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All credit goes to @payote75 for the idea! I agree with him this is a thread that needs to be made. I'll start off with one of mine it's a cult classic but absolutely a B movie and has a pretty high profile cast to boot. Add to that it has one of the greatest one liners ever in movies!
With free agency starting tomorrow, I thought it might be fun to make some predictions. Either make predictions on the top guys or come up with some of your own.
QB - Kirk Cousins
DL - Christian Wilkins
Edge - Danielle Hunter
LT - Tyron Smith
CB - Kendall Fuller
DL - Leonard Williams
Edge - Bryce Huff
RB - Derrick Henry
RB - S.Barkley
Who do you think is the top free agent that the Rams sign?
A guy named Robert Mays, on a Nate Tice podcast said that Von Miller should have been the MVP of the 2021 Super Bowl.
He didn’t elaborate. I liked the addition of Miller on the team. He was great against the run and in containing the QB. But did he deserve Super Bowl MVP when the Rams beat the Bengals?
Without rewatching the game, I’d say Kupp, Stafford, and AD all had better games.
Would you give up a toe for your favorite team? How about a finger?
Now THAT is some over-the-top fandom...
From the first line of the article:
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Some of the people who attended the near-record cold Kansas City Chiefs playoff game in January had to undergo amputations after suffering frostbite, a Missouri hospital said Friday.
The temperature for January's Dolphins-Chiefs wild-card playoff game was minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit, and wind gusts made for a wind chill of minus 27 degrees.
In an alternative universe where Oldnotdead takes control of Rams HQ and we pick our QB1 of the future this year, who would you choose?
Would you trade the farm (we’ll leave aside the exact details of said trade, as this is merely a hypothetical exercise) for one of the top three, or trade up a bit less to guarantee yourself McCarthy or Nix? Do you stay at nineteen and take Penix or A N Other?
If we HAD to take one in Round One this year, which QB would you take?
KROENKE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES KEY ADDITIONS TO EXECUTIVE TEAM
Mike Neary Named Executive Vice President of Business Operations and Development
Kevin Demoff Named President of Team and Media Operations
DENVER (Thursday, March 7, 2024) – Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) announced today key additions to its executive team as part of a corporate-wide restructuring. Long-time KSE Executive MIKE NEARY will now be Executive Vice President, Business Operations and Development and Los Angeles Rams President KEVIN DEMOFF is being named President, Team and Media Operations.
“When my father established KSE, it was with the vision of creating a global sports and entertainment organization which has championship standards across the board,” said KSE Vice Chairman JOSH KROENKE. “As my father and I take KSE into this next chapter, we are thrilled to add to our executive team Mike and Kevin, two accomplished and passionate leaders both with a long history as part of the KSE family, to help us evolve our organization and better connect our properties not only here in Denver but across the world. Between transformative developments around our venues, the future of fan engagement through dynamic media offerings, and winning more championships, the future of KSE is bright and Kevin and Mike will help us set the standard to deliver for our community and our fans.”
As Executive Vice President, Business Operations and Development, Neary will oversee operations of various KSE companies and venues, notably Ball Arena, DICK’S Sporting Goods Park and the Paramount Theatre. With game-changing developments planned around these venues, Neary will help lead KSE’s real estate development initiatives to ensure streamlined operations and to establish a cohesive identity as these exciting mixed-use neighborhoods become a part of the Denver community. In addition, Neary will help set the strategy for KSE’s current operations and future growth by leading key functions, such as Human Resources, Information Technology, Risk Management, and others.
Neary will report to Josh Kroenke and will be based in Denver.
“I am extremely honored and excited for this new role within KSE, and want to thank Mr. Kroenke, Josh and the Kroenke Family for trusting me with this opportunity and allowing me to work with such an incredible group of people,” said Neary. “The team at KSE consistently delivers world-class entertainment and experiences for our fans and I cannot wait to see what we can do as we continue to build on this momentum.”
With an extensive background in real estate development and operations, Neary also has more than two decades of experience working across the various Kroenke affiliated companies, ranging from real estate, to media, to professional sports and entertainment organizations.
As President of Team and Media Operations, Demoff will oversee operations of all KSE teams including the Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), and Colorado Mammoth (NLL), as well as operations of all KSE Media properties including Altitude Sports and Entertainment, KSE Radio, and Outdoor Sportsman Group. In this role, he will report to Josh Kroenke.
Demoff will continue to serve as President of the Los Angeles Rams, reporting to Los Angeles Rams and KSE Owner/Chairman E. STANLEY KROENKE. Demoff will be based both in Los Angeles and Denver.
“I am honored and humbled to take on this role with KSE and I am grateful to Stan and Josh for this opportunity,” said Demoff. “I am excited to work with so many talented teammates who have helped KSE become the most influential sports and entertainment company in the world. With the goal of sustaining winning cultures and organizations that transcend the field, court, or ice, we will collaboratively build a best-in-class experience for our fans in Denver, Los Angeles, and around the globe.”
