Question. Is building a competitive roster in ‘23 even doable, realistically?

[Rams43]

I wonder.

Let’s make a few assumptions, first:

Snead pulls off a coup and manages to get 2 trade downs giving Rams a total of 5 picks in Top 100-120. This might be a stretch.

Let’s further assume that all 5 are ‘hits’, meaning quality starters. Not Pro Bowlers, but at least solid starters in ‘23. Another stretch.

Let’s assume that of the remaining 8 picks one third are solid contributors. That would be a third stretch, I think.

I’m also now assuming that Rams will fill out P, K, and LS for ST from udfa’s or ranks of unemployed cheap vets, rather than spending valuable picks on 2 of them.


So, after these assumptions, where does that leave us? It leaves us with 8 picks that ‘make it’ and a whole butt load of 3rd tier vets to fill in the cracks, that’s what.

What rookie staters at what positions might we wind up with, realistically?

Let’s see…

OC
OG
Backup TE
Backup RB
Edge (maybe 2)
DL
CB
S

Oops! That’s 9 right there. Maybe only one Edge or skip the OG?

Anything more must come from the scrap heap.

Backup QB
Another Edge
ILB
Another CB (or 2)
Another S (or 2)
More depth for DL
WR (depending on AR’s fate)
P
K
LS

These are not just for the 90 in camp, these are for the 53 during regular season!

See the challenge?

We all know that Rams have thought this through, but it seems obvious that they have left themselves little margin for error. Snead has got to have the draft of his life PLUS an outstanding finishing FA to fill in the cracks. Gulp…

Want a silver lining? I do think McVay has assembled a quality asst coaching corps and that they will do a good job of rapid player development. They’re gonna have to really earn their money, that’s for sure.

And pray that Snead can pull off that hypothetical double trade down on Day 2. Without that, the scrap heap becomes even more important. Goodness.

Thoughts?

 

[ottoman89]

I don't think there's any way possible. As you all know. Haha.

 

[Merlin]

You don't have to have top answers at every position to win in this league. What you need is enough protections for your QB, enough pass game threat, enough ground game, etc.

Will they end up meeting that bottom requirement in enough of the phases of the game? Probably not but who knows. Also where's the fun in screaming "season over" before we've even had the fucking draft.

 

[AvengerRam]

Yes. Entirely doable.

 

[nighttrain]

If our Rams are competitive this coming season, it will be an Old Testament miracle..
train

 

[nighttrain]

If Safford, AD, and Cupp want out, trade them to the team of their choice. Rams are in total rebuild mode for the next two or three seasons.
train

 

[Psycho_X]

Competitive? Yes. Easy if our star power stays healthy.

 

[RAMSinLA]

Younger teams are faster and more coachable... The Rams will have a good season next season... SB bound maybe not but fun to watch hell yes....

 

[TheTackle]

Its largely be down to finding starters which is anyone’s guess. I hope, expect, us to be active in FA post draft!

 

[Oregonram]

I would like to be a fly on the wall to hear the pitch that has been given to Staff,Kupp, and Donald....What was said to them? Stafford and Donald have a few seasons left, what do you say to the vets who are left? I'll give it a shot....ahem...." You 3 are our glue...you 3 make our team better than good. Trust Les and Sean to bring in young guns who are eager to play with you 3...they will rise to your level of professionalism because you will demand it by your example. All we need is a little protection for Matt...and a little crease for Akers and the rest. There are plenty of FA's in this upcoming draft to give you more than you need, and we will add a few surprises from the Free Agents out there. Do not worry about the teammates we will surround you with, stay focused on what you can control...we will be better than people think we will...we will surprise people by how good we will be, because we will be underestimated, the best place to cause trouble...and when we get to the playoffs, people will say it was because of your leadership and commitment to your team...our time is STILL NOW!!!" Ok...have at it and give me your speech to these 3

 

[Tano]

I would like to be a fly on the wall to hear the pitch that has been given to Staff,Kupp, and Donald....What was said to them? Stafford and Donald have a few seasons left, what do you say to the vets who are left? I'll give it a shot....ahem...." You 3 are our glue...you 3 make our team better than good. Trust Les and Sean to bring in young guns who are eager to play with you 3...they will rise to your level of professionalism because you will demand it by your example. All we need is a little protection for Matt...and a little crease for Akers and the rest. There are plenty of FA's in this upcoming draft to give you more than you need, and we will add a few surprises from the Free Agents out there. Do not worry about the teammates we will surround you with, stay focused on what you can control...we will be better than people think we will...we will surprise people by how good we will be, because we will be underestimated, the best place to cause trouble...and when we get to the playoffs, people will say it was because of your leadership and commitment to your team...our time is STILL NOW!!!" Ok...have at it and give me your speech to these 3

We are going to suck this year but we will draft Caleb number 1 and sign a bazillion FA next year and we will be super bowl bound

 

[Tumak61]

We'll see. It's possible we have a good draft, and I can also see them bringing Floyd back at some point before the season starts. If Snead can find an OL starter in the draft at one of the Guard spots then anything is possible.

