I gather this draft is not very special for middle linebackers but I’m wondering if the top few guys may be there in rounds 2 or even 3

I’d be curious to see opinions on how these players would fit next to Ernest.

Edgerrin Cooper
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Payton Wilson
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Junior Colson
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Are there others who may merit a day 2 pick?

Free Agency: With a possible Akhelo Witherspoon late period signing, I’m going to Draft without it happening by Draft time.

Trades: I am proposing (2) trade ups

#19 - Laiatu Latu – Edge – UCLA
Laiatu Latu 2023 Full Season Highlights | UCLA EDGE | 2024 NFL Draft Prospect (youtube.com)

No explanation needed for the player. He falls to the Rams based on the rare top heavy draft of Offensive players. I think we will see both Verse and Latu drop below the 15 range.

Trade: Rams send #52 & #99 ; Texans send #42

#42 - T’vondre Sweat - NT - Texas
SGF V 3556 Scarcity Location Shoot V2 No CC CV 16x9 was V 3033 (youtube.com)

With Aaron Donald retiring, I’m not a fan of trying to replace him with another small statured 3-tech. If the Rams are going to stick with the 3-4, then start by making the NT the best you can get. Let Brown sub in for him at the Nose and bring him in play side-by-side with Sweat on Short yardage downs.

#83 – Jaylen Wright – RB – Tennessee
Can't Stand Cleaning? Try This. You'll Love It! 36-dollar-gadget-AU_1 (youtube.com)

As well as the Rams O-line blocks in the running game, allowing almost a league leading 4.5 yards before contact, there aren’t many home run plays in the running. No knock on Kyren, he just isn’t an explosive Back. Wright brings the Home run threat with his 4.35 speed. He is a competent pass catcher and an above average Pass protector.

Trade: Rams send #153 & 2025 4th Rnd ; Titans send #106

#106 - Cam Hart - CB - Notre Dame
Cam Hart Notre Dame Highlights (youtube.com)

Hart has the prototypical size to play Boundary Corner ; 6’3” 202lbs – has the requisite speed for the position (4.5/40) and is long. He is good in Zone coverage and is also an asset in the run game. He is a good tackler and adept and busting up blockers in the screen game.

#154 – Jarrion Jones - CB - Florida St
Jarrian Jones 2023 Regular Season Highlights | Florida State DB (youtube.com)

Jones brings an element that the Rams CB room has been missing ; Size with athleticism. At 6’0” - 190 lbs, he runs a 4.38/40, was top 85% of all other testing at the Combine. He’s a good open field tackler along with playing well in zone coverage. His best attribute is only allowing a QB rating of 31 when targeted. I think he is one of the Sleepers of the Draft.

#195 - Garrett Greenfield - OT - South Dakota St
B&G Report Happy Hour-SDSU OT Garret Greenfield | Commodes NFL Draft Player Card Series (youtube.com)

Greenfield has the traits to take over at RT in the next season or two. He’s 6’6” - 312 lbs, has some explosive testing results ; 38.5 vertical, which was top in class, 113 (c) Broad, 94%tile, 1.77 10yd split (70%tile). Has experience playing on the Left side if needed to play Swing Tackle, but I see primarily as Havenstein’s replacement.

#209 - Jordan Magee - LB - Temple
Jordan Magee Temple Highlights (youtube.com)

Magee brings some needed Athleticism to the ILB group. He’s slightly undersized at 6’1” - 230 lbs, but he is explosive ; 4.55/40, 1.54 10yd split...basically 90% + in all his testing. In addition, he is highly rated by PFF with an overall rating of 87.2, which is 7th best. A part of that grade is being great in coverage.

#213 - Gabe Hall - DE/DT - Baylor
Gabe Hall Highlights (youtube.com)

Hall is your typical 5T, 3-4 DE... 6’6” - 288 lbs is equally adept at rushing the passer as he is stopping the Run. He can move for a big man... 4.78/40. He will provide an upgrade over Jonah WIlliams in the D-line rotation.