Since joining the Rams in 2009, Demoff helped bring the National Football League and the Rams back to Los Angeles and has played a significant role in delivering on Kroenke’s vision to design and construct Hollywood Park, the 298-acre sports and entertainment district in Inglewood that features SoFi Stadium, the home of the Rams. Demoff works closely with General Manager Les Snead and Head Coach Sean McVay and was instrumental in delivering on Kroenke’s promise of bringing a Super Bowl Championship to Los Angeles, with the Rams making history and topping the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 at SoFi Stadium. Demoff has worked with local leaders to bring high-profile events to the greater Los Angeles region over the next decade including the FIFA World Cup 26™, Super Bowl LXI in 2027, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In Demoff’s tenure with the Rams, he has shaped the club’s business efforts with a focus on delivering a best-in-class experience for fans and partners, building a team that reflects Los Angeles, and increasing the club’s presence in the community. With a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, Demoff has intentionally built one of the most diverse front offices in sports. The Rams rank in the top quartile of all NFL teams in terms of racial and gender diversity across the organization. As a result, Demoff was awarded the Daniel M. Rooney Lifetime Achievement Award from the Fritz Pollard Alliance in 2023 and was named one of Sports Business Journal’s 2023 ALL-IN Leaders in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Looking to expand that commitment beyond Los Angeles, Demoff helped found the Black Sports Business Symposium, which aims to create new opportunities for diverse professionals in the world of sports and to increase Black representation in the industry.
Contact: Jim Mulvihill, Director of Marketing Communications, 720.385.9149, Jim.Mulvihill@KSE.com
About Kroenke Sports & Entertainment
Denver-based Kroenke Sports & Entertainment is one of the world’s leading ownership, entertainment and management groups. As owners and operators of the Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Mammoth (NLL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), Ball Arena, Paramount Theatre and Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, KSE’s sports and entertainment assets are second to none. Additional properties under the KSE umbrella include Altitude Sports & Entertainment, the 24-hour regional television network, KSE Radio, Outdoor Sportsman Group, and Altitude Authentics, the company’s official retail provider.
Mike Tyson will face Jake Paul in a boxing match July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in the main event of a card that will air on Netflix, officials told ESPN.
'We Want To Win It!': Rams GM Les Snead Reveals Backup QB Plans
With a proven veteran and Super Bowl champion in Matthew Stafford at quarterback, the Los Angeles Rams can consider themselves blessed at the game's most-important position.
For as good as Stafford is, though, he's sadly not invincible. The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback just turned 36 last month, and he's dealt with multiple injuries over the past couple of seasons. As a result, the Rams must make sure they have a viable backup plan in case Stafford goes down again next season.
Rest assured, general manager Les Snead is well aware of this predicament, and he intends to be aggressive in addressing it this offseason.
“What we do want to accomplish this year is making sure we have … if we ever have to go play a game without Matthew in the lineup, we want to be able to win it,” Snead said, per Rams Newswire. “And I think this year, different than last year based on salary cap, could allow us to maybe do a veteran QB. The flexibility with the cap does allow us to do that where last year, we thought, you know what, let’s try to be the most competitive team with our starting 22, but it did come back to hurt us definitely (in) one game last year.”
The game Snead is referring to is the Rams' 20-3 road loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 9, in which they were forced to start Brett Rypien at quarterback as Stafford dealt with a thumb injury. That game was by far the Rams' worst offensive showing of the year, as they scored a season-low three points with just 187 yards of total offense, also a season-low. Rypien himself was ineffective at best, as he completed just 13 of 28 passes for 130 yards with an interception.
That game made the Rams realize that they needed a backup option, and just a few days later, they would sign Carson Wentz to address such a need. Wentz only played one game with the Rams, the regular-season finale against the San Francisco 49ers while Stafford was resting, but he was quite solid in that game.
The No. 2 overall pick in 2016 is slated to become a free agent next week, but the Rams would happily welcome him back as a backup.
Coincidentally, that Packers game was also the Rams' last before they went on a 7-1 run to close the year and make a surprise playoff appearance. Maybe having a viable backup behind Stafford contributed to the turnaround in some way, even if Wentz didn't play much.
Whether or Wentz or someone else, Snead is committed to having stability at the backup quarterback position this fall.
I think ideally the Rams would like to take a QB in the first round. If their targeted players are off the board that doesn't diminish the Ram need at QB. They would still need a QB2 which I think they could get in the 5th round. A player I've been looking at is Michael Pratt.
Pratt will drop because of his perceived lack of arm strength. But it was the same criticism of Drew Brees as a rookie. But as Brees showed it's simply a matter of improved targeted physical training.
What I like about Pratt is that he's a pocket passer who has flashed the ability to perform full field reads. His game is short to intermediate passing which he does well. McVay's revised offense is exactly that. Chunk plays coming from intermediate pass completions and YAC. He needs work on his mechanics but with a year behind Stafford, he would have time to develop. Pratt could provide good service as a QB2 with the ability to possibly evolve into a starter. His game is similar to Purdy's in some respects. He makes sound decisions quickly showing a sound understanding of passing concepts.
