McVay's "Guys"

[Flatlyner]

I know myself and a few other posters are a bit afraid of McVay pounding the table for his type of "guys" (i.e. Tutu, Akers, Jefferson, Henderson, etc.). I'm pretty sure not everyone in the Rams building was behind that Atwell pick, hell Snead had Covid and wasn't even at the draft headquarters. Of course, it would be silly of me to think he didn't give his approval for it, but, how much sway did McVay have in it? I'd say most. These will all obviously be on the offensive side of the ball.

Here's my top 5 guys that I genuinely fear McVay will be tumescent for if they are there at 36:

• Tank Dell, WR - Small, fast, and very productive in college. Far too many similarities to Atwell for my taste, except skinnier and slower. Ultimate fear.
• Jahmyr Gibbs, RB - He fits the bill of small for the position, athletic, and a great pass catcher. An offensive weapon that McVay likely drools over.
• Devon Achane, RB - Small and rare speed at his position. Not an every down back but could play some WR. Similar to Gibbs as a weapon.
• Luke Musgrave, TE - Very athletic with elite speed. Little to no production, little to no blocking ability shown. Just fast and solid receiver.
• Izzy Abanikanda, RB - Right there as the most athletic RB in the draft with Achane, but certainly not a high end 2nd round prospect at this point.

This isn't to say I don't like these guys as prospects. I like a few of them quite a bit. I just don't think we have any business taking any of them in the 2nd round at all. Some probably not at all (Dell, Musgrave).

Any others come to mind for ya'll?

 

[Merlin]

Yeah I'm with you on that list. Izzy is one tough and physical little bastard though. He's a McVay type who I'd applaud being added.

And of course this board will go apeshit in a good way if we get Gibbs.

 

[AvengerRam]

Maybe Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion. 6’7, 255 and ran a 4.55 forty and had a 40’ vertical.

 

[Flatlyner]

Yeah I'm with you on that list. Izzy is one tough and physical little bastard though. He's a McVay type who I'd applaud being added.

And of course this board will go apeshit in a good way if we get Gibbs.

By some. Others will be ape shit the other way. Last thing we need at 36 is a RB IMO.

 

[Flatlyner]

Maybe Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion. 6’7, 255 and ran a 4.55 forty and had a 40’ vertical.

He crossed my mind, but, I don't even think the NFL would let McVay take him that early. It would even embarrass them.

 

[Merlin]

By some. Others will be ape shit the other way. Last thing we need at 36 is a RB IMO.

I think he's one of those players who is good enough to be worth taking at 36 even though it's not an optimum position of need. He would boost our offense significantly.

 

[Flatlyner]

I think he's one of those players who is good enough to be worth taking at 36 even though it's not an optimum position of need. He would boost our offense significantly.

Without question he would add another dimension to the offense. Unless we resign Akers though, we'd still be in the market for a bigger back after using our top pick on a undersized back. We already have Gibbs (very) lite in Williams IMO. He just didn't get off the ground due to injuries at start of year and no camp.

 

[AvengerRam]

He crossed my mind, but, I don't even think the NFL would let McVay take him that early. It would even embarrass them.

I agree.

Could see him as a target later, though.

 

[Merlin]

Maybe Zack Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion. 6’7, 255 and ran a 4.55 forty and had a 40’ vertical.

Good one. Workout warrior with questions on why he couldn't show better so he'd be par for the course for the Rams to select him. Same goes for Washington who is also a fear of mine.

 

[AvengerRam]

Good one. Workout warrior with questions on why he couldn't show better so he'd be par for the course for the Rams to select him. Same goes for Washington who is also a fear of mine.

Disagree on Washington. One of my favorite prospects.

 

[Merlin]

Without question he would add another dimension to the offense. Unless we resign Akers though, we'd still be in the market for a bigger back after using our top pick on a undersized back. We already have Gibbs (very) lite in Williams IMO. He just didn't get off the ground due to injuries at start of year and no camp.

