Jrry32's Post-NFCCG Loss Rams Mock Offseason

[Merlin]

I think it was Snead who mentioned how the team's make up would change once Stafford leaves. How he said it, I took it as minus Stafford the team would have to look differnt to compete... which to me means with a young QB, it would be time to build a dominant defense to keep a young QB in the game and to survive his rookie mistakes.

And he's not wrong. But I think building the defense is in general a great idea for a McVay team because he has a knack for generating the offense he needs with his ability to scheme things up. So with a dominant defense he'd be extremely hard to knock out of the playoffs.

Also there is an inevitable connection between defense and run games. If you don't have the defense, it is very hard to fully invest in the run game as you are more concerned with falling behind on the scoreboard. So even for a QB of Stafford's quality, it would be nice to see him have a team around him that can run it and play a little field position during stretches of playoff games. And we have the players to do that on offense, just need that strong defense.

Anyway I've always been a defense first fan. I can handle losing a lot easier if my defense is strong. Just the way I am philosophically when I watch ball. Nothing against the offensive side. But I think if you pair McVay with a dominant defense you're gonna hoist more Lombardis. It's just a matter of time.

To the ILBs I gotta agree and it feels like this is a good draft for them to add some talent. I just really hope they focus on speed and tackling in space. My biggest complaint with this defensive front has been contain. So if you're gonna draft ILB try to affect that.

 

[DzRams]

And he's not wrong. But I think building the defense is in general a great idea for a McVay team because he has a knack for generating the offense he needs with his ability to scheme things up. So with a dominant defense he'd be extremely hard to knock out of the playoffs.

Also there is an inevitable connection between defense and run games. If you don't have the defense, it is very hard to fully invest in the run game as you are more concerned with falling behind on the scoreboard. So even for a QB of Stafford's quality, it would be nice to see him have a team around him that can run it and play a little field position during stretches of playoff games. And we have the players to do that on offense, just need that strong defense.

Anyway I've always been a defense first fan. I can handle losing a lot easier if my defense is strong. Just the way I am philosophically when I watch ball. Nothing against the offensive side. But I think if you pair McVay with a dominant defense you're gonna hoist more Lombardis. It's just a matter of time.

To the ILBs I gotta agree and it feels like this is a good draft for them to add some talent. I just really hope they focus on speed and tackling in space. My biggest complaint with this defensive front has been contain. So if you're gonna draft ILB try to affect that.

I prefer dominant defenses too. I may get more enjoyment from watching a dominant defense than offense.

However, we probably should accept that McVay is an offense first coach. He's always invested more resources on that side of the ball and likely always will. I suspect he would prefer a dominant offense and good enough defense.

 

[Merlin]

Offense first is not mutally exclusive with great defense. Great defense simply requires hitting on the right investments on that side of the ball.

We have one half of a great defense right now with our defensive front plus Lake. We need another NT up front, some real beef for the playoff run rotation. But mainly it's corners. Fix that and we will have an elite defense.

 

[PhillyRam]

Offense first is not mutally exclusive with great defense. Great defense simply requires hitting on the right investments on that side of the ball.

We have one half of a great defense right now with our defensive front plus Lake. We need another NT up front, some real beef for the playoff run rotation. But mainly it's corners. Fix that and we will have an elite defense.

Agree, and we can't expect the same kind of year out of Stafford next year. He might miss a few games, he might not be as efficient.

So in either case you will need the D to get you through those rough spots and certainly to win big games, which the defense failed to do down the stretch this year.

Letting Kirk Cousins look like a franchise QB. Allowing Bryce Young to play like a top 5 QB, seeing Caleb Williams throw for 400 yards in 10 deg weather. At least they came up with some big turnovers in that game. Then the Seattle coverage meltdowns.

So I fully expect FA and the draft to add significant pieces to the defense, but with Stafford back, I expect the addition of a potentially dynamic weapon to aid the offense.

 

[TheTackle]

Admittedly, I haven't had a lot of time to dig into the Draft yet, so don't expect this to be good. I am projecting that the Browns hire PGC Nate Scheelhaase to be their HC, which nets us a third round pick this year and next. Here's what I'm thinking right now:
Cut
CB Darious Williams

Love D-Will, but he's gotten too old and lost too many steps for how much he's slated to make.

