Behind the Grind 2: Building the 2026 Rams Roster

[Merlin]

John McVay's head is disproportionate to his body. It's like a man's head on a child's body.

Well maybe the Rams make good use of his frame on draft day...

 

[Memphis Ram]

Sure is. Gotta make room for all that quality gray matter!!!!

@Memphis....great stuff. I feel waaaaaay better about the draft choices made, as each day passes. The most common sense explanation is "with this roster, exactly how many draft picks could make the squad?". What good would 7 or 8 picks do if 3 or 4 aren't going to be there come September?

I must admit, I'm not a fan of that mindset. IMO, the bottom of the roster should always have legit competition for their roster spots. Might unknowingly uncover a gem. Or at least have a better practice squad if said player isn't poached.

 

[PARAM]

I must admit, I'm not a fan of that mindset. IMO, the bottom of the roster should always have legit competition for their roster spots. Might unknowingly uncover a gem. Or at least have a better practice squad if said player isn't poached.

Sure but isn't that digging a little deep into the minutiae? I mean, for all intents and purposes, the Rams have a Championship caliber roster. Rather than looking to replace the #5 Edge player, isn't it a good move to get the possible future starting QB? Or rather than replace the ST gunner, get a good TE or an extremely versatile OL who can play all 5 spots? And still get competition for the #5 or #6 WR slot and the #4 interior DL at the end of the draft? What good would it have done if they didn't trade up for CJ Daniels and took two other players to vie for the practice squad?

 

[Memphis Ram]

Sure but isn't that digging a little deep into the minutiae? I mean, for all intents and purposes, the Rams have a Championship caliber roster. Rather than looking to replace the #5 Edge player, isn't it a good move to get the possible future starting QB? Or rather than replace the ST gunner, get a good TE or an extremely versatile OL who can play all 5 spots? And still get competition for the #5 or #6 WR slot and the #4 interior DL at the end of the draft? What good would it have done if they didn't trade up for CJ Daniels and took two other players to vie for the practice squad?

A Championship caliber roster can still be improved upon for that and future seasons as the 2026 NFL Draft isn't just about the 2026 NFL season. And what better way to do so than to churn the bottom portion of the roster as you might find a gem that could develop into a player on the top portion of the roster. And a legit competition helps the whole team, IMO.

In the latter stages of day three I like a team chances of making hay with as many chances as they can get as it should improve the odds for success. Especially, in what some believe was a weaker draft class. Plus I'm sure there were undrafted free agents the team went after, but couldn't get, who they could have drafted. Doesn't mean they would pan out, but the same could be said for any prospect. Especially, on day three.

Hopefully CJ Daniels turns out to be MUCH BETTER than the two day three trade ups from late year in Pooh Paul (whom I liked) and Ty Hamilton (Again, the thought process was only so many players could make the team). My guess is that in hindsight the team probably wishes they didn't make those deals and gambled on taking more chances to find a player. Even if for that example, it's two LBs or DTs competing against each other.

 

[PARAM]

A Championship caliber roster can still be improved upon for that and future seasons as the 2026 NFL Draft isn't just about the 2026 NFL season. And what better way to do so than to churn the bottom portion of the roster as you might find a gem that could develop into a player on the top portion of the roster. And a legit competition helps the whole team, IMO.

In the latter stages of day three I like a team chances of making hay with as many chances as they can get as it should improve the odds for success. Especially, in what some believe was a weaker draft class. Plus I'm sure there were undrafted free agents the team went after, but couldn't get, who they could have drafted. Doesn't mean they would pan out, but the same could be said for any prospect. Especially, on day three.

Hopefully CJ Daniels turns out to be MUCH BETTER than the two day three trade ups from late year in Pooh Paul (whom I liked) and Ty Hamilton (Again, the thought process was only so many players could make the team). My guess is that in hindsight the team probably wishes they didn't make those deals and gambled on taking more chances to find a player. Even if for that example, it's two LBs or DTs competing against each other.