Maybe. Or maybe he ends up being Faulk in this offense and does it all.

But even if he's just a change of pace McVay would be able to utilize the hell out of him in the pass game with screens, jet sweeps, even go routes.

 

[Merlin]

Disagree on Washington. One of my favorite prospects.

Workout warriors and athletic freaks who lack production scare me.

 

[AvengerRam]

Workout warriors and athletic freaks who lack production scare me.

I get that, but Washington’s ability to bolster the running game with his blocking, coupled with his potential to create mismatches as a receiver, make him a unique prospect, in my opinion.

 

[Merlin]

I get that, but Washington’s ability to bolster the running game with his blocking, coupled with his potential to create mismatches as a receiver, make him a unique prospect, in my opinion.

He has generational talent, I agree from that perspective he's a unique prospect. You just don't have guys with his gifts very often.

But where's the production. For me that's a no-go. I'd take him later but we can't afford to miss with our earlier picks. We need guys who produce.

 

[Flatlyner]

I've actually started to warm up to Washington. He will start out as a rookie with an elite skill, blocking. I think he will develop his pass catching and eventually be a fairly unstoppable force in the redzone. I'm also very leery on guys that did not produce in college being taken highly (a la Musgrave), but, Washington at least comes into league as the best blocking TE in the draft. He's basically another OT out there and shut down the much heralded Will Anderson. But, again, would not be my first choice.

 

[WestCoastRam]

@Flatlyner, I think you should feel good. The only guy I could see the Rams take at that spot of your list would be Gibbs. I'm a bit agnostic on him as a pick there, I don't love it but I at least get it.

The rest would be a fireable offense to be chosen that high, I don't think any prognosticator thinks they could go at that pick or close to it.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I've actually started to warm up to Washington. He will start out as a rookie with an elite skill, blocking. I think he will develop his pass catching and eventually be a fairly unstoppable force in the redzone. I'm also very leery on guys that did not produce in college being taken highly (a la Musgrave), but, Washington at least comes into league as the best blocking TE in the draft. He's basically another OT out there and shut down the much heralded Will Anderson. But, again, would not be my first choice.

I don't love Washington without the production as a pass catcher cause you're just projecting a lot but I've said this before, a part of our success in the Superbowl run was when we inserted Michel into the lineup more and used Noteboom as third tackle on the line.

A devastating blocker could be something... but McVay want's pass catchers and I'm honestly not sure that Schoonmaker or Durham won't offer just enough as blockers initially and more as pass catchers to ultimately be our targets. Honestly, we just need a guy who can get in the way on a regular basis... it's amazing how hard that is to do.

 

[Flatlyner]

@Flatlyner, I think you should feel good. The only guy I could see the Rams take at that spot of your list would be Gibbs. I'm a bit agnostic on him as a pick there, I don't love it but I at least get it.

The rest would be a fireable offense to be chosen that high, I don't think any prognosticator thinks they could go at that pick or close to it.

Nobody had Atwell that high either.

 

[Flatlyner]

I don't love Washington without the production as a pass catcher cause you're just projecting a lot but I've said this before, a part of our success in the Superbowl run was when we inserted Michel into the lineup more and used Noteboom as third tackle on the line.

A devastating blocker could be something... but McVay want's pass catchers and I'm honestly not sure that Schoonmaker or Durham won't offer just enough as blockers initially and more as pass catchers to ultimately be our targets. Honestly, we just need a guy who can get in the way on a regular basis... it's amazing how hard that is to do.

When evaluating Washingtons receiving stats, or lack thereof, you must factor in that Brock Bowers was on his team. The best TE prospect in the Nation. He was sucking up all the targets at TE and Washington was mauling guys blocking. Tough to get many touches when you have an elite receiving TE like Bowers there.

 

[OldSchool]

Personally any of those guys taken at 36 would make it a disappointing draft to me