#217 - Jaxon Janke - WR - South Dakota St
Internal VID 0889 1A YT 0847 Bottoms Pants Multi Mashup More 50OFF ENG TT1 JB1 1 (youtube.com)

Jaxon Janke is one of twins that played for the Jack Rabbits, his brother Jaden played receiver also and they are almost the same size. Jaxon has a bit more production. He reminds me of Cooper Kupp ; similar size, 6’2”, 210 lbs ... runs a 4.52/40 is explosive in other testing, has great hands, less than an 8% drop rate over his career. Is great with the ball in his hands and has experience returning punts. He can block in the running game, but is average at this point.

#254 - Trey Taylor - Safety - Air Force
Because Voyaging Is Better Than Your Dreams (youtube.com)

Taylor is 6’0” - 210 lbs, has good speed and range for the position. Has experience playing as the Star in a 4-2-5 alignment. Very good in coverage. PFF grades him at 82.6 overall, but has a coverage grade of 88.7. should be an upgrade over Russ Yeast. NOTE: winner of the Jim Thorpe Award

So which broadcast does everyone here prefer to watch or listen to during the draft and why? I’m trying to figure out who I should subscribe to. So help a brother out please?

I mean.. I would do backflips.

32.
Chop RobinsonEDGE Penn State

52.
Leonard Taylor IIIDT Miami (FL)
83.
Ricky PearsallWR Florida
86.
D.J. JamesCB Auburn

95.
Kiran AmegadjieOT Yale

99.
Braden FiskeDT Florida State
123.
Jaylen WrightRB Tennessee

129.
Tanor BortoliniOC Wisconsin

155.
Elijah JonesCB Boston College
167.
Tykee SmithS Georgia

196.
Curtis JacobsLB Penn State
209.
Erick AllTE Iowa
213.
Sione VakiS Utah
217.
Jay StanleyS Southern Miss

After all the recent signings, my thoughts have drastically changed for this mock.
Here’s how I’m looking at it:
1) with the exception of TE and LT, the starting offense is set. For the Rams to get a starter at TE or LT, either someone falls or the Rams move up. I’m not holding out hoping the Rams move up for either.
2) With the signing of DW, the #1 CB might still be in play, but it’s not imperative. They could use some size back there, which I will address, but not necessarily a premier guy. I still think Witherspoon is in play to come back. He knows the system, so there’s no rush, and the longer he goes unsigned, the cheaper he gets.
3) Even before AD retired, the Rams front 7 looked thin. Now that he IS gone, and the Rams did not sign anybody, the front 7 became my point of emphasis.

Here we go. I’m gonna start by disappointing everybody by drafting a guy a little too early, but he won’t be there at #52. So going by the Travis Frederick rule”…
#19 Darius Robinson, DE/DT (Mizz) 6-5/296
The Rams drafted AD’s replacement at DT last year—The Conductor. Robinson is tough vs the run but can get heat on the QB. His stats last season:43 tkls 8.5 sacks. He brings versatility to the DL.

#52 Chris Braswell, Edge (bama) 6-3/255
The Rams get a promising athletic Edge who began his transformation last season by showing significant improvement over 2022.

#83 Ja’Lynn Polk, WR (wash) 6-2/204
Not as hyped as the receivers slated to go ahead of him, but he has size, solid production and big time numbers to bring to the table: 73/1191/10. Those numbers are better than most of the players ranked above him…and he did it while playing opposite Odunze.

#98 comp Nathaniel Watson, ILB (miss st) 6-2/244
“Tackling machine.” Aren’t those great words to hear about a LB? He had 137 of them last year to go with his 10 sacks, a pick, and 2 pass breakups. A good senior bowl week might have put this guy on the Rams’ radar.

#153 Ray Davis, RB (ken)
We all know this guy. He’s popular on our mocks. Why not? Tough, high effort, very talented kid—plus, he just seems like the kinda player you want to root for. He would fit into the Rams culture as well as the backfield. I know he was getting mocked/projected to the 6th round, but I don’t think he’ll last that long after his combine performance.

#154 (pitt) Javon Baker, WR (ucf) 6-1/208
52/1139/7 and an impressive 22 ypc! A possible HR target on the outside? Definitely worth a look.

#195 Kamal Hadden, CB (ten) 6-1/196
Totals from last 2 seasons: 70tkls/5 picks/10 breakups. That’s some good production and some needed size to add to the secondary. Depth/ST going into camp.

