I think edge, CB, ILB, QB2, PK, P are all higher priorities than RB. As I've said before, the fact that the Rams don't have a backup QB at all and didn't sign a vet FA would strongly suggest they are going to draft one and he won't be a late round or UDFA kind of player. I think they will take a QB no later than the 5th round. Who they take and when will depend upon who drops to them. If they can't get a targeted player who might become a starter then I think they will target a good tier 2 type of backup QB.
IMO if the Rams can't get a targeted starter type of QB this year they will grab the backup QB then they will have the resources to take a targeted starter of the future next year. As Stafford's contract suggests, the Rams don't anticipate him being the starter beyond 2025 at the latest. IMO he retires after the 2024 season. I think both Matt and the Rams both hope he can go two more years. That said there is no guarantee Stafford can play without missing games at his age for two years. That is why having a quality backup is so important. The Ram's next run starts this year and I believe it will be done in a more sustainable fashion this time. No more one and done hired guns. That is not to say Snead won't make splash signings because he will. It's just to say they will be more selective. Winning that Lombardi in 2021 was important. Now that they proved they can win it all, they can settle down to the job of building a dynasty type of franchise.
Those like the media who don't think they are serious about making this year their first year of another SB run are sadly mistaken. This roster is far better than the casual observer or media realize. There is talent on the roster now they simply need to fill a few holes and it's not like they don't have positional flexibility. They seem to have some decent depth with guys like Copeland and Kier Thomas and their OL even has options.
An all vet OL of Noteboom, Jackson, Allen, Shelton, Havenstein is a possibility this year. Next year they will move on from Havenstein, and Jackson would seem to be the heir apparent at RT. Jackson is better than Havenstein has ever been right now. That said I think they will start out in OTAs hoping to see their final iteration of their OL with the exception of Jackson who will play swing OT this year until Havenstein leaves.
2023
LT Noteboom
LG Thomas
C Allen
RG Bruss
RT Havenstein.
2024
LT Noteboom
LG Thomas
C Shelton
RG Bruss
RT Jackson
In my opinion, the last iteration of the OL could start this year and they should. IMO it's their starting OL of the future. Havenstein will be on the roster this year simply because of his cap. It doesn't mean he has to start. His age is showing. Speed and power abuse him and this year's schedule looks tough. They probably will draft an OT his year in the 6th round to develop as their swing OT in 2024. I'm not sure Arcuri makes the roster this year. Unless Wendell can really turn him around because Arcuri looked down right bad last year. When 37 year old Nsekhe outplays him that's not a good sign. I'd be surprised if Nsekhe isn't signed for one last year as a backup
swing OT this year.
We all know success with the offense begins and ends with the OL. The 2024 iteration of the OL can be a pretty good one with good OTs on both edges and stout inside with a OG that can pull in the run attack and a mobile center that can block on the second level. Start that 2024 version this year and they will have a good run game to support Stafford. With Kupp, Jefferson, and Atwell they have speed and versatility with their WRs. All three can threaten all three levels. Very few defenses can matchup man for man with those 3.
Despite losing Ramsey, Floyd and Wagner, the D has weapons. Hoecht has the makings of a very good edge and I would expect a leaner smarter player in him. Donald looks like he will continue to be the GOAT DT. Murchison flashed last year. My only reservation is Morris and is a nonsensical desire to play a mixed Fangio front with a 2 gap NT. They got rid of Gaines because he's a one gap 1T NT. Murchison is also a one gap attacking style IOL. Bobby Brown on the other hand will play early downs as a 2 gap 0T NT. There is a reason this is falling out of favor in the NFL. Why? Because most teams have no problem passing on first down when they know their QB won't have the pressure. Opposite Hoecht I expect there will be a rotation of Hardy and a draft rookie.
I expect Morris to play a base nickel, two deep shell. Right now Jones and Rozeboom project as their ILBs with Jones as MIKE and Rozeboom as WIL who has enough speed to play coverage or to give him range to play sideline to sideline. But I also expect them to draft an upgrade at WIL to replace Rozeboom next year.
In Morris' secondary he has Durant and Rochell outside. I expect them to use their second or third round pick on a CB. Morris can play three CBs or three safeties. Before the draft, the safeties are the strength of the secondary with Fuller, Lake, and Yeast. Fuller projects as their middle zone defender in a two deep shell scheme. Both Lake and Yeast have enough speed to have the range if splitting the deep zone. Morris dumping Scott was a clear tipoff that Morris will play a Tampa Two with Lake and Yeast because the Rams have 3 SS types and no FS. Kendrick got benched because of his lack of speed and especially for his inconsistent effort, a problem he had in college. It wouldn't surprise me for them to use one of their 3 early picks to take a CB to replace Kendrick. Morris gave Kendrick his shot it's time to move on but Morris' penchant to play only his friends might surface but I hope Pleasant has the final say as to who plays.
A Tampa Two isn't a bad scheme, but it depends entirely on how it's played. Morris played mostly zone and it stunk. Staley played a lot of zone but it was a #1 defense. The difference? How the secondary played it. Pleasant was Staley's DB coach. I'm hoping that McVay brought Pleasant back to re-install that aggressive style of DB play.
With a few players and good coaching, this can be a damn good football team. On defense, it will come down to how it's played. On offense, it will be Stafford's and Kupp's health and how the OL holds up. In other words business is as usual as it is every year.
Don't give up on this team guys. They are better than you think.
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