 

[I like Rams]

We are going to suck this year but we will draft Caleb number 1 and sign a bazillion FA next year and we will be super bowl bound

I'm sure Staff would be stoked. Lol

 

[I like Rams]

I'll add, it's also not only us having to get better, but the teams around the league and on our schedule will also effect our outcome. Last season our schedule looked like the hardest due to who we played. At the end of the season, it easily could have been one of the easiest bc of how many teams ended up not being very good, and if we stayed healthy, we could have gone through that schedule with relative ease. We could end up like SEA of last season.

 

[dieterbrock]

Competitive team? Heck yeah they will be.
McVay is still the HC/offensive guru
Stafford and Kupp are still a top duo in the league
Aaron Donald is still on our defense

 

[OldSchool]

It absolutely is we're very close to that exact spot. But it's more about building a sustainable roster for the next several years not just 2023 so we may be better after this year but we'll be competitive this year with health of course.

 

[CGI_Ram]

For me seeing guys like Gaines and Rapp sign elsewhere for cheap makes me wonder if our “Rams goggles” work against us in moments like now…

We hate seeing Rams leave because of our unique fandom… we love these guys!

So… does that also mean we over inflate the impact losing them?

For me it really comes down to knowing when you have McVay and a QB (Stafford) you are going to play some good ball. We got our version of Belichick / Brady.

We can close some of these gaps and I think in retrospect (because of our unique fandom) we’ll have a lot of “great finds” in 2023. We just don’t know who they are yet.

 

[blackbart]

I wonder.

Let’s make a few assumptions, first:

Snead pulls off a coup and manages to get 2 trade downs giving Rams a total of 5 picks in Top 100-120. This might be a stretch.

Let’s further assume that all 5 are ‘hits’, meaning quality starters. Not Pro Bowlers, but at least solid starters in ‘23. Another stretch.

Let’s assume that of the remaining 8 picks one third are solid contributors. That would be a third stretch, I think.

I’m also now assuming that Rams will fill out P, K, and LS for ST from udfa’s or ranks of unemployed cheap vets, rather than spending valuable picks on 2 of them.


So, after these assumptions, where does that leave us? It leaves us with 8 picks that ‘make it’ and a whole butt load of 3rd tier vets to fill in the cracks, that’s what.

What rookie staters at what positions might we wind up with, realistically?

Let’s see…

OC
OG
Backup TE
Backup RB
Edge (maybe 2)
DL
CB
S

Oops! That’s 9 right there. Maybe only one Edge or skip the OG?

Anything more must come from the scrap heap.

Backup QB
Another Edge
ILB
Another CB (or 2)
Another S (or 2)
More depth for DL
WR (depending on AR’s fate)
P
K
LS

These are not just for the 90 in camp, these are for the 53 during regular season!

See the challenge?

We all know that Rams have thought this through, but it seems obvious that they have left themselves little margin for error. Snead has got to have the draft of his life PLUS an outstanding finishing FA to fill in the cracks. Gulp…

Want a silver lining? I do think McVay has assembled a quality asst coaching corps and that they will do a good job of rapid player development. They’re gonna have to really earn their money, that’s for sure.

And pray that Snead can pull off that hypothetical double trade down on Day 2. Without that, the scrap heap becomes even more important. Goodness.

Thoughts?

Well if all of the QBs on the others 3 teams in the NFCW have season ending injuries by October we could win the division.

 

[Loyal]

Yes. Entirely doable.

Even my false attribution couldn't have expressed you better!

 

[Merlin]

I would like to be a fly on the wall to hear the pitch that has been given to Staff,Kupp, and Donald....What was said to them? Stafford and Donald have a few seasons left, what do you say to the vets who are left?

These guys aren't like fans. They're competitors. Rams don't have to say shit to them.

Now if someone like AD wants out then they'll accommodate him. But they're gonna come in and compete and fight not roll over and quit like some fans have already done.