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

[Noregar]

IMO interior Ol is not a need at all. The Rams are more set along their interior than at any time I can remember during the McVay era.

Avila is an ascending young player with pro bowl potential, Dotson played at pro bowl level for most of the season and all Limmer did was keep a high dollar FA and former pro bowler on the bench. It seems after the Eagles’ game many want to throw Limmer onto the trash heap and some also wanted Dotson gone too. That is crazy. The eagles have one of the better defensive fronts. That same front destroyed the Chief's OL in the super bowl. Limmer was a rookie so he will get most likely be better in 2025. Add to that, Dedich played some valuable snaps as an undrafted rookie and acquitted himself well for the most part and McMahon also shows a lot of promise. They also have Leviston who was drafted to play inside too as he does not have the ideal height/length to play at tackle.

I am definitely in the Limmer camp. Jackson probably would not have been traded if they thought Limmer was a liability.

Depth at tackle is another matter. As noted above Leviston is a big unknown and a better fit inside. McClendon was a disaster on the left side and struggled on the right side too. Arcuri is a perennial practice squad guy who was torched against the Lions in the opening week. I am firmly onboard with adding a good young tackle in the draft. Since tackles are harder to find (AJ is an exception), I prefer they get one on day two and if a high value tackle drops to 26, I would not be upset if they picked one there. The resigning of Jackson probably makes a first-round tackle very unlikely but based on the current roster if Jackson goes down the line is screwed and thus the offense is too.

 

[Flatlyner]

IMO interior Ol is not a need at all. The Rams are more set along their interior than at any time I can remember during the McVay era.

Avila is an ascending young player with pro bowl potential, Dotson played at pro bowl level for most of the season and all Limmer did was keep a high dollar FA and former pro bowler on the bench. It seems after the Eagles’ game many want to throw Limmer onto the trash heap and some also wanted Dotson gone too. That is crazy. The eagles have one of the better defensive fronts. That same front destroyed the Chief's OL in the super bowl. Limmer was a rookie so he will get most likely be better in 2025. Add to that, Dedich played some valuable snaps as an undrafted rookie and acquitted himself well for the most part and McMahon also shows a lot of promise. They also have Leviston who was drafted to play inside too as he does not have the ideal height/length to play at tackle.

I am definitely in the Limmer camp. Jackson probably would not have been traded if they thought Limmer was a liability.

Depth at tackle is another matter. As noted above Leviston is a big unknown and a better fit inside. McClendon was a disaster on the left side and struggled on the right side too. Arcuri is a perennial practice squad guy who was torched against the Lions in the opening week. I am firmly onboard with adding a good young tackle in the draft. Since tackles are harder to find (AJ is an exception), I prefer they get one on day two and if a high value tackle drops to 26, I would not be upset if they picked one there. The resigning of Jackson probably makes a first-round tackle very unlikely but based on the current roster if Jackson goes down the line is screwed and thus the offense is too.

I'm torn. If a guy like Simmons falls to us, he could be a great pick to start for Havenstien going forward (after he retires) and be a good swing back up. That said, would he really move the needle this year? I'd hope not (both OT's stay healthy). We need to improve this offense if we want to be playing February, there is no doubt. I'd do all I can to trade back and get more resources, unless an absolute stud falls to us (Warren, Loveland), but I find that unlikely. I'd take a couple stabs at OT's in this draft though, because, as you stated, we were a disaster when either of our starters were out.

Hopefully we address the defensive holes we have in FA so we can concentrate on offense in the draft.

 

[Jorgeh0605]

Looks to me like TE/WR, CB, and LB are the biggest needs now. And I think more than position, an impact player on offense is the biggest need, whether that is a TE, WR or RB.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Well, he did play pretty damn well for a 6th-round rookie.

His pass protection wasn’t great. Sure, for a 6th he was good. But with an older immobile QB that pressure up the middle is tough. He struggled with twists and stunts all season.

 

[8to12]

No one?

My previous post I listed CB and Center as my top free agent targets.

Now with Jonah gone, I absolutely would target Center and kick limmer to swing interior.

I think the Rams are being shortsighted here regarding Limmer however.

My bad ....I guess I missed your post

 

[8to12]

I am definitely in the Limmer camp. Jackson probably would not have been traded if they thought Limmer was a liability.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Limmer put in because the Jackson / Avila Center experiment failed during OTA's?

The Offense did have a successful season, but if you break down Limmer's pass blocking over the season, it was a weak link. I don't blame him for the end of the Eagles game ; that was miscommunication with Dotson.
Can he improve his Pass blocking and hold up against Bull rushers at 308 lbs? I don't know. Because of that, I would like to see a FA or another one drafted and let them compete.

 

[8to12]

Regarding the defense, in order to get back to the NFC Championship, you may have to play the Eagles again. Preventing the 40 yard, or long TD runs has to be a priority. I would like to see a 330-340lb NT, to help protect the ILB's, better range / speed from the ILB's, better edge setting by the OLB's ( J Verse), and last, better tackling by the CB's ( they all were rated in the 50's per PFF ; IMO below average )
Kenneth Grant (Michigan) or Tyliek WIlliams (Ohio State) early in the draft, or Jamaree Caldwell (Oregon), JJ Pegues (Ole Miss) in the middle rounds would be an improvement. Pegues is only 320 lbs, but is stout against double teams

 

[TexasRam]

You can still win games with Limmer.

His 42.9 pass blocking is atrocious however. That can only be improved so much based on his physical limitations.

If you want a championship roster you might want to improve your weak areas, especially in the trenches.

The NFL evolves and as Mcvay stated it goes in cycles. Right now the trenches are ruling again.

