Look. Arguably I realize that I'm not the talent evaluator like some here on the board. But I also know what I see from my armchair and keep track of how Snead tends to operate.
Noteboom was drafted to be developed into the LT. Not to be the instant LT.
An LT is not an overpaid OG. Different body types, different everything. One has to be able to play in space; the other in a phone booth. Noteboom is a guy who is better playing in space, what with his length and other attributes.
Then of course, the injury, which has set him back in some respects (hopefully he has used this time to develop his body in the weight room..... if he didn't, then he won't stick).
This draft will tell us if they think they MIGHT have the replacement LT on their roster. If they use a 2nd round pick on an OT, they're thinking they don't.
My guess is they think they do have our future LT among Evans, Edwards, and Noteboom. Keeping Whit allows them yet another year to sort it out. They just don't have a pressing need for an LT. Whit is still a solid "B" LT. And his leadership and uncanny ability to stay healthy can't be discounted.
But they DO have a pressing need for a Center/OG in my opinion. Blythe is a "C" OC and a stop gap solution who is better suited as a guy who can play all the interior OL positions on game day as a back-up. That is valuable since you really only want to dress 7 OL on game day if possible. If the guy they like at OC is there for them in the 2nd round, my guess is they take him and pencil him in as possible season starter either at one OG or perhaps at OC depending on what they think his mental capabilities are.
And they DO have a pressing need for a hybrid DE/OLB that can rush the passer. They HAVE OLBs, but none of them have the size and strength to double as a 3-4 DE/DT, while acknowledging that for his size Floyd plays the run pretty strong. (Which, BTW, is why I like Greenard).
Teams flat out look for guys in the upper rounds at positions of need. Every GM that I've ever heard discuss it at length (including Snead) totally dismiss the idea of the mythical generic BPA in the sense that no matter the position or need, you take that player who is highest on your board. Rather, they group players, and they prioritize need. Of course, the trick is NOT to overdraft for need so this is why you see guys like Snead move up and down in draft position to NOT overdraft but still (fingers crossed) get the position/player you want/need.
There will be plenty of everything the Rams need in round 2. Lots of WRs, interior Oline (unless there's a 1st round run on them), CBs, and perhaps hybrid 3-4 DE/OLB. Part of the reason there will be is because round 1 always elevates QBs (no matter how often that dubious strategy fails) and LT's. And yes WRs will also go early, but there's so many good ones in this draft that the smaller school guys who don't get the attention will be there in the mid rounds. Might we find another Kupp in round 3? Besides, now with 2 second rounders and 2 thirds, the Rams can move up or back depending on their board, need and player availability. It wouldn't shock me in the least to see Snead trade up into the last 3 or 4 slots in the 1st round if there is a player of need that he covets. And a 3rd plus our highest 2nd would get him there.
In the end. so much depends on how the Rams view their current roster and they are about as closed mouth about that as any team other than the Pats. And while we all have our opinions about that, we're often surprised at the FO and coach's conclusions.