#209 comp Jarrod Wiley, TE (tcu) 6-7/ 253
Great size and a promising player. The Rams need depth at TE and a spot is open at least until Higbee gets back.

#213 comp Marcus Harris, NT (aub) 6-3/295
An Auburn alum who might be a tad undersized, but an NFL program can help that. The Rams need some depth in the middle of that DL so Turner can stay at DT. BB3 was a hair under 300lbs last year IIRC, so it would be wise to have a player who can spell him.
His totals last season: 40tkls/7sacks/2FF. Those aren’t bad numbers for a “smallish” NT playing in the SEC.

#217 comp Elijah Jones, CB (b.c.) 6-1/185
Again, size and depth for the secondary. Jones has some speed and was very productive last season.

254 (comp) Josh Dalmas, K (boise st) 5-8/161
2023: 89% FG/longest 56/6 of 6 on the $$ kicks: 40-49 yds. He has been consistent in that range throughout his collegiate career and his longest kicks have been getting further out. The Rams should give this guy a look.

UDFAs:
• Caeden Wallace, OT (penn st) 6-4/314
Started 4 years at RT. Bring him into camp and see if he can develop into a decent backup or even a replacement for Havs.
• Drake Nugent, C (mich) 6-1/295
Slightly undersized, but he comes from a national championship program which had a powerful running game.
• Patrick McMorris, Safety (cal) 6-0/207
Good size, good tackler. Has experience at both CB and S. Could at least be a solid STs guy.
* Harrison Mevis, K (mizz) yes, another kicker to bring into camp. Big leg, but needs to clean up his accuracy.

I’m looking at a front 7 that features:
Robinson, DE
BB3, NT
Turner, DT
Jones, MLB
Watson, ILB
Young, OLB
Braswell, Edge

With Harris and Hoecht in reserve.
I think that’s a pretty damn good looking front 7.

Thoughts?

I mean… usually the top kickers are starting to go off the board in the 5th round…

And… Most here agree we need some depth and insurance with Williams. Can we find that if we wait later than the 5th, with reasonable certainty?

Looking at the top/favorite players… and our need to nail these two areas of the team… does that mean 2 of our top 6 picks go to depth RB and PK?



That feels like a lot of our draft capital, doesn’t it?

With our first 6th round pick all the way down to 195, I think the Rams plan to trade for more picks inside the 5th.

#19 seems prime to get trade offers if there is an insane run on QB’s. Maybe thats how we do it, but looking at the need for RB and PK a trade down feels likely to me to give us more swings elsewhere.

Then again, the Rams seem to hit on 6th rounders and we have 4 of those. Just not sure I want to wait for a RB and PK there.

There is always FA too. But, just thinking about the draft.

Last year at this time, Kyren Williams was coming off an underwhelming rookie campaign, and was viewed as little more than a depth/rotation player.

Now, he’s a Pro Bowl player.

Do we have a “diamond in the depth chart” who will emerge this year?

Ok... so that gives us 5 D-lineman (assuming Hoecht moves back inside)

Murchison gives us some veteran depth and we need that.... he's played pretty well for us and he's familiar with the system

Los Angeles Rams schedule and opponents​

After a down year following their Super Bowl victory, the Los Angeles Rams bounced back and made the playoffs during the 2023 season. They might not have won the NFC West but they still had a successful season considering so many people had written them off following their disappointing 2022 campaign.

The Rams are used to facing a gauntlet each year and this year will be no different in terms of strength of schedule. They're tied for 12th in the toughest schedule for the 2024 season.

Rams 2024 schedule​

We don't know when the Rams will play each game this season and likely won't until the NFL has their schedule release special. Typically that event takes place in May. We do know who the Rams will be playing, however.

Rams 2024 opponents​

The Rams have an additional home game this season, which will come against the Raiders since both teams finished in second in their respective divisions. Outside of the NFC West, the Rams will play the entire AFC East and NFC North while playing second-place finishers in the NFC East and NFC South.