McVay's revised offense has opened the door to a QB like Pratt as either a quality backup or a potential starter. There is a lot of media buzz around Rattler but personally, I like Pratt a bit more.
Well, we won't have to worry about a lot of things. Mind you, this is just my opinion on a lot of things (YES, I am trading Kupp in this offseason. I think it's a likely possibility, one we have to be prepared for, given the amount of injuries he's had and his age, even though I still believe he can be an elite player.), so I hope things go well:
Position Switch:
Steve Avila - LG to OC
Nick Hampton - EDGE to ILB/EDGE
(Both make sense. Avila provides a huge body at center, and he played the position for most of his TCU days. Hampton has pass-rushing moves, but he's too small out on the edge, and would do better as an off-ball linebacker in sub-packages.)
Re-sign:
Ernest Jones (four years, thirteen million per year (contract starts at end of rookie deal)
Carson Wentz (one year, eight million).
Alaric Jackson (RFA, first round tender).
Michael Hoecht (RFA, second round tender).
Tyler Johnson (RFA, original round tender).
(We lock up Ernest Jones early and rectify the mistake we made when we let London Fletcher go. Wentz provides solid quarterback play. I'd love to re-sign him for one more year. A-Jax gets a deserving first round tender, Hoecht could get a second round tender, and I may even trade him if the right offer comes (which, knowing me, it will). Johnson won't cost a lot of money as a former fifth round pick.)
Release:
Kevin Dotson
Akhello Witherspoon
Christian Rozeboom
Jonah Williams
Coleman Shelton
Jordan Fuller
John Johnson III
Royce Freeman
Tremayne Anchrum
Duke Shelley
Larrell Murchison
Carson Tinker
Austin Trammell
Troy Reeder
Brett Maher
Brycen Hopkins
(Dotson and Witherspoon will suck to lose, but we'll get some nice compensatory picks for them. Rozeboom and Williams are the RFAs that will cost too much to re-sign. Shelton, Fuller, JJ3, and Freeman are good, but not irreplaceable. Anchrum, Shelley, Murchison, and Tinker are replacement-level players. Trammell, Reeder, Maher, and Hopkins can go far, far away.)
Free Agency:
Josh Uche - three years, 8.5 million per year.
(Uche had a fantastic year in 2022: eleven-and-a-half sacks and two forced fumbles in a mere 374 snaps (fifteen games, none of them starts.) Last year? Not so good: his snaps dipped to 319 snaps (fifteen games, two starts) and he only had three sacks and fifteen tackles. Uche was still solid enough in coverage, despite playing less than thirty percent on New England's snaps, and I feel he could be a bargain at the right price. Let's be honest: with the Ernest Jones re-signing and trading Kupp, we're going to have to be smart with our money, go for potential bargains instead of signing big-name free agents. Uche could still be a solid player, and he's only twenty-five. Why not?)
Sean Murphy-Bunting- three years, 6.5 million per year (option year for year three).
(I'm shocked that Murphy-Bunting was had so easily by the Tennessee Titans. He's a 6'0" corner who has produced big numbers in limited time (twenty-nine pass breakups, eight picks, six forced fumbles in thirty-six games started with solid coverage skills. Herein lies the problem, though; he's had a lot of injuries that have cut into his time spent on the field. Quite simply, this is a gamble, but one that I feel could absolutely pay off in a big way; we're talking about a twenty-six-year-old cornerback who does damn near everything well and produces.)
Amik Robertson - two years, two million per year (option year for year two).
(Another gamble at cornerback, Robertson hasn't lived up to the hype that I thought would make him a top slot corner, but he's still recorded fifteen pass-breakups, four picks, and two forced fumbles in the last two years, while playing more for the Raiders than he did in his first two years. He's short (5'8"), but he reminds me of another short slot corner we had: Nickell Robey-Coleman. He's around the same age as NRC when he signed with us (twenty-five years old), and I feel that this could be an underrated signing.)
TRADES (as a note, I'm going by Tankathon's picks):
Cooper Kupp and 2025 fifth round pick to the New England Cheatriots for 2024 third round pick (#68 overall) 2024 fourth round pick (#104 overall) and 2025 conditional third round pick (becomes a second if Kupp eclipses 1,300 yards, 100 receptions or eleven touchdowns).
(I know this is borderline blasphemy. I know that Kupp is an amazing player with a huge dead-cap hit that might preclude us trading him. But I'm looking to the future, and I've outlined the very real concerns surrounding him. He has never been the healthiest player (he's missed four games last year, seven games the year before, and eight games in 2018), last year had even worse stats than the year before (where he had more receptions, yards, and touchdowns in less games than he had this year), and he'll be thirty-one in June. The Cheatriots are absolutely desperate for wide receiver help, and they've targeted Rams coordinators for their system. Quite simply, they need a veteran wide receiver for what will almost certainly be a rookie quarterback. This makes the most sense.)
