As things stand today what do you feel the Rams biggest needs are in free agency and the draft?

[NCRamGuy]

Interesting article about LB

Rams predicted to land 5-time Pro Bowler after his release

The Rams need linebacker help and could find it in the second wave of free agency.

theramswire.usatoday.com

 

[Memphis Ram]

@CGI_Ram
Also, Colby Parkinson is a receiving TE already on the roster. He just wasn't used as one by McVay.

 

[Neil039]

Interesting article about LB

Rams predicted to land 5-time Pro Bowler after his release

The Rams need linebacker help and could find it in the second wave of free agency.

theramswire.usatoday.com

This would be interesting.

 

[DzRams]

I'm not so sure. I guess it really depends upon the player.

Given that the vast majority of the targets are going to be going to Puka & Adams, a TE that is an elite blocker who is an average receiver might do more for the offense, IMO. Especially if play action is going to be used quite a bit.

I've started to see it the same way. Even if we got a TE that was a mismatch, I don't think McVay is going to use him enough where he becomes a focal point of the offense. I feel any TE they draft will be more of a Higbee replacement for next year.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

@CGI_Ram
Also, Colby Parkinson is a receiving TE already on the roster. He just wasn't used as one by McVay.

Then why did Jourdan report after signing Parkinson, that they liked his blocking ability?

I've started to see it the same way. Even if we got a TE that was a mismatch, I don't think McVay is going to use him enough where he becomes a focal point of the offense. I feel any TE they draft will be more of a Higbee replacement for next year.

The last two drafts seem to be diametrically opposed to your theory. McVay wanted to move up in both drafts to chose an offensive weapon, that happens to be a tight end. Considering that Kupp was basically doing a lot of what the TE did for McVay in Washington, and now he’s gone. Isn’t it likely that if they land a Jordan Reed type of weapon, that they can then move on from Adams in a year or two and that TE becomes a focal point of the offense? If not, it makes no sense that McVay has been trying to acquire a player like that since he drafted Gerald Everett.

 

[DzRams]

Then why did Jourdan report after signing Parkinson, that they liked his blocking ability?

The last two drafts seem to be diametrically opposed to your theory. McVay wanted to move up in both drafts to chose an offensive weapon, that happens to be a tight end. Considering that Kupp was basically doing a lot of what the TE did for McVay in Washington, and now he’s gone. Isn’t it likely that if they land a Jordan Reed type of weapon, that they can then move on from Adams in a year or two and that TE becomes a focal point of the offense? If not, it makes no sense that McVay has been trying to acquire a player like that since he drafted Gerald Everett.

I was focused more on 2025 use. But you're right, a TE they draft this year could become a focal point once Adams moves on.

As to the specific talent, Bowers is a special receiver and a decent blocker. Unless we're getting Warren this year, none of the others are so special to upset the 2025 pecking order. I also do believe they will be looking for a Higbee replacement now.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Then why did Jourdan report after signing Parkinson, that they liked his blocking ability?

The last two drafts seem to be diametrically opposed to your theory. McVay wanted to move up in both drafts to chose an offensive weapon, that happens to be a tight end. Considering that Kupp was basically doing a lot of what the TE did for McVay in Washington, and now he’s gone. Isn’t it likely that if they land a Jordan Reed type of weapon, that they can then move on from Adams in a year or two and that TE becomes a focal point of the offense? If not, it makes no sense that McVay has been trying to acquire a player like that since he drafted Gerald Everett.

Because they mistakenly liked his blocking ability. (Then he got here and they discovered that Long was the better blocker). But, coming out of college, Parkinson was considered more of a big WR with a TE label.

As far as the last two drafts, I'm not so sure. We know that McVay wanted to move up for Bowers as he was considered very special. And that was confirmed on video. But, in the prior draft it was rumored with no confirmation that he wanted to move up for Kincaid. I remember seeing a tweet about Kincaid from someone I never heard of at the time, but when I looked again I could find no confirmation on the Kincaid rumor anywhere else.

