Ellenbogen | 2018 NFL Draft Big-Board
April 22, 2018 | By: Jake Ellenbogen

The NFL Draft is less than a week away so I've finalized my big board and have decided to share it with the world. Before I unveil this I have a couple of things to point out. First, these are my based entirely on my player ratings and no one else's and second these are not where I think the players will go in this year's NFL Draft.

Top Players at each position:

QB: Lamar Jackson (7th)

RB: Saquon Barkley (1st)

WR: Dante Pettis (25th)

TE: Mike Gesicki (22nd)

OT: Tyrell Crosby (30th)

G: Quenton Nelson (2nd)

C: Frank Ragnow (15th)

DL: Maurice Hurst (13th)

EDGE: Bradley Chubb (4th)

ILB: Tremaine Edmunds (8th)

CB: Jaire Alexander (3rd)

S: Minkah Fitzpatrick (5th)

No. Pos. Player Name School
1 RB Saquon Barkley Penn State
2 G Quenton Nelson Notre Dame
3 CB Jaire Alexander Louisville
4 EDGE Bradley Chubb NC State
5 S Minkah Fitzpatrick Alabama
6 OT/OG Isaiah Wynn Georgia
7 QB Lamar Jackson Louisville
8 ILB Tremaine Edmunds Virginia Tech
9 CB Denzel Ward Ohio State
10 G Will Hernandez UTEP
11 QB Sam Darnold USC
12 QB Josh Rosen UCLA
13 DL Maurice Hurst Michigan
14 EDGE Marcus Davenport UTSA
15 C Frank Ragnow Arkansas
16 S Jessie Bates III Wake Forest
17 QB Baker Mayfield Oklahoma
18 ILB Rashaan Evans Alabama
19 RB Derrius Guice LSU
20 S Derwin James Florida State
21 EDGE Harold Landry Boston College
22 TE Mike Gesicki Penn State
23 CB Isaiah Oliver Colorado
24 DL Nathan Shepherd Fort Hays State
25 WR Dante Pettis Washington
26 RB Ronald Jones USC
27 TE Dallas Goedert South Dakota St.
28 CB Carlton Davis Auburn
29 C Billy Price Ohio State
30 OT Tyrell Crosby Oregon
31 CB Mike Hughes UCF
32 G Braden Smith Auburn
33 LB Shaquem Griffin UCF
34 ILB Roquan Smith Georgia
35 CB Joshua Jackson Iowa
36 EDGE Josh Sweat Florida State
37 RB Sony Michel Georgia
38 WR Courtland Sutton SMU
39 EDGE Dorance Armstrong Jr. Kansas
40 QB Kyle Lauletta Richmond
41 CB Holton Hill Texas
42 DL Da'Ron Payne Alabama
43 ILB Leighton Vander Esch Boise State
44 WR Antonio Callaway Florida
45 G Austin Corbett Nevada
46 EDGE Arden Key LSU
47 ILB Genard Avery Memphis
48 OT Mike McGlinchey Notre Dame
49 EDGE Uchenna Nwosu USC
50 S Jordan Whitehead Pittsburgh
51 RB Nick Chubb Georgia
52 C James Daniels Iowa
53 CB Danny Johnson Southern
54 RB Kerryon Johnson Auburn
55 ILB Darius Leonard South Carolina St.
56 TE Hayden Hurst South Carolina
57 S Terrell Edmunds Virginia Tech
58 DL Vita Vea Washington
59 CB Davontae Harris Illinois State
60 TE Tyler Conklin Central Michigan
61 DL B.J. Hill NC State
62 EDGE Duke Ejiofor Wake Forest
63 S Ronnie Harrison Alabama
64 RB Kalen Ballage Arizona State
65 WR DaeSean Hamilton Penn State
66 OT Connor Williams Texas
67 S Dane Cruikshank Arizona
68 CB M.J. Stewart North Carolina
69 OT Martinas Rankin Miss. State
70 DL Deadrin Senat South Florida
71 ILB Shaun Dion Hamilton Alabama
72 DL Andrew Brown Virginia
73 WR Christian Kirk Texas A&M
74 QB Luke Falk Washington State
75 WR D.J. Chark LSU
76 DL Taven Bryan Florida
77 ILB Tegray Scales Indiana
78 CB Nick Nelson Wisconsin
79 EDGE Sam Hubbard Ohio State
80 OT Jamarco Jones Ohio State
81 LB Josey Jewell Iowa
82 S Quin Blanding Virginia
83 G Tony Adams N.C. State
84 ILB Fred Warner BYU
85 WR Marcell Ateman Oklahoma State
86 WR Calvin Ridley Alabama
87 EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo Oklahoma
88 CB Quenton Meeks Stanford
89 RB Nyheim Hines NC State
90 S Justin Reid Stanford
91 DL Jalyn Holmes Ohio State
92 C Mason Cole Michigan State
93 OT Chukwuma Okorafor Western Michigan
94 DL Da'Shawn Hand Alabama
95 ILB Micah Kiser Virginia
96 TE Ian Thomas Indiana
97 OT Timon Parris Stony Brook
98 G Wyatt Teller Virginia Tech
99 QB Josh Allen Wyoming
100 EDGE Lorenzo Carter Georgia
101 ILB Leon Jacobs Wisconsin
102 EDGE Ola Adeniyi Toledo
103 CB J.C. Jackson Maryland
104 RB Mark Walton Miami
105 S Siran Neal Jacksonville State
106 QB Mason Rudolph Oklahoma State
107 EDGE Ade Aruna Tulane
108 CB Anthony Averett Alabama
109 S Kyzir White West Virginia
110 S Marcus Allen Penn State
111 TE Jordan Akins UCF
112 G Skyler Phillips Idaho State
113 S DeShon Elliott Texas
114 TE Durham Smythe Notre Dame
115 RB Bo Scarbrough Alabama
116 WR Deontay Burnett USC
117 OT Joseph Noteboom TCU
118 CB Donte Jackson LSU
119 WR Equanimeous St. Brown Notre Dame
120 TE Mark Andrews Oklahoma
121 OT Orlando Brown Oklahoma
122 ILB Malik Jefferson Texas
123 CB Parry Nickerson Tulane
124 S Jeremy Reaves South Alabama
125 OT Alex Cappa Humboldt St.
126 G Colby Gossett Appalachian St.
127 ILB Jerome Baker Ohio State
128 OT Cole Madison Washington St.
129 S Damon Webb Ohio State
130 WR Anthony Miller Memphis
131 CB Jalen Davis Utah State
132 CB Michael Joseph Dubuque
133 RB Ito Smith Southern Miss.
134 WR Auden Tate Florida State
135 RB Jaylen Samuels NC State
136 ILB Hercules Mata'afa Washington State
137 CB D.J. Reed Kansas State
138 WR Jaleel Scott New Mexico State
139 OT Kolton Miller UCLA
140 DL Derrick Nnadi Florida State
141 EDGE Anthony Winbush Ball State
142 OT Brian O'Neill Pittsburgh
143 EDGE Ebenezer Ogundeko Tennessee St.
144 ILB Dorian O'Daniel Clemson
145 RB Larry Rose III New Mexico State
146 TE Ryan Izzo Florida State
147 OT Desmond Harrison West Georgia
148 TE Troy Fumagalli Wisconsin
149 S Troy Apke Penn State
150 S Armani Watts Texas A&M
151 WR James Washington Oklahoma State
152 DL Folorunso Fatukasi UConn
153 ILB Marquis Haynes Ole Miss
154 EDGE Kemoko Turay Rutgers
155 CB Devron Davis UTSA
156 ILB Christian Sam Arizona State
157 QB Chase Litton Marshall
158 RB Royce Freeman Oregon
159 CB Kameron Kelly San Diego State
160 S Godwin Igwebuike Northwestern
161 OT Nick Gates Nebraska
162 RB Martez Carter Grambling State
163 TE Dalton Schultz Stanford
164 G Jamil Demby Maine
165 CB Rashaan Gaulden Tennessee
166 QB Kurt Benkert Virginia