Michael Hoecht to the Buffalo Bills for 2024 third round pick (#99 overall, comp pick).
(Buffalo is a desperate team when it comes to winning in the playoffs. I can't imagine that their head coach is satisfied with losing constantly in the playoffs to the Chiefs, especially with a glaring need at pass-rusher. They are likely going to lose a fair few pass-rushers in Shaq Lawson, A.J. Epenesa, and Leonard Floyd - and that's not even mentioning the shit happening with Von Miller - and they need someone aside from Gregory Rousseau. Enter Hoecht, who has had quite a few sacks in his time as a Ram, probably will fit as an end in a base package and overall be a chess piece with his athleticism in a 4-3. We're not getting a second-round tender for Hoecht, but I believe a very late third wouldn't be an absurd price for a player who has had ten-and-a-half sacks and two forced fumbles in the past two years.)
Derion Kendrick, Chatarius Atwell, and Ben Skowronek to the Atlanta Falcons for 2024 fifth round pick (#142 overall) and 2024 sixth round pick (#199 overall).
(Right now, the Falcons need help at receiver and cornerback. They will likely lose Jeff Okudah and their secondary was terrible anyway, and they have nothing at receiver aside from Drake London, Van Jefferson (who is a free agent anyway, but still, lawl) and Kyle Pitts - the latter of whom is very unhappy in Atlanta. Raheem could use a couple of veterans for what's likely going to be a very young Falcons team. Kendrick has starter experience (but the main reason I'm trading him is because I don't like him, shhh.), and Atwell and Skowronek are useful complimentary pieces. And best of all, it doesn't take away from the main pieces that Raheem will need if he wants to trade up for a quarterback. In return, we get a couple of mid-late picks, which is useful for depth.)
Joseph Noteboom and 2026 seventh round pick to the New York Jets for 2026 sixth round pick.
(A pick swap in two years, but Noteboom simply costs too much for us, and the Jets still need a left tackle for their porous offensive line.)
2024 first round pick (#19 overall) to the Houston Texans for 2024 first (#23 overall) and 2024 second round pick (#59 overall).
(Houston moves up for a falling defensive lineman (thinking Byron Murphy), while we move down a bit and pick up a late second.)
2025 first round pick and 2026 second round pick to the Detroit Lions for 2024 first round pick (#29 overall).
(I'm going for another bold move. I don't think that there's anyone in the 2025 draft that I'm interested in (as of yet; it's definitely subject to change) that would fall to our (Super Bowl) winning pick...so I'm going to trade it to a team that, at the moment, doesn't have a lot of real needs. Detroit could use that pick next year for an offensive tackle (to potentially replace Decker while Sewell moves to the left side) or, if Paschal fails to impress, an edge opposite Hutchinson. People say cornerback is deep (I don't, but I'm admittedly wrong a lot.), and Detroit might look at cornerback later. In return, we're going to take a shot at a falling wide receiver.)
2024 second round pick (#59 overall, Texans) and 2024 fifth round pick (#142 overall, Falcons) to the Baltimore Ravens for second round pick (#62 overall), 2024 fourth round pick (#131 overall) and 2024 fourth round pick (#134 overall).
(Baltimore moves up for a falling player, as they usually do (thinking an edge rusher). We move down and still get our target, as well as a couple of mid round picks.)
And now, the moment you've all waited for, let's do the fucking draft!
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(SUCK IT, COWBOYS, WE GOT HIM FIRST! NO TYRON SMITH REPLACEMENT FOR YOU! Ahem, anyway, that injury he suffered at the Combine may just be the opening for our left tackle for the next five years; had he not gotten his thigh injured, there's no way he'd be at #19, let alone here. Fashanu is, in my opinion, the best pass-protecting left tackle in this class (yes, even over Fautanu and Alt). Maybe not a bulldozing run blocker like Taliese Fuaga, but very mobile, able to climb to the second level with ease. He has issues with his technique that could also pose a problem, but this is a kid who is extremely coachable, has practiced against great pass-rushers, and will practice against even more deadly pass-rushers, a team captain with absolutely impeccable character. This is a kid you could use to protect Stafford's blindside. Maybe it's not the first day - I still think A-Jax has that spot down, so maybe he's your swing tackle this year - but next year? Absolutely, you could put him there, and he could very well surprise and take the job this year and run with it, force A-Jax to guard.)
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(SUCK IT, CHIEFS, WE GOT HIM FIRST! NO TYREEK HILL-LIKE SPEED FOR YOU! Obviously, you worry about the weight, how he'll react to press-coverage, contested catches. That's it. His speed is absolutely for real, but Worthy is no John Ross; his hands, while they aren't at the elite category of his teammate, Adonai Mitchell (who will go before we pick in this mock), are still solid. He doesn't win through physicality like Tyreek Hill, but clever route-running, versatility (he can play outside, in the slot, everywhere), selling his speed to branch the other routes off of that, like digs, curls, and crossing patterns. He has the speed we desperately, desperately have searched for, but we are not drafting a Cooks, an Atwell; Worthy is absolutely for real.)
