Before I get into the draft I want to talk about a few positions and where I am with them.
I think the Rams want to come away from this draft with at least 5 positions:
WR
TE
OLB
OC
CB
What was interesting was the pre draft presser combined with mini camp interviews. McSnead mentioned getting
EXPLOSIVE PLAYMAKERS on offense. They also mentioned the
BEST 5 OL WILL START. Havenstein mentioned learning all the OL positions. What does that tell me? Versatile OL in the draft and TEs and WRs that are not plodders. With that said, lets look at these 4 positions.
First the TEs:
I really think with what McVay had in Washington and who they have looked at in the draft process paints a very specific picture.
Washington's TEs:
Jordan Reed - 6'-2" 236 lbs
Niles Paul 6'-1' 226 lbs.
Vernon Davis 6'-3" 250 lbs.
The prospects they have visited in some shape or form:
OJ Howard 6'-6" 251 lbs. (1st round)
Evan Engram 6'-3" 234 lbs. (Late 1st, early 2nd)
Gerald Everett 6'-3" 239 lbs. (Late 2nd, to 3rd)
George Kittle 6'-4" 237 lbs. (4th to early 5th)
Johnny Mundt - 6'-4" 243 lbs. (Udfa)
So what does it mean to me? McVay likes his TEs 6'-2" to 6'-4" and 230 to 250 lbs. Thats bad news for fans of Adam Shaheen, Jordan Leggett and Bucky Hodges fans. I think there is a good possibility that Engram is gone before the Rams pick in the 2nd. Howard is long gone. 37 is a too early for Everett, but he could be a realistic target in the 3rd. Kittles is the less explosive then the other 3 but you can get him in the 4th.
WR:
The Rams have looked at a ton of WRs. I'm going to break these guys down a tad.
Slot:
Taywan Taylor 5'-11" 203 lbs. 4.46 (3rd to 4th)
Trent Taylor 5'-8" 181 lbs. 4.64 (7th to Udfa)
Austin Carr 6'-1" 194 lbs. 4.54 (7th to Udfa)
Tim White 5'-11" 175 lbs. 4.50 (udfa)
Deep Threat:
John Ross 5'-11" 188 lbs. 4.22 (1st to early 2nd)
KD Cannon 5'-11" 182 lbs. 4.42 (6th to 7th)
Jamari Staples 6'-3" 195 lbs. 4.51 (6th to Udfa)
Redzone/ possession WRs:
JuJu Smith-Schuster 6'-1" 215 lbs. 4.54 (early 2nd to early 3rd)
Darreus Rogers 6'-1" 216 lbs. 4.90 (7th to Udfa)
Damore'a Stringfellow 6'-2" 211 lbs. 4.66 (7th to Udfa)
Josh Reynolds 6'-3" 194 lbs. 4.52 (late 3rd to 4th)
Multi-purpose WRs:
Zay Jones 6'-2" 201 lbs. 4.46 (2nd to 3rd)
Chad Williams 6'-1" 204 lbs. 4.35 (5th to 6th)
WR turned QB turned WR:
Greg Ward 5'-11" 186 lbs. 4.58 (Udfa)
They are looking at everything. But what they have been saying has me leaning in a certain direction. Multiple people have said DeSean Jackson made the Washington offense go. They are looking for explosive playmakers. So I am thinking guys like Kupp, Hansen, Darboh, Dupree, Stewart and Godwin are out. And I like a lot of these guys. I really think they are in love with John Ross (good or bad, your decision) and if they can land him somehow some way they will. Their fallback is to get a Jones, Reynolds, JJSS and then go with a Cannon or Williams late. I have no idea what they are looking at with the slot guys. They must have questions with Cooper and have Austin playing all over the place. Austin removes Curtis Samuel from the equation.
OLB:
They need depth at the position. Barwin is on a 1 year deal, Quinn is learning a new position and has back injury history.
They are looking at:
Derek Rivers - 6'-4" 248 lbs (2nd to 3rd)
Vince Beigel - 6'-3" 246 lbs. (late 3rd to early 5th)
I think the Rams will find a way to land one of these 2. Other prospects that fit the mold include: Tim Williams, Carl Lawson, Jordan Willis, Tyus Bowser, TJ Watt, Carroll Phillips, Keion Adams and Jojo Mathis.
OC/OG
They will need a backup to Sullivan who has never regained his form after back surgery and isn't a spring chicken. I think they also would like someone who fits more zone and can play multiple spots. OG could be a need if Saffold gets cut, or cut next offseason or both and do the Rams really have a RG yet? Best 5 start, right?
Who they have looked at:
Forrest Lamp - 6'-4" 309 lbs. (1st)
Dan Feeney 6'-4" 305 lbs. (2nd)
Taylor Moton 6'-5" 319 lbs. (3rd to 4th)
Dion Dawkins 6'-4" 314 lbs. (2nd)
Kyle Fuller 6'-5" 307 lbs. (6th to 7th)
Chase Roullier 6'-4" 312 lbs. (5th to 6th)
Outside of Roullier and Moton, all are zone fits. And even these 2 could work I think. Lamp could play anywhere on the line. Feeney is a OG/OC combo that i think the Rams really like. Moton is a RT/OG combo. Dawkins is a OT/OG. Fuller is a C only. Roullier is a OC/OG. I also think the Rams like Pocic and are hiding their interest. he is a perfect fit as a zone blocking OG/OC combo that needs to get stronger.
