One of the things that I think will have a big determination for the Rams draft strategy is if they need to add to the number of roster players as much as they did last year through the draft.
They seem to be pretty pleased with most of those guys. Just because they didn't immediately bloom doesn't mean they won't. Fans tend to give up quickly on rookies, but the Rams are pretty patient.
So, it seems to me that unless the Rams are looking to let several of their 1st and 2nd year guys go, they don't need a lot of infusion of young roster players. What they need is a few upper level quality guys.... top 100 pick type of guys.
When we look at what they did FA, then it seems to me that they need the following:
ONE starting EDGE.
ONE starting/rotational DT
ONE inside LB
ONE Kicker
ONE return specialist
Outside of that, the rest would be depth players. And, I suspect that the younger guys are now considered the depth.
The Starting EDGE and DT can be had with their first 2 picks. And inside LB with one of their 3rd rounders, and if they really like a WR as a return specialist as well, their other 3rd rounder.
The 5th and 6ths can be just about any position, but I expect the Rams could go as high as a 5th for a Kicker. Another RB would be added in there somewhere.
And, as Snead says all the time, roster building never ends. The draft doesn't end the player acquisition. There is UDFA, and there will be vet cuts later on.
Bottom line: the Rams just don't need very many players, but what they do need is immediate starter/contributor types as opposed to more development types.
So, I could see Les packaging some lower picks with some higher picks to move up a bit in any of the 1st three rounds.
