. As Snead mentioned, the Rams may be looking for a player who can out-muscle and/or out-jump a defender for ball down field. Imatorbhebhe has the skill set to do it.



Rnd 6 pick #205 TE – Shaun Beyer (Iowa)

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Beyer is a bit of an enigma. He has been stuck behind some players on the depth chart like George Kittle, Noah Fant, and TJ Hockenson. He has good size at 6’5” – 246 lbs. He is a former WR. Because of this, he has better than average burst off the LOS, and is a good hands catcher. He also has been well coached in blocking. He has a good feel for Zone blocking, and seals off well as a down blocker. There isn’t a lot of production go on with Beyer, but his athleticism is easy to see.



Rnd 7 pick #248 CB - Antonio Phillips ( Ball St)

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Phillips is a well rounded football player. He has good production in pass defense ; 7 INT’s, 15 PD’s in 3 seasons. In addition, he is a willing tackler who shows good form. He has the size to play the boundary if a teammate like D. Williams or J. Ramsey are forced inside with man coverage. He has above average recovery speed. In one of the D’Wayne Eskridge highlights, he catches Eskridge down the left sideline after a long gain, chasing from the other side of the field. He will make a good gunner on specials teams.


Roster:

Offense-

QB- Matt Stafford, John Wolford

RB- Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson, Xavier Jones

WR- Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, DeSean Jackson Van Jefferson, Josh Imatorbhebhe

TE- Tyler Higbee, Johnny Mundt, Brycen Hopkins, Shaun Beyer

OL- Andrew Whitworth, Ben Garland, Creed Humphrey, Austin Corbett, Joseph Noteboom, David Edwards, Bobby Evans, Chandler Brewer, Tremane Anchrum

1st team: Whitworth (LT), Edwards (LG), Garland (C), Corbett (RG), Noteboom / Evans (RT)

Defense-

DL- Aaron Donald, Joseph-Day, Shamar Stephen, A’Shawn Robinson, Cam Sample, Greg Gaines

OLB- Leonard Floyd, Terell Lewis, Obo Okoronkwo, Justin Hollins

ILB- Micah Kiser, Troy Reeder, LJ Fort Travin Howard,

CB- Jalen Ramsey, Darious Williams, David Long, Tre Brown, Dante Deayon, Antonio Phillips

Safety- Taylor Rapp, Hamsah Nasirildeen, Jordan Fuller, Terrell Burgess, Nick Scott

I don’t like most mocks I see from the draft pros, but I do think I’d hate this, as long as Myers could stay at Center.


57. Aaron Robinson Corner UCF
88. OSA Odighizuwa Edge USC
103. Josh Myers Center Ohio State
141. Hamilcar Rashad Jr. Oregon State

Of course they rushed a draft to highlight the Niners first pick. These guys wouldn’t be my first choices but not bad

Well, I consider our offseason to be mostly done with the addition of Desean Jackson and eventually re-signing Darious Williams. So all that's left are two trades. Let's count them down, shall we?

Trades:

#57 overall pick to the Cleveland Browns for #89 and #91 overall.

(Cleveland moves up to select a falling interior defensive lineman, while we trade back for more assets this year.)

Rob Havenstein to the Tennessee Titans for #85 overall.

(Tennessee swung and missed with Isaiah Wilson, and they'll desperately need an offensive tackle aside from Lewan, who suffered an ACL tear in the midpoint of last season. Havenstein can't replace Lewan, but given that the Titans need offensive tackle help, they'll probably give a third for a sure thing.)

Okay, now that that's done...time for the draft:

Draft:

#85 overall (Titans) - Dylan Moses, ILB, Alabama. (6'1", 235 lbs.)

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(Moses was a first round prospect who struggled in 2020 after an ACL surgery in 2019 that cost him the whole season. He's smaller than expected and simply wasn't the same player he was in 2018. But 2018 Moses was one of the top inside linebackers in the game, with sideline-to-sideline speed, excellent coverage, and fearsome physicality. Maybe we get that Moses, much like I still believe that Terrell Lewis will eventually shine.)

#88 overall - Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame. (6'4", 248 lbs.)

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(Tremble has been in the shadow of a couple of Notre Dame tight ends: first Cole Kmet, and now two freshman last year whose names I don't know. He hasn't gotten many opportunities, as a result. But he's a fantastic blocker, has solid hands, and has underrated speed. He'd be a fantastic get at this point.)

#89 overall (Browns) - Dayo Odeyingbo, OLB, Vanderbilt. (6'6", 265 lbs.)

