Sooooo... sometimes the best laid plans.... I went down to Nashville last Wednesday- and didn't see the Draft... At least not from lower Broadway. Long story but a trip of 6 friends became 3 when half cancelled last minute. And after a
really fun evening Wednesday on Draft Eve down where all the action was going to be things went further sideways. My two friends decided at 3:30AM (I had left almost 3 hours earlier) to return to their hotels using those swipe-your-card-and-go Lyft motorized scooters all over Nashville. Well, 10 stitches, a broken nose and other facial contusions later one of those friends regretted that decision- and he understandably returned home the next day. At that point time-of-death was called on my 2019 NFL Draft Plans... I watched most of the first round 1.2 miles from the epicenter with an old friend who lives in the area, watched the last 12 picks and the Rams trade back from 31 from the comfort of my hotel room, and flew home the next morning. Such is life...
Aannyyywho.... just a few thoughts on the Rams selections:
2 (61) Trading back from 31 was not surprising, though it was to move from 45 to 56- and then to 61.... At that point I was convinced it was Winovich. But Rapp, Thornhill, and possibly Ferguson certainly all looked like viable options. Rapp is a top 35-40 prospect and makes a ton of sense as a situational DB this year and future starter. I think he was one of the best value picks of the top 2 rounds.
2 (70) Henderson- personally I was very surprised. Knee issues or not I did not think the Rams would invest in a RB before round 4. That said, he fits their scheme well and can be a complementary piece and home run threat while possibly becoming more over time. I would have taken Winovich at 70, however...
2 (79) David Long- I'll admit not having read a whole lot about him but at 79 he is exactly the type of CB that makes great sense for them. Fits their scheme well, productive and can step into Shields' role as the CB4 and learn from Talib and Weddle with an eye on starting in 2020. Love the pick.
The Rest: Evans and Edwards are nice developmental prospects at OT. I like Edwards better, personally, and if one of the two can become even a solid swing backup for them then it's draft capital well spent. Gaines is a nice add as a rotational piece on the DL. Not sure whether he ever "starts" or not but I can see him as a guy that gives them 30 hard-working, tough-to-budge snaps per game on the nose. Safety Nick Scott- no idea about him other than to me it seems like he was purely a pick for Fassel and ST, which is totally fine. You need to get 1-2 core special teamers in every draft and maybe he is one.
So, ladies and gentlemen.. I cannot recommend Nashville highly enough. A great city and was a perfect venue for the NFL Draft. They did a fantastic job. But if you ever see those rental scooters anywhere just keep walking or call an Uber. That people can just get on them anywhere, anytime, no guidance or instruction, no helmet, and with ability to reach fairly high speeds, is just asinine... But I digress.....
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/29/2019 04:47AM by LMU93.