The more I think about it, McVay may have been trying to get Jaxon Smith-Njiba, Zay Flowers, or Jordan Addison. How do I come to that conclusion? The depth of that TE draft class vs. the WRs. Once Kincaid came off the board there were still other options available (LaPorta, Musgrave), but the WR well sorta dried up as far as the highly rated talent after the above mentioned names came off the board. Sure we don't know the Rams board at the time, but that's my theory. Especially, with a weak WR core of Kupp, Atwell, Skowronek, Jefferson, and a newly signed at the time Robinson. Thank God they nabbed Puka (who easily surpassed every WR besides Kupp) later.

Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't be surprised if the team drafted a TE in the 1st round. But, I question if it's good move in a deep TE draft class. And especially if the guy is not going to be featured. And this offense goes through Puka (And Adams for 1 - 2 years).

 

[WestCoastRam]

Interesting article about LB

Rams predicted to land 5-time Pro Bowler after his release

The Rams need linebacker help and could find it in the second wave of free agency.

theramswire.usatoday.com

"article" doing a lot of work here

 

[WestCoastRam]

I also do believe they will be looking for a Higbee replacement now.

I don't see us getting him unless we trade down but Mason Taylor's your man

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Because they mistakenly liked his blocking ability. (Then he got here and they discovered that Long was the better blocker). But, coming out of college, Parkinson was considered more of a big WR with a TE label.

As far as the last two drafts, I'm not so sure. We know that McVay wanted to move up for Bowers as he was considered very special. And that was confirmed on video. But, in the prior draft it was rumored with no confirmation that he wanted to move up for Kincaid. I remember seeing a tweet about Kincaid from someone I never heard of at the time, but when I looked again I could find no confirmation on the Kincaid rumor anywhere else.

The more I think about it, McVay may have been trying to get Jaxon Smith-Njiba, Zay Flowers, or Jordan Addison. How do I come to that conclusion? The depth of that TE draft class vs. the WRs. Once Kincaid came off the board there were still other options available (LaPorta, Musgrave), but the WR well sorta dried up as far as the highly rated talent after the above mentioned names came off the board. Sure we don't know the Rams board at the time, but that's my theory. Especially, with a weak WR core of Kupp, Atwell, Skowronek, Jefferson, and a newly signed at the time Robinson. Thank God they nabbed Puka (who easily surpassed every WR besides Kupp) later.

Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't be surprised if the team drafted a TE in the 1st round. But, I question if it's good move in a deep TE draft class. And especially if the guy is not going to be featured. And this offense goes through Puka (And Adams for 1 - 2 years).

By all accounts he wasn't a very good receiving TE either.

They supposedly liked Kong's blocking the year before. Even earlier. Its why they wanted him. I was surprised when Jordan reported the Rams liking Parkinson's blocking and not mentioning his receiving. I thought of him as a pivot from missing out on Evans. He's a huge target.

I am pretty sure Jourdan mentioned interest in Kincaid

 

[Memphis Ram]

By all accounts he wasn't a very good receiving TE either.

They supposedly liked Kong's blocking the year before. Even earlier. Its why they wanted him. I was surprised when Jordan reported the Rams liking Parkinson's blocking and not mentioning his receiving. I thought of him as a pivot from missing out on Evans. He's a huge target.

I am pretty sure Jourdan mentioned interest in Kincaid

Yeah. He could have been a huge target pivot from Evans.

Parkinson skipped his senior season and declared for the draft after a decent junior year. I thought I read somewhere that the Rams had interest in him the year he was drafted. But Seattle took him a few spots ahead of the Brycen Hopkins selection.

 

[Merlin]

I view Parkinson as a panic signing to ensure they had someone at TE who could cover Higs' role until he returned. Nobody bats a thousand in FA, certainly not the Rams.

 

[FrantikRam]

Actual needs

Starters:

ILB

Backups/to start next year:

T
WR

Depth needed:

ILB (a second one)
WR (a second one)


Potential starter upgrades:

CB
TE

Potential backup upgrades:

RB



We have four picks in the first four rounds, to use on five positions:

ILB, WR, T, CB and TE - knowing McVay and Snead, we will just ignore ILB and our first four picks will be (in whatever order) WR, T, CB and TE.

