Quote
Rams43
ILB was not among top 2 offseason needs. Might be only 4th or 5th, actually.
Center was #2 by a mile as a priority need. Still is, and signing Blythe certainly does NOT solve that problem. Would be like putting a bandaid on a gaping wound.
But after those 2 quibbles I certainly agree that weak OLB is still a screaming need and it must be addressed via draft or at least a 2nd tier FA. Otherwise that edge is a house of cards and will be exploited every single week because it is one of the Ram D’s very few weaknesses.
I can’t put it any simpler than that. A new weak OLB is a ‘must have’.
Do we know that ILB is/was 4th or 5th in their list of needs? Its hard to argue OC, and its hard to argue Edge. But if the Rams planned to resign Floyd all along, was that really a top 2 need? Not really. And the Rams have a plan at OC, we just don't know it. But regardless, its still MY top need. So after OC, what comes next? S depth? a nickel back? OL depth? A speed WR (4th on the depth chart). Point is, I could make a strong case for ILB, the exact same way you made a case for Edge. Travin Howard was injured all last year, Kiser was also injured. Rozeboom was a PS guy. Reeder is also an UDFA and Young is already on his 2nd team. What about those guys screams steady?
The 2nd part to the equation is that we have no idea what Morris thinks about this roster. What the defense will exactly look like, and what kind of packages he prefers to play with. We know it will be a hybrid 34. Will it have cover 2 undertones? Big nickel with 3 S? All these questions really will shape what positions are needed and what spots not so much.
IMO right now my list of needs top to bottom are:
OC - Until the Rams either sign one, resign one or draft one...or or move an existing player to OC (that seems like a bit of a reach, but who knows)
ILB - Injury history combined with a lack of anything more than a 4th, 5th, 7th rounders and 2 UDFAs makes me think its time to invest in the middle of the field.
Speed WR - a 4th option that can return punts and or kicks and stretch a field
Edge - an edge bending, speed rusher that can get to the QB. So situational.
CB - there is always depth needed, esp if they view Burgess as a S and not a nickel CB
S - If Burgess is a nickel CB, then Fuller, Rapp and Scott could use some help
OL - always need depth
DL - again, depth would be nice, esp if Fox is gone.
The value Im seeing right now in the draft in the 2nd and 3rd rounds is ILB, I think a day 3 WR should be a value pick, I think S can be found all over. CB might have some value in the 2nd round depending how things fall. I also think a situational Edge rusher in round 4 makes a ton of sense.
Don't waste your time looking back, you're not going that way. - Ragnar Lothbrok
