Derion Kendrick, CB Pick #212 - 6th round

[Merlin]

Our rush last year after Von came aboard masked a lot of issues. With him gone those things needed to be fixed. So influx of guys who provide those things and the guys like Long still have a chance to make the team it's just gonna be a pressure cooker of competition.

 

[Dodgersrf]

Poor backpeddle skills but is physical?

Maybe they see him as a FS

 

[Mackeyser]

Poor backpeddle skills but is physical?

Maybe they see him as a FS

ST guy who might be yet another guy who can play the STAR position...

Plus, I like our defensive/DB coaches enough to like all these picks

 

[nighttrain]

I always think of David Jones, taken in the 14th round, nickname "The Deacon"


train

 

[AZRams]

From B/R's analysis of the pick:

"Kendrick played the most snaps among Power Five cornerbacks last season without allowing a touchdown, according to PFF. He allowed a miniscule 38.6 passer rating into his coverage, which is lower than if the quarterback intentionally threw the ball into the ground, per PFF."

 

[Merlin]

Must be some of that new math they teach in school now.

 

[jrry32]

Haven't watched his film or anything. But sounds from above like he's got a backpedal problem (over and above being a dumbass). Morris probably eager to try to fix all that.

Biggest problem is his long speed. He ran a 4.75 40 at his Pro Day. His tape shows issues sticking with speedy WRs. That's why I think he most likely moves into the slot. Problem is that he's iffy in run support. He's had good games, but the Ohio State game from last year sticks in my mind. Kendrick gets beaten for two TDs early in the game and seems to just give up. His effort and attitude the rest of the game were terrible. Gave poor effort when it came to physicality and tackling and got torched in coverage. This was in the college football playoffs, so that really soured me on him.

 

[Merlin]

Again I haven't watched him but it would surprise me they'd target a guy who doesn't want to support the run, especially when he's got flags from being a dumbass. Maybe he had a reason for that like a stinger or something?

But either way if you're right then he won't be around long. Raheem will make an example of him quickly I'd think.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Being a converted WR to CB makes me think he could have some raw techniques the coaches can work on.

 

[nighttrain]

Biggest problem is his long speed. He ran a 4.75 40 at his Pro Day. His tape shows issues sticking with speedy WRs. That's why I think he most likely moves into the slot. Problem is that he's iffy in run support. He's had good games, but the Ohio State game from last year sticks in my mind. Kendrick gets beaten for two TDs early in the game and seems to just give up. His effort and attitude the rest of the game were terrible. Gave poor effort when it came to physicality and tackling and got torched in coverage. This was in the college football playoffs, so that really soured me on him.

McSnead must have see something, eh.
train

 

[PhillyRam]

Biggest problem is his long speed. He ran a 4.75 40 at his Pro Day. His tape shows issues sticking with speedy WRs. That's why I think he most likely moves into the slot. Problem is that he's iffy in run support. He's had good games, but the Ohio State game from last year sticks in my mind. Kendrick gets beaten for two TDs early in the game and seems to just give up. His effort and attitude the rest of the game were terrible. Gave poor effort when it came to physicality and tackling and got torched in coverage. This was in the college football playoffs, so that really soured me on him.

Sounds like a young Troy Hill who had some maturity issues.

 

[PhillyRam]

Our rush last year after Von came aboard masked a lot of issues. With him gone those things needed to be fixed. So influx of guys who provide those things and the guys like Long still have a chance to make the team it's just gonna be a pressure cooker of competition.

Scott, Rapp, & Long are all entering the final year of their contracts. That's why they drafted so many DB's. It's that simple.

 

[Faceplant]

Sounds kinda like a possible Rapp replacement to me. Better get him up to speed in the tackling departmrbt if that's the case. Despite his coverage warts, Taylor is always a willing tackler in the run game.

If this kid can learn to wrap (no pun intended), he may be able to offer box support as well as play slot.... Which would be an upgrade IMO.

 

[Merlin]

Scott, Rapp, & Long are all entering the final year of their contracts. That's why they drafted so many DB's. It's that simple.

That's part of it but to say that's the entire crux of their approach is an oversimplification.

Rams had multiple young members of the secondary who failed to step up and be felt on that field. Rapp has looked like shit since the defense changed to a base quarters approach under Staley, he doesn't know what to do with receivers in space from that over the top perspective he's a "oh he caught the ball" reaction type with zero anticipation. Rochell was very raw and might not be ready year two. Burgess has been force fed snaps in packages and rarely is felt in anything they have him do out there. Scott has shown some growth in anticipation swooping down on shit underneath but stick him in the high post vs say Green Bay and he's probably going to be overwhelmed. Fuller had a shitty second season after a fantastic rookie year, I think that has to do with detail level of gameplanning (him and Williams) but either way we had two plus guys who dipped considerably year two.

Basically the Rams won the Super Bowl with Ramsey and the funky bunch behind an insane pass rush. Then they lost a big portion of said rush with Von's departure. These things all factor in here.

 

[PhillyRam]

That's part of it but to say that's the entire crux of their approach is an oversimplification.

