Anybody wanna kick around some thoughts for next offseason moves?

[Corbin]

So couldn't find that draft pick talk thread but seriously look at this

We are 28th in current draft order!! How weird is that? LMAO
Out of habit i was looking on first two pages and almost like WTF?

Pretty damn cool!

 

[BonifayRam]

........On other thing: please don't entertain any thoughts of moving on from Saffold. OL is absolutely integral to the success of this O, and Saffold is playing at an elite level. Once you have that, you need to hang on to it!

I can think of many reasons to take the needed steps to secure the services of Rodger Saffold ASAP. RS has performed IMO @ Pro Bowl level this season. RS will be 30 yrs old next season just hitting his prime years as a well seasoned OL'er. He has suffered great disappointments of all types since being drafted. He was unable to keep a contract worthy of his on field performance in Oakland & limped back to the Rams to take less $$$. He was moved from his the prime LT post & inserted in the RT then LG then RG then back to LT & now finally settled in @ LG. RS is not a UFA in a few months either. But I would move on his extension ASAP when this season concludes.

I would attempt to lock him up for a long term period. Besides what RS offers in his LG position he can easily perform three other position without any major drop off in the field of play. The fact the Rams are devoid of any talented skilled young OL'ers should set of alarm bells & sirens. If Andrew Whitworth were to fall there would be significant power shortages in the offense. This is where RS value comes in big (Left OT) Most of RS pedigree is @ LT. You do not let a OL'er with so many good talents leave your team when you have nothing to replace them with.

 

[LACHAMP46]

I'm in the belief Boni we should get either a big OL'er or a big DL'er with our top pick....

Whitworth only has a few more good ones in him...probably can coach up a stud tho.

 

[BonifayRam]

I'm in the belief Boni we should get either a big OL'er or a big DL'er with our top pick....Whitworth only has a few more good ones in him...probably can coach up a stud tho.

Seems near impossible to discover & find then groom a starting level OL'er these days from the draft. Even the best ones sits forever or stinks up the field of play for a half dozen seasons before they get it. Meanwhile time they do get it they are on their second contract playing somewhere else thus wasting a high #1 pick. That first round pick is a total waste..i.e Alex Barron, Jason Smith & Gerald Robinson. NCAA does a very poor job grooming NFL OL'ers with a few exceptions like Iowa, Wisconsin, The U & a few others...

The Rams current OL bench contains just 2 WWC's & one UDFA to replace Whitworth or a Saffold or a Sullivan
#1-Austin Blythe/ OC 2nd season has 1 start with 23 gms. Castoff by Colts.
#2-Darrell Williams/ LT 2nd season has zero starts with 15 gms. Spent most of 2015/2016 on IR.
#3-Cornielus Lucas/ RT 4th season has 6 starts 35 gms.Castoff by Lions.

Not a good position to be in for the future is it. The NO Saints did find one in rookie OT Ryan Ramczyk who was taken in the late 2017 first round. Rare though. I favor signing our own drafted OL'ers back myself. Use the Rams draft to get a starting outside corner (replace Trumaine Johnson), Edge Rusher (replace Conner Barwin & possible cap cut Rob Quinn) & another 3rd corner (replace UFA NR-C & injured Kayvon Webster) as the big three! After that look for a few OT reserves & a safety.

 

[LACHAMP46]

Seems near impossible to discover & find then groom a starting level OL'er these days from the draft. Even the best ones sits forever or stinks up the field of play for a half dozen seasons before they get it. Meanwhile time they do get it they are on their second contract playing somewhere else thus wasting a high #1 pick. That first round pick is a total waste..i.e Alex Barron, Jason Smith & Gerald Robinson. NCAA does a very poor job grooming NFL OL'ers with a few exceptions like Iowa, Wisconsin, The U & a few others...

Famous saying....from Indiana Jones, "Choose wisely"....
Not sure there's a collective effort to actually get the BEST OL talent with Snead. Rather, I believe the off the field stuff kept them from selecting Lewan....and we underestimated the effect of playing in the Auburn system would have on development. I still say, a good Coach (Kromer) with help from veterans like Whitworth/Sullivan, could help this process...if you favor pass blocking, grab a lineman from a passing school....same with running.

