Best Left for 2nd

[Corbin]

What?
Of course it does. An inline TE who blocks like an OT in 12 formation absolutely improves the run game.
Maybe you were supposed to use blue font?

There is some room to upgrade at TE over what we get from Higs. He is a guy you scheme open. Replace him with a guy who gets open or who can body DBs even when he's not open and we're a better offense.

I’m starting to see either Mayer or Washington being our pick!

Who would have thunk it Mayer would be there as well?

We are the 5th pick and Detroit is 2 spots ahead and needs a TE, I’d be thoroughly happy with either one of them!

 

[dieterbrock]

To me that would be a wasted pick. We already have a young healthy quality TE with Higby. Yes he's a free agent in 2024 but still.

Higbee is hardly young, will be 1 at end of year. Healthy might be a stretch as he does get dinged up a bit during the year, but quality is fair IMO. The only thing I add is that having 2 quality TE in 12 formation helps the team immensely, and prepares them for Higbee's potential departure

 

[dieterbrock]

I’m starting to see either Mayer or Washington being our pick!

Who would have thunk it Mayer would be there as well?

We are the 5th pick and Detroit is 2 spots ahead and needs a TE, I’d be thoroughly happy with either one of them!

And then we draft Tune or Hall in the 5th
Sign me up

 

[El Chapo Jr]

I understand that that would be great to have, but this team can't afford luxuries at this stage. Need more meat and potatoes. Can barely field a starting defense at this point.

I'm with you there. I personally wouldn't go Washington without a trade down.

 

[AZRams]

How about the Sting, Hooker was one to root for for those that go back that far.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nAIb_J9T5M


All-timer!

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Being able to successfully run the ball isnt a luxury, its a necessity

Washington would help out in the run game for sure. The potential is the sell here.

 

[Merlin]

I’m starting to see either Mayer or Washington being our pick!

Who would have thunk it Mayer would be there as well?

We are the 5th pick and Detroit is 2 spots ahead and needs a TE, I’d be thoroughly happy with either one of them!

Way I see these TE options:

Mayer is always open because he is really good at bodying DBs, which makes up for the slightly slower 40 time. Also he is the most consistent all-around TE of the group. Have to think he's the guy if he's on the board.

LaPorta is more of a threat to get open in the slot, i.e. more of a "Kupp backup" type for the depth chart. Also can stretch the seam but not the deep threat Musgrave is. Rumors of his medical having a flag no idea if true.

Musgrave had the injury but he's the guy who is a deep threat of this group. If you overlook that dude he can hurt you. But he's not gonna get open like LaPorta or handle the dirty work like Mayer.

Washington is a unicorn. Absolute freak. But where is the production. I just have a really bad feeling with him and Musgrave, that our TE problems continue if they go that route.

 

[JYB]

I guess you need a dictionary? Straw man? Lol
If you truly dont understand how a TE like Washington instantly improves the run game, then I dont know what to say .

The straw man is your false claim that I stated that Mayer would not improve the running game. I never made such a claim. In fact, what I clearly stated was that Mayer is not going to transform a poor running team – which we are – into a good one. He may make a marginal difference, which would be nice. But we need far more impact players than a player who may marginally improve our running game, which is just not very good. Is the improvement from Higbee to Mayer going to give us a bigger impact than a highly rated edge? I would think not.

If the goal is to improve the running game, then a tackle makes more sense at that spot. This is the Rams’ highest pick in many years and, with SO many needs – particularly on defense -- I don’t believe we should be using that pick on a tight end known more for blocking than receiving. To me, he’s Kyle Brady and I’d never take a guy like that early in a draft.

IMO, he’d be a good pick for a strong team that needs a complementary piece on an already developed offense, but it’s a luxury for a team with so many holes on defense.

JMO, of course. And very respectfully, Dieter.

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

If two teams swoop in for QBs that means one of Porter / Torrence / Branch are on the board at 36.

And then of course we will take Tank Dell.

Alright, Merlin, I'll play along. Which of Porter/Torrence/Branch would you as a Junior GM take?
~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[Merlin]

Alright, Merlin, I'll play along. Which of Porter/Torrence/Branch would you as a Junior GM take?
~ArkyRamsFan~

I think all 3 of those guys plug in day one and start for us. But I do think Porter would impact us the most because he solves outside the hash. Positionally that's a big deal.