I see your point and agree it's certainly a good way to go. But who's to say they didn't find a gem who could develop into a player at the top portion of the roster? QB would rank as the very top, I'd think. And that would be worth more...much more....than bottom of the roster churning. We made 5 picks and traded a few for a top of the line CB. Signed another. Signed a special teams demon (read: bottom of the roster spot). I don't know. Maybe we're not fine. But it sure looks that way from my vantage point.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I see your point and agree it's certainly a good way to go. But who's to say they didn't find a gem who could develop into a player at the top portion of the roster? QB would rank as the very top, I'd think. And that would be worth more...much more....than bottom of the roster churning. We made 5 picks and traded a few for a top of the line CB. Signed another. Signed a special teams demon (read: bottom of the roster spot). I don't know. Maybe we're not fine. But it sure looks that way from my vantage point.

There appears to be a misunderstanding. I have no issue at all with the Simpson selection. In fact, Simpson (and Keenan II) was my favorite selection(s) in the Rams draft class.

My only issue is going into a draft with the mindset that the team had just so many roster spots without potentially allowing for more competition. Especially at the back portion of the roster.

 

[majrleaged]

That is what the UNdrafted are for.

 

[DzRams]

A Championship caliber roster can still be improved upon for that and future seasons as the 2026 NFL Draft isn't just about the 2026 NFL season. And what better way to do so than to churn the bottom portion of the roster as you might find a gem that could develop into a player on the top portion of the roster. And a legit competition helps the whole team, IMO.

In the latter stages of day three I like a team chances of making hay with as many chances as they can get as it should improve the odds for success. Especially, in what some believe was a weaker draft class. Plus I'm sure there were undrafted free agents the team went after, but couldn't get, who they could have drafted. Doesn't mean they would pan out, but the same could be said for any prospect. Especially, on day three.

Hopefully CJ Daniels turns out to be MUCH BETTER than the two day three trade ups from late year in Pooh Paul (whom I liked) and Ty Hamilton (Again, the thought process was only so many players could make the team). My guess is that in hindsight the team probably wishes they didn't make those deals and gambled on taking more chances to find a player. Even if for that example, it's two LBs or DTs competing against each other.

I see it opposite. It's the weaker draft classes in which I want fewer bites of the apple. I'd rather get a few players that I really love than several random dart throws. It's the stronger drafts where I'd take more shots.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I see it opposite. It's the weaker draft classes in which I want fewer bites of the apple. I'd rather get a few players that I really love than several random dart throws. It's the stronger drafts where I'd take more shots.

I forgot where I read it but from what I understood typically the strength of draft classes are measured first by the number of blue chip rated players (1st round grades) and next the number of red chip rated players typically found in the top 125 or so (though there can be positional variances). But once you get to round 6 just about anyone selected could just have easily been an undrafted free agent in just about any draft class.

 

[den-the-coach]

There appears to be a misunderstanding. I have no issue at all with the Simpson selection. In fact, Simpson (and Keenan II) was my favorite selection(s) in the Rams draft class.

My only issue is going into a draft with the mindset that the team had just so many roster spots without potentially allowing for more competition. Especially at the back portion of the roster.

IMO, this year everyone's favorite selection is going to be Keagan Trost. Nasty, versatile and unlike others you just play him and forget him because he does not get beaten. Now when they run behind him, he is tough to forget because he is a modern day road grader. Come on @Memento where are you on Trost?

 

[Memphis Ram]

IMO, this year everyone's favorite selection is going to be Keagan Trost. Nasty, versatile and unlike others you just play him and forget him because he does not get beaten. Now when they run behind him, he is tough to forget because he is a modern day road grader. Come on @Memento where are you on Trost?

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Truth be told I'm not sure too many want to see Simpson or Trost play much at all this year.

That said, I'm one of the few, if only, that want to see Simpson get at least one game in this season.
Preferably the final regular season game to clinch the division and #1 seed hopefully.
But I'm just dying to see what McVay can do with a QB that can do something with his legs.

 

[den-the-coach]

Truth be told I'm not sure too many want to see Simpson or Trost play much at all this year.

IDK, Simpson yes, but Trost most likely is going to be asked to fill in, hopefully, just not long term. Or, maybe he shows so much, he is an upgrade over Warren McClendon and starts at RT. McClendon did play well last season with the exception of the NFC Championship game against Seattle. I believe Trost has a shot at RT this season, however, offers the ability to play both tackle and guard positions too.