Center, CB, swing OT are my priorities. Run stopping DT is next.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Limmer put in because the Jackson / Avila Center experiment failed during OTA's?

The Offense did have a successful season, but if you break down Limmer's pass blocking over the season, it was a weak link. I don't blame him for the end of the Eagles game ; that was miscommunication with Dotson.
Can he improve his Pass blocking and hold up against Bull rushers at 308 lbs? I don't know. Because of that, I would like to see a FA or another one drafted and let them compete.

Limmer won the job but it wasn't because Avila failed. Jordan said he was playing well at Center. However, they considered him to be their best Guard. So they moved him back to try Jonah at Center, but he wasn't fully healthy. Once he was healthy it was late in the season to try a center switch. It didn't work out and it can take time for a QB to adjust to a different Center. So after the Miami game, they just stuck with Limmer.

 

[Allen2McVay]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Limmer put in because the Jackson / Avila Center experiment failed during OTA's?

No, Limmer went in due to injuries when Avila, Jonah Jackson and Noteboom were all down at the same time.

Prior to then, the Rams had simply flipped Avila (back to LG) and Jackson (over to Center).

 

[TexasRam]

Limmer won the job but it wasn't because Avila failed. Jordan said he was playing well at Center. However, they considered him to be their best Guard. So they moved him back to try Jonah at Center, but he wasn't fully healthy. Once he was healthy it was late in the season to try a center switch. It didn't work out and it can take time for a QB to adjust to a different Center. So after the Miami game, they just stuck with Limmer.

Agreed.

Limmer did solidify things.

Partly because others struggled at center and partly because our two best guards were back at guards.

And Limmer should be applauded for the job he did as a late round rookie.

But Blythe and Noteboom had similar impacts. Helped stop the bleeding as stopgaps, but the more they played the more you realized they were better suited as backups.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Agreed.

Limmer did solidify things.

Partly because others struggled at center and partly because our two best guards were back at guards.

And Limmer should be applauded for the job he did as a late round rookie.

But Blythe and Noteboom had similar impacts. Helped stop the bleeding as stopgaps, but the more they played the more you realized they were better suited as backups.

I am interested to see Limmer after a year of NFL conditioning.

I believe he could take a step up in year 2.

 

[Mojo Ram]

At 21 ppg the Rams have to address the lack of big playmakers on offense. There’s no way around that.

I believe the Rams were last among all 14 playoff teams in scoring(reg season).

 

[Ramstien]

I believe the Rams will address the TE position with their first pick in this draft.

 

[sloramfan]

cornerback

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Agreed.

Limmer did solidify things.

Partly because others struggled at center and partly because our two best guards were back at guards.

And Limmer should be applauded for the job he did as a late round rookie.

But Blythe and Noteboom had similar impacts. Helped stop the bleeding as stopgaps, but the more they played the more you realized they were better suited as backups.

Yeah, Limmer had his warts

 

[FrantikRam]

I keep trying to think about different ways to break this down

FA: CB, ILB

Rounds 1-4: WR, TE, T, RB

Rounds 5-7: IOL, DT, WR, LB


Logic behind this breakdown:

FA for CB can be Witherspoon or an outside FA. Getting a LB with experience, and there are a few options - along with a vet CB, will effectively "complete" our defense, save for depth later at DT and LB.

WR is still the biggest need. TE, its time. Depth at T is a big need as well. RB is just a prediction on my part, not as big of a need - so we would have some flexibility there.

IOL, DT, our 5th WR on the depth chart and our 3rd/4th LB with the latter picks.

If we can upgrade at CB and LB, and get a solid rookie WR - IMO we will be Super Bowl contenders.

 

[dang]

Regarding the defense, in order to get back to the NFC Championship, you may have to play the Eagles again. Preventing the 40 yard, or long TD runs has to be a priority. I would like to see a 330-340lb NT, to help protect the ILB's, better range / speed from the ILB's, better edge setting by the OLB's ( J Verse), and last, better tackling by the CB's ( they all were rated in the 50's per PFF ; IMO below average )
Kenneth Grant (Michigan) or Tyliek WIlliams (Ohio State) early in the draft, or Jamaree Caldwell (Oregon), JJ Pegues (Ole Miss) in the middle rounds would be an improvement. Pegues is only 320 lbs, but is stout against double teams

I’m warming up to a DT with Rams first pick. Keeping RBs from getting to 2nd level will help our atrocious ILB run defense. I still think Plan A is an offensive weapon (TE/WR) but it has to be one of the players the covet (vs next available).

 

[Loyal]

I'd be shocked if those same 2 guys were not starting week 1. One was a rookie who hopefully has learned from it.

Exactly. Limmer was considered another great find by McSnead and Dotson is a prized addition as well. I still am high on both.

 

[PhillyRam]

I’m warming up to a DT with Rams first pick. Keeping RBs from getting to 2nd level will help our atrocious ILB run defense. I still think Plan A is an offensive weapon (TE/WR) but it has to be one of the players the covet (vs next available).

I wouldn't draft a run stopping DT at 26. You can get one in the 3rd, it's a deep DT draft. So at worst trade back for more picks if you want to do something like that.

I feel our 1st pick has to be a dynamic playmaker whether it be on offense or defense.

I saw they talked to Malachi Starkes at the combine, a FS/slot CB from Georgia. Supposed to be a hell of a player that might be there. I would take him if he is supposed to be a guy that can improve this secondary and make plays. The secondary was also awful on those Barkley runs as well. Same for the beast of a safety from South Carolina. He could also play some LB at 6-3 225, although he is now going higher in the 1st it seems.

Get playmakers, guys who can put the ball in the endzone or can take it away from the opposing offense. We need more special players.