167 EDGE Chad Thomas Miami
168 CB Christian Campbell Penn State
169 EDGE Darius Jackson Jacksonville State
170 DL Harrison Phillips Stanford
171 OT Brett Toth Army
172 WR Cedrick Wilson Boise State
173 DL Justin Jones NC State
174 ILB Oren Burks Vanderbilt
175 OT Jaryd Jones-Smith Pittsburgh
176 RB John Kelly Tennessee
177 TE Chris Herndon Miami
178 C Scott Quessenberry UCLA
179 DL Tim Settle Virginia Tech
180 DL Bilal Nichols Delaware
181 S Trayvon Henderson Hawaii
182 WR Justin Watson Penn
183 QB Logan Woodside Toledo
184 WR Darren Carrington II Utah
185 EDGE Joe Ostman Central Michigan
186 CB Avonte Maddox Pittsburgh
187 S Tray Matthews Auburn
188 ILB Azeem Victor Washington
189 DL Kahlil McKenzie Tennessee
190 G Sam Jones Arizona State
191 OT Will Richardson NC State
192 RB Rashaad Penny San Diego State
193 DL Lowell Lotulelei Utah
194 CB Darius Phillips Western Michigan
195 CB Brandon Facyson Virginia Tech
196 S Chucky Williams Louisville
197 DL Breeland Speaks Ole Miss
198 QB Chad Kanoff Princeton
199 RB Josh Adams Notre Dame
200 WR D.J. Moore Maryland
201 CB Tremon Smith Central Arkansas
202 RB Akrum Wadley Iowa
203 RB Lavon Coleman Washington
204 QB Quinton Flowers South Florida
205 WR Trey Quinn SMU
206 C Bradley Bozeman Alabama
207 EDGE JaVon Rolland-Jones Arkansas State
208 CB Isaac Yiadom Boston College
209 RB Chase Edmonds Fordham
210 WR Michael Gallup Colorado State
211 RB Trenton Cannon Virginia State
212 TE Jordan Thomas Miss. State
213 OT Aaron Stinnie James Madison
214 C Sean Welsh Iowa
215 DL PJ Hall Sam Houston
216 ILB Jack Cichy Wisconsin
217 CB Malik Reaves Villanova
218 S Jamar Summers UConn
219 G Larry Allen Jr. Harvard
220 DL Gaelin Elmore ECU
221 ILB Nick DeLuca North Dakota State
222 QB Mike White Western Kentucky
223 RB Darrel Williams LSU
224 WR Tre'Quan Smith UCF
225 TE Ben Johnson Kansas
226 DL Rasheem Green USC
227 EDGE Tyquan Lewis Ohio State
228 CB Tarvarus McFadden Florida State
229 WR Byron Pringle Kansas State
230 RB Oshamar Abercrombie Coastal Carolina
231 OT Toby Weathersby LSU
232 OT Brandon Parker NC A&T
233 C Coleman Shelton Washington
234 DL Christian LaCouture LSU
235 ILB Kenny Young UCLA
236 G K.J. Malone LSU
237 CB Duke Dawson Florida
238 S Natrell Jamerson Wisconsin
239 CB Levi Wallace Alabama
240 EDGE Jeff Holland Auburn
241 CB Kevin Tolliver II LSU
242 S Cole Reyes North Dakota
243 CB Greg Stroman Virignia Tech
244 LB Skai Moore South Carolina St.
245 LB Mike McCray Michigan
246 LB Andre Smith North Carolina
247 LB Chris Worley Ohio State
248 RB Justin Jackson Northwestern
249 WR Daurice Fountain Northern Iowa
250 G Austin Golson Auburn
251 DL Daylon Mack Texas A&M
252 EDGE Justin Lawler SMU
253 CB Dee Delaney Miami
254 OT Rod Taylor Ole Miss
255 TE Will Dissly Washington
256 RB Roc Thomas Jacksonville State
257 EDGE Jacob Pugh Florida state
258 CB Chandon Sullivan Georgia State
259 EDGE Peter Kalambayi Stanford
260 CB D'Montre Wade Murray State
261 QB Riley Ferguson Memphis
262 RB Dalyn Dawkins Colorado State
263 TE Marcus Baugh Ohio State
264 C Brian Allen Michigan State
265 DL Greg Gilmore LSU
266 QB Alex McGough Florida International
267 RB D'Angelo Brewer Tulsa
268 OT Geron Christian Louisville
269 G Tyrone Crowder Clemson
270 S Secdrick Cooper Louisiana Tech
271 RB Phillip Lindsay Colorado
272 QB Kyle Allen Houston
273 WR Jordan Lasley UCLA
274 G Taylor Hearn Clemson
275 DL JoJo Wicker Arizona State
276 EDGE Kylie Fitts Utah
277 CB JaMarcus King South Carolina
278 CB Taron Johnson Weber State
279 EDGE Trevon Young Louisville
280 WR Allen Lazard Iowa State
281 RB Kyle Hicks TCU
282 OT Rick Leonard Florida State
283 RB Ralph Webb Vanderbilt
284 FB Dimitri Flowers Oklahoma
285 RB Ryan Nall Oregon State
286 EDGE Marcell Frazier Missouri
287 CB Arrion Springs Oregon
288 G Salesi Uhatafe Utah
289 TE David Wells San Diego State
290 RB Jarvion Franklin Western Michigan
291 WR J'Mon Moore Missouri
292 WR Simmie Cobbs Jr. Indiana
293 OT David Bright Stanford
294 QB Nic Shimonek Texas Tech
295 WR Deon Cain Clemson
296 WR Keke Coutee Texas Tech
297 C Will Clapp LSU
298 QB Devante Kincade Grambling State
299 WR Korey Robertson Southern Mississippi
300 WR Deniko Carter West Georgia
301 OT Greg Senat Wagner
302 G KC McDermott Miami
303 WR Devin Gray Cincinnati
304 RB D'Ernest Johnson South Florida
305 G Wilson Bell Auburn
306 ILB Davin Bellamy Georgia
307 ILB Joel Iyiegbuniwe Western Kentucky
308 ILB Jason Cabinda Penn State
309 OT Matthew Gono Wesley College
310 WR Jeff Bedet Oklahoma
311 TE Ethan Wolf Tennessee
312 DL Sebastian Joseph Rutgers
313 WR Richie James Middle Tennessee State
314 WR Braxton Berrios Miami
315 OT Joe Kupcikevicious Azusa Pacific
316 G Kyle Bosch West Virginia
317 ILB Chris Covington Indiana
318 CB Tony Brown Alabama
319 CB Ranthony Texada TCU
320 RB Justin Crawford West Virginia
321 WR Devonte Boyd UNLV
322 G Cory Helms South Carolina
323 DL Scott Pagano Oregon
324 ILB Garret Dooley Wisconsin
325 RB Jeffrey Wilson North Texas
326 WR Jester Weah Pittsburgh
327 QB Brandon Silvers Troy
328 WR Jake Wieneke South Dakota State
329 G Cody O'Connell Washington State
330 RB Jalin Moore Appalachian State
331 RB Terry Swanson Toledo
332 WR Robert Foster Alabama
333 RB James Butler Iowa
334 RB Jordan Chunn Troy
335 QB Matt Linehan Idaho
336 WR Regis Cibasu Unversite de Montreal
337 G Viane Talamaivao USC
338 G Nico Falah USC
339 CB Charvarius Ward Middle Tennessee
340 CB Tyrin Holloway Northern Iowa
341 WR Brandon Norwood Florida A&M
342 S Lucas Webb Chattanooga
343 WR Davon Grayson East Carolina
344 QB Austin Allen Arkansas
345 WR Javon Wims Georgia
346 G Connor Hilland Willam & Mary
347 WR Taj Williams TCU
348 QB Patrick O'Brien Catawba
349 WR Cam Phillips Virginia Tech
350 WR Steve Ismael Syracuse

What are your thoughts on this big board? Leave them below and let me know how you might have done it differently.