And this is mainly about the backups...Williams in particular....

At least most of them have remained healthy.

I favor signing our own drafted OL'ers back myself.

Would you re-sign Blythe, Williams, and Lucas? And expect them to step in a moments notice? Just a question...I actually like what Blythe has done on short notice.

 

[nighttrain]

not sure, but of these three, only Williams was drafted, and not real sure about him
Would you re-sign Blythe, Williams, and Lucas?

train

 

[Riverumbbq]

not sure, but of these three, only Williams was drafted, and not real sure about him
Would you re-sign Blythe, Williams, and Lucas?

train

At the moment my money is on Blythe & Williams making it into 2018. Hopefully, besides the 3 you already mentioned, we'll also get a good look at Neary now since he's been brought up from the practice squad. Same goes for Lucas as a reserve OT while he battles with Darrell Williams for a role. Jake Eldrenkamp still remains on the PS. If Blythe is being groomed more as an OG than Center, then we may see Neary replacing Sullivan & Blythe replacing Saffold against the 9'ers this next week, ... this could also be done in reverse as both players play C & OG. Eldrenkamp & Neary can also duel it out in pre-season 2018 for the back-up roster spot behind Sullivan. If a few of these little played reserves step up in this next game, we may not be spending much time on offensive linemen in the next draft as our 5 starters won't be going anywhere imo. Whitworth's 2020 free agency or retirement party may allow us to wait until the 2019 off-season to seek his replacement high in the draft. We may not win our next game, but we sure should get a good look at those future young up & comers on the OL.

 

[BonifayRam]

At the moment my money is on Blythe & Williams making it into 2018. Hopefully, besides the 3 you already mentioned, we'll also get a good look at Neary now since he's been brought up from the practice squad. Same goes for Lucas as a reserve OT while he battles with Darrell Williams for a role. Jake Eldrenkamp still remains on the PS. If Blythe is being groomed more as an OG than Center, then we may see Neary replacing Sullivan & Blythe replacing Saffold against the 9'ers this next week, ... this could also be done in reverse as both players play C & OG. Eldrenkamp & Neary can also duel it out in pre-season 2018 for the back-up roster spot behind Sullivan. If a few of these little played reserves step up in this next game, we may not be spending much time on offensive linemen in the next draft as our 5 starters won't be going anywhere imo. Whitworth's 2020 free agency or retirement party may allow us to wait until the 2019 off-season to seek his replacement high in the draft. We may not win our next game, but we sure should get a good look at those future young up & comers on the OL.

I would agree with you Riverumbbq on Blythe & Williams. I re watched the late Titans gm with Blythe in @ LG & for a small guy he did well. Like you I would expect that Aaron Nearly was brought up so Kromer can get LG Saffold some serious rest this Sunday with that rib injury. I look @ Nearly as a bit more OG than center & Blythe more OC than OG. We might even see Cornelius Lucas in for RT Havenstein.

I would imagine that the 3 well seasoned Ram starting OL'ers will not see much action @ all. Not sure how well the left side of LT Darrell Williams, LG Aaron Nearly & OC Austin Blythe will hold up but I would guess they will do Okay. it will be somewhat entertaining to watch them.

Kromer appears to have set himself up @ center in 2018 if John Sullivan will not resign with the Rams. The 6-5 300 lbs Jake Eldrenkamp was also considered a center type OL'er even though he has played mainly OT & OG in college. Yes Darrell Williams who is a RFA in March stands to get a raise with a new contract most likely a 2 yr. type for approx $2.5 million total. Blythe is signed till 2020.

