Now that's a draft I could fall in love with, even if doesn't have Kraft. I'm not the biggest LaPorta fan (especially since I'm hoping for Kraft at that range), but I can see why y'all like him.
Have to admit I like it, really starting to warm up to Jaren Hall.
I'm not certain why is his production fell off, but, he was still 3rd in the nation at QB pressures in the last 2 seasons, so he was getting penetration. Also, the beast Harold Perkins started to come up later in the season and was cleaning up a bunch of pressures Ojulari was in on. Also, he missed 2 games with a knee that looked like he was bothered by it for a lot of the remaining season. I watch too much LSU football because my buddy is an alum.
Yes, I think the edge options are far and away better then the CB options in the 3rd. Guys like Hall, Foskey, Tuli, McGuire are all likely in or near 3rd round and honestly not much of a drop off from the guys projected in the 2nd.
The thing with Hall is that he dropped weight for the Senior Bowl and looked great. Also if you go back into his history he was careful his senior year in HS in terms of pacing himself and it was one of the reasons he chose Auburn, was that the DC there busted his balls about his lack of effort that year. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, granted, but a guy who shows well in the Senior Bowl and who has good physicality in his edge setting sounds like a guy who will be on the Rams radar. Plus he's an option after the trade down in round 2 into round 3 most likely. And lastly he's a busy, likeable kid, if that vid series on him is to be believed.
Converting pressures to sacks often comes down to luck. Occasionally, there are guys who have long careers where they get tons of pressures but don't convert them often (Brandon Graham and Chris Long are two examples). But usually, guys who pressure the QB a lot convert to sacks at a solid rate. Because that rate fluctuates from year to year, sack totals fluctuate from year to year.
"pass rushers and pass catchers" - that's what's been said about Rams this draft. You can go after both in the top 100 picks.
Pass catchers hasn't been said nearly as much as edge or even cornerback. I think we lost so many starters in D that it's assumed we'll go that route which makes sense, but for some reason, I feel like the offense is where they'll take it since I'm sure McVay wasn't satisfied with that side of the ball's production. Gonna be interesting to see which weapon they choose if they do indeed go offense. I'm just going to eat my popcorn and enjoy the show.
This draft isn't fantastic for weapons honestly. I sincerely don't love or even like any WR at 36 (unless a projected first drops like Addison). The only weapon at 36 I could see would be a TE. I'm still thinking Gibbs goes before 36 and I'm hoping he does.
My issue with Hall is that he's a face-up rusher. He wins with strength, length, and effort. (In the NFL, he'll need to add skill to the mix.) He does not bend well. He's not the sort of guy who explodes off the ball, dips under a blocker, and turns the corner. He goes through the man in front of him.
If it's not great for weapons, more reason for McVay to be tempted by one since the pickings could be slim. I just hope whoever we pick is a great addition at this point. I'm just ready to see more of the plan unfold.
Agreed on all. But the bendy and the speed/twitch guys go earlier because teams know this.