Branch is probably the best player of the three. Just to my eye based on how he shows up all over the field on Bama's tape. But it is true that slot is easier to solve than outside the hash. If he's the pick I'm celebrating though.

Torrence has kungfu grip. He gets his hands into that real estate on a guy and the play is over. We haven't had an OG like that since Timmerman.

Also and btw I think Hyatt helps us a ton too but we have players and old draft day toys in waiting on the roster in Jefferson and Tutu so as much as I love his film I think we're a better team with the positions above.

TE isn't necessarily the top guy on the board but there are multiple options of different flavor and Higs is gone after the season. Roster is not as desperate due to adding Long but 36 or after a move down would be a great time for TE. So we'll see.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I think all 3 of those guys plug in day one and start for us. But I do think Porter would impact us the most because he solves outside the hash. Positionally that's a big deal.

Branch is probably the best player of the three. Just to my eye based on how he shows up all over the field on Bama's tape. But it is true that slot is easier to solve than outside the hash. If he's the pick I'm celebrating though.

Torrence has kungfu grip. He gets his hands into that real estate on a guy and the play is over. We haven't had an OG like that since Timmerman.

Also and btw I think Hyatt helps us a ton too but we have players and old draft day toys in waiting on the roster in Jefferson and Tutu so as much as I love his film I think we're a better team with the positions above.

TE isn't necessarily the top guy on the board but there are multiple options of different flavor and Higs is gone after the season. Roster is not as desperate due to adding Long but 36 or after a move down would be a great time for TE. So we'll see.

If you play Porter in anything but a press man scheme... you're gonna have a bad time.

Of course, if we draft him... he can improve!

 

[Merlin]

If you play Porter in anything but a press man scheme... you're gonna have a bad time.

Of course, if we draft him... he can improve!

His film shows good instincts on different calls. Here he is vs Marvin Harrison Jr:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMGOP-TcQMY

 

[Malibu]

Disagree. If a projected 1st round QB falls to the 2nd round and we got a shot to find a possible replacement for Stafford (who might not even last the 2023 year) then I say go for it. Levis would be a great fit and now that he's off the 1st round there is a lot of pressure taken off him.

Completely disagree. Historically 3-5 QBs get drafted in the first round and 0 - 2 become starters. We are talking about a 25 year old injured QB what is the logic when we have Stafford. We have so many holes BU QB is not in the cards imo. Stafford could stay through 25 and then Hooker would be 28. I don't see him as the slam dunk starter slot of teams passed on him and usually most of the starting QBs in the league are taken high in the 1st round.

 

[Merlin]

If the Rams take QB at 36 it will be for one of two reasons (and possibly both):

1. They don't think Stafford will be able to stay healthy. Given that, their desire to have a QB they like on the depth chart is higher priority for them than it is for us.

2. They see that QB as high value for the pick position and take the value.

I still think they covet Hall. The two interviews plus his projected window for being drafted lines up nice for us. But if the above are both true then QB is definitely a possibility.

 

[I like Rams]

If the Rams take QB at 36 it will be for one of two reasons (and possibly both):

1. They don't think Stafford will be able to stay healthy. Given that, their desire to have a QB they like on the depth chart is higher priority for them than it is for us.

2. They see that QB as high value for the pick position and take the value.

I still think they covet Hall. The two interviews plus his projected window for being drafted lines up nice for us. But if the above are both true then QB is definitely a possibility.

If they have doubts on Staff staying healthy, Hooker is not the guy you want to grab in this draft. He's already injured and would be more of a sit and learn situation his rookie year than throwing him out there to play.

 

[Corbin]

And then we draft Tune or Hall in the 5th
Sign me up

Yep! Outside of teams completely jumping the fucking gun on us I think we end up with one of them. I hope it’s Tune though!

Way I see these TE options:

Mayer is always open because he is really good at bodying DBs, which makes up for the slightly slower 40 time. Also he is the most consistent all-around TE of the group. Have to think he's the guy if he's on the board.

LaPorta is more of a threat to get open in the slot, i.e. more of a "Kupp backup" type for the depth chart. Also can stretch the seam but not the deep threat Musgrave is. Rumors of his medical having a flag no idea if true.

Musgrave had the injury but he's the guy who is a deep threat of this group. If you overlook that dude he can hurt you. But he's not gonna get open like LaPorta or handle the dirty work like Mayer.

Washington is a unicorn. Absolute freak. But where is the production. I just have a really bad feeling with him and Musgrave, that our TE problems continue if they go that route.