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(You guys all know that Beebe is my ultimate draft crush. Honestly, I'd be shocked if he lasted this long, but guards tend to fall on draft day (i.e., Avila having no business falling to the second, Larry Warford having no business falling to the third). Cooper Beebe is more of a left guard than anything, and with Avila moving to center and A-Jax (maybe Fashanu) on the left side, you've got a left side that opposing D-lines will absolutely hate to go up against in pass-protection. Beebe is an absolute wall in pass-protection and a mean-as-nails run-blocker whom running backs - and Stafford especially - will love. His short arms and bench press may knock him down in the eyes of some draftniks, but this is the one player I want us to get. Who knows if McSnead will listen, but he's going to be so fucking good as a guard.)
#62 overall - Ruke Orhorhoro, DE/DT, Clemson. (6'4", 294 lbs.)
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(Orhorhoro is getting Justin Madubuike comparisons. That alone makes him worthy of this selection, but he's just so damn new to this game (he had to wait a while to play at Clemson, and when he did, he did a real bang-up job) that you look at potential. He's long (34-inch arms), the kind of DT you'd build in a lab, quick, powerful, and despite not starting a lot, he has a real plan when it comes to rushing the passer, collapses the pocket, forces the quarterback into mistakes. What he needs is to learn more hand-placement, counters, that sort of stuff. Fortunately, he has two of the absolute best teachers in AD and The Conductor. This could be an absolute bargain of a pick, especially once AD - eventually - retires.)
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(I know what you're thinking: a running back this high? Memento, are you drunk/high/both? Well, Wright may change minds. He's not a running back; he's a pure weapon. He used to be a wide receiver and still runs the routes like one, so he could be much like a pseudo-Gibbs. But the main reason I'm picking him is because he's an explosive play waiting to happen, a dynamo with the ball in his hands, able to cause otherwise solid angles to flat out disappear with his speed, got ten-plus yards on over a quarter of his carries. But he does have weaknesses: four fumbles in 146 carries in 2022, and while he is absolutely capable of playing physical and getting tough yards, breaking tackles, he'll revert to running away. He's not a good interior runner yet; while he absolutely has above-average vision, he doesn't trust his eyes enough, and those holes close. But on jet sweeps, flips, reverses; hell, routes as a whole, Wright will show his potential there.)
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(Legette is thick, physical, and uber-athletic. Think Deebo if Deebo was two inches taller and not a crying baby when his pathetic team loses. But like Samuel, Legette has his own flaws. He hasn't had a lot of experience catching the ball; this year was the first time he ever eclipsed thirty receptions, and his team's offense was anemic, even with one of the better quarterbacks in this class (for various reasons). He struggles with run-blocking technique (even though he's got the willingness to do it), struggles with his release on the line, definitely struggles with route running at this stage. But the positives? His hands are as solid as they can get, and it doesn't matter if it's contested; he'll still catch it. He's an immediate YAC threat, someone Stafford could hit on slants, go-routes, and watch him fly (hit 22.3 miles-per-hour), but he'll also show hints of more subtle routes, like on comebacks, digs, and hitches after threatening vertical. He's a long-term project, but that's fine with Nacua, Robinson and Johnson taking a lot of snaps. He's like a nice cake: takes time to make, but the payoff is super sweet in the end.)
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(KAD is my other crush. I know that scouts and teams love Rakestraw more (and believe me, I love Rakestraw, too), but Abrams-Draine is a ballhawking corner, as solid and smart in zone as can be, athletic, and will absolutely stick his nose physically. He's improved a ton in press-man from when he first started (came to Mizzou as a wide receiver, and the last cornerback on my team - Tigers or Rams - I saw who looked so natural in breaking up passes and catching the ball? Darious Williams, and that's my comp for KAD. Mind you, he's not going to suddenly win 50/50 ball situations, his tackling needs a bit of work, and he can't trust his athleticism to bail him out all of the time, but this is a scheme-versatile cornerback who simply makes zone coverage, press-man, and ballhawking look easy when it's not. I'd be proud to select him at this point, and honestly, I think he'll be a better pro than most of the corners in this class.)
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(Thirty-six-inch arms. That's all I have to say. I don't even know if Amegadjie will be here, I really don't. He's just a mold of clay, with that length, that body, those smarts. Yes, smarts; he did not get into Yale based on athletic ability. Yes, going from Yale straight to the NFL is going to be a huge shock; yes, he's going to have to work on hand placement and actually using his length. But based on what tape I saw, he's just so light on his feet, mean in the running game, and those goddamned arms, just...this is a kid who could absolutely take over Havenstein's spot on the right side in two years, given enough growth - and I am absolutely not going to trade Havenstein; I'm just saying how good this kid's potential is.)
