Defending the draft

Hey everyone, I have defended the Rams draft through r/NFL_Draft for the last three years, here is my write-up for this years draft.

Go Rams Go!

2.61 - Taylor Rapp, S, WASH

The Pick - Rapp was an All-Washington safety coming out of high school. In an NFL Network interview Taylor expressed how difficult it was getting recruited for football while living in a prominent track and field community but once Rapp made the team he stood out. Impressing coaches during practice as a freshman while wearing a cast on his hand helped him earn the starting safety role for the last 3 years. Rapp was named the MVP of 2016 PAC-12 Championship, won the PAC-12 DPOY, and earned First-team All-PAC-12 twice.

The Fit - While it may look like Rapp’s ball skills have regressed since his flashy freshman year he has rounded into a durable and versatile player. Rapp is a consistent open-field tackler, takes good pursuit angles and shows a good football IQ. There is some question about his size in relation to his style of play but he should be used as a box safety. With over 100 career solo tackles, and underwhelming PFF coverage grades, I see Rapp as more of a Mark Barron than a Lamarcus Joyner.

3.70 - Darrell Henderson, RB, MEM

The Pick - Before attending Memphis, Henderson won the 2014 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year. His play-making abilities continued at the college level, leading the NCAA with a whopping 8.9 yards per carry, two years in a row! While some may take his production against American Athletic Conference defenses with a grain of salt, it’s hard to ignore 43 carries over 15 yards and 11 50+ yard touchdowns. He will contribute as a runner, receiver, and a kick returner but may see a limited offensive role unless he develops his pass protection.

The Fit - Investing a top 10 pick in a RB with knee problems seemed like a questionable move until Todd Gurley became a household name. Unfortunately those knee problems are causing a lot of headlines this off-season and honestly, drafting a RB top 70 doesn’t help Gurley's case. McVay values depth in our spread offense so adding another play-maker is a wise move. With 45 TDs in 38 career games, Henderson could be find his way into the offense and special teams quickly.

3.79 - David Long, CB, MICH

The pick - The LA native quietly shut down receivers and was a main-stay on one of the best college football defenses last season. Long doesn’t have many glaring weakness. He has the footwork, the strength, and the competitiveness to make up for the less-than-ideal qualities that teams look for in a shut-down CB. On tape, Long is in your face, but patient in press coverage. He stays underneath routes and never really takes him out of the play.

The fit - Talib and Peters were great pick-ups but drafting David Long is a nice insurance policy just in case one or both aren’t on the field. As a Ram fan, I don’t know how much longer I could watch Troy Hill get toasted on every play, Long can now become that CB3 that could develop into something more. Long’s style of play is efficient even though the stats don’t pop out, he may be better suited as a boundary corner than a nickel.

3.97 - Bobby Evans, OT, OKLA

The pick - At Oklahoma, Evans started at RT & LT over 40 consecutive games. With big hips and long arms, Evans has enough agility and technique to protect both edges but looks to be better at running blocking. His punch and shed to the second-level is very good, driving extended arms while keeping his feet underneath him. He doesn’t always shine in drop-slide protection and seems to be more fluid in tight spaces than in the open-field.

The fit - Bobby has a bulky frame with a big upper-body and deceiving athletic feet. Oklahoma’s offense has been electrifying for the past two years and Evans has been mobile enough to protect both Baker and Kyler. Evans may need to develop his skills to fit a spread scheme but he has attractive qualities. Bobby’s experience at a high level and consistency over his college career is appealing. Snead was smart for drafting a future LT or LG.

4.134 - Greg Gaines, NT, WASH

The pick - The California native was a slow contributor early on in Washington’s defense but he progressed every year posting career marks in tackles, tackles for loss, and sacks in 2018. Gaines is a stout NT with quick timing off the ball and a good initial move but struggles to set up himself up for a counter move with his hands or feet. As a senior, Greg won the PAC-12 D-lineman of the year and earned first team PAC-12 honors.

The fit - Gaines has a high-motor and tenacious play style. You will most likely find him over the A gaps taking on double teams in early down situations. He is a solid anchor that sets the LOS in the middle and shows an knack to split double teams and make plays. With lots of talent on the D-line already, Gaines’ role should be limited to the 1-technique. He may struggle to become a 3-tool player but Gaines’ presence should create 1-on-1's in the trenches.

5.169 - David Edwards, OT, WISC

The pick - Recruited as a QB out of the Chicago area, Edwards is now a product of a Big Ten football program known for creating NFL linemen. Predominantly playing on the right side, Wisconsin turned Edwards into a better run blocker than pass blocker. The former QB relies on his athleticism and good footwork to get the job done but needs to develop technique especially, in pass protection, if he wants to become a starter

The fit - Early in the pre-draft process, Edwards was receiving some early day-2 buzz. It was revealed that he had been dealing with a shoulder injury following the season, which led to his stock drop on draft day. Edwards skill set and experience might also limit him to playing on the right side. He could benefit from an NFL weight lifting program, but I don’t know how successful he could be if he slid inside to guard.

7.243 - Nick Scott, S, PSU

The pick - After starting at RB during his redshirt freshman year, Scott left the offensive side and bounced around on defense and special teams for the next two years. Entering his senior campaign, Nick earned a starting safety spot and was named a team captain. Not only did he win a captains award, voted on by his teammates, he also received the Big Ten sportsmanship award. After starting in 12 games and contributing as a safety, kick returner, and gunner, he earned Penn State’s most outstanding special teams player award.

The fit - One thing you need to know about drafting Nick Scott, Jim Fassel made the phone call himself. I don’t know how often special teams coaches make war room selections, but Fassel must have seen enough in Scott to not let him slip into the undrafted free agent process. In previous drafts Les Snead has shown that he isn’t afraid to draft prospects with behavior problems, however Scott is quite the opposite. With some shaping from the Rams coaching staff, Nick Scott come become a well-rounded special teams stalwart.

7.251 - Dakota Allen, ILB, TTU

The pick - If you had watched the Netflix docu-series “Last Chance U” then Dakota Allen might already be a familiar name. As a freshman middle linebacker, Allen shined at Texas Tech but he would not return to the team in the fall. Dakota was arrested for breaking and entering, and burglary, later being dismissed from the team. Allen resorted to playing at East Mississippi Community College where he earned All-Region recognition and was given a second chance at Texas Tech. Allen's road to redemption ended with him being elected as team captain for his junior and senior seasons.

The fit - Football aside, Allen fell in the draft because of his off-the-field issues and a combination with off-ball linebackers generally having a lower positional draft value. With so many athletes coming out of college every year, NFL teams are getting more creative by drafting hybrid safeties and molding them into their defensive schemes. Snead has taken swings at draft prospects with character issues in the past, but hopefully the star of “Last Chance U” can earn a spot as a middle linebacker in our 3-4 defense.


Thank you for reading.