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Billy_T
How many will start as rookies, or later?
I'm guessing that Kiser and Okoronkwo start as rookies. Noteboom starts in 2019, but I have a feeling the Rams won't settle on him for the long haul. They'll keep looking for an All-Pro at LT.
Allen will provide solid backup work for the Rams, but will never be a starter. He could stay with the team for a long time in just that manner.
I think Franklin and Joseph could stick as nice rotational pieces, but aren't really starters, either.
Kelly could make for a very nice caddy for Gurley, in the FFL sense of that word. He won't start unless Gurley leaves
Of course, I say the above without a real clue about most of these guys. I don't know enough about them to come close to good eval, which is why I ask the question in the first place. But if they get two starters out of this crop, drafting without the first two rounds, they've done very well. If others stick as depth, it's icing on the cake. Cooks, of course, is really like their first pick and he'll start. Peters and Talib are basically draft picks too. So that would be five starters from one draft, and that's excellent.
General rule of thumb for me? I think you should be able to get starters from the first three rounds, and a solid backup from the fourth. At least until you're so stacked with talent, you simply don't have the room anymore. Then, maybe it's just your first rounder that breaks through. I'd love to see the day when the Rams are that good.
A couple of notes. All IMO.
If Noteboom turns out not to be a decent left OT, he can be a guard or right OT. He won't just be jettisoned, not unless he crashes and burns.
I think that the Rams have at least 4 future starters there. The 2 you mention (and we agree), and maybe up to 2 OL. There's a couple more rotation/depth guys on among the DLs and LBs there too I think. Another consideration is that If anyone pans out at NT, Suh won't be a Ram forever.
I agree that Kelly is a 2A RB, but, he seems to be in line for the Thompson/Dunbar role, just a more tough and physical and less quick version. That's not a starter but it is IMO a "hit" (ie. if it works out that way). I would see that as more substantial than the way you put it but that's splitting hairs.
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