3 bold predictions for KA Rams in 2024 draft…
| April 17, 2024 05:58AM |
3 Bold predictions for Los Angeles Rams in 2024 NFL Draft
Some may be more bold than others.
[ramblinfan.com]
Cameron Ellis
The LA Rams are back. That's not even really a joke, either – for the first time in almost a decade, the Rams have a first-round pick.
The last time they were here, eight years ago, they were taking Jared Goff first overall back in 2016. They have, of course, done just fine without them, but having a first-rounder never hurts, especially for a team that's beginning to enter the post-Aaron Donald (and eventually Matt Stafford) years.
But the Rams are the Rams, and GM Les Snead is Les Snead, so there's probably at least one wild draft moment coming at some point next weekend. And while we all sit here patiently waiting for that to happen, let's boldly predict what that draft moment may be. These are our three best guesses.
1. Trade back in the first round
Admittedly, this isn't that bold. But the team is entering the 2024 NFL Draft with 11 draft picks. Will they want to trade back to add more to their ammo? Here's a look at all the picks the Rams currently have as per the NFL website:
So it's not like the Rams even need the extra capital. But the guess here is that the Rams still feel the urge to trade off 19. With only four of their 11 picks being within the Top-100, there's plenty of ammunition there to try and squeeze out an extra one or two picks before Day 3 kicks off. And the team has a huge gap
Maybe the Cardinals – who have the 4th and 27th overall picks – want to get spicy and pull off a franchise-altering first round? It may be hard for the Bills to replace Stefon Diggs at 19, but it'll be almost impossible to do it at 28, where they're currently slated to draft. As long as they don't pick up the phone when the Eagles call, trading down will probably work out just fine.
2. Draft QB prospect Spencer Rattler
What's a Bold Predictions list without some quarterback content? Starting quarterback Matt Stafford doesn't owe the Rams anything, but he hasn't played a full season in almost three calendar years and is 36 years old. He's going to sling in until his arm falls off, which, given how many elbow injuries he's dealt with recently, feels like an inevitability. And respectfully, neither Jimmy Garoppolo nor Stetson Bennett are worth discussing in a conversation about future franchise QBs.
Do you know who else slings it? Former South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler, that's who. He's been a popular pick for the Rams in mock drafts over the last few months, but it's hard to blame people for seeing the potential.
He was a four-year starter who never shied away from contact during some rough years at South Carolina. He even has the arm strength to make NFL throws. It's not like he'd have to start immediately in LA, either. With 11 picks at their disposal, there's a good argument to be made that they should take a flier on more than one QB this year, but Rattler should be one of them.
3. Take a bunch of big swings on wide receiver prospects
Let's call it the Puka Nacua heat check. If the Rams find one record-setting rookie wide receiver in the fifth round of every draft, those pesky rebuilding years will be a thing of the past. Both veteran WRs Demarcus Robinson and Cooper Kupp are still playable, but both will be over 30 when the 2024 season kicks off in September.
The top four or five guys won't be on the board even if the Rams stay at 19, but picks 52, 83, and 98 all feel like great spots to add a receiver. Perhaps the team fancies Oregon WR Troy Franklin? Michigan WR Roman Wilson? Alabama WR Jermaine Burton?
All three of these guys would be projected to come off the draft board much sooner in any other draft year, which is great news for the Rams. Maybe getting a few young QBs and WRs in the building will go a long way in quieting all those whispers of retirement rumors for HC Sean McVay.
Some may be more bold than others.
[ramblinfan.com]
Cameron Ellis
The LA Rams are back. That's not even really a joke, either – for the first time in almost a decade, the Rams have a first-round pick.
The last time they were here, eight years ago, they were taking Jared Goff first overall back in 2016. They have, of course, done just fine without them, but having a first-rounder never hurts, especially for a team that's beginning to enter the post-Aaron Donald (and eventually Matt Stafford) years.
But the Rams are the Rams, and GM Les Snead is Les Snead, so there's probably at least one wild draft moment coming at some point next weekend. And while we all sit here patiently waiting for that to happen, let's boldly predict what that draft moment may be. These are our three best guesses.
1. Trade back in the first round
Admittedly, this isn't that bold. But the team is entering the 2024 NFL Draft with 11 draft picks. Will they want to trade back to add more to their ammo? Here's a look at all the picks the Rams currently have as per the NFL website:
So it's not like the Rams even need the extra capital. But the guess here is that the Rams still feel the urge to trade off 19. With only four of their 11 picks being within the Top-100, there's plenty of ammunition there to try and squeeze out an extra one or two picks before Day 3 kicks off. And the team has a huge gap
Maybe the Cardinals – who have the 4th and 27th overall picks – want to get spicy and pull off a franchise-altering first round? It may be hard for the Bills to replace Stefon Diggs at 19, but it'll be almost impossible to do it at 28, where they're currently slated to draft. As long as they don't pick up the phone when the Eagles call, trading down will probably work out just fine.
2. Draft QB prospect Spencer Rattler
What's a Bold Predictions list without some quarterback content? Starting quarterback Matt Stafford doesn't owe the Rams anything, but he hasn't played a full season in almost three calendar years and is 36 years old. He's going to sling in until his arm falls off, which, given how many elbow injuries he's dealt with recently, feels like an inevitability. And respectfully, neither Jimmy Garoppolo nor Stetson Bennett are worth discussing in a conversation about future franchise QBs.
Do you know who else slings it? Former South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler, that's who. He's been a popular pick for the Rams in mock drafts over the last few months, but it's hard to blame people for seeing the potential.
He was a four-year starter who never shied away from contact during some rough years at South Carolina. He even has the arm strength to make NFL throws. It's not like he'd have to start immediately in LA, either. With 11 picks at their disposal, there's a good argument to be made that they should take a flier on more than one QB this year, but Rattler should be one of them.
3. Take a bunch of big swings on wide receiver prospects
Let's call it the Puka Nacua heat check. If the Rams find one record-setting rookie wide receiver in the fifth round of every draft, those pesky rebuilding years will be a thing of the past. Both veteran WRs Demarcus Robinson and Cooper Kupp are still playable, but both will be over 30 when the 2024 season kicks off in September.
The top four or five guys won't be on the board even if the Rams stay at 19, but picks 52, 83, and 98 all feel like great spots to add a receiver. Perhaps the team fancies Oregon WR Troy Franklin? Michigan WR Roman Wilson? Alabama WR Jermaine Burton?
All three of these guys would be projected to come off the draft board much sooner in any other draft year, which is great news for the Rams. Maybe getting a few young QBs and WRs in the building will go a long way in quieting all those whispers of retirement rumors for HC Sean McVay.
| Subject | Author | Views | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Rams43 | 132 | April 17, 2024 05:58AM |
| den-the-coach | 37 | April 17, 2024 10:58AM |