With the draft kicking off Thursday and no anticipated (Rams) selection until late Friday night...

What are your plans? Normal draft plans?

I plan to watch normally, however it runs late Thursday night where I live and I could see a scenario that I miss the back end of round 1 live.

I would not want to be drafting a QB this year. Several guys I like, but it’s a plate of scrambled eggs (Darnold feels safest to me).

So with the water that murky... I really struggle to rank this group and there is a high number projected to go in the 1st.

In what order do you put them?

Here’s mine;
Sam Darnold
Baker Mayfield
Josh Rosen
Josh Allen
Mason Rudolph
Lamar Jackson

Between Baker and the 2 Josh’s, I could slot those in any sequence 2-4 just by waffling and debating. But, pinned down... that’s my sequence.

I do not like Lamar Jackson, as a passer. I get the appeal and excitement about his potential, but he’s too risky for me.

Again; glad we don’t need a QB.

Dude posted a picture of them too and Demoff was flying coach. I'd thought he would be in 1st class? Anyway, I like what he had to say:

Just boarded a plane from Atlanta to L.A and Kevin Demoff is on my flight! So Here's the scoop, I spoke with Kevin for about 30 minutes one on one, and here's what I took away from our conversation. Not to worry about AD, he will be taken care of, Cooks will be signed long term as well, the newly acquired one year contracts from free agency will also be aggressive in keeping them over several year extensions. Whitworth loves being a Ram and has no current intentions of retiring anytime soon. Dez Bryant wanted to be a Ram but the Rams said, thanks but no thanks. OBJ was never in the conversation. The team is looking to keep the practice and training facilities in the Thousand Oaks area even after the new stadium is built. The area is well liked by the players, coaches and office personnel. The new uniforms will have no more St. Louis Gold at all, rather a combination of the Canary yellow, Royal Blue and white. Not sure of the design as of yet, NFL is working with Nike to hopefully have them out by 2019 season, but probably looking at 2020 season release. Kevin was a very down to earth guy, really emphasized the team is pushed to build a hi caliber team for the city and fans. The team really took note of the huge Rams crowd at the Falcons playoff game and wants to make it like that at all the home games. He feels our team is positioned to be a serious contender for at least the next five years. He's very excited about the future of the L.A. Rams! If I can remember anything else I will let you know. Go Rams!

Well, with the Draft this week, this will be my final mock. Just to make it clear, I am not trying to project what the Rams will do. Rather, I am letting you know what I would do if I were in Les Snead's shoes. Sometimes, Snead agrees with me. Sometimes, he does not. Shaquem Griffin was drafted before our pick in this Mock. He's the top guy on my board for our 3rd round pick.

Trade
Arizona Cardinals trade Round 3 Pick #33 and Round 4 Pick #34
Rams trade Round 3 Pick #23

NFL Draft
Round 3 Pick #33 - Geron Christian OT Louisville
Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxEOhChmQbk


Round 4 Pick #11 - Jeff Holland OLB Auburn
Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkzzTPeHBpQ


Round 4 Pick #34 - Jack Cichy ILB Wisconsin
Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTirt1ZQFI4


Round 4 Pick #35 - Dorian O'Daniel ILB Clemson
Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zitoqFgGMy4


Round 4 Pick #36 - Jamil Demby OG Maine
Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Woh5QCIYBz0


Round 6 Pick #2 - Desmond Harrison OT West Georgia
Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zZaO_TpMYo


Round 6 Pick #9 - Tony Adams C/OG N.C. State
Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JhYeqHA2Ik


Round 6 Pick #20 - Logan Woodside QB Toledo
Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kMKXWITxH8


Round 6 Pick #21 - Phillip Lindsay HB Colorado
Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoX1ei9hh0M


Projected Starters
QB: Jared Goff
HB: Todd Gurley
WR: Brandin Cooks
WR: Robert Woods
WR: Cooper Kupp
TE: Gerald Everett
LT: Andrew Whitworth
LG: Rodger Saffold
C: John Sullivan
RG: Jamon Brown
RT: Rob Havenstein

SDE: Michael Brockers
NT: Ndamukong Suh
DT: Aaron Donald
WOLB: Matt Longacre
WILB: Mark Barron
SILB: Cory Littleton
SOLB: Samson Ebukam
LCB: Marcus Peters
RCB: Aqib Talib
SLCB: Nickell Robey-Coleman
FS: LaMarcus Joyner
SS: John Johnson III

K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Jake McQuaide

Second and final version about one week out. Only one repeat pick from 1.0. Hopefully, it will bring up some players who haven't been discussed as much. As usual not projecting trades

3. Duke Ejiofor, EDGE, Wake Forrest
Login to view embedded media Ejiofor didn't play varsity football until his Junior year in high school, however, he is still one of the most technically proficient pass rushers in the draft. That tells me he is coachable and nowhere near close to reaching his immense potential. Also says something about his high school DL coach who also coached Obo Okoronkwo, who is also technically proficient as a pass rusher. Speaking of Okoronkowo I would love to have either him, Ejiofor, or Kemoko Turay at this spot. I have second round grades on all three, but they all could fall for different reasons. Back to Duke, besides being technically proficient as a rusher IMO he is an underrated athlete. Many scouting reports think Duke is exclusively a 4-3 end, but IMO he fits perfectly at the Will OLB spot in this scheme where he won't be asked to drop into coverage as much. Rams must agree since they brought him for a pre-draft visit. Many scouts thought Preston Smith couldn't play as 3-4 OLB, but our current LB coach Joe Barry and the skins drafted him to play OLB and he excelled. Ejifor has similar dimensions and just as is just as talented if not more. Duke is strong, has long arms, and has the burst to close to the QB. His hand use is so good lineman consistently cant get a hand on him in the run or the passing game. If he doesn't miss the pre-draft process because of labrum surgery, an injury he played through all season I don't think there is a chance he is available at this pick. Luckily for the Rams, his injury lets them get a prime pass rusher at this spot. Duke should be healed up by training camp where he should compete for a starting spot as a rookie.

4. Will Richardson, OT, NC State
Login to view embedded media (Richardson is #54 the RT)
Richardson has the talent to go much higher, but he has a DWI and a Marijuana suspension in his past. He also delt, with weight issues throughout college, but showed up in shape during the pre-draft process. Richardson looks like a long-term starting RT who can play LT in a pinch. He has decent movement skills and technically proficient for the most part. He played in zone heavy run scheme which will make his transition to the Rams offense easier. He rarely got beat in college, in fact Duke was one of the few linemen who beat him for a sack. I see him as the swing tackle off the bat and could be a starter at RG or RT next year depending on what happens with the contracts of the current starters on the right side of the OL.

4. Christian Sam, LB, Arizona State
Login to view embedded media Sam can really stack shed and get after the ball. He's got a good feel for playing the run and is usually instinctive dropping in zone. He is Not comfortable with playing a lot of man coverage yet, but he has upside to improve in that area since he is junior who only has 2 years of starting experience because of an injury. Seems like the Rams are looking to rotate their LBs depending on the situation, so Sam could get heavy reps on early downs early.

4. Leon Jacobs, EDGE, Wisconson
Login to view embedded media Jacobs is a physical specimen. His teammates call him Megatron because of his crazy physique and athleticism. He ran a blazing 4.48 at the combine and you see that speed on tape when he gets off the ball and bends around the edge. Jacobs is understandably raw since he played fullback and inside linebacker before making the transition as an edge rusher this season. However, you can see his former LB skills when he drops in coverage showing awareness in zone and decent man coverage ability. He is developing pass rush moves, but already has the speed, power, and bend to win as a pass rusher. Even though he is raw his versatility will allow him to fit into the OLB rotation right away. With more reps and development Jacobs has quality starter upside

6. Ito Smith, RB, Southern Miss
Login to view embedded media There aren't many RBs in the draft who can match Smith's production as a runner and receiver. He was the focal point of his offense and showed off his skills against SEC opponents. Even at his size, he is a solid pass blocker. His ability as a runner and receiver in space make him the perfect Gurley compliment and the Chris Thompson like back McVay has been looking for. He met with the Rams at the senior bowl and was brought in for a top 30 visit, so there is a lot of Rams interest.