Re-sign
S Kam Curl
CB Roger McCreary
LS Jake McQuaide
EDGE Nick Hampton
OL Justin Dedick (ERFA)
WR Xavier Smith (ERFA)
K Harrison Mevis (ERFA)

Curl is a solid player for us. I want him back. I like McCreary as depth due to his versatility and willingness to tackle.

Free Agency
Jaylen Watson CB Chiefs
Isaiah Likely TE Ravens
Nick Scott S Panthers
Christian Harris ILB Texans
Fred Johnson OT Eagles

Watson gives us the big outside CB we desperately need. At 6'2" 197 pounds, Watson is one of the league's best run defenders at the position and had a good year in coverage. Likely isn't a need, but I think he's undervalued and would be a great fit in our offense as a movable chess piece for McVay, especially with McVay's newfound love of TEs. He's surehanded (excepting his rookie year), gifted after the catch, and a good route runner. We bring back Nick Scott for his special teams prowess. I also added Christian Harris for special teams. We need some speed and hitting on that unit. Fred Johnson will serve as our swing OT.

Trade
Titans trade QB Will Levis
Rams trade Round 6 Pick #29

With the QB options in this Draft drying up, the Rams bring in Levis to replace Garoppolo as Staff's backup. With Levis's contract expiring after 2026, they want to see what he's made of.

NFL Draft
Round 1 Pick #13 - Sonny Styles ILB Ohio State
Round 1 Pick #29 - K.C. Concepcion WR/RS Texas A&M
Round 2 Pick #29 - Malik Muhammad CB Texas
Round 3 Pick #29 - Kage Casey OT Boise State
Round 3 Pick #37 - Mikail Kamara EDGE Indiana
Round 5 Pick #4 - Ephesians Prysock CB Washington
Round 5 Pick #29 - Eric Gentry ILB USC
Round 6 Pick #26 - Albert Regis DT Texas A&M
Round 7 Pick #16 - Caullin Lacy WR/RS Louisville
Round 7 Pick #34 - Jager Burton IOL Kentucky
Round 7 Pick #40 - Xavier Nwankpa S Iowa

Analysis: Like I said, I haven't done much evaluating for the Draft to this point. I've watched these guys casually and thought they were impressive. Styles is a big, rangy ILB who excels in coverage and tackles well. We desperately need that guy next to Landman. I took him because I considered him the BPA here. Concepcion is a playmaker at WR and in the return game. He has inside-out versatility, great YAC skills, and the ability to be a high-level route runner. He also has the vertical speed to threaten defenses deep. I think he could develop into a great WR with Davante and Puka mentoring him. Muhammad is a big-time athlete at CB who has good size. His game needs some polishing, but he has legit cover skills. Casey seems like a solid OL who can offer depth across the unit. Kamara is short, but he was incredibly productive in college and excels at pressuring the QB. Prysock is a long CB with good athleticism and great intangibles. He can be a bit grabby. I see Gentry as a potential special teams ace. Long, athletic, and can tackle. Good zone coverage ILB too. Regis is a short, squatty NT. Think he can help with run defense. Lacy is a gifted returner and a productive slot WR. Burton is a solid, experienced IOL. And I see Nwankpa as a special teams player.

Starters
QB: Matthew Stafford
HB: Kyren Williams
WR: Puka Nacua
WR: Davante Adams
TE: Terrance Ferguson
TE: Isaiah Likely
LT: Alaric Jackson
LG: Steve Avila
C: Coleman Shelton
RG: Kevin Dotson
RT: Warren McClendon

EDGE: Byron Young
DE: Braden Fiske
NT: Poona Ford
DE: Kobie Turner
EDGE: Jared Verse
ILB: Nate Landman
ILB: Sonny Styles
CB: Jaylen Watson
CB: Emmanuel Forbes
SLCB: Quentin Lake
FS: Kamren Kinchens
SS: Kamren Curl

K: Harrison Mevis
P: Ethan Evans
LS: Jake McQuaide
RS: KC Concepcion

Love the Caullin Lacy pick