I decided 5 years ago I was going to change the way I operated as far as my half assed scouting. I would still do 3 mocks, but it would be post senior bowl, post combine, and pre-draft. This year, I am a little behind, but FA has clarified some stuff for me. And I will still get 3 mocks in. Im not a website, so I don't need hits so I don't need to change my rankings or my mocks week to week for ad revenue. And to be honest, anyone that gets the draft process knows that players don't "rise" and "fall" week to week. Personal stuff might come up through team investigations of a player that make them slide or medical stuff. The senior bowl answers some questions, like can a D2 player compete with the big guys. How do they handle a pro style offense? How do they interview? The combine can confirm some stuff you think you see or don't see, but the combine is more for the interviews, drug tests and weigh ins.
As with any mock some assumptions have to be made. Here are mine:
1. Since I'm late, my FA predictions will be smaller.
2. Rams are gonna find a FA Edge rusher, maybe Hunter in a trade, but the 2 that make the most sense to me are both cuts, Za'Darius Smith and Fowler. BTW Spotrac has Smiths value at 16.7. He is doable I think. Smith is my dream pickup at this point. Since they are cut, they don't count against the comp pick formula.
3. Bobby Wagner ends up in LA, as a Charger. Rams aren't interested unless the price gets too good to pass up.
4. The Rams are thin at CB, the only name that makes any sense is AJ Bouye (only 4 CBs have been cut so far and Bouye and Jenkins are the top 2) Lots of FA CBs out there, so the Rams can take their time. Maybe Gilmore wants one more shot at a ring?
5. Speaking of Carolina, I wouldn't mind bringing back Morgan Fox, he was cut from Carolina.
6. Rams will surprise everyone and sign Allen Robinson. (I need to get one right every year, or you guys will quit reading this stuff LOL)
7. I think the OG spot is on the roster, or the draft maybe? If you want a name, Billy Turner from GB. only 30, position flexibility, will be cheap.
8. I think all thats left on offense in FA is maybe a cheap TE. Gerald Everett anyone? Hooper? Jarwin?
This is last years, I didn't do too bad:
1. JJ is gone via free agency. He was a heck of a find and a heck of a player and leader, just too expensive.
Right2. Floyd is also gone via free agency. I know they'd love to resign him, its just too expensive. But then again this is going to be a weird FA year with the cap.
wrong, wrong wrong3. Gerald Everett is gone via free agency. its Hopkins time. That's why they drafted him.
Right on Everett, wrong on Hopkins until the SB4. Blythe is gone. Please. I also think Allen is cut.
Right and wrong5. I think Hill is also gone.
Right6. I think Darious Williams gets a 1st round tender. 2nd at worst.
1st round tender, so right7. Kenny Young gets cut to save a million bucks.
Wrong8 .FA acquisitions - This is just so tough with the Rams cap, trying to project the cap and how FA will even look this spring. That said:
a. Marvin Jones Jr. - this one makes almost too much sense to actually happen. Cal kid, wants to play with Stafford, fills a need...
Wrong name, right position. b. A veteran OC. I think a guy like Ben Garland works on a short term deal, or if Weston Richburg gets cut, he could be in play. I just have a hard time the Rams go into 2021 without attempting to improve the OC spot. And with this seemingly 2 year window, a vet makes sense.
Wrongc. Somehow, someway an edge rusher will be brought in. Ryan Kerrigan on a 1 or 2 year deal, Romeo Okwara from Detroit makes some sense.
My dream scenario is for Denver to cut Von Miller to save 18m and Miller decides to take a discount to chase a ring with the Rams. A man can dream. Not right, but dream come true.Just an FYI, 5 years ago Snead/McVay drafted 6 senior Bowl kids, 4 years ago they drafted 3 Senior Bowl kids (Noteboom, Obo and Demby) and 1 East West Shrine kid (Lawler), and 3 years ago they drafted Gaines from the Senior bowl. 2 years ago they drafted Burgess, Hopkins, Anchrum, Jefferson and Lewis were all Senior Bowl participants. Last year they drafted Rochell from the Senior Bowl, there was no East West Game.
As of today, the Rams are deficient at Edge, CB, OG and maybe S. This will obviously change.
3.104 - Cordell Volson - OT/OG - NDSU 6'-6" 319 lbs. - Had an outstanding week at the Shrine Bowl. Playing outside and inside. 33.75" arms, Fits the zone blocking scheme and plays with tenacity. Tons of college experience at RT and LT and even a little OG for the Bison. Add in the fact the Rams like to draft OTs to be OGs like Edwards and Evans, He makes a ton of sense to me. I don't think he lasts until the Rams next pick.