6. Dejon Allen, OL, Hawaii
(Sorry no tape, it's freaking Hawaii lol)
Allen the local LA kid is the only repeat pick from 1.0. Allen has experience at guard and tackle, but at 6'2 300 he projects as a guard or even center in the NFL. His calling card is his movement skills, which fits perfectly into the Rams zone blocking scheme. He has some starter upside at center or guard, but at worst he can be an interior OL swing reserve.

6. Jacob Martin, EDGE, Temple
Login to view embedded media (Martin is #9 playing Right End and some NT)
Another Rams pre-draft visit who fits Wade's mold for an edge rusher. I can see him going way earlier in the range Ebukam went last year since they are smaller school prospects with similar elite athletic profiles. Temple gives single digit numbers to the toughest players on the team and Martin wore #9. Mainly an edge rusher, but at 6'2 240 he displayed that toughness with his reps at nose tackle. As a pass rusher, Martin has a good get off, active hands, and solid counter moves. He displayed top-notch athleticism at Temple's pro day with 4.59 40, 10'1 broad jump, and 6.9 three cone drill. Martin has the ability to be a core special teamer with situational rusher upside right away.

6. Damon Webb, DB, Ohio State
Login to view embedded media Webb has the versatile game Wade likes in his safeties. Webb is undersized, but he can play in the box, in the slot, or as a single high safety. The most impressive aspect of his game is his ability to click and close on the ball in the run and pass game. His calling card will be special teams initially and if he can show out there in the preseason he has a good chance to make the team and be a quality reserve for years to come.

QB: Goff, Mannion, Allen
RB: Gurley, Smith, Brown
XWR: Cooks, Thomas
ZWR: Woods, Reynolds
YWR: Kupp, Cooper, Austin
TE: Everett, Higbee, Hemmingway
LT: Whitworth, Williams
LG: Saffold, Allen
C: Sullivan, Blythe
RG: Brown
RT: Havenstein, Richardson

DE: Brockers, Fox
NT: Suh, Westbrooks
DT: Donald, Easley
SLB: Ebukam, Jacobs
MIKE: Littleton, Sam
MO: Barron, Hager
WLB: Ejiofor, Longacre, Martin
LCB: Peters, NRC, Peterson
RCB: Talib, Hill, Shields
FS: Joyner, Countess
SS: Johnson, Webb

I came across this video, and thought it was very interesting, in anticipation of the draft. Some things of note:

• The Whiners, of course, making a choice that still haunts them.
• Jaws, displaying his usual bad judgment.
• Fisher, displaying his usual bad judgement, picking Pacman Jones, rather than Antrelle Rolle.
• Douche Mel Kiper spewing his usual overrated BS.

Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/byr00d5QrLI

Going with the list I posted in the competition and it's a list comprised entirely of people we've had workouts/visits/meetings with.

Round 3 pick 87 Obo Okowronko Edge Oklahoma



Round 4 pick 111 Geron Christian OT Louisville



Round 4 pick 135 Micah Kiser ILB Virginia



Round 4 pick 136 Dane Cruikshank FS



Round 6 pick 176 Brandon Parker OT NC AT&T



Round 6 pick 183 Joe Ostman OLB Central Michigan



Round 6 pick 194 Dejon Allen G Hawaii



Round 6 pick 195 Daurice Fountain WR Northern Iowa



First pick we add an edge Wade. Then we load up on some OLine to work with and provide depth while adding a guy that will come in right away and compete for an ILB spot in Kiser. Again the focus of this was a combination of my perceived needs and people they've visited with leading up to this draft.

Rams' season could be decided by one brutal five-game stretch

We’ve known for months that the Los Angeles Rams were staring down the fifth-toughest schedule in the NFL next season. That sort of competition was to be expected after they claimed the NFC West crown in 2017, “earning” the Rams a first-place schedule next season.

On Thursday night, we found out the exact order of Los Angeles’ 16 games, which kicks off on Monday, Sept. 10 against the Oakland Raiders. The start of the Rams’ schedule doesn’t look too daunting – three of their first four games are at home, including three against non-playoff teams from 2017 – but as you scroll down the list, it gets tougher and tougher.

Only two other teams have three straight road games on their schedules with the Rams’ coming between Weeks 5 and 7: Seattle, Denver and San Francisco. That’s not even the most difficult stretch of games on the Rams’ calendar, either.

Los Angeles will face its toughest test right in the middle of the schedule. From Weeks 7-11, the Rams will ultimately determine their fate for next season. Here’s what that group of games looks like:



On paper, that doesn’t seem like an overly challenging five-game stretch. Only two of those teams, the Saints and Chiefs, made the postseason in 2017 and the combined records of the five teams was 43-37. However, there are a few caveats.

The 49ers won five games to close out the season with Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm, while the Packers were without Aaron Rodgers for much of the season. The Seahawks finished 9-7, but they were very much in the hunt late in the year.

Three of those five difficult games will be at home, which helps the Rams, but only two will be true home games. Week 11 against the Chiefs is in Mexico City, so it’s essentially a road game for both teams.

Additionally, two of the five games are in primetime, which always impacts the outcome of a contest. The Rams will play the Packers after facing the 49ers on Sunday night, making an already difficult matchup even tougher.

Now, that’s not to say the Rams will go 0-5 in this stretch, but let’s group the schedule into three parts: Weeks 1-6, 7-11 and 12-17.

Facing the Raiders, Cardinals, Chargers and Vikings gives the Rams an easy start to the year. Let’s say they come out of that stretch 3-1 – 2-2 at the very worst. They should beat the Broncos and Seahawks the next two weeks, making it either 5-1 or 4-2. To close out the year, they face the Lions, Bears, Eagles, Cardinals and 49ers. In that five-game stretch, we’ll say they go 4-1 – 3-2 in a worst-case scenario.

Combining those two groups of games, the Rams are likely to have a record somewhere between 7-4 and 9-2. If it’s the former, there will be a great deal of pressure for Los Angeles to go at least 4-1 in the middle of the season. In doing so, the Rams would finish with an overall record of 11-5 – very respectable, but not one that will get them home-field advantage or even a first-round bye.

There are a lot of different scenarios that can play out, but in only one of these groups of games do the Rams have a legitimate chance to come out of it below .500. It’s obviously still very early, but that five-game span could very well determine the Rams’ season.

Finish below .500 in the five games before the bye and they could be facing the very real possibility of needing to go 4-1 in the final five weeks to win the division. Win four of those five games and the Rams have a great chance to win the West for a second straight year.

Defending the division crown won’t be easy, and the NFL did the Rams no favors in the middle of the season. Not only do they go 11 straight weeks – 15 if you include the preseason – without a break, but they’ll face five playoff-caliber teams from Week 7 to Week 11.

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Rams play the Raiders MNF at Oakland Alameda Stadium, which is where the Athletics play a home game the day before. (At 1;00pm PST). It's the only stadium left in the NFL which shares with a ML baseball team. Will they have enough time to cover the infield or will they play on the dirt? Have they ever covered the infield for football before? In the past they just played on the dirt. Someone know?

Not a real good way to showcase the first MNF of the season.

By: Cameron DaSilva
https://theramswire.usatoday.com/20...-marcus-peters-fifth-year-option-values-2019/

Between now and May 3, the Los Angeles Rams will have to make two very important decisions. With Todd Gurley and Marcus Peters both entering the final years of their rookie contracts, the Rams have the opportunity to keep them around in 2019 at a reasonable price.


This is what the NFL calls the fifth-year option, which every first-round pick carries. The cost of each player’s fifth-year option varies by position and draft slot. In other words, the earlier a player is picked, the more expensive his option becomes. The same goes for positional value with quarterbacks being the costliest.


