NFL draft rumor mill...

[walterfootball.com]

NFL Draft Rumor Mill


Rams Leaning OL in Round 2, WR in Round 3
Updated March 4, 2017
By Charlie Campbell.

In many recent years, the Rams were a power player in the NFL Draft, as they had a boat load of picks from their 2012 trade with the Redskins. Last year, the Rams went the opposite direction, giving up a huge haul to move from 15th to first overall in order to select quarterback Jared Goff. The 2016 season was ugly as Goff played horribly behind a weak offensive line and a receiving corps that lacked talent. Los Angeles changed out its coaching staff, but the roster weaknesses remain. Los Angeles is without its first-round pick, and one of its third-round choices went to the Titans, so the Rams are lacking resources to improve. In speaking with sources with the Rams, upgrading the offensive line and wide receivers are the goals for the offseason and 2017 NFL Draft.

Between the offensive line and wide receivers, it sounds like the line is the priority in the second round. The Rams selected left tackle Greg Robinson with the second-overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and Robinson has been a massive disappointment. He is approaching bust category and could be moved to guard or right tackle if the Rams are able to land an upgrade at left tackle. Utah tackle Garett Bolles could be an option if he slips to the second round. Western Kentucky guard Forrest Lamp is another blocker who could land in Los Angeles. The offensive line prospects are less talented than the wide receivers - check out our 2017 NFL Draft Offensive Tackle Rankings - and the Rams could land a quality wide receiver in the third round.

The Rams put a ton of resources into Goff, so the organization hierarchy of Les Snead and Kevin Demoff needs Goff to show significant improvement in 2016. Giving him better blocking and more receiving talent could improve the chances of Goff making a big jump in year two.


Teams Question Ryan Ramczyk's Love of Football; Garett Bolles Impresses
Updated March 3, 2017
By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.

A couple of days ago, WalterFootball.com heard from teams that Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson interviewed well at the NFL Scouting Combine. Robinson is in the running to be the first tackle selected, and the other two candidates who could challenge for that designation are Utah's Garett Bolles and Wisconsin's Ryan Ramczyk; they are all in the top three of our 2017 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings.

In reaching out to multiple team sources who interviewed them, both players received positive feedback overall. Surprisingly, Ramczyk was maybe the least impressive of the trio according to teams.

Sources said that Ramczyk seems like a good kid and they don't have any off-the-field concerns about him. They don't worry at all that he could get into any trouble or fail tests. However, Ramczyk only played one season of big-time Division I football, and they said that his football knowledge reflected that lack of experience. He is behind Robinson in that regard after Robinson started three seasons at Alabama.

The other issue for Ramczyk that rubbed some teams the wrong direction is a lack of love for football. It didn't sit well with some team sources that Ramczyk quit playing football after high school. They got the impression that he returned to the field not necessarily out of love for the game, but because he could get special opportunities by playing the game. Those sources have real questions if Ramczyk really loves football, and if he will be fully committed to doing everything in his power to max out as a player.

Meanwhile, Bolles' off-the-field issues are well known around the league after having a rough upbringing. However, sources from multiple teams have said that Bolles has interviewed well. He's been honest and accountable. Sources have come away impressed.

Here were the comments of one team contact: "I'm sure he's got some edge knowing his back story. He was dealt a bad hand that wasn't his fault, so it's a credit to him as a man to have persevered to where he is. Some of your greatest warriors have that type of makeup, and that's why they are trustworthy when time comes to battle. I'm sure a lot of people misunderstand him and don't know how to talk or deal with a guy who comes from the life perspective that he does. He's been great this week; very compliant, lots of personality and the other offensive linemen really like the dude. I guess it depends on the coach and his personal preference because nobody who coaches or plays in this league has all their screws in place and if they say they do, they're a total BS'er."

While the 2017 tackle class isn't a deep group of talented players, at least the players with off-the-field concerns like Robinson and Bolles have used to combine to improve their image with NFL teams. That could help all three to be first-round picks.