If you read the scouting reports on Kelcey or the fuck head in San Fran they weren’t perfect prospects either.

Kyle Pitts:

• Leggy into route breaks and can improve short-area footwork.
• Doesn't show many fakes to knock coverage off the scent.
• Mass and core strength missing for in-line blocking.
• Struggles to sustain at the point of attack.
• Needs to work with inside hands when taking on defenders.
• Below-average instincts as a lead blocker in space.
• Injury history will require examination, as he suffered a concussion in 2020.

I don't get the hate on Washington, dude played on a run heavy offense, he had half the production of Higbee last year while being in the TE with Brock Bowers.

I understand he’s not Brock Bowers but if anybody could excellerate his it’s Shaun McVay!

 

[Malibu]

Couple of thoughts.

We are going to be a bad defense unless we make drastic changes like going after Chase Young as a possibility. Combined with taking Joey Porter and a trade into the back of the second round to get Drew Sanders and maybe there is something but I still doubt it.

To me the best course of action is running the ball effectively and WAY more playing slow ball. To achieve that you need a better OL. Torrence is a roadgrader, he graded out at 100% as run blocker that's insane. He never gave up a sack in college and only gave up 2 pressures last year with Richardson running around constantly which says he is amazing.

To a degree Mayer could help out by Stafford making short throws with his sure hands combined with his superior inline blocking skills, but to me I still think Torrence is the answer for the next 10 years.

Lastly in terms of a BU QB I want Dorian Thompson Robinson everyone is sleeping on him period. He was rated 6th best in the NCAA at completion percentage with 69.5% which is the only thing to me that matters. Most QBs are lucky to hit 63% many in high 50s in college. He can run great and with his accuracy he will be an amazing BU notice what I said BU. He went to UCLA so he's definitely smart. Hooker and Levis are projected starters when we already have a Superbowl winning starter so why sit that type of talent behind a Stafford for 3+ years reminds me of Love and Rodgers makes zero sense.

 

[Merlin]

If they have doubts on Staff staying healthy, Hooker is not the guy you want to grab in this draft. He's already injured and would be more of a sit and learn situation his rookie year than throwing him out there to play.

I agree and wouldn't take Hooker in round 2 period. I do like that offense and his film but I don't think you get some big value in him this early vs the other options later.

Levis might change that. Depends on what they think of him on the mental and personality side of things. Colts just took a raw dude with shitty film at 4. Rams doing the same at 36 is far less a travesty IMO and he also could sit behind Stafford and learn which is ideal for any QB I think.

I want a day one starter though, for the record. We gotta put some pieces around Stafford (which includes defense).

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

McVay would have a heart attack trying to teach Levis how to throw a touch pass.

He lost his patience with Goff and Jared was a much cleaner prospect than Levi’s, or Hooker.

Allen is a bit of an all around injury mess :

Will Brian Allen play for the Los Angeles Rams again in 2023?

The Rams need more stability along the offensive line

www.turfshowtimes.com

Yeah, but the biggest problem is his knee

 

[I like Rams]

Couple of thoughts.

We are going to be a bad defense unless we make drastic changes like going after Chase Young as a possibility. Combined with taking Joey Porter and a trade into the back of the second round to get Drew Sanders and maybe there is something but I still doubt it.

To me the best course of action is running the ball effectively and WAY more playing slow ball. To achieve that you need a better OL. Torrence is a roadgrader, he graded out at 100% as run blocker that's insane. He never gave up a sack in college and only gave up 2 pressures last year with Richardson running around constantly which says he is amazing.

To a degree Mayer could help out by Stafford making short throws with his sure hands combined with his superior inline blocking skills, but to me I still think Torrence is the answer for the next 10 years.

Lastly in terms of a BU QB I want Dorian Thompson Robinson everyone is sleeping on him period. He was rated 6th best in the NCAA at completion percentage with 69.5% which is the only thing to me that matters. Most QBs are lucky to hit 63% many in high 50s in college. He can run great and with his accuracy he will be an amazing BU notice what I said BU. He went to UCLA so he's definitely smart. Hooker and Levis are projected starters when we already have a Superbowl winning starter so why sit that type of talent behind a Stafford for 3+ years reminds me of Love and Rodgers makes zero sense.

You don't draft Hooker if you have faith in your qb for the long term. I think you're in the vast minority if you think Staff is gonna last 3 years or more, and if they do draft Hooker at 36, that says McSnead is also agreeing with the majority.