CB:
Depth needed all over the secondary, and it would be almost criminal not to draft a CB from this draft.
Well ,that went long. But I had my last calf at 5 am and am currently sitting out a blizzard. Welcome to ND in April. On to the mock.
2.37 - Evan Engram - TE - Ole Miss.Why he makes sense - I said 2 months ago I said I thought Engram was the closest prospect to Jordan Reed in the draft. I stand by that. The Rams need a TE and they have stated they need explosive playmakers. he fits the bill. As a TE or a slot WR or wherever you need him.
Who else makes sense?
Dan Feeney as a OG/OC zone fit combo. If Engram is gone, I really think Feeney could be the pick.
John Ross or Corey Davis if they slide. I really think the Rams want Ross to slide to the point they can trade up and get him. Let me put it another way, I wouldn't miss Thursday night.
Derek Rivers/TJ Watt/Jordan Willis - they have a need for a playmaking edge and if Engram/Ross are gone, BPA might be one of these guys.
Ethan Pocic - if they could trade back in the 2nd, he is probably your guy ( I don't like him as much as others)
Zay Jones - a high volume, sure handed WR that can play all over and ran really well at the combine.
3.69 - Ethan Pocic - OC - LSUWhy he makes sense - A combo OC/OG that is better suited to a zone scheme. I am not a huge fan of this guy as I want a stronger interior lineman, but he fits.
Who else makes sense?
Teez Tabor if he slides due to his pedestrian 9at best) 40 time and concerns about his ability to cover deep threats.
Derek Rivers - He could be there. I would scoop him up in a minute if he was.
Juju Smith-Schuster - I have serious doubts he slides to the 3rd.
Gerald Everett - if the Rams miss on Engram, he would fit the bill just fine.
4.112 - Cameron Sutton - CB - TennesseeWhy he makes sense - A man corner that could move inside to nickle. Broke his ankle to start the season and missed half the year. Was an All American punt returner as a Jr. Rams have shown interest.
Who else makes sense?
Josh Reynolds - as a redzone/ deep threat.
George Kittle - nice consolation prize if they miss on Engram and Everett.
4.141 - Vince Biegel - OLB - WisconsinWhy he makes sense - While Watt gets all the attn., Biegel is the team captain. High motor, high effort 3-4 OLB that can get stronger, but sets a good edge right now.
Who else makes sense?
Frankly at this point whatever they have missed as far as OC, Edge, WR, TE
A safety - John Johnson, BC or Eddie Jackson fit the bill. maybe Lorenzo Jerome St. Francis as well.
5.149 - Chad Williams - WR - Grambling St.Why he makes sense - under rated 6'-1" 200 lb. ran a 4.35 (doesn't play to that speed) natural hands, plays bigger then he is (similar to ArDarius Stewart in that regard)
Who else makes sense?
A developmental OT, Sam Tevi maybe
DL help. DJ Jones, Ole Miss for example, Deatrish Wise, Arkansas
Jonnu Smith TE if he slides.
6. 189 - KD Cannon - WR - BaylorWhy he makes sense- a WR that can take the top off a defense. Needs route tree work and has iffy hands which is why he slides. The Rams poor man's version of DeSean Jackson.
Who else makes sense?
Keion Adams -Edge - a pass rush specialist from Western Michigan
Chase Roullier - OC Wyoming - If they don't have their OC/OG combo lineman yet
DL depth
S/CB depth
6. 206 - Jayon Brown - ILB - UCLAWhy he makes sense - could add some depth to the ILB group while he adds some size and strength to hold up.
Who else makes sense?
Ben Gedeon or Ben Boulware - ILBer options
maybe Int. Line depth
A safety that slipped.
7.234 - David Jones - S - RichmondWhy he makes sense - A 6'-1.5" 205 lb. S that is an absolute ballhawk. Rams have shown late interest as they were at his pro day. Ran a 4.43/4.45.
Who else makes sense ?
100 players that none of us could never have imagined and probably all hate. LOL
Rudy Ford - another S the Rams have shown interest in.
Alex Kozan - OG Auburn. There's another Snead AU connection.
Damore'ea Stringfellow - SEC WR that is a redzone/possession guy.
Undrafted Free Agents:
Darreus Rogers - USC - try him out, he's from USC. Production was better then that 4.9 40 time.
JoJo Mathis, Washington - an edge setting OLB
OC - There will be 1 to 3 OCs that are not drafted. Bring one in.
Justin Davis - RB - USC
Chance Allen - WR - Houston - plays faster then his 4.78 40 time.
Austin Carr/ Trent Taylor/Jamari Staples - get warm bodies in camp at WR
Blake Jarwin - TE - Okla. State - fits the Rams bit as a pass catcher in that 6'-4" 245 range.
As far as addressing needs - i covered WR, TE, OC/OG, OLB, S, ILB, CB. So I got the major holes filled.
As far as how realistic, without trades who really knows. I can see 4 things happening with this draft early:
1. Rams trade up to get one of Ross, Davis, Engram or Njoku.
2. They stand pat and hope Engram falls. If he does, he's the pick, if he doesn't, its Feeney.
3. Engram is gone and they trade back in the 2nd and draft Juju Smith-Schuster, Zay Jones, Feeney, and Edge like Rivers
4. They take a defender that drops due to whatever. More then likely a DB like Peppers.'
Anyhow, enjoy. The snow is starting to pile up...sigh
Don't waste your time looking back, you're not going that way. - Ragnar Lothbrok