For the Rams running backs are among the cheapest, while cornerbacks are among the more expensive players. Picking up Gurley’s option is a no-brainer after he won Offensive Player of the Year in 2017, especially considering its relatively low cost. Peters is as much of a sure bet to have his option exercised as Gurley, but for a different reason.

The Rams traded a fourth- and second-round pick for Peters this year, and only getting one year out of him would be financially unwise (See: Sammy Watkins). Keeping him around for another season would be far cheaper than signing him to an extension, too.


According to former NFL agent Joel Corry of CBS Sports, here’s how much each player’s fifth-year option will cost the Rams if/when they’re exercised:

• Gurley: $9.63 million
• Peters: $9.069 million

Had Gurley been picked 11th overall instead of 10th, his option would’ve been $4.025 million cheaper. The opposite can be said about Peters, who was taken outside of the top 10 at No. 18 overall. If he were taken in the top 10, his option would’ve jumped to $12.353 million – still an easy decision for the Rams.


It’s merely a matter of time for the Rams to pick up both players’ options. When they do, their salaries become guaranteed on the first day of the new league year in 2019 – mid-March, most likely.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft...ars-of-qb-draft-classes-including-this-years/

2018 NFL Draft: Ranking the past 15 years of QB draft classes

The 2018 NFL Draft class features the most hyped quarterback group since, at the earliest, 2004, and may very well have six signal-callers go in the first round for the first time since 1983. You know, that draft with John Elway, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino.

Yeah, that one.

With that being the case, it's time to rank the quarterback draft classes over the past 15 years -- including this one.

Classes that produced franchise quarterbacks were given boosts, and those with colossal busts were downgraded. Because this is a ranking of the entire class, depth was also a factor, yet franchise quarterbacks were most important.

I've listed noteworthy quarterbacks from each draft year into the following categories:

• Franchise QBs: Like elite quarterbacks, these are simply guys everybody knows are franchise QBs. Maybe not for their entire career, but for at least a 3-4 year stretch, they were the face of their franchise and produced at a high level. If you and your friend have to argue for 30 minutes over someone ... he's probably not a franchise quarterback, although I will concede there's no concrete definition of that term.
  
• Solid Starters: Maybe ventured into the "franchise QB" ranks for a short period of time but didn't sustain the quality of play to stay in that category. Or, a quarterback with plenty of starts on his resume who was never considered a franchise quarterback and simply has been (or was) an up-and-down starter in his career.
  
• Capable Backups: Pretty cut and dry. Worth mentioning though that backups are backups for a reason. Some of the names you'll see in this category are not high-caliber quarterbacks. They did show some signs of competence in relief appearances or spot starts yet were mostly incapable of hanging onto a starting job.
  
• Busts: Almost solely meant for first-round picks who simply did not live up to their draft status and were either completely out of the league much sooner than many expected or fell into the "capable backup" ranks during what should have been the prime of their careers.

15. Class of 2007
Franchise QBs: None
Solid starters: None
Capable backups: Kevin Kolb (2.04)
Busts: JaMarcus Russell (1.01), Brady Quinn (1.22), Drew Stanton (2.11)

This draft featured two first-round quarterbacks who never made it as franchise quarterbacks. In fact, it can be argued Russell is the biggest quarterback bust in modern NFL history, which does major damage to the reputation of this draft class, a group that didn't even yield any signal-callers who were solid starters for a few seasons. Kolb had a two-game stretch in 2008 with over 300 yards then another 300-plus yard game in 2010 that led to him being traded to the Cardinals for a quality cornerback -- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie -- and a second-round pick (!) in the 2012 draft. But he flopped in Arizona. At best, he was a capable backup.

14. Class of 2013
Franchise QBs: None
Solid Starters: None
Capable Backups: Geno Smith (2.07), Mike Glennon (4.01), Landry Jones(4.18),
Busts: EJ Manuel (1.16)

Manuel was the only quarterback picked in the first round in 2013, and he was grabbed after the Bills traded back from No. 8 overall. He never started more than five consecutive games in Buffalo and ultimately busted. This draft class had a fair amount of hype at quarterback with decorated USCquarterback Matt Barkley and late-riser Ryan Nassib along with the super-productive Smith, who, at the time, surprisingly went in the second round. Nevertheless, the 2013 draft class didn't give the league any franchise quarterbacks nor solid starters. But Smith, Glennon, and Jones are somewhat capable backups.

13. Class of 2010
Franchise QBs: None
Solid Starters: Sam Bradford (1.01)
Capable Backups: Colt McCoy (3.21)
Busts: Tim Tebow (1.25)

Bradford was widely viewed as a can't-miss quarterback prospect, but his injury history was a concern. Those concerns have plagued his NFL career, and only recently has he become a solid starter when healthy. Tebow had his magical run with the Broncos in 2011 that featured the overtime playoff win against the Steelers and inspired Tebow mania across the country. That all turned out to be a mirage, as Denver won the majority of those games in spite of Tebow, not because of him. McCoy had a few solid spot starts but was never a quality starter. This class was nothing to write home about.

12. Class of 2006
Franchise QBs: None
Solid Starters: Jay Culter (1.10)
Capable Backups: Kellen Clemens (2.17), Tarvaris Jackson (2.32), Charlie Whitehurst (3.17), Bruce Gradkowski (6.25)
Busts: Vince Young (1.03), Matt Leinart (1.10)

Cutler is on the cusp between solid starter and franchise quarterback. I just can't categorize him in the latter despite his longevity in the NFL. Solid starter? Sure. But his three best seasons with the Bears were his final three in Chicago. The first of those years was 2013 when he completed 63.1 percent of his passes, averaged an above-average 7.4 yards per attempt and threw 19 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. Ehhh. His completion percentage increased the next year (66.1), as did his touchdowns (28) but he led the NFL in interceptions (18). Ohhh. Cutler has just been too inconsistent to earn the franchise-quarterback label, and when he was at his best, he wasn't ever elite or very close to it. Young and Leinart ultimately busted, though Young had more staying power than Leinart. As a consolation, this was one of the "better" capable backup-quarterback classes.

11. Class of 2009
Franchise QBs: Matthew Stafford (1.01)
Solid Starters: None
Capable Backups: None
Busts: Mark Sanchez (1.05), Josh Freeman (1.17)

Injuries led to patience being important with the super-young Stafford during the beginning stages of his time in Detroit. Although he's been a high-volume producer -- he threw for 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2011, then 4,967 yards on a ridiculous 727 attempts in 2012 -- the former No. 1 overall pick wavered back and forth between the solid starter and franchise quarterback labels until 2015. Since then, he's ascended to become an unquestioned franchise quarterback. Over his past three years, he's tossed 85 touchdowns to just 33 interceptions. The Jets traded way up to get Mark Sanchez, which didn't work out, and Josh Freeman has one of the craziest outlier quarterback seasons in recent memory as the lone bright spot on his professional resume. In 2010, at 22 years old, he completed 61.4 percent of his throws at 7.3 yards per attempt with 25 touchdowns and just six picks. The wheels fell off after that, and although his 2012 wasn't brutal, he never truly recovered from his post-2010 regression. The rest of this class features a plethora of signal-callers who didn't amount to much in the NFL.

10. Class of 2017
Franchise QBs: Deshaun Watson (1.12, TBD), Mitchell Trubisky (1.03, TBD), Patrick Mahomes (1.10, TBD)
Solid Starters: Deshaun Watson (1.12, TBD), Mitchell Trubisky (1.03, TBD), Patrick Mahomes (1.10, TBD)
Capable Backups: DeShone Kizer (2.20)

Obviously, it's difficult to slot the 2017 rookies into this list, especially with Mahomes starting just one game, Watson starting six, and Trubisky starting 12 on a team with an unenviable receiver situation last year. Watson showed signs of franchise-quarterback skills, and Mahomes' start in the season finale was a wild, fun ride. Trubisky flashed too. This class has upside, that's for sure. There's a good amount of projection with this group, the most being with Mahomes. I doubt he totally busts with Andy Reid as his coach. Kizer's erratic accuracy led to many more head-in-hands plays than triumphant ones, but now he can learn from Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.