Ref your thoughts that the Rams may not spend much time on the OL in the draft or the thought that non of them would be going anywhere?.....Snead did not draft any OL'ers in the 2016 nor the 2017 draft. Making it 3 straight drafts without selecting a OL'er would be very unusual. Rams have four starting OL'ers involved as UFA's in the 2018/2019 free agency period. I certainly would suggest strong considerations @ scouting couple LT's. Any of these four starting OL'ers can sign anywhere they want too & the Rams can not stop any of them. Plus our 36 yr old Andrew Whitworth can retire @ any time he wants.:shocking:

 

[BonifayRam]

Would you re-sign Blythe, Williams, and Lucas? And expect them to step in a moments notice? Just a question...I actually like what Blythe has done on short notice.

Snead has interior OL'er Austin Blythe locked up till 2020. Blythe has already proven himself here in pre season & regular season & has earned a solid roster position here in 2017 & the future. Blythe may be our starting center in 2018.

Darrell Williams is a RFA in March of 2018. I would think that the Rams will tender him a 2nd round level. To answer your question yes I would. DW is a good back up @ LT not RT. DW has been here for the 2015/2016/2017 Training Camps & Pre Seasons. Kromer knows what he has with DW. DW is much better @ pass blocking than run blocking though. This will be DW's first 16 gm season after having spent the majority of time on the IR in 2015/2016 seasons. If the 36 yr old Andrew Whitworth retires at the conclusion of this 2017 season, DW stands to open up 2018 as our starting LT. We better sign him up for 2 yrs.

I have no real knowledgeable opinion on OT Cornelius Lucas. The best I could hope for is he can be a fair swing OT. I would not want him starting for any length of time. From all I have learned he would be better @ RT than LT. Rams have no other RT reserves now. Not a good place for the Rams to be in.

 

[Memento]

I have no real knowledgeable opinion on OT Cornelius Lucas. The best I could hope for is he can be a fair swing OT. I would not want him starting for any length of time. From all I have learned he would be better @ RT than LT. Rams have no other RT reserves now. Not a good place for the Rams to be in.

Lucas is a 6'9", 330 lbs.left tackle with quick feet. Hell of a pass-protector, actually, but struggles in the run game. I liked him as a seventh round pick, and he turned out to be undrafted.

I must be the only one who likes his potential. I hope he starts this game.

 

[Riverumbbq]

Ref your thoughts that the Rams may not spend much time on the OL in the draft or the thought that non of them would be going anywhere?.....Snead did not draft any OL'ers in the 2016 nor the 2017 draft. Making it 3 straight drafts without selecting a OL'er would be very unusual. Rams have four starting OL'ers involved as UFA's in the 2018/2019 free agency period. I certainly would suggest strong considerations @ scouting couple LT's. Any of these four starting OL'ers can sign anywhere they want too & the Rams can not stop any of them. Plus our 36 yr old Andrew Whitworth can retire @ any time he wants.:shocking:

I'm not as worried about the future OL just yet. As we saw this season, McVay/Kromer kept a fairly small OL depth chart with only 8 guys after Donnal was released, although I do believe that is at least one too few on the unit. While it's true that Havenstein & Brown will potentially become free agents following the 2018 season, i'd look to re-sign Havenstein first if there is any money left after re-signing everyone else we hope to keep. I've mentioned in the past that we should extend Saffold just as soon as this season ends as that will help lower our overall CAP for 2018, and then his LG position could be safe for several more years. If the Rams wait until 2019 to use a high draft pick to find Whitworth's eventual 2020 replacement, he'll still be expected to start somewhere along the line as a presumed 1'st rounder, and should RG Brown not re-sign, our future LT could step in for a season. Same goes if we lose Havenstein and manage to re-sign Brown instead, the new OT would fill in at RT for a year. If the Rams do have questions about a future starting Center should Sully go, and they don't foresee Blythe/Eldrenkamp/Neary as new starter material, then it may be necessary to seek a quality Center in the upcoming draft or free agency period. If Kromer's not worried, then I won't be either, and it's likely going to be a few months before we know what direction the Rams are looking towards if they want to pursue additional offensive linemen. We won't get all the answers we're hoping for after this one game with the 49'ers, but we should get some clues as to where we stand today with depth. jmo.