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(Odeyingbo is a moldable piece of clay for us. He's adept at both rushing the passer and defending against the run, has length and speed, and has amazing versatility; he has been in 4-3s and 3-4s alike in various roles, including a 3-4 pass-rusher, 4-3 end, and even defensive tackle at times. He's got a great get-off, which helps him a ton. He needs to learn how to refine his approach to rushing the passer, needs to learn moves and counter moves, but I can't think of a better teacher than Coach Henderson. This could be a pick that changes our edge rushers.)

#91 overall (Browns) - Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn. (6'0", 179 lbs.)

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(Given that Darden ran a 4.46, I think the Rams want to add a bit more speed in an earlier round, unfortunately (although I still like Darden, I don't see the Rams being interested in him). I don't trust Desean Jackson, I'll say it right now. I think he gets hurt, and that's when Schwartz steps in as the deep threat. And yes, he can flat out fly; that 4.26 is his speed in pads. I think he'll need a lot of work when it comes to catching the ball, and he'll never be the type who breaks tackles, but he's an underrated route runner with good enough hands.)

#103 overall (Holmes compensatory) - Walker Little, OT, Stanford. (6'7", 309 lbs.)

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(Little is controversial because of injuries and opting out of the 2020 season, but given that Stanford's old offensive line coach is here, I think he'll know enough about him to justify a pick. Little is an athletic left tackle of the future, able to mirror rushers and seal them off. While pass-protection is his strength, he happens to be a decent run blocker, able to move people out of his way. The main thing is injuries and not playing for a while.)

#141 overall - Drake Jackson, OC, Kentucky. (6'2", 285 lbs.)

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(I know that people are going to look at his weight, but others looked at Aaron Donald's weight as well. I doubt Jackson will be nearly as great, but he should still be a solid center prospect. He's built low to the ground, is extremely smart, is country strong, and while his athleticism is lacking, he has enough to suffice. I think he could end up being a solid center prospect.)

#209 overall - Mike Strachan, WR, Charleston. (6'5", 225 lbs.)

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(Strachan just ran a 4.46 at his size, had nineteen touchdowns this year, and he's garnered interest from the Giants and the Bills. He's sushi-raw, needs work on routes, and basically needs time to grow. But he could end up becoming a top flight receiver in the NFL, I really believe that.)

#252 overall - Caleb Huntley, RB, Ball State. (6'0", 226 lbs.)

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(Huntley is a battering ram of a running back who can catch the ball out of the backfield and block. He's not going to win footraces in the NFL, but he's got a role as a goal-line back who can contribute in the passing game, just like Malcolm Brown did.)

Roster: (Starters in bold, rookies in italics)

QB - Matthew Stafford, John Wolford.

RB - Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson, Caleb Huntley.

WR - Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, Desean Jackson, Anthony Schwartz, Mike Strachan.

TE - Tyler Higbee, Tommy Tremble, Brycen Hopkins, Johnny Mundt.

OL - Andrew Whitworth, David Edwards, Austin Corbett, Bobby Evans, Joseph Noteboom, Chandler Brewer, Tremayne Anchrum, Walker Little, Drake Jackson.

DL - Aaron Donald, A'Shawn Robinson, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Greg Gaines, Michael Hoecht, Jonah Williams.

LB - Leonard Floyd, Kenny Young, Micah Kiser, Justin Hollins, Terrell Lewis, Ogbonnio Okoronkwo, Dayo Odeyingbo, Dylan Moses, Travin Howard, Troy Reeder.

DB - Jalen Ramsey, Darious Williams, Jordan Fuller, Taylor Rapp, Terrell Burgess, David Long, Tyrique McGhee, J.R. Reed, JuJu Hughes, Nick Scott.

ST - Matt Gay, Johnny Hekker, Steven Wirtel.

Any thoughts are welcome.

To, who else, MIA for #12

FK ME.

Rams met with Auburn WR Anthony Schwartz, who ran 4.26 in the 40 (yahoo.com)

Rams met with Auburn WR Anthony Schwartz, who ran 4.26 in the 40
Cameron DaSilva
Thu, March 25, 2021

The Rams brought in DeSean Jackson to be their deep threat on offense, but they may not be done adding speed to their receiving corps. They’ve met with a few draft prospects who can absolutely blaze down the field, including one who might be the fastest player in the entire 2021 class.

According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, the Rams recently met with Auburn wide receiver Anthony Schwartz. At Auburn’s pro day, Schwartz ran a 4.26 in the 40-yard dash, which is incredibly fast, especially considering he’s 6-foot and 185 pounds.