9. Class of 2015
Franchise QBs: Jameis Winston (1.01), Marcus Mariota (1.02)
Solid Starters: None
Capable Backups: Trevor Siemian (7.33)

The 2015 quarterback class was always about two Heisman-winning quarterbacks. And that was basically it. Winston has Andrew Luck-type ability but at this point, are the Buccaneers overjoyed with what he's done on the field in two seasons? I'm not so sure, especially for being the No. 1 overall pick. His efficiency did markedly improve in 2017 -- with jumps in completion percentage and yards per attempt -- so at this relatively early juncture of his career, I feel OK placing him into the franchise quarterback category. After all, he's only 24. Kind of a similar story with Mariota. At times, he's looked like a transcendent young signal-caller. In other outings, he's looked totally lost. After two quality seasons at the outset of his time with the Titans, he took a step back as a passer last year. Really strange. Because I have to place him somewhere now, I do think Mariota's good enough to be considered a franchise guy. The Broncos got a whole heck of a lot out of the 33rd pick in the seventh round in Siemian despite his flaws being exposed in 2017. The rest of his class hasn't shown much.

8. Class of 2014
Franchise QBs: Derek Carr (2.04), JImmy Garoppolo (2.30, TBD)
Solid Starters: Jimmy Garoppolo (2.30), Blake Bortles (1.03), Teddy Bridgewater (1.32)
Capable Backups: Tom Savage (4.35), AJ McCarron (5.23)
Busts: Johnny Manziel (1.22)

What a fascinating bunch. It was shock when the Jaguars picked Bortles at No. 3 overall. Manziel "slipped" to No. 22, as did Bridgewater to the last pick in the first round. Ironically, the top-tier quarterback who fell the furthest -- Carr -- has easily been the best signal-caller in his draft class. Bridgewater has refined talent, but will he see the field in New York with the Jets primed to pick a quarterback in Round 1 of this draft? I couldn't put Jimmy G into the franchise quarterback category just yet, even though he's being paid like one. After all, he's started seven games in the NFL. Although, I will admit he's at the ceiling of the solid starter distinction. Manziel was a mega bust, McCarron is serviceable backup/spot starter, and Savage had moments of decent play in the quarterback carousel in Houston.

7. Class of 2008
Franchise QBs: Matt Ryan (1.03), Joe Flacco (1.18)
Solid Starters: None
Capable Backups: Chad Henne (2.26), Matt Flynn (7.02)
Busts: None

Ryan has been a franchise quarterback for his entire career. End of story. Flacco is near the floor of that franchise quarterback group. Henne has been a clipboard holder for a long time after kinda-sorta flopping in Miami to start his career, and Matt Flynn parlayed a 480-yard, six-touchdown effort on a loaded Packers team to a big payday in Seattle and being the answer to a trivia question that asks "who did Russell Wilson beat out to win the Seahawks starting job as a rookie?" This class gets a slight bump not only for Ryan and Flacco but because there weren't really any franchise-altering busts. No solid starters though.

6. Class of 2011
Franchise QBs: Cam Newton (1.01)
Solid Starters: Andy Dalton (2.03), Colin Kaepernick (2.04), Tyrod Taylor (6.15)
Capable Backups: T.J. Yates (5.21)
Busts: Jake Locker (1.08), Blaine Gabbert (1.10), Christian Ponder (1.12)

Newton isn't the most accurate or consistent passer. But he won the league MVP and set records to begin his career, both of which scream franchise quarterback. Dalton has never been a franchise guy, but he's a solid starter. Kaepernick gets a solid starter designation because when he burst onto the scene, he was borderline unstoppable. Now, he's likely a capable backup. Taylor was a polarizing signal-caller in Buffalo, yet was one of the league's best low-volume, low-turnover quarterbacks over the past three seasons. Yates, at his best, has been a capable backup. With Newton, Dalton, Kaepernick, and Taylor, this class is quite good when only glancing at the successful throwers. However, it's dragged down by a trio of big busts in the top 15.

5. Class of 2016
Franchise QBs: Carson Wentz (1.02), Jared Goff (1.01), Dak Prescott (4.37)
Solid Starters: None
Capable Backups: Jacoby Brissett (3.29), Cody Kessler (3.31)
Busts: Paxton Lynch (1.26)

Wentz and (especially) Goff had disappointing, highly concerning rookie campaigns. As sophomores in the pros, Wentz was an MVP candidate and Goff made a sizable leap to become one of the league's most efficient passers. He led the NFL with 12.9 yards per completion. Prescott had arguably the best rookie quarterback season in the NFL history in 2016, and though he came back to Earth a bit in 2017, for a player only entering his third professional, he looks like a franchise quarterback. Brissett had flashes of decent play as the Colts starter in 2017, but I can't put him into the solid starter category yet. Kessler can be an adequate backup. Lynch, the wild-card of this draft class and whom the Broncos traded up for in the back end of Round 1, has looked like a bust after two seasons.

4. Class of 2012
Franchise QBs: Andrew Luck (1.01), Russell Wilson (3.12)
Solid Starters: Ryan Tannehill (1.08), Kirk Cousins (4.07)
Capable Backups: Brock Osweiler (2.25), Nick Foles (3.25)
Busts: Robert Griffin III (1.02), Brandon Weeden (1.22)

Luck and Wilson are franchise quarterbacks who are borderline elite. Tannehill probably hasn't lived up to being the No. 8 overall pick with the Dolphins. He's solid though. Cousins just signed an $84 million contract with the Vikings after three-straight 4,000-yard campaigns in Washington. Osweiler was a gigantic free-agent whiff as a starter for the Texans. As a backup? Decent at best. Foles has a historically efficient season on his pro resume -- 2013 -- and is the reigning Super Bowl MVP. I'd need to see more over a longer period of time for him to be a solid starter. Griffin III was on the fast track to superstardom after his rookie year. Then defenses caught up to him, and after his knee injury, he was never the same. Weeden was a wasted first-round pick by the Browns. The busts sink this class. But with Luck, Wilson, and then the depth provided by Tannehill, Cousins, and Foles, this is one of the better top-to-bottom quarterback groups over the past 15 years.

3. Class of 2005
Franchise QBs: Alex Smith (1.01), Aaron Rodgers (1.24)
Solid Starters: None
Capable Backups: Kyle Orton (4.05), Derek Anderson (6.39), Matt Cassel(7.16), Ryan Fitzpatrick (7.36)
Busts: Jason Campbell (1.25)

Extraordinarily top-heavy class here. I mean, Rodgers is the most gifted passer in NFL history. I truly believe that. Smith had a rough go of it early in his 49ers career then blossomed into one of the league's more stable quarterbacks once Jim Harbaugh got to San Francisco. Smith was a reliable, low-volume signal-caller under Andy Reid's tutelage until 2017, when he catapulted into the elite category. His 104.2 quarterback rating was tops in the league, and he had the NFL's lowest interception rate of 1.0 percent. No solid starters from the 2005 class, yet a respectable assortment of capable backups, who all had at least one year of adequate-to-good play as a season-long starter. Campbell was the lone bust in this group, but he was picked late in Round 1.