 

[PhillyRam]

A slow day today so was playing GM, looking at the cap numbers, the roster, practice squad, draft etc..

One name I am curious about is Jake Eldrenkamp. Does he have a future? He is bigger than Blythe, who is maxed out at 6-2 295, where as Eldrenkamp is 6-5 300... the knock on Eldrenkamp is whether he can put on more weight to his taller frame, but he is called a polished and athletic blocker.

If we can fill one of our lineman spots cheap with an UDFA or late draft pick, that will be big. Will help offset the big dollars due to Gurely and Donald.

Speaking of Donald, I was looking at Suh's contract and it's structure. His 1st year carried a cap hit of $6M and eventually reaches yearly hits of $20M.

I would guess Donald then could get a deal that could result in a cap hit in the $8M-10M range in year one.

Also looks like Quinn's contract could be easily restructured if they want to for another two years then say goodbye. Looks like they could reduce his cap hit in half from $11M to $5M range by reducing his 18' salary and giving him a bonus to make up some of the difference that can be prorated over the length of the deal. Can allow them to get another year or two if they think he still has it.

Barron, I think could be a cap casualty. Does not appear to be holding up health-wise inside and just does not have a position on this team. Good player, but I think they can save $7M if they cut him. Then release Austin to save $3M more.

So with the current $51M in cap space they can increase that to the $65M range before dealing with Donald and Gurley. Then the decision is what to do with Johnson.

I am leaning towards letting him walk to be replaced by more of a press coverage CB via draft or FA or both considering Webster may not even be available until midseason if that.

Then the Watkins situation.... here I think they should try to keep him, but WR needy teams like Dallas will drive up his price so unless they can come up with a deal before FA starts, I doubt they keep him. Will be telling how much faith they habe in Reynolds and Thomas... or do they bring in a speedy guy to compliment Woods and Kupp who would be a cheaper option.

As for Joyner, I wonder if they would tag him if they can't reach a deal? Safeties probably have a lower tag number than most positions so might be worth it.

So just a few initial thoughts on 2018

 

[LACHAMP46]

@BonifayRam

I must be the only one who likes his potential. I hope he starts this game.

Actually Boni, I agree with Mento....I was reading up on Lucas while at Kansas State....went on a website....
https://www.bringonthecats.com/kansas-state-football
where they spoke pretty highly of him....He was the best lineman on a top running team at that time...yeah, that's how I do some scouting sometimes. LOL...eat that jerry and oleschool...LOLOLOL...anyhoots...he looks the part. Blythe has only played in spots....to truly test his worth he needs a few games...like any player....again, from what he's shown, I'm impressed...but I still sense a lil Barnes in his game.

Top need is cornerback....but you can find a corner in almost any round....I believe the best way to find quality linemen...big guys..that can move and wiggle...is mainly the top 3 rounds. We are a running team.....and we have difficulty stopping the run sometimes....while the biggest need is a cb...I believe the best way to fill the needs on OL(backups, future starters for Whit, Sully, Havenstein, Brown) is early in the draft...The easiest way to fill the need of starting DT/NG is early in the draft...Good big guys go fast.....

BTW, what did you think of that kid at Texas last night? Poony something 95 Brown, saw a bunch of speed on that Mizzu team...and a load of talent at Texas....Should be some good players to spy in the next few days as well...

 

[Rams43]

I hate to have to bring this up.

But I’m afraid that LOT might need to be a higher priority than I had thought at midseason.

Let’s face it. Whit is wearing down as of late. Doesn’t bode well for the latter part of the ‘18 season without him, does it?

A 37 year old (next year) can find his play falling off the cliff with short notice.

Now, whether a good LOT will be sitting there for us in the late 1st round is a different question.

I love Whit and what he’s brought to this team. But I’m increasingly thinking that it would be prudent to acquire his eventual replacement sooner rather than later.

Unless Darrel Williams is capable?

