5th Rd / Pick #172 - Chris Paul Jr, LB, Ole Miss

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Well poke my eyes and call me Stevie!

2 - firsts
1 - second
1 - third
2 - fifths
2 - sixths
1 - seventh

9 Picks? We're loaded!!!
Don’t forget compensatory picks for free agency.
 
This draft looks really strong overall with only one potential complaint, that being no CB. Rams obviously like their boys back there.
Agreed.... and for those that weren't aware of how many are in the CB room :
Akhello Weatherspoon
Darious Williams
Cobie Durant
Derion Kendrick
Emmanuel Forbes
Josh Wallace
Charles Woods
Cam Lampkin
AJ Green
Shaun Jolly
 
Paul may be good enough to take Speights' job. Not sure if they're going to open that up (he said he sees himself as a field general), or if they see Paul as a pairing. Hopefully the latter, though I would at the least have both Speights and Paul as that pairing need to beat out the dudes beneath them.

Also this UDFA kid we're bringing in might give Speights some competition. I think it'll be tough to unseat him given the advantage in knowing the defense, but the more competition the better.
 
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Agreed.... and for those that weren't aware of how many are in the CB room :
Akhello Weatherspoon
Darious Williams
Cobie Durant
Derion Kendrick
Emmanuel Forbes
Josh Wallace
Charles Woods
Cam Lampkin
AJ Green
Shaun Jolly
Would look much better if we had at least one plus corner.
 
Would look much better if we had at least one plus corner.
Agreed. Plenty of quantity, but not much quality.

And Witherspoon, Durant, Kendrick and Jolly are all going to hit free agency next year (other than the ageing Williams, the others have barely played), which will leave us needing to either pay or replace them.

I’m sure the FO has a plan, but it isn’t immediately obvious what that plan is.
 
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Paul may be good enough to take Speights' job. Not sure if they're going to open that up (he said he sees himself as a field general), or if they see Paul as a pairing. Hopefully the latter, though I would at the least have both Speights and Paul as that pairing need to beat out the dudes beneath them.

Also this UDFA kid we're bringing in might give Speights some competition. I think it'll be tough to unseat him given the advantage in knowing the defense, but the more competition the better.
I thought we were high on Speights last year, or was he last years old toy?
 

LB Chris Paul, Ole Miss

While Ole Miss’ Chris Paul is undersized at the linebacker position, he has no fear in stacking and shedding blockers. He is a highly instinctive player who proved to be a problem in coverage.

In one-on-one drills, he had no issues sinking into the hip and carrying running backs and tight ends, and in team drills made a handful of savvy plays to disguise himself and get his hands on the football.

A firm tackler, a great athlete, and a leader, Paul is going to stick around the NFL.

From the Shrine Bowl
 
I thought we were high on Speights last year, or was he last years old toy?
He did good. But the bar's about to go up so I hope he is ready. :thumbsup1:
 
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The reason I liked Nick Martin more than Paul was his rush threat for attacking the backfield. So I'd say if Paul has a weakness it's his rushing ability (but Paul is better in coverage I think and probably overall). But it's not like he's competing to break into a high end ILB unit. Rather he's going to be part of that process to create a high end ILB unit.

Anyway. CP and the UDFA kid are a real nice shot in the arm for this unit. I'm actually stoked to see them in preseason.
 
Agreed. Plenty of quantity, but not much quality.

And Witherspoon, Durant, Kendrick and Jolly are all going to hit free agency next year (other than the ageing Williams, the others have barely played), which will leave us needing to either pay or replace them.

I’m sure the FO has a plan, but it isn’t immediately obvious what that plan is.
CB could be our mid season trade deadline target position.
 
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The Rams don’t pay safeties and usually only have one star corner. There defense is built on the LOS. That’s where the money goes.

Didn’t they only allow 10 points or fewer in three consecutive games last year? Even if the teams aren’t great three in a row is impressive.
Would be a better defense with a plus corner. Would better help against tougher teams like the Eagles. Besides, as we all know, a good chunk of them will be FAs next year.