The Rams have five home games against teams who made the playoffs in 2023 but their road slate looks much "easier". Of course, there are no easy games in the NFL but the Rams only have two somewhat daunting road games, which will come against the 49ers and Lions.

Here’s my effort.

NOTE: I don’t do trades.

For Days 1 and 2, I’ve included first alternates (at the same positions as the players I selected).

1 (19) Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
Every time I mock the first 18 picks, I find myself taking the top three EDGE rushers (Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, Liatu Latu) off the board. So, rather than reaching, I’m continuing the Rams’ apparent strategy of bolstering the defense from the back end forward. Arnold is a great fit, as he can excel in man or zone, is a good tackler, and (based upon an interview I heard him give on NFL.com) is very confident and passionate about the game. First Alternate: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

2 (52) Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
As it is not a particularly deep class at DT, this might be too late to grab Fiske, who put on a great show at the Combine. He is a solid all-around player who would provide some pass rush punch on the DL, complimenting Kobe Turner. First Alternate: Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan

3 (83) Austin Booker, EDGE, Kansas
The Rams need depth on the front 7, so I’m back to the well here with Booker. He strikes me as a “better than his measurables” kind of prospect. We’ve certainly done well with guys who fit that description before. First Alternate: Jonah Elliss, EDGE, Utah

3 (98) Jalen McMillan, WR, Washington
The Rams finally turn to the offensive side of the ball and add a crafty slot receiver who could be an understudy to Cooper Kupp. McMillan had a knack for getting open on 3rd down and converting. Sound familiar? First Alternate: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida

5 (153) Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas
A tackling machine who could be an upgrade over Christian Rozeboom playing inside with Ernest Jones.

5 (154) Dylan Laube, RB, New Hampshire
Arguably the best receiving RB in the draft, he is also an underrated runner and can return punts and kicks. A Senior Bowl standout.

6 (195) Tanor Bortolini, C, Wisconsin
The Rams currently don’t have any depth behind Steve Avila at center. Bortolini played the position in his final year of college, and also brings some position versatility, having played OG and RT, and is a solid pass blocker.

6 (209) Joshua Karty, PK, Stanford
And, hopefully, that’s the last time we’ll have to worry about the PK position for at least four years!

6 (213) Jordan Jefferson, DT, LSU
Some depth behind Bobby Brown. Jefferson has good size and can be a an effective run defender on the inside.

6 (217) Nathan Thomas, OT, Louisiana
Another depth selection. Thomas has extensive experience at the LT spot. Probably not a high ceiling, but a high floor who can fill in if needed.

7 (254) Daequan Hardy, CB/PR, Penn State
Hardy is mostly a special teams selection, and could become our punt returner as a rookie. His ability as a slot corner means he won’t be a wasted roster spot.

We got to do what it takes to get Jared Verse. I utilized a 2025 2nd round pick to make it happen.

This draft is slanted toward "unteachable" skills.

I borrowed heavily from others on the board when it came to some of the later round picks.

Let me know what you think!

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Judge & Jury: Is Aaron Donald the Greatest Player in Rams' History?​

It's Aaron Donald Week on the Talk of Fame Two, with this simple question. Our jury returned an immediate verdict.

In this story:​

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Each week the Talk of Fame Two consults historians and/or media members for answers to the Question du Jour. After hearing from them, a judge – in this case, Hall-of-Fame voter Clark Judge -- renders a verdict based on their responses. This week we checked in with a jury of historians and former Hall-of-Fame voters with this timely question:

Q: Is Aaron Donald the greatest Ram of all time?
THE JURY

IRA MILLER, former Hall-of-Fame voter, San Francisco.
“I think the real question is how would Aaron Donald and Deacon Jones have performed in each other’s era? I’d say flip a coin.”

KEN CRIPPEN, founder and lead instructor, The Football Learning Academy.

“Recency bias will have Aaron Donald as the greatest Rams’ player of all-time. Personally, I still have Deacon Jones as the greatest Rams’ player of all-time. That does not mean that Donald is not in the conversation. But Jones is the greatest, in my opinion.”

BRYAN FRYE, pro football historian and researcher.

