A new tight end could do wonders for this offense...

[WestCoastRam]

We need to start thinking beyond Higbee these days (one year left on contract?) and this draft has been reported to be historically bad except in one spot which is TE. Draft analysts suggest that this is the best TE class in 10 years and strong through round 3. Jourdan suggested today on her IG story that Rams should trade Robinson and draft a plug-and-play TE (even with how long it takes TE's to come along) in this years draft. Additionally, two-TE sets are offering more advantages against the defenses of the day and could offer much more scheme flexibility to us going forward. What thinks you? Can we restock at Edge, Oline and still get one of the top TE's in the draft? What could we get for Robinson (a 7th, a conditional pick in 2024)?



View: https://twitter.com/SharpFootball/status/1629191129500467200

 

[AvengerRam]

Someone’s been reading my mock!

 

[Riverumbbq]

I disagree with Jourdan on unloading WR Allen Robinson. My 2023 Mock has us actually taking 2 TE's (Luke Musgrave, Or.St. & later Noah Gindorff, N.D.St.) and trading Higbee for a 4'th round draft pick and a good deal of CAP relief. Hopkins will be entering his final contract year with us, so operating two TE sets should be no problem imo.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Someone’s been reading my mock!

I missed it but just saw. Very intriguing. But it does really feel like a "pick 2 of 3 scenario" if we take advantage of the TEs in this draft. Like we can probably address 2 of Edge/TE/Oline with our first 2 picks in draft but not 3. Obviously we'll have to see what the rams can do on the trade market going forward which I think they'll definitely look to do with an edge. Hey, we've got future 1sts to burn!

 

[WestCoastRam]

I disagree with Jourdan on unloading WR Allen Robinson. My 2023 Mock has us actually taking 2 TE's (Luke Musgrave, Or.St. & later Noah Gindorff, N.D.St.) and trading Higbee for a 4'th round draft pick and a good deal of CAP relief. Hopkins will be entering his final contract year with us, so operating two TE sets should be no problem imo.

Legit question: Would Higbee be worth a 4th? I feel like we tend to overestimate what teams will trade for players. (Probably spoiled form the 3rd we got for Lamar Gordon!) Perhaps Higbee would be worth a 5th in this years draft but with a draft stacked so well at TE... why would anyone bother to trade for him?

 

[WestCoastRam]

As far as unloading Robinson, I'm not sure who would want to trade for him myself - can a cap guy jump in here - but wouldn't getting his salary off the books alone really open up what we can do in FA?

 

[Riverumbbq]

Legit question: Would Higbee be worth a 4th? I feel like we tend to overestimate what teams will trade for players. (Probably spoiled form the 3rd we got for Lamar Gordon!) Perhaps Higbee would be worth a 5th in this years draft but with a draft stacked so well at TE... why would anyone bother to trade for him?

I believe a 4'th is quite reasonable considering his relatively low base salary and just turning 30 y.o. jmo.

 

[Flatlyner]

I'm perfectly ok with trading Higbee for a 4th, but not ok with taking a TE with our 2nd round pick. Yeah, its a deep class but a rookie TE isn't going to aggressively move the needle like we need. With the rumors or Floyd and potentially Ramsey being moved, we will create an even more massive gaping hole to fill via the draft/FA/trade and not a ton of cap to do it with. Unless we get lucky in FA, one of our 2 top picks must be an edge. I don't see anyway around it. Most would argue some OL with the other. With as deep as this draft is at TE, I'd guess the FA TE's values drop a bit. Maybe getting a guy like Hooper, Sample, or Firkser for relatively cheap and drafting a guy in say the 4th would improve our TE room.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I believe a 4'th is quite reasonable considering his relatively low base salary and just turning 30 y.o. jmo.

Well I hope you're right though I don't think I'd give him up for the 4th if they want to compete this year, think he's a pretty important cog in this offense and even if we draft his replacement, I think we'll experience a net negative on production for at least a year as TEs take some time. (Maybe we'd have a better receiving target immediately but all the other things a TE does will take a good amount of time).

 

[Riverumbbq]

As far as unloading Robinson, I'm not sure who would want to trade for him myself - can a cap guy jump in here - but wouldn't getting his salary off the books alone really open up what we can do in FA?

A post June trade would produce good CAP relief for 2023, not so good for 2024 dead money. I can't really hold the 2023 season against Robinson though, Stafford didn't focus on him, & Wolford, was well, ... Wolford. Then foot surgery and IR due to a stress fracture, so I believe his true value this season at age 30 will be remaining with the Rams and regaining his former momentum. jmo.