Other names to pay attn to:
The guy I think is a 3rd round CB that fits well is Coby Bryant Cincinnati. 6'-1" 185 lbs. I love the thought of him in horns, not sure he lasts that long in the 3rd though.
DeAngelo Malone from Western Kentucky as a 34 edge would be a nice get as well. 6'-4" 250 and can flat out get after the QB. Smooth and explosive with the ability to flatten out and turn the corner.
Rasheed Walker OT Penn State as a LT prospect would pencil in as well. Works in a zone scheme, fundamentally good and has the size and athletic combo.
4. 142 - Coby Bryant - CB - Cincinnati - 6'-1" 185 lbs. - Scheme diverse, Cincinnati played him all over the field a bit, mostly as a OCB though. His 4.54 40 might cause him to slip a little, but he brings great value. (Senior Bowl)
Other names to pay attn to:
OL makes a ton of sense if they don't go that direction in the 3rd. Tyrese Robinson OG Oklahoma could work. He's a big, tough guy that has played OT. But at 6'-3" isn't long enough in the NFL.
Matt Waletzko OT UND is another, he'll need a year or 2 in an NFL weight room, but has a ton of upside.
Edge guys as well - Dominique Robinson 6'-5" 254 from Miami. He's raw, started college as a TE I believe. He does pop out in games as a pass rusher. Love his upside.
5.175 - Jake Ferguson TE - Wisconsin - 6'-5" 250 lbs. - A combo blocker/pass catcher, more a traditional TE, and with the NFL looking towards more athletic options he might slide in here. Not overly dynamic, but a solid pass catcher and knows how to get open. And does a good job run blocking. (Senior Bowl)
Other guys or positions to look at:
Again Edge, S, IL and DL
Reed Blankenship S Middle Tenn. - He can play in the box or high, sufficient range and physicality
Yusef Corker - S - Kentucky - Another safety that has played single high, split and in the box. He'd be good developmental depth.
Bryan Cook - S - Cinn. - another well rounder S
Matt Henningson - Wisc. - a 5 tech in a 34, smart, strong and an average athlete. He holds up against the run. Uses power to get to the QB.
6. 211 - Christopher Allen - Edge - Alabama - 6'-4" 242 lbs. - A couple of injuries (including an ACL) push him here. If the Rams liked Lewis, they will like Allen. And between the 2 they could get 16 or 17 games out of them lol. Big time motor, can drop into coverage a bit, looks best IMO moving forward.
6. 212 Josh Thompson CB/S - Texas - 6'-0" 200 lbs. - Ran better than I thought, but lacks the burst and athletic ability to stay outside in the NFL, I have thought he looked like a safety for a while now. I'd put him on STs to start and as S/CB depth and build him into a real NFL S like Nick Scott.(Senior Bowl)
2. 218 Joshua Ross ILB - Michigan - 6'-0" 220 lbs. - A far cry from his listed 6'-2" 234 lbs. - He is a 34 early down thumper that would pair really nicely with Earnest Jones. Not great in coverage, but he doesn't need to be. He just needs to tackle on 1st and 2nd downs. And he does that well. with violence.
Other names or positions to look at:
Its the 6th round, a punter makes a ton of sense here. Jake Camarda from Georgia fits the bill. I think Araiza is long gone.
Pierre Strong Jr. SDSU is a RB that would be a steal in the 6th round. Not sure he lasts, maybe.
Luke Fortner OC/OG from Kentucky fits in well here. Probably gone. He tested ok I guess at the combine, but was great in drills.
Mike Woods WR Oklahoma - 6'-1" 204 and a really good blocker for the position. Decent route runner, 4.55 40 and poor season at Oklahoma pushes him down the board.
7. 239 Nick Ford OL Utah 6'-5" 315 lbs. - Played every line spot but LT at Utah, decent movement skills, tough nosed. But due to all the position swapping, he is raw. He is a OG/OC in the NFL.
7. 254 Ben Stille DL Nebraska 6'-5" 295 lbs. - I like him as a 5 tech. He was off the nose at Nebraska, but I think he is built for an odd front end. He's also 25, so I'm not sure how much upside he has. (Shrine Bowl)
Other names or positions to look at:
The Rams could go a million different directions. DB, WR, RB. A punter could be in play.
WR Ty Fryfogle is an interesting guy, 6'-1" 204 lbs. A real physical WR with 4.54 speed
These mocks are getting tougher the later the Rams first pick is. I really wanted to grab an Edge sooner, but I did get some CB and IOL help early and I liked the edge I got. I'm sure this will change as FA moves along. TE in the 5th might be a mistake, but the Rams desperately need a TE that can block and they certainly need depth.
Anyhow, Enjoy.
Don't waste your time looking back, you're not going that way. - Ragnar Lothbrok