 

[Memphis Ram]

IDK, Simpson yes, but Trost most likely is going to be asked to fill in, hopefully, just not long term. Or, maybe he shows so much, he is an upgrade over Warren McClendon and starts at RT. McClendon did play well last season with the exception of the NFC Championship game against Seattle. I believe Trost has a shot at RT this season, however, offers the ability to play both tackle and guard positions too.

Maybe. But, I guess in my mind I've limited him to being an interior player due to his lack of ideal length.
But maybe he's the next Braden Smith.

 

[den-the-coach]

Maybe. But, I guess in my mind I've limited him to being an interior player due to his lack of ideal length.
But maybe he's the next Braden Smith.

As to length maybe not LT, but, he battles there and is solid in pass pro, also I believe he is an option at RT as he showcased the ability at a high level last season. In the end, you could be right, he might be the replacement for either Avila or Dotson as the Rams will keep one of them, but not both, most likely.

 

[kmramsfan]

IDK, Simpson yes, but Trost most likely is going to be asked to fill in, hopefully, just not long term. Or, maybe he shows so much, he is an upgrade over Warren McClendon and starts at RT. McClendon did play well last season with the exception of the NFC Championship game against Seattle. I believe Trost has a shot at RT this season, however, offers the ability to play both tackle and guard positions too.

I'd be very surprised if Trost beat out McClendon this season.
While Warren didn't have his best games in the playoffs, he only gave up 1 sack, and had 11 pressures, he also was the guy who's name nobody ever heard mentioned on Sundays.
For the season he was rated as number 8 in offensive grade and 5th in run blocking per a PFF report, for whatever that's worth.
I do like the "problem" of potentially having to find a place for Trost to play ....... anywhere that he's needed, though.

 

[den-the-coach]

I'd be very surprised if Trost beat out McClendon this season.
While Warren didn't have his best games in the playoffs, he only gave up 1 sack, and had 11 pressures, he also was the guy who's name nobody ever heard mentioned on Sundays.
For the season he was rated as number 8 in offensive grade and 5th in run blocking per a PFF report, for whatever that's worth.
I do like the "problem" of potentially having to find a place for Trost to play ....... anywhere that he's needed, though.

Iron sharpens Iron agreed that McClendon showcased he belonged last season and although the playoffs was not his finest hour, McClendon acted like he was they guy at RT, however, I like what Trost brings to the table and I expect him to shine early in camp although feel come September Morn, Warren McClendon will be the guy at RT.

 

[Jacobarch]

Iron sharpens Iron agreed that McClendon showcased he belonged last season and although the playoffs was not his finest hour, McClendon acted like he was they guy at RT, however, I like what Trost brings to the table and I expect him to shine early in camp although feel come September Morn, Warren McClendon will be the guy at RT.

I didn't really see his play fall off during the playoffs. What are you referring to?

 

[den-the-coach]

I didn't really see his play fall off during the playoffs. What are you referring to?

Bottom 5 offense​

• RT Warren McClendon Jr.: 55.2
• TE Tyler Higbee: 54.1
• LG Steve Avila: 53.7
• WR Konata Mumpfield: 52.8
• TE Terrance Ferguson: 50.7

McClendon allowed a team-high four pressures in the loss

Rams PFF grades: Best and worst performers in NFC championship loss

Take a look at which players graded out the best for the Rams on Sunday, and which ones fell short against Seattle.

theramswire.usatoday.com

 

[majrleaged]

Truth be told I'm not sure too many want to see Simpson or Trost play much at all this year.

That said, I'm one of the few, if only, that want to see Simpson get at least one game in this season.
Preferably the final regular season game to clinch the division and #1 seed hopefully.
But I'm just dying to see what McVay can do with a QB that can do something with his legs.

Hope he doesn't run him right into a concussion like wolford. Al I want from my running QB is to get out of trouble when needed. When everyone is covered he gets 20 yards and slides. once and a while a QB draw from the 5 for a TD. I want the same offense we have now. No QB run gimicks.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Hope he doesn't run him right into a concussion like wolford. Al I want from my running QB is to get out of trouble when needed. When everyone is covered he gets 20 yards and slides. once and a while a QB draw from the 5 for a TD. I want the same offense we have now. No QB run gimicks.

I might be mistaken, but I think that's what everyone wants to see.