“The Rams have no shortage of all-time great players on both sides of the ball. However, with all due respect to legends like Van Brocklin, Slater, Dickerson, and Faulk, I believe the Rushmore of Rams includes four defensive linemen. Deacon Jones was a pass rushing phenom who once recorded 115.5 sacks in an 84-game span and was among the best ever at chasing down a run from the backside. While Jones got the numbers, teammate Merlin Olsen may have been even better. He was a fortress against the run, got plenty of pressure in his own right and gobbled up double teams like Pac-Man. The consistently underrated Jack Youngblood might as well have changed his mailing address to opposing backfields, such was his prowess at sacking passers and dropping backs for a loss. A late career switch to a 3-4 didn't seem to slow him down one bit. Newest isn't always best, but I believe it is in this case. Aaron Donald was the best defensive tackle in football as a rookie and remained on top of the pack until injury caused him to miss time in his ninth season. He drew double and triple teams at a nigh-unfathomable rate and still managed to pressure quarterbacks so frequently that the media had to resort to comparing him to edge rushers, because he outpaced his interior peers by such a wide margin. I believe Donald was not just the best defender in the league, but the best player in the league in at least half of his seasons—and he managed to do it in the most offense-friendly environment in NFL history.”

JACK SILVERSTEIN, Chicago’s sports historian.

“Yes.”

JIM CAMPBELL, pro football researcher/historian and co-author of “Hell With the Lid Off,” a story of the intense Raiders-Steelers rivalry of the 1970s.
"At the risk of ignoring Hall-of-Famers Bob Waterfield and Elroy 'Crazy Legs' Hirsch, Merlin Olsen and Jack Youngblood, I agree with those who place the laurel wreath upon Aaron Donald's head. It can be argued that he delivered a Vince Lmobardi Trophy to the franchise single-handedly. His ability to produce the biggest play at the biggest moment was unmatched. So, yes, he's the greatest (apologies to Muhammad Ali)."

NICK CANEPA, former Hall of Fame voter, San Diego.
“I certainly have no problem with Donald, and I've seen him play plenty in that the Rams have spent so much time on San Diego TV since I was a child. But I have to think the greatest Ram is Marshall Faulk. One of the best all-around backs. Great runner and pass catcher and so football smart he was a coach on the field, He was a league MVP and Super Bowl MVP _ and might have been twice had Mike Martz remembered Marshall was on his roster in that Super Bowl.”

UPTON BELL, former NFL executive and son of former NFL commissioner Bert Bell.
“Bob Waterfield. Norm Van Brocklin. Tom Fears. ‘Crazy Legs’ Hirsch. The Baby Elephant Backfield. The Fearsome Foursome. Deacon Jones. Merlin Olsen. Lamar Lundy. Rosie Grier. Jack Youngblood. Eric Dickerson. How many stars are there in the universe? This is a brief list of the Rams who were originally Hollywood’s team. I first saw many of them in the 1940’s and early 50’s. I’ve seen everyone since then, and there is no question that Aaron Donald belongs among these immortals and is one of the greatest linemen of his time. But is he the greatest Ram of all time? I don’t think so. Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen and Eric Dickerson are my Top 3.”

GEORGE BOZEKA, president, Pro Football Researchers Association.
“Aaron Donald is not my choice for the greatest Ram ever. I'm going old school. My choice is Bob Waterfield. During his eight-year Hall-of-Fame career, Waterfield led the Rams to four NFL championship games; winning two. Waterfield was a great all-around athlete. In addition to his quarterbacking duties, he was also the Rams' punter and kicker, plus he played defensive back with 20 career interceptions. Waterfield was named first team All-Pro three times and to the Pro Bowl twice. He was the NFL's MVP in 1945, and he was named to the NFL's 1940s all-decade team. Married to Hollywood sex symbol Jane Russell, the Los Angeles Times once stated that Waterfield’s life read “like a Marvel comic book. He was Captain America and the mighty Thor rolled into one, a real-life superhero who rewrote the record book, won the big game and got the girl -- a movie star, no less.”

THE VERDICT
Because this question spans generations, I wanted an historical perspective -- which is another way of saying I wanted to hear from historians and former Hall voters who might have seen the Rams’ greats from the 1950s or ‘60s. That way, we could gain a response that wasn’t stained by what Ken Crippen accurately calls “recency bias.”