2. Class of 2018
Franchise QBs: Mason Rudolph, Lamar Jackson, Josh Rosen
Solid Starters: Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield
Capable Backups: Kyle Lauletta
Busts: Josh Allen

Time for widespread prognostication. I love Rudolph's refined game as a passer. Jackson has Michael Vick 2.0 written all over him. And that doesn't mean just the second coming of Vick, but a more advanced version. He's further ahead of Vick as a passer compared to when the former No. 1 overall pick came into the NFL in 2001. Rosen has all the ability in the world to become a franchise quarterback because he's essentially a finished product right now and is very accurate at the short-to-intermediate levels. Darnold has the second-highest bust potential behind Allen due to his age, relative lack of experience, and turnover issues in college, but I do think his positive plays will outweigh his mistakes at the pro level. Mayfield is supremely accurate, and his pro success will mostly be decided by where he lands. With an innovative offensive coordinator that can come close to recreating what he had at Oklahoma, Mayfield will flourish in the NFL. I just worry about him being able to acclimate to a situation not as ideal as the one he had in college. Lauletta is a lite version of Jimmy G. Allen's inaccuracy has become overstated by now, but he certainly needs to get better in that area and can't force the football as much as he showed in college. Those are two issues I don't believe will be erased in the NFL.

1. Class of 2004
Franchise QBs: Eli Manning (1.01), Philip Rivers (1.04), Ben Roethlisberger (1.11)
Solid Starters: Matt Schaub (3.27)
Capable Backups: None
Busts: J.P. Losman (1.22)

You're looking at three potential (likely?) Hall of Fame quarterbacks in this class, although out of this trio, I'd have the biggest gripe with Manning getting in. But those two Super Bowl rings will be hard to ignore for voters. Manning, Rivers, and Big Ben have been franchise cornerstones for at least 13 seasons. For Eli, 14 years. For Big Ben, it's been 15 seasons. During his prime in Houston, Schaub was one of the more underrated quarterbacks in football. Losman is the lone bust in that famous first round, a signal-caller with all the physical tools but poor decision-making to go along with a gun-slinger mentality. It'll be difficult to unseat this quarterback class.

Just take this in for a bit. And now 2 years later these same people all will go to war telling us that he's the best thing since sliced bread and the second coming all rolled up in one. I really like to dislike Eagles fans among a few other fan bases.

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And the /r/nfl thread


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I could swear that I've edited my posts on this site before, but for the life of me I can't figure out how to do it now. Am I just smoking too much of that legal cannabis up here in Oregon?

Who saw the call for the Schedule 2018 season & same 2017 season last year ??


What a difference a year makes .

Last year McVay & Snead were in the feeling out process . Demoff was running the show.

It was cool how they broke down the games , but the travel was killer. The Redskins 2nd game of the season. Europe & Jags (what a great job McVay did) total time zones.

—— This year Aqib Talib & Snead ran the Show . McVay was all into it as well. Big Whitworth just chill , being the old veteran & older than coach.

Freaking totally cool the family & unity McVay has brought to The Rams !! The players get to take full responsibility as well .

So Aqib is going to be so good for Marcus Peters !! He will be a team Captain as well !!

Whitworth will be & was a team Captain last season !!

Then of course The Franchise Jared Goff !!

Johnny Hekker was & will !!

Todd Gurley as well & will !!

Now last season there was Ogletree,Tru Johnson, Connor Barwin who are gone &
we’re team Captains ..

Who are the Leaders & who will be the next team Captain ??

Aaron Donald
Ndamukong Suh
Michael Brockers
Mark Barron

It almost has to be a defensive player , but what great choices !!

This was my college graduation class, good times.

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Personally I don't care if marijuana is legalized all over the nation. And I believe that NFL players should be able to use marijuana instead of opioids to ease their pain.

However we don't want more accidents along with injuries and loss of life due to someone being loaded while driving. Alcohol, prescription drugs, lack of sleep, and other distractions such as yakking on cell phones is causing enough carnage.

The problem for the NFL is that marijuana is still federally illegal. I'm guessing the NFL will wait until it is legal all over the country before they cease suspending players for using it.

Btw I wonder if some players take into consideration which team to sign with based on the marijuana laws of the state that team is located in?

What do you think?
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Marijuana testing period opens today, 4/20
Posted by Mike Florio on April 20, 2018


Getty Images

The NFL either has a great sense of humor or an unintended flair for the ironic. Regardless, it’s April 20 (as in 4/20), and the NFL’s annual drug-testing period is officially open.

For players not already in the drug-testing program, it means that the once-per-year substance-abuse test can happen at any point between now and early August. Which means that, if/when a player not in the drug-testing program passes the annual substance-abuse test, he can use recreational drugs like marijuana without consequence until next year.

As long as, of course, he isn’t arrested for marijuana possession in a state where it’s illegal or a bag of weed doesn’t fall out of his coat pocket while visiting the league office.

Given the amount of time necessary for marijuana metabolites to exit the system (it can take as long as 30 days) it may be too late to stop smoking yesterday. For those who stopped in time to produce a clean sample, they’ll be hoping to get their number pulled sooner than later, so that they can resume doing what is now legal in nine states for recreational purposes and 29 states for medicinal purposes.

Which brings me back to the point I’ve made time and again: Why? Why does the NFL feel compelled to Big Brother these guys away from something that is widely legal and even more widely accepted? The War on Drugs is over, and the islands of Cheech and Chong prevailed.

At this point, it’s not about right or wrong, legal or illegal. It’s not about whether it helps players better than prescription medications. It’s not whether it assists with concussion recovery. It’s about collective bargaining, and the league won’t be giving up the current policy without a concession from the union.

The union, in turn, won’t be making a concession, because the union knows that most players are smart enough to know when to stop smoke, when they can start again, and how to be discreet about using it.

It’s too hard to do a number ranking. So I just went with category. So in no particular order I present to you, the rankings of categories...game.

Enjoy(?).

Note: This is for the 2018 season.

Give them the gold jacket now
Aaron Donald
Todd Gurley
Johnny Hekker

Pro bowls for days
Jared Goff
Lamarcus Joyner
Marcus Peters

Oldies but Goldies
Ndamukong Suh
Andrew Whitworth
Aqib Talib

Stud Muffins
Brandin Cooks
Rodger Saffold
Cooper Kupp
Robert Woods

Reliable AF
Michael Brockers
Rob Havenstein
John Johnson
Greg the Leg
Nikell Robey-Coleman

Most improved
Gerald Everett
Matt Longacre

The big year two jump
Samson Ebukam

Potential Cuts
Mark Barron
John Sullivan
Tyler Higbee

Biggest surprise
Ramik Wilson
Jamon Brown

And that’s it. So yeah. Cool.

Almost every week is a gem, but there are a few particularly juicy matchups that I’m going to be watching with heightened interest, if possible.

The Chiefs game will provide an opportunity to see Watkins vs Peters/Talib. Will the “real” Watkins show up? The All World Watkins that we had all hoped to see last year? Or will our new CB’s sorta shut him down? Can’t wait for the board posts the week before that game.

The Eagles game will be a huge measuring stick. Depending on how the Rams matchup vs the defending SB champions will tell us where we are on the playoff pecking order. Can’t wait.

The Vikings with Cousins is probably the other most stern test. Vikes are another complete team and a win would be a HUGE confidence builder. This looks like a real knock down, drag out contest much like these two teams had many times back in the day.

Finally, that Saint game in their dome should be a tremendous game. Yet another complete Saint team and with that overwhelming hfa? Whew! Our O and our D will both be stressed to their limits, no doubt.

I was gonna leave it at 4 games but I’m human and I’ve gotta be honest. I want to see the Rams CRUSH the Niners. Twice. I would be exhilarated to see the Niners and their fans humiliated by the Rams. Enough with the Garoppolo worship, already. Lol.

Those are my biggest “can’t wait” games. What are yours?

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/nf...gamble-at-the-nfl-draft/ar-AAw5tHP?li=AAggXBR

8 loaded teams that can gamble at the NFL draft

Some floundering franchises really need to ace the upcoming NFL Draft. Unfortunately, not every team has the luxury of having a roster stocked to the brim with elite talent. On the other side of the coin are strong contenders that can afford to gamble when they go on the clock.

Teams that are loaded at nearly every position can actually have some fun while trying to select some later-round picks that might turn into gems. Perhaps moving up the draft board might be in store for these clubs looking to make bold moves, too.