Then in the back four picks we go LB, LB, WR and RB.

S if we pick up an extra pick, which I'm assuming we will.

ILB is now less urgent, can be had later in the draft.

If we sign Akhello....this is quietly an incredible off-season and getting us in position to be a Super Bowl contender

 

[TexasRam]

ILB is now less urgent, can be had later in the draft.

If we sign Akhello....this is quietly an incredible off-season and getting us in position to be a Super Bowl contender

Agreed. Signing Witherspoon we be great.

We could go into the draft and not require a rookie to be an immediate starter.

 

[Ramstien]

Well, you got your wish, Witherspoon is back but I still want to see the Rams take a CB early in the draft.

 

[FrantikRam]

It just isn't a glaring need now. Nothing is.

Which is perfect because now QB, WR, TE, T, CB and LB are all on the table at 26. Possibly RB or S too if it's BPA

 

[AZRams]

It just isn't a glaring need now. Nothing is.

Which is perfect because now QB, WR, TE, T, CB and LB are all on the table at 26. Possibly RB or S too if it's BPA

Literally, best available player at any of those...

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I view Parkinson as a panic signing to ensure they had someone at TE who could cover Higs' role until he returned. Nobody bats a thousand in FA, certainly not the Rams.

I felt it was a fall back from not getting that red zone target in Mike Evans. I think many of us here saw Parkinson at 6’-7” as the missing red zone target that can use height to make Stafford’s job easier.

 

[FrantikRam]

Current roster (on active rosters last year or was a previous draft pick):

QB:
Stafford, Jimmy, Bennett

RB:
Kyren, Corum, Rivers, Schrader

WR:
Puka, Adams, Tutu, Whittington

TE:
Higbee, Parkinson, Allen

OL:
Jackson, Avila, Limmer, Dotson, Havenstein, McClendon, Shelton, Dedich, Leveston

DL:
Turner, Fiske, Ford, Johnson, Davis, Murchison

EDGE:
Verse, Young, Jackson, Hampton, Thomas

LB:
Landman, Speights

S:
Curl, Lake, Kinchens, McCollough

CB:
Williams, Spoon, Durant, Forbes, Kendrick, Wallace, Woods


This is a fascinating way to look at this, because its either:

Established players
Previous draft picks
Previous UDFA contributors
FA additions

This ends up being 47 out of the 50 (not counting special teams) rosters spots. We know we have openings here at LB and WR for sure. We also know we will not keep 7 CBs, and if we haven't cut Kendrick yet, he may end up sticking (else why not save the $3 million now and give him a chance to find another team). We also know that we deploy safeties in multiple ways, AND that the Rams like to draft for the future anticipating players that will be departing. We will have some tougher cuts to make as well.

I truly wonder if we filled all of our needs in case we are able to trade up. We have so much flexibility now.

We will have some needs for next year for sure - but a ridiculous amount of cap space makes that less urgent. That said, I think the above shows:

Next year needs: QB, WR, T, S, CB, LB

We are uncertain of the starters at those positions for next year - that said, I would imagine Lake is someone we would like to re-sign. LB is never a concern, for better or worse.

QB, WR, T and CB - all except QB could help this year potentially

WR, T and CB meet the crossroad of potential to immediately contribute and being a future need.

TE and RB could add elements that don't currently exist in our offense.

This team is now fucking DEEP. I think our first rounder will be targeting a game changer - possibly a trade up for Warren, or trading down and taking TreVeyon Henderson. The latter is more likely IMO. Then nabbing a WR, T and CB in the 3rd/4th rounds.

 

[Ramstien]

I would like to see the Rams go TE in round one but if they stay at 26 and the two top TEs are gone I think they may go with Jaxson Dart if he is available. This is just a feeling I am starting to get after some moves in free agency so far.