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(Obviously, Rice didn't test to what I thought he would. I don't care. I look at the film of this kid, and I see a dedicated worker to his craft, someone with some of the best hands in the draft, even if his physicality is lacking in some areas (even though he'll use his body to shield away defenders and break tackles, he lacks physicality against press-man), a smart route runner (courtesy of his father) and one of the smartest receivers when it comes to just doing all of the little things like making a target for a quarterback in duress (I'll say that he made Caleb Williams look a lot better than he was). He reminds me - just a little bit - of Kupp in those sheer instincts that you just cannot teach. He doesn't have a lot of wiggle after the catch, doesn't have a ton of lateral agility, but he will provide a body to throw to, and is a touchdown machine (with a score every 5.2 receptions in his college career), and his smarts are what really set him apart. Maybe he's not a number one, but as a reliable number two who will make an immediate impact? Absolutely.)
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(Let me be frank: this is not a good or deep tight end class like last year's was. You have Brock Bowers at the top, Ja'Tavion Sanders a long way below him, then very few whom I honestly believe are draftable (for various reasons. I like Erick All, but his medicals scare the absolute shit out of me), let alone like as prospects. Holker, however, is one of those few whom I actually like and I'd draft in the mid-rounds. Holker was not that good at Brigham Young, for whatever reason; he only had 521 yards, thirty-two receptions and three touchdowns, over three years. Then he transferred to Colorado State, and he became one of the Rams best pass-catchers - and arguably the most reliable - in a pseudo-LaPorta role (doubling touchdowns, more than doubling receptions, and 767 yards). He's no inline tight end, but he'll definitely stick his nose in, has the arm length and pad-level. He's not twitchy, he's not going to be a dynamic YAC tight end, but he's tough, his sheer body control and hands are insane (he caught TWO balls in the gauntlet, albeit completely by accident), and he's a solid enough athlete to be a threat and third-down machine in a lot of route combinations. He's not going to be spectacular, but he's going to be solid for a while.)
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(Solomon doesn't strike you as an edge at first glance. He's simply not a big or long guy; length really gives him trouble. But all he ever did at Troy was get sacks, rack up tackles for a loss, make the offensive line and quarterback's day a living hell; you simply don't get sixteen sacks by accident, no matter the competition. He's surprisingly athletic, smart with counter moves, constant effort, and he's overall a very smart player who plans his attack, usually from a wide base, but I would think that he could be a solid 3-4 linebacker. You worry about him against the run, of course, and of course, length and strength are usually game enders, but if he ever got counter moves for those, he could be a guy like Elvis Dumervil or Justin Houston and stay in the league for a very long time.)
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(Again, like I mentioned, I'm not in love with a lot of the supposed Day 2 cornerbacks, and I'm unsure on a lot of Day 3 corners as well. Smith-Wade might be one of the few Day 3 corners I absolutely love. I fucking love this kid as a potential slot/occasional outside corner. Is he the biggest? Absolutely not, but he seriously reminds me of Asante Samuel Jr., in that he could be a nickel corner/STAR position player who can stick on the bigger tight ends, slot receivers, running backs like glue, even though he may not have the athleticism necessary to stick with the outside. Sticky coverage (so much so that teams always threw away from him; that's why he didn't have many picks.), cat-quick, nice recovery speed on the rare occasions he's beat, underrated ball skills that he didn't often get to show, just a bunch of good attributes. The only thing that sticks is the size and frame; he will get big-boyed, miss tackles because he's slender, but even then, he's still willing at least stick his nose in run support with help. Honestly, while I may not love many Day 2 or 3 corners (KAD and Rakestraw aside), I love this kid.)
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(One word describes Davis: physical. He's always looking to break tackles, and he will never get driven backwards, will always fall forward. I wrestled a bit with Ray Davis - and I do love his production at Kentucky and his clear character - and Cody Schrader - whom I compare to Kyren Williams, and believe he will be a great pro - at this spot, but Isaiah fills a need as a powerful back, and is an absolute beast with the ball in his hands. His hands are soft, but not special, he's a pass-protecting rock, he's patient as a runner, maybe to a fault; when he sees a hole, he needs to actually go to it. He'll find alternate routes when there's nothing there, and that can be good, but he'll also maybe take too many steps, maybe bounce outside too much, getting away from what he's good at. But still, with a fifth-round pick, Davis is a running back who could easily be a number 3 in our stable with K-Will and Wright, someone you can consistently rely on to get the tough yards, like Freeman, but better.)
#157 overall - Nick Gargiulo, OC/OG/OT, South Carolina. (6'5", 318 lbs.)
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(Another former Yale lineman, Gargiulo is basically a Swiss-Army knife, having played guard and tackle at Yale before transferring to South Carolina and playing center. Yes, Spencer Rattler (the quarterback) didn't have a good offensive line and defense, but I've looked at Gargiulo's tape, and honestly, for someone transferring from Division Two, playing every position at Yale, and then starting at arguably the second-most important position on the line as well as guard...he really didn't do bad. Is the tape absolutely mind-blowing? No, but he's solid enough. You need backups in the NFL as well, and I think that having that center/guard backup is just as important as a swing tackle, and I really think Gargiulo could provide that.)