Result? Mission accomplished.

As every juror pointed out, Aaron Donald is worthy of consideration. That’s why the question was posed. But all but Jack Silverstein and Jim Campbell either chose others or included Donald among them, with Deacon Jones a popular pick ... and that's understandable. There have been so many stars in the Rams' orbit that they could create their own Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Aaron Donald is just the latest.

But the question in front of us is direct: Is he the best ever? Better than Watefield and Van Brocklin? Bette than Olsen and Deacon? Better than Dickerson and Faulk? That’s a mighty steep hill to climb, yet Donald is equipped to do it. His resume is unassailable, from his eight first-team All-Pros ... to his 10 Pro Bowls ... to his three Defensive MVPs … to his all-decade choice ... to a league championship. There is nothing Aaron Donald did not conquer in 10 NFL seasons.
Until now.

Look, Aaron Donald was the best defensive player of his era, and he might be the best defensive tackle of all time. In fact, when historian John Turney measured him against the all-time greats at his position on this site Tuesday, he concluded that, yes, as a matter of fact, Aaron Donald was the greatest defensive tackle ever.
But the greatest Ram of all time? Our jury tells a different story. It included him among the franchise greats but, with two exceptions, failed to choose him as the best ever … which has more to do with the litany of luminaries who pulled on Rams’ jerseys than it does Donald.
Aaron Donald was a preternatural athlete who's a first-ballot cinch for Canton and one of the best defensive players in NFL history. But the greatest Ram ever? You heard our jury. No, he's not ... and that's OK. Because he's one of them.
Court adjourned


BY
CLARK JUDGE




© 2024

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I have seen the future - No trades are made - and yes, each of these guys are available when we pick - I know this because they were available in a mock draft simulator and those are never wrong. Anyway - your future Rams .....

19. Jared Verse - EDGE - Florida State
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52. Edgerrin Cooper - LB - Texas A&M
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83. Kiran Amegadjie - OT - Yale
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99. Mike Sainristil - CB - Michigan
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154. Jordan Jefferson - DT - LSU
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155. MarShawn Lloyd - RB - USC
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196. Patrick McMorris - S - California
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209. Sione Vaki - S - Utah
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213. Cornelius Johnson - WR - Michigan
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217. A.J. Barner - TE - Michigan
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254. Anim Dankwah - OT - Howard
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I. FUCKING. HATE. THE. CHARACTER. LIMIT. IT. CAN. SUCK. MY. TITS.

Well...AD retired. That's that. We have our backup quarterback for a year (as much as I'm loathe to admit it, might sign Tre'Davious White (although I'm doubtful how much he'll contribute if we do sign him, honestly, which is why I'm not including him in this mock), probably going to move Nick Hampton to inside linebacker (just makes sense for a variety of reasons, mainly because of his sideline-to-sideline athleticism, and so I don't have to spend a high pick on an inside linebacker because, honestly, I have bigger fish to fry), even if we do re-sign Ernest Jones (which I hope we do). So, let's get to the four trades:

TRADES:

2025 first-round pick, 2024 third-round pick (#83 overall), 2025 second-round pick and 2026 second-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for 2024 first-round pick (#27 overall) and 2024 fourth-round pick (#104 overall).

(I'm praying the person I'm targeting is still on the board as of then. We all but have to take a certain prospect at #19 if he falls to us; he won't fall to #27. Also assuming the Cardinals take the Minnesota trade that was speculated in Daniel Jeremiah's mock (ending up with three firsts from four), so I bet they'll be willing to part with the latest one so...)

#104 overall to the New York Jets for 2024 fourth round pick (#111 overall), 2024 seventh round pick (#256 overall) and 2024 seventh round pick (#257 overall).

(Yeah, this trade is just to have Mr. Irrelevant in this draft class too, along with another seventh. What can I say? I'm greedy. Jets move up for a falling defensive lineman (say, one of the LSU linemen), while we get a couple of sevenths to play with.)

Chatarius Atwell to the Baltimore Ravens for 2024 sixth round pick (#218 overall).

