Quote
Deadpool
I actually have given this question some thought this winter.

I can see it going either way for these reasons:

1. The Rams love the Senior Bowl, other teams lean more on the pro days and combine seemingly. (This is just how it seems in my mind, I might be all wet.)
If the rest of the league lean more on the Senior bowl this year with no in person Combine and virtual? Pro Days, then they lose that Senior Bowl advantage.

2. They Rams are pretty cutting edge as far as their draft process from what everyone says, so do the lack of some games hurt that process? I have no idea. Does the fact that some players opted out this season alter that process? It almost has to be figured in. And you really can't hold it against them. I think this helps the Rams.

3. Lastly, lacking a 1st round pick this year takes some of the pressure off hitting on that first round pick, because there isn't one to whiff on. So the Rams can go senior heavy, team captain types and probably be safe.

I think FA fixes some or all of the edge issues. If Lewis can stay healthy, he was a borderline 1st round talent. Big if. I hate ifs. But nothing is guaranteed in life, esp. a football players health. So retain Floyd or bring in a short termer and you are probably more than fine. What isn't fine is 2 unathletic ILBers like Reeder and Kiser (who himself is an injury concern) and the injured Howard, who is also undersized...I really like what TB was able to do with their LBers and it all started and ended with a sideline to sideline heatseeker in the name of Devon White. And Lavonte David wasn't too bad either.

A very thoughtful reply, Dead. As I expected, btw.

1. Point taken on the Senior Bowl. I’ve thought of it, myself.

2. By ‘cutting edge’ are you referring to advanced analytics? I’ve thought of that, too. I’m kinda thinking that this might be a ‘secret sauce’ type advantage over less advanced FO’s around the league. As an aside, will be interesting to see how Holmes/Agnew, now of the Lions, come out of this draft down the road because they’re all over this, too.

3. Your ‘team captain type’ suggestion is a good one and one I’m kicking myself for not thinking of on my own. Lol.

I will offer a possibility here that might help the Rams scouting staff a bit more than some others. Rams have built up a strong relationship with a whole lot of college coaches over the last 8 years of the Snead regime. I’ve read where some have even reached out to scouts and gone out of their way to steer these scouts to hidden gem type prospects. I think it’s a possible explanation of the Ram success with late rounders and UDFA’s. Point being that perhaps this is another teeny advantage that the Rams may enjoy. Maybe.

You have more confidence in Lewis’ health than I do. He’s gotta win me over on that and I really hope he does. We do seem to agree that one way or another Snead will address both Edge positions, I guess. I’m uncomfortable with starting any of our current bench edge players, much less TWO of them. Fingers crossed.

As to our current ILB’s? In a perfect world we will find a couple of hidden gems that will blow the doors off. If Morris is big on his ILB’s then the Rams will do their best to get him at least one.

So many upgrades wanted, so few picks and so few cap dollars, huh? Gonna be a VERY tricky FA and draft for the Rams, that’s for sure.