 

[OldSchool]

View: https://twitter.com/JourdanRodrigue/status/1629183915813642242

 

[El Chapo Jr]

I disagree with Jourdan on unloading WR Allen Robinson. My 2023 Mock has us actually taking 2 TE's (Luke Musgrave, Or.St. & later Noah Gindorff, N.D.St.) and trading Higbee for a 4'th round draft pick and a good deal of CAP relief. Hopkins will be entering his final contract year with us, so operating two TE sets should be no problem imo.

Not big on Musgrave vs Washington or Kincaid since both of them at least break tackles. Musgrave goes down too easy from what I see.

 

[Riverumbbq]

I'm perfectly ok with trading Higbee for a 4th, but not ok with taking a TE with our 2nd round pick. Yeah, its a deep class but a rookie TE isn't going to aggressively move the needle like we need. With the rumors or Floyd and potentially Ramsey being moved, we will create an even more massive gaping hole to fill via the draft/FA/trade and not a ton of cap to do it with. Unless we get lucky in FA, one of our 2 top picks must be an edge. I don't see anyway around it. Most would argue some OL with the other. With as deep as this draft is at TE, I'd guess the FA TE's values drop a bit. Maybe getting a guy like Hooper, Sample, or Firkser for relatively cheap and drafting a guy in say the 4th would improve our TE room.

I don't really see a massive hole at TE if Higbee is moved. Hopkins' catch percentage pretty much matches that of Higbee, yet he just rarely gets any targets. Roger Carter can still be our blocking TE/FB, so as a group, adding a fast exceptional receiving rookie like Musgrave in rotation should at least come close to matching Higbee's rather pedestrian 620 total overall yards. jmo.

 

[Curt760]

Man I love Higbee and I really think he can be one of the top TE's in the league IF we threw to him. If McVay's offense only throws to TE's 2 or 3 times a game then I say we are better off with a big time blocking TE to help with the run game. Someone somewhere mentioned Geoff Swaim was a big time blocking TE if so what not get him on the cheap and draft TE somewhere late in draft that would be okay.

 

[dieterbrock]

I dont think Higbee is HOF worthy, but compared to the rest of the league, he's better than most.
I'd rather they sign him to a reasonable extension over trading or cutting him. There are some stud TE's that can legit step in to the #2 TE role in a 12 set with Higs. I'd love to see them add a knock the snot out, inline TE and let Higs roam a bit. Hopkins is a total waste

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

I've long been an advocate for the 12 or two TE formation. (Heh, especially when you have major offensive line issues...*cough*...like last year.)
But, alas, I just don't see Coach Mac deviating away from his beloved 11 formation. And nowhere near enough to take a TE at the top of our draft.
Unless we're all prepared to watch him stand on the sidelines and do nothing all game.
If that happens you can prepare yourselves for a massive amount of crowing and complaining about how we wasted yet another pick and ignored (insert obligatory Tutu comments here....) our real needs.

I'm all for keeping Higs for this year and voting "no" on a TE high in the draft.

~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[PARAM]

I agree TE is a huge need, just behind Edge if not equal to and slightly ahead of RB. Good thing we'll probably have 10 picks. We'll see if they sign some free agents available but prolly not many (1 or 2?).

 

[Rams43]

If Snead has a productive offseason in trade or FA, I could definitely see a TE drafted by Rams on Day 2.

Here’s an example:

Snead snags a couple of tier 2 caliber players at Edge, OG, OC, or CB. Any 2, I don’t care because the new players plug a couple of holes predraft.

Then maybe Snead can make a modest trade down from 36 down into later 2nd or early 3rd and secure an extra late 3rd or early 4th, depending.

Hell, he might do it again with 69.

Even without any trade downs I could see him grabbing a TE that he really likes with his 2nd or 3rd. It would be textbook letting draft come to him.

With this strategy Snead would have addressed all 4 of those needs by end of Day 2. A huge start with all of Day 3 for RB, backup QB, S and depth at any position he chooses.

And if he can get a trade down or 2 from Day 2 then he’s really in a great position for value with his top 3-4 picks based on Ram needs and positional draft depth at Ram need positions.

 

[Merlin]

Agree 100%. I am hoping TE happens, though again it's one of those positions where McVay has passcatchy priorities. It just seems like he doesn't appreciate the big guys who can block or also sit down in a zone and be a safe haven for the QB and that's what we need. We'll probably get another Everett type who runs a quick 40 but gets his ass beat on the edge. But who knows maybe McVay is tired of seeing edges in the backfield.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Agree 100%. I am hoping TE happens, though again it's one of those positions where McVay has passcatchy priorities. It just seems like he doesn't appreciate the big guys who can block or also sit down in a zone and be a safe haven for the QB and that's what we need. We'll probably get another Everett type who runs a quick 40 but gets his ass beat on the edge. But who knows maybe McVay is tired of seeing edges in the backfield.

It'd be nice to have one that can lay blocks like D Washington from Georgia. If he truly wants to establish the run, that's one way to go.