He’s not a well-rounded receiver right now, but he has plenty of speed to stretch the field.
Justin M on Twitter: "An update on #Auburn WR Anthony Schwartz, who ran a blazing 4.26. He's recently met with the #Rams, #Bills, #Bengals, #Lions, #Vikings, #Ravens, #Cowboys & #Cardinals. Previously reported: #Patriots, #Seahawks, #Steelers, #Jets, #Chargers, #Colts, #Saints and #Titans." / Twitter

Here’s a look at Schwartz running his 40-yard dash, showcasing his speed.
Auburn Football on Twitter: " . unofficial for @TheRealF1ash. #WarEagle | @BBVA_USA https://t.co/FVth2pI4P9" / Twitter

Schwartz will be in the range of the Rams’ mid-round picks, potentially sneaking into the end of Day 2 as a third-round pick. Last season, he caught 54 passes for 636 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games, only averaging 11.8 yards per catch. He also carried the ball a lot at Auburn, rushing 42 times for 323 yards and seven touchdowns. As a versatile playmaker, he offers an intriguing skill set for any team that drafts him.

Justin Herron, an offensive lineman for the New England team, saved an elderly lady from sexual assault along with another man. Full story is below:

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...a-hero-after-rescuing-woman-attacked-in-park/

I realize that people may not care, but I figure that this deserves attention, especially after all of the stuff some NFL players get arrested/sued for.

Not much here we aren't already aware of, but here you go ...




Cameron DaSilva
Thu, March 25, 2021, 6:34 AM





For the most part, the Los Angeles Rams have sat on the sidelines of free agency. They’ve been inactive due to their limited cap space, which has caused them to lose players such as John Johnson, Troy Hill, Morgan Fox, Gerald Everett and Josh Reynolds.
Now that the first wave of free agency is behind us, it’s a good time to revisit the Rams’ five biggest needs at this point in the offseason. Many of them will be filled in the draft, but they could also find help in the second wave of free agency.


Inside linebacker
Nothing has changed at this position. The Rams haven't lost or cut anyone, nor have they brought anyone new in. So on paper, the top players are still Micah Kiser, Troy Reeder, Kenny Young and Travin Howard – all of whom could be starters, and all of whom could also be cut. The Rams must find help at linebacker before September because they can't go into the season with the same group that struggled last year. Expect them to address it on Day 2 of the draft if they don’t sign a bargain free agent.

Center
Austin Blythe is still available. So is Austin Reiter, as is Joe Looney. But overall, there aren’t many other center options out there. It’s surprising that the Rams are playing it so slow at this critical position, especially after Les Snead and Sean McVay talked about the importance of continuity at this spot. It still seems like the Rams will try to bring back Blythe in order to keep the offensive line together, but the longer he sits on the market, the more at risk they’ll be of losing him.


Cornerback
The Rams weren’t able to re-sign Troy Hill, who followed John Johnson to the Browns. That leaves a gaping hole at cornerback, one that could potentially be filled by David Long Jr. The Rams drafted him in the third round two years ago not to be a career backup, but to eventually take over as a starter. He should have some competition for the No. 3 cornerback spot, though. The Rams were interested in Adoree’ Jackson and have met with a handful of cornerback prospects in the draft. So this remains a fairly significant need for them.


Edge rusher
The Rams’ biggest, and perhaps only splash of free agency was the re-signing of Leonard Floyd. He has been lauded as “more than an edge rusher,” contributing in a big way against the run. But his return doesn’t completely solve the Rams’ need for an edge rusher. As of now, the projected starter opposite Floyd will either be Justin Hollins, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo or Terrell Lewis. The Rams need to find a true weakside edge rusher to provide pressure on the quarterback against elite left tackles. The hope is that Lewis becomes that type of player, but he can't stay health, nor can Okoronkwo. You can never have too many pass rushers in the NFL.


Defensive line
Michael Brockers and his backup Morgan Fox are both gone after the team traded Brockers to the Lions and Fox signed with the Panthers. So the Rams now have a void to fill at defensive end – and not just atop the depth chart. A’Shawn Robinson is an option to replace Brockers, as are the defensive linemen Los Angeles kept on the practice squad last season. Ideally, the Rams will find a true pass-rushing 5-technique to play defensive end, which Brockers was not. This need is unlikely to be filled with a starter in free agency, but there are plenty of defensive linemen available in the draft who would fit well with the Rams.

I wondered if Sherman would be a fit for the Rams defense.

Terrell Davis thinks he’d be a good free agent signing. He mentioned that last year the Rams ran zone coverage about 80% of the time.

I know the big need seems to be a slot corner. That may or may not be able to be filled with Burgess. But adding a smart DB who has been to a Super Bowl (and gets his grabbing ignored regularly) could be an interesting addition.
They play a lot of dime coverage. He’s older, shouldn’t be getting paid too much.