Rams had multiple young members of the secondary who failed to step up and be felt on that field. Rapp has looked like shit since the defense changed to a base quarters approach under Staley, he doesn't know what to do with receivers in space from that over the top perspective he's a "oh he caught the ball" reaction type with zero anticipation. Rochell was very raw and might not be ready year two. Burgess has been force fed snaps in packages and rarely is felt in anything they have him do out there. Scott has shown some growth in anticipation swooping down on shit underneath but stick him in the high post vs say Green Bay and he's probably going to be overwhelmed. Fuller had a shitty second season after a fantastic rookie year, I think that has to do with detail level of gameplanning (him and Williams) but either way we had two plus guys who dipped considerably year two.

Basically the Rams won the Super Bowl with Ramsey and the funky bunch behind an insane pass rush. Then they lost a big portion of said rush with Von's departure. These things all factor in here.

They won the Super Bowl despite losing two starting Safeties down the stretch... What else must they do?

 

[Merlin]

They won the Super Bowl despite losing two starting Safeties down the stretch... What else must they do?

Well this is where we start talking past each other, which happens a ton with me and you. So I'll try again.

You said guys contracts were what is driving everything. I think you're oversimplifying shit.

The reason I think you're oversimplifying is because IF two of them had shown what the Rams were looking for they would be locked up by now, or about to be locked up. Rams keep the good players. They jettison the shitters.

You cited Scott, Rapp, and Long. Scott and Rapp are safeties, as well, so lumping two different positions together muddies the waters. Rams clearly addressed corner as a priority. If the corners Rochell and Long had killed it last year this draft would look a lot different. Because, again, the Rams keep the good players, they make room for them, particularly the ones they drafted.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Well this is where we start talking past each other, which happens a ton with me and you. So I'll try again.

You said guys contracts were what is driving everything. I think you're oversimplifying shit.

REMINDER
We are pals at the bar.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN
We don’t occasionally want to punch our pal in the nose.

IN OTHER WORDS
Stay cool, guys.

 

[oldnotdead]

If he displays his attitude as he did at Clemson he will be gone before TC. His poor timed speed is a reflection of that attitude. His game analytics tend to show a must faster player. The kid has a poor work ethic and has been living off his pure athleticism. That doesn't fly for long in the NFL. Why he was drafted by the Rams is a mystery to me as he doesn't fit the culture.

He transferred to Georgia because he had to as he was going to be shown the door at Clemson. IMO he's a flyer the Rams are taken and if he pans out fine. But being relegated to STs will probably wear on him so the Not For Long league will have another casualty sooner rather than later. From a friend in GA, the drugs and gun he was arrested with couldn't be proved conclusively to be his so the charges were dropped. But his missed team meetings are definitely on him.

IMO at best Kendricks is a STs player for a year or so as he collects his checks. At worst he won't make the cut in September or perhaps before.

The real CB the Rams are going to bank on is Durant. Troy Hill is a one year bridge to ensure Durant has the time to develop properly.

 

[PhillyRam]

Well this is where we start talking past each other, which happens a ton with me and you. So I'll try again.

You said guys contracts were what is driving everything. I think you're oversimplifying shit.

The reason I think you're oversimplifying is because IF two of them had shown what the Rams were looking for they would be locked up by now, or about to be locked up. Rams keep the good players. They jettison the shitters.

You cited Scott, Rapp, and Long. Scott and Rapp are safeties, as well, so lumping two different positions together muddies the waters. Rams clearly addressed corner as a priority. If the corners Rochell and Long had killed it last year this draft would look a lot different. Because, again, the Rams keep the good players, they make room for them, particularly the ones they drafted.

Well, they also lost a starting CB in FA. So there is a need there and sure they don't have 3 all pro CBs and multiple all-pro safeties. So you always want to upgrade, not that late round picks are expected to step in and start. Unless you are predicting that?

However, this team has always drafted with the longview dominating their strategy.

So considering they lost a starting CB AND they have 4 DB's on one year contracts, pretty much explains why they went heavy in that area.

Or an I missing something?

Afterall they didnt burn their 3rd rounder on a CB or safety for a team desperate for a starter.

 

[OldSchool]

Well, they also lost a starting CB in FA. So there is a need there and sure they don't have 3 all pro CBs and multiple all-pro safeties. So you always want to upgrade, not that late round picks are expected to step in and start. Unless you are predicting that?

However, this team has always drafted with the longview dominating their strategy.

So considering they lost a starting CB AND they have 4 DB's on one year contracts, pretty much explains why they went heavy in that area.

Or an I missing something?

Afterall they didnt burn their 3rd rounder on a CB or safety for a team desperate for a starter.

While they do draft for the next years free agents often that doesn't mean they don't draft for immediate needs. Hell our first pick this year will likely start right away after camp competition yes. We've drafted safeties recently that saw significant time in their rookie year. Jones won the starting job so we ended up trading Kenny Young our starter ahead of him. So yeah they do draft for the future but not at the expense of the present roster and it's needs.