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(Liufau plays linebacker the way Nacua plays wide receiver: full-out, balls-to-the-wall physicality. He will stick you, dump you, and he will let you know it, and he is an exceptional cover linebacker, particularly in zone and occasionally in man; always in position, intelligent, but not an athletic freak of nature. Against the run, he's constantly active...to a fault. He needs to do a better job of diagnosing where the running lanes are, and he's too impatient at times, doesn't fill the right hole, bites on RPOs, takes occasional wrong angles, and basically needs to trust his instincts and slow the game down. He'd probably be perfect for special teams as well, honestly; Liufau is an intelligent player, even with athletic limitations, and with a late sixth, that's worth its weight in gold.)
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(Can you believe that Hunt played safety at Houston Christian? This is a real shot in the dark as he's extremely raw (like, rawer than sushi, rawer than a bloody-recently-killed-carcass-raw), but Hunt has the athletic traits (34-inch arms, 1.6 split), that make you sit up and go, "Holy fucking shit...", even though he didn't even really start as an edge rusher (again, until very recently, he played safety and just outgrew the position). He actually tends to feel out offensive linemen, and even though he needs work on his hands, he does a hell of a job with his moves, setting up offensive linemen with footwork and explosion, for someone so raw and succeeds even without a plan. And since he was a former safety not too long ago, he really excels at coverage as well. Against the run, anchoring, yes, he'll struggle, yes, the level of competition isn't great, and he obviously, obviously needs a lot of time, but this kid could be special. I reiterate: this kid could absolutely be special.)
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(Boyd was not invited to the Combine, but I believe he more than proved himself at the East-West Shrine Bowl against some really good offensive linemen. I think he's a fantastic option as a developmental nose tackle to pair behind Bobby Brown III. He's actually a very solid pass-rusher: ten-and-a-half sacks attests to that, but his real strength is stacking and shedding double-teams, and punishing the running back. He's big, and very quick for his size, definitely a smart and experienced player, but even though it may not seem like it, he'll need time in an NFL weight room with a planned meal course; he's simply not strong enough yet to withstand the grind, and Boyd himself even mentioned that Northern Iowa doesn't have the facilities that other colleges have (although he has a huge chip on his shoulder as a result of that). Boyd, like Hunt, is a long-term pick, but one that could flourish under the right circumstances.)
#218 overall - Ryan Watts, SAF, Texas. (6'3", 208 lbs.)
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(Watts may have been listed as a cornerback at Texas, but he's not. He simply doesn't have the long speed or quickness to even stick in the slot; his tape proves it, and his cornerback tape is ugly; that's why he's here. But when you project this kid as a potential safety, things start to look up. For one, thirty-four-inch arms. For another, he's already got the physicality down pat; he'll hit you hard and let you know it, and he will also power through blockers. He's never going to wow with athleticism, but this kid could be a solid safety with decent ballskills and coverage ability, and for now, could be a solid, solid special teams ace.)
ROSTER:
QB - Matt Stafford, Carson Wentz.
(At this point, I'm not expecting Bennett to come back. Stafford is Stafford, Wentz is Wentz.)
(K-Will is still starting, but if he gets hurt, Wright and Davis could share the reins. Evans could get first crack at backup, but I worry about his pass-protection and if that's improved. Rivers is also an option, I guess?)
(Nacua, Robinson and Worthy are your starters, while Rice and Johnson provide valuable rotational receivers (and punt returner, in Johnson's case). Legette is your kick returner.
TE - Davis Allen, Hunter Long, Dallin Holker. (Tyler Higbee PUP.)
(Someone on this team is going to get hurt before Higbee comes back, so I'm not totally concerned about leaving him on PUP. Tight end could be our weakest group, but it's also the most intriguing, given Allen, Long, and Holker.)
OL - Alaric Jackson, Cooper Beebe, Steve Avila, Warren McClendon, Rob Havenstein, Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Kiran Amegadjie, Nick Gargiulo, Logan Bruss, Zachary Thomas.
(The most interesting battle is A-Jax and Fashanu, but I'll say A-Jax's experience just wins out, while Fashanu could be your swing tackle. McClendon gets the first crack at the right guard job (and don't sleep on him) although Bruss or Thomas could say something about it, I guess? Gargiulo's your guard/center backup, while Amegadjie gets a redshirt year. ...Yes, I still have some faith in Bruss, what are you talking about?)
DL - Aaron Donald, Kobie Turner, Bobby Brown III, Desjuan Johnson, Ruke Orhorhoro, Khristian Boyd.
(AD is AD. The Conductor had a hell of a year last year, and I think he could be ascending. BB3 is your nose tackle, Johnson is a solid rotational piece, and Orhorhoro could be special, but should be eased along. Boyd is developmental.)
LB - Ernest Jones, Nick Hampton, Byron Young, Josh Uche, Javon Solomon, Jalyx Hunt, Marist Liufau, Jake Hummel.