(Ravens have a real need at both receiver (where Zay Flowers is the only real threat, aside from OBJ, who may not re-sign with them. They have a collection of busts (Bateman and Agholor), but Atwell is different than them in that he provides a deep threat, albeit small, and he has better hands than Agholor and Bateman. The Ravens are definitely in win-now mode, so they could easily part with a late sixth-round pick.)

Derion Kendrick to the Denver Broncos for conditional 2026 seventh (becomes a sixth if Kendrick plays more than 75% of the snaps).

(I'm not a fan of Kendrick, and the Broncos may end up dealing Surtain. Either way, Kendrick could play in the slot for the Broncos, and we get rid of a penalty-prone player.)

All right, here it goes:

DRAFT

I can't do my mock draft because the character limit is apparently over the 10,000 limit. I never had this issue before, and I find it annoying that I can't do a detailed mock.

To add on to this, my other two mocks I've done apparently are over the character limit and got posted no problem, so this is a very, very recent thing.

EDIT: Split up my mock into four separate things: trades, Rounds 1-5, Rounds 6 and 7, and the roster. To say that I'm annoyed doesn't really come close. I'm sorry if I'm sounding like a bitch; I just...I'm having a fucking awful year.

Here are 10 questions I'm contemplating as we approach the draft:

1. The Laitu Latu question(s). Really a two-parter: (a) will he be there at #19, and (b) if so, will it be because of medical red flags? If the answers are (a) yes, and (b) no (and the other two top EDGE rushers, Dallas Turner and Jared Verse are, as I expect them to be, gone), he's my guy.

2. If the three top EDGE rushers are gone, I'm leaning toward a CB. The question here is, which of the top guys will make it to No. 19? My top guys are (1) Quinyon Mitchell, (2) Terrion Arnold, (3) DeJean Cooper, (4) Kool-Aid McKinstry (rising due to Pro Day performance), (5t) Ennis Rakestraw and Nate Wiggins.

3. Is there an OT who could drop to No. 19 and tempt me? While the Rams like AJ Jackson enough to tender him, they have not locked him in long term. If, say... a Troy Fautanu drops to No. 19, could the Rams (at the risk of making fans expecting defense scream "no!!!!") add another piece to the OL?

4. Same question for WRs. If, say, Brian Thomas, Jr., is still there at No. 19, could the Rams add another weapon?

5. The only other guy I see as a possible No. 19 target is Byron Murphy, II. My question is, do the Rams feel (as I do), that he's unlikely to be the BPA and taking him would be more of a knee-jerk reaction to Aaron Donald's retirement?

6. Back to the WRs... with such a deep class, will the Rams use one of their Day 2 picks to secure the long-term strength of the position?

7. At RB, I think the question isn't will the Rams take one. The questions are when and who? I'm hoping for Dylan Laube in Round 5.

8. Are the Rams targeting an ILB to supplant Christian Rozeboom? There are some Day 2 prospects I like (Edgerrin Cooper, Junior Colson), but I could see this being a spot that is addressed later (maybe Marist Luifau or Jaylan Ford).

9. Will we solve the PK issue in the draft?

10. Who is this draft's sleeper? My current candidate: Jonah Ellis, EDGE, Utah.

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Not many...

I had previously thought that Edge was biggest need since none were signed in FA. Deliberately so, I might add.

But now?

I think that it could go in many different directions, depending on who falls.

So many positions now fit Rams need/value parameters.

Edge
DT
CB
LOT
WR

Heck, maybe even QB if someone they love falls.

A Snead trade down would not cause me to fall out of my recliner, either.

Gonna just keep educating myself on these prospects and leave the driving to Snead/McVay.

I will say just 2 things.

First, I fully expect 4 quality players added by end of Day 2, with at least 2 of them Day 1 starters.

Second, I don’t envy mock drafters for Rams picks this year. Truly a crapshoot. Throwing darts might be just as accurate.

Can anyone help me with this?

I’ve had a few Niners fans say that Purdy nearly set a new record for air yards passing, after Questioning how many of his yards are do to YAC. Shanahan’s offense has a lot of short and middle throws to guys like McCaffrey and Deebo. I looked it up and get different stats from different sites so I must be doing something wrong.

In one instance he was 8th this season but in another he was 7th all time.