Seven of the eight teams we consider here made the playoffs for 2017. Only one did not quite advance to the postseason, though it does have one of the more sound rosters in the league. Starting with that particular AFC West franchise, here are eight teams that can take a gamble in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Los Angeles Chargers: Pick No. 17 (six total picks)

The Chargers finished the 2017 season falling just short of making the playoffs. They have a well-oiled offense featuring quarterback Philip Rivers, who has not missed start since 2006. He is armed with some tremendous talent at wide receiver and tight end — Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry to name a couple awesome playmakers. Melvin Gordon and the intriguing Austin Ekeler give the team stability at the running back spot.

Defensively, the Chargers boast Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa as one of the best edge-rushing tandems in the NFL. And, cornerback Casey Hayward is a show-stopper in the Chargers’ secondary.

Approaching this year’s draft, the Chargers have one pick per round, except for the seventh. Their first-overall pick comes at No. 17 when it would make the most sense to just take the best player that falls to them no matter the position. Though, taking the opportunity to enhance Rivers’ offensive line or gambling with a rookie quarterback (Lamar Jackson is reportedly on their radar) that can afford to sit and learn would be wise too.

Atlanta Falcons: Pick No. 26 (six total picks)

Typically a strong contender in the NFC South, the Falcons boast a well-rounded team on both sides of the ball. From quarterback Matt Ryan to wideout Julio Jones and the running back duo of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, what is not to like on offense? Perhaps it would be worth the risk for the Falcons to spend high on a top tight end prospect or another wide receiver such as Oklahoma State’s James Washington to fill Taylor Gabriel’s void.

On defense, the Falcons are pretty stout after giving up only 19.7 points on average per game last year. Though, splurging on a defensive tackle after losing Dontari Poe in free agency could not hurt.

The Falcons can definitely afford to make some bold picks starting with No. 26. Beyond that they have one pick in each round with the exception of the fifth.

New Orleans Saints: Pick No. 27 (eight total picks)

There is not much to criticize on a Saints roster that led them through the Divisional Playoffs this past January. Quarterback Drew Brees has an army on offense that many other teams should be downright jealous of. Starting with wideout Michael Thomas to the record-setting running back tandem of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, it might be fun to see the Saints attempt to snare a pass-catching rookie tight end.

This is a position that has been boring to watch ever since the Saints traded away Jimmy Graham in 2015. Gambling on a quarterback to eventually replace Brees is an option too as this year’s draft class is deep.

On top of that, maybe the Saints attempt to bolster their pass-rushing corps. Whichever way things play out, the Saints can afford to take some risks with their boatload of draft picks. The Saints have a pick in each round but the second, including two in the fifth and sixth rounds. The vacant second-rounder was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 when the Saints boldly moved up to select Kamara. Boy, did that move pay off.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Pick No. 28 (seven picks total)

Falling in the divisional round last year, the Steelers sport the best overall roster in the AFC — at least in the eyes of many. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger wants to play for a few more years while wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell are performing out their minds. Entering his second year, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is no slouch either.

On the other side of the field, the Steelers defense allowed the fifth-fewest yards as well as only 19.3 points per contest last year.

Entering the draft with a lower-first round pick, which is pretty much the usual for the Steelers, the team will make its first choice at No. 28. After this, the Steelers have one pick each in the second and third rounds and two picks in both the fifth and seventh rounds.

With an offense that really has little room to improve, the Steelers could surprise and take a flier on quarterback such as Lamar Jackson of Louisville or Mason Rudolph out of Oklahoma State. Or perhaps they may benefit from adding another running back due to Bell and his contract stalemate. Outside of this it would not hurt to beef up on defense and nab a linebacker or defensive tackle.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Pick No. 29 (seven picks total)

After a red-hot finish in 2017, the Jags seem to be “the team” to chase down in the AFC South. The signing of left guard Andrew Norwell should help quarterback Blake Bortles and running back Leonard Fournette out in big way. So the Jags might want to experiment with grabbing a wide receiver or two. This would be to enhance their roster that no longer has Allen Robinson or Allen Hurns.

On defense, the Jags are about as solid as solid gets. Their pass rush was brutal last season with Jacksonville gaining 55 total sacks. Meanwhile, nobody wants to mess with defensive backs Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye or Barry Church.

So at this point with picks in every round but the fifth, and two in the seventh, why not make some bold moves that serve two purposes — bolster your own strength while causing teams picking next to rethink their selection. This could include taking prime prospects off the board so franchises selecting next will miss out. For once in a long time, the Jaguars are in a position to enjoy a laugh.

Minnesota Vikings: Pick No. 30 (six total picks)

Nearly as perfect as it gets, the Vikings house an impressive roster loaded with talent. Many fault the Vikings for making quarterback Kirk Cousins the highest-paid guy in the NFL. But, he is staged for instant success signing with a team that has some up-and-coming receivers in Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. Tight end Kyle Rudolph as well as running backs Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray also make for a fool-proof offense.

This affords the Vikings an opportunity to target some enhancements for their offensive line so the aforementioned Cousins performs to the best of his abilities.

Defensively, there is not much to tweak. The Vikings defense allowed a league-low, 275.9 yards and 15.8 points per game in 2017. But swooping in on another defensive back just because and to keep another team such as the Philadelphia Eagles from selecting one makes for some payback fun.

The Vikings have one pick in every round but the fourth.

Philadelphia Eagles: Pick No. 32 (six total picks)

Speaking of those Eagles, the Super Bowl-winning team picks at No. 32 then does not draft again until twice at the end of Round 4. After this, the Eagles have the last pick in Rounds 5-7. With a decently loaded roster across the board, the Eagles can attempt to go bold and find some diamonds in the rough (like these).

If any area needs attention it would be at the cornerback spot. And, why not select a later-round quarterback as a backup to Carson Wentz? This would make trading Nick Foles — who would love a starting job — an enticing option. Think back to the Dallas Cowboys selecting Dak Prescott in Round 4 in 2016.

Outside of these positions, the Eagles are stockpiled at receiver with Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor and Mike Wallace. Tight end Zach Ertz and running backs Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement only compliment the story.

On the defensive line, the Eagles have a front seven that managed to beat the Vikings and New England Patriots in their final two games. Defensive end Michael Bennett joins this group.

This is a draft that affords the Eagles the luxury of kicking back and making some splashy moves.

Los Angeles Rams: Pick No. 87 (seven total picks)

Lastly, the Rams have been busy adding to their army this offseason. The big names new to L.A. this season are cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and wide receiver Brandin Cooks. It is a good thing the Rams have been active, since they do not draft their first player until No. 87 in Round 3.

It is difficult to know who will be appealing as a mid-third-round deal. After the Rams make their selection, they then have one fourth-round pick and five picks in Round 6.

This makes the Rams’ drafting scenario right now completely unpredictable. It also provides the opportunity for the Rams to gamble on some dark horses.

On offense, perhaps another running back would help keep Todd Gurley preserved. Defensively, adding a couple of later-round linebackers would not hurt. The Rams gave up a generous 122.4 rushing yards on average per tilt last year.

But as things currently stand approaching the draft, the Rams’ roster looks awfully darn good on paper.

A little advice from the forum if I may.

After 34 years of following the Rams, I’m finally going to get to see a game live. We will be in LA for the home opener against the Cards.

Any advice on best seats, seats to avoid, pregame drinking spots etc would be much appreciated. Not sure where we are staying yet but will probably be out Santa Monica way but travel won’t be an issue. I mean, I’m travelling half way round the world for his gig!!

Any and all advice welcome

Which site/sites do you recommend for good scouting reports and rankings of draft prospects? There are just so many and they are all so extremely different. Some have Jeff Holland(This is jerry32's fault that I noticed Holland) in the top fifty, yet others have him near the 150 area. What sites do go to?

Really? We should be on 4 times if this is their opener lol

https://nypost.com/2018/04/19/jets-will-open-regular-season-on-monday-night-football/