 

[PhillyRam]

My son mentioned to me that Marquis Lee is a FA this year. Might be a cheaper replacement for Watkins. Not sure if he gives that deep speed element that Watkins has though. Saw he ran a 4.52 at the combine and has been avg 12.5 yards a catch through throughout his career, but that could be the Jags passing game.

So just curious what the board's thoughts are on him and whether he is better than Thomas or Reynolds other than his experience.

I would think he would be easy to recruit to come back to LA and team up with Woods again.

 

[nighttrain]

My son mentioned to me that Marquis Lee is a FA this year. Might be a cheaper replacement for Watkins. Not sure if he gives that deep speed element that Watkins has though. Saw he ran a 4.52 at the combine and has been avg 12.5 yards a catch through throughout his career, but that could be the Jags passing game.

So just curious what the board's thoughts are on him and whether he is better than Thomas or Reynolds other than his experience.

I would think he would be easy to recruit to come back to LA and team up with Woods again.

Wanna keep Watkins, if we dont, he's going to go to the Whiners
train

 

[den-the-coach]

I can think of many reasons to take the needed steps to secure the services of Rodger Saffold ASAP.

Saffold signed a five year deal in 2014, he's ours through 2019.

But he rebounded quickly. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Saffold agreed to return to the St. Louis Rams on a new five-year contract worth $31.7 million, with $19.5 million guaranteed.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap20...r-saffold-fails-raiders-physical-rejoins-rams

 

[OldSchool]

Saffold signed a five year deal in 2014, he's ours through 2019.

But he rebounded quickly. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Saffold agreed to return to the St. Louis Rams on a new five-year contract worth $31.7 million, with $19.5 million guaranteed.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap20...r-saffold-fails-raiders-physical-rejoins-rams

He's signed through 2018, in 2019 he'll be a free agent. He'll likely have an extension this off season I'd hope just hoping it's not a huge pay raise.

 

[den-the-coach]

He's signed through 2018, in 2019 he'll be a free agent. He'll likely have an extension this off season I'd hope just hoping it's not a huge pay raise.

Okay the article is from 2014, where it has him signing a five year deal, okay I stand corrected.

 

[Riverumbbq]

My son mentioned to me that Marquis Lee is a FA this year. Might be a cheaper replacement for Watkins. Not sure if he gives that deep speed element that Watkins has though. Saw he ran a 4.52 at the combine and has been avg 12.5 yards a catch through throughout his career, but that could be the Jags passing game.

So just curious what the board's thoughts are on him and whether he is better than Thomas or Reynolds other than his experience.

I would think he would be easy to recruit to come back to LA and team up with Woods again.

I'd re-sign Watkins at 5 years & $50.mil. with $30.mil guaranteed ... and be done with it.

Extend Brockers, Saffold & Quinn and cut 2018 CAP.
Extend Donald to 6 years at $120.mil... with $70.mil guaranteed. $7.mil is already on the books for Donald in 2018 due to his 5'th year option, so at worst his CAP hit next year doubles.
Cut Barron & Austin to save an additional $10.mil off the CAP which is already approaching something above $50.mil in available CAP.

2018 estimated available CAP =
$50.mil +
$10.mil savings by cutting Barron/Austin =
$60.mil + approx. $10.mil 2018 CAP savings from extending Quinn/Saffold/Brockers =
$70.mil -
$7.mil. 2018 additional charge for extending Donald =
$63.mil. -
$7.mil 2018 charge for Watkins new contract =
$56.mil. -
$16.mil. 2018 charge for Joyner/Sullivan/Robey-Coleman new contracts =
$40.mil. -
$5.mil. charge for re-signing Easley (if healthy), Cody Davis & Jake McQuaide
$35.mil. -
$4.mil. charge for returning RFA's (D.Williams, Longacre, Malcolm Brown, Isaiah Johnson, Troy Hill =

$31.mil. approx. remaining 2018 available CAP -
$6.mil. to sign draft class =
$25.mil. -
$20.mil. charges for new free agency signings or apply to Havenstein & Brown extensions =

$5.mil. emergency fund or rollover to 2019.

jmo.