(Hampton starts next to Jones (for now; we could see Hummel or Liufau start as well if Hampton falters), Young is a definite starter, and Uche (for now) is your other OLB (although Solomon could say otherwise.) Hunt gets a redshirt year. Sorry, but I'd rather have Hunt than Ochaun Mathis as a developmental edge rusher, although I guess Mathis could surprise.)
DB - Sean Murphy-Bunting, Cobie Durant, Amik Robertson, Russ Yeast, Quentin Lake, Kris Abrams-Draine, Chau Smith-Wade, Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, Jason Taylor II,, Tanner Ingle, Ryan Watts.
(Not exactly the best defensive back group, but I did the best with the limits I had. SMB and Robertson bring veteran presence to a very youthful group overall. I think Yeast and Lake can still improve, and I'm picking Durant to bounce back. KAD, CSW, and THT make up rest of the corners, while I'm going with five safeties: Taylor, Ingle (don't sleep on Ingle; he was one of our better players last preseason), and Watts.
ST - Tanner Brown, Ethan Evans (kickoffs), Alex Ward.
(No, I didn't draft a kicker for one reason: I like Tanner Brown, and I get the feeling that even if he struggles, it'll be easy to find a better kicker. Evans needs to practice on hang-time and coffin corners, but he could be one of the best punters in the game if he does. Ward was solid enough.)
How many players do you currently believe are worth the No. 19 pick?
Here’s my breakdown:
QBs (3): Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake May
RBs (0): My highest ranked guy is Trey Benson, but I don’t think he’s worth a Top 20 selection.
WRs (4): Marvin Harrison, Jr., Rome Odunze, Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas
TEs (1): Brock Bowers
OTs (5): Joe Alt, JC Latham, Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Troy Fautanu, Amarius Mims
IOL (2): Jackson Powers-Johnson, Graham Barton
DL (1): Byron Murphy
EDGE (3): Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, Laitu Latu
ILB (0): My highest ranked guy is Junior Colson, but he’s a Day 2 prospect
CB (4): Quinyon Mitchell, Terrion Arnold, Cooper DeJean, Nate Wiggins
SAF (0): I don’t see any safeties who are clear-cut Top 40 players.
Total: 23
So, the Rams, by my estimation, will have a choice among multiple players worth the No. 19 pick, but they also will potentially have some trade down options that would still yield one of the guys on my list.
My question is HOW IN THE HELL DOES SF GET A 3RD FOR Garapolo while we ONLY get a 5th for Mayfield? Mayfield played like a beast and Garapolo played like a girl. I know the 'formula" is allegedly $money, playing time and probably something else but no way does SF deserve a 3rd for him and we deserve more than a 5th for Mayfield. He got Tampa in the postseason while Garapolo got O'Donnel playing time.
I’m assuming that Snead got quality starters for both Edge and CB via FA without trading his pick at 19.
At this point the decision at 19 becomes VERY interesting.
Take another blue chip CB that falls?
Or an Edge that fell, for that matter?
Say, how about an elite OC?
Or a top OG or OT still on the board?
Or my favorite, a blue chip WR weapon?
Of course, there’s the ever popular trade down scenario where Snead can add valuable picks (my 2nd favorite scenario)
My point is that IF Snead can get those 2 quality vets at Edge and CB then the draft is his oyster and he can really load up this roster with some serious talent by going in any one of several directions on Days 1 and 2.
What do y’all think? What’s your particular preference?
Former Ram Darius Williams released by Jags. He was a very good player for our Rams. If Williams were more economical would you rather have him or Ahkello Witherspoon? Witherspoon is only 28 years old while Williams is 30.
The notifications for private messages no longer are showing up under that icon. I get them on the thread alerts. If I do not click them, they are gone for good. If I click my PM tab, they are not there.
It’s been this way for a while. I clicked on a pm in my thread anlerts and saw I had two old ones. After clicking one, the others were gone.
From the Jordan's reporting on presser with Snead:
"On Wednesday, Snead was a little more gray, though he also indicated the team is giving Donald his usual space following the football season. “Definitely hope Aaron is … I know Aaron is definitely approaching the offseason where he’s doing his normal getting-away, somewhat trying to get revitalized with the goal of playing good football,” Snead said."
Jourdan on the pod today says don't freak out but situation needs to be monitored about Donald. She says at combine lots of chatter from other teams about what's gonna happen with Donald. Could he retire, does he want more money on back end of contract? She reminded everyone he has a no trade clause but that all that means is that he needs to approve it. She reports McVay and Snead less clear about his status recently. She wonders about Eric Henderson leaving. Says she doesn't know what's gonna happen but lots of chatter, lots of teams asking at combine about Donald's status and what it means for Rams allocation of salary cap. Also mentions Snead tone having shifted from beginning of offseason about Donald being around.
I'm sure people are gonna get a bit nuts over this so just suggest you listen to 11 Personnel Pod.
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