Rams Failed in 2026 Draft Approach

[Pupped]

That's some real genius there.

How about QB? Wasn't that a potential failure point to? Stafford is 38.

Fact is, it's the NFL. Players get injured. Every position is a potential failure point. But here's the problem. We only had 5 draft picks. But you know better than the staff. You know who would have been better choices than the ones they made. Sure. Got it.

"We lost when Alaric was out"? Wonderful analysis. No kidding? We lost 3 times when Alaric was in!!! That means we should have taken a LT at #13 right?

Hey, we won when Davante was out!!! By your logic (the Alaric loss point), that means WR wasn't such a need, eh?
Also, we won when Landman was out. And McDuffie was out. We're 3-3 without Garrett!! We could write a book about how to manage an NFL roster couldn't we?

We are so fucking smart, sitting here at our keyboards!!!!

Jesus tap-dancing Christ..

If you don't want to address my actual point and want to argue about other things, go ahead.

You don't want to acknowledge the issues, that's fine. Everyone on here was talking about those roster issues before the draft... especially WR and OT.

You want to pretend they weren't that's fine.

 

[Pupped]

We're 3-4, not 7-0, so anything any mofo says can seem reasonable. Problem there is the season hasn't been played out so we don't actually know what was a good decision or a bad decision. We can think we do, but we really don't. We can complain but there's no proof an alternate approach would have been any better. What it amounts to is fans can blow all the smoke they want and they don't really fucking know more than the next guy. So about the only thing we know for sure is Pupped is on record saying they fucked up.

Which is a totally fair way to put it.

I'm stating my opinion.. strongly.. and if they turn it around and win the Super Bowl.. well, I'm a moron!!

 

[Pupped]

I don't know what to tell ya, not sure what the second 1st rounder you're talking about is. Assuming you're talking about Simpson and Klare for other two. Those two were future investments and then we used two 1sts, a 2nd, and a 3rd on the two most important positions on defense for two of, if not thee, best players at those positions plus get AD back. Seems like they heavily favored the urgent mindset to me.

I get that that is your perspective.

What I will say is I can definitively say that it is, literally, not "all-in" for this season. That would've been either drafting for obvious needs.. OR trading for those needs.

I simply don't think it's accurate to say they are "all-in" when they are drafting for the future. That's a non-sensical argument that ignores the reality of the draft.

 

[PARAM]

Yeah I think its an ongoing conversation to be had and really all we can go off of is what has happened already. Normal fan shit if you ask me. Remember folks, we all reserve the right to change our minds LMAO

Yeah, I get it.

So WR was a "need". There are 5 drafted WRs with 20 receptions this year.

Tate (34 - 413 - 1 TD) went off the board at #4 so we can eliminate him from that "better plans" theory.

That leaves 4.

Lemon (off at #20) has 25 receptions, 1 TD with Philly, averaging a whopping 7.4 yds per. Awesome!!!
Concepcion (#24) has 30 for 315 and 0 TDs. Decent production.
Boston (#39) has 20 for 372 and 3 TDs. Decent production.
Bernard (#47) has 27 for 354 and 1 TD. Decent production.

So those 4 are averaging about 3 to 4 receptions per game give or take. Does anybody think Stafford would be looking their way with Puka and Davante on the field? For that matter, how many snaps would any of those last 4 have gotten with the Rams running 13P and having Puka and Davante as the #1 and #2? A better question is, which of them are intelligent enough to learn McVay's system? I think it's Madden26-like to suggest any of them would have helped the Rams significantly THIS YEAR but there's still time to show more.

Foolish to suggest IMHO.

 

[Pupped]

Yeah, I get it.

So WR was a "need". There are 5 drafted WRs with 20 receptions this year.

Tate went off the board at #4 so we can eliminate him from that "better plans" theory.

That leaves 4.

Lemon (off at #20) has 25 receptions with Philly, averaging a whopping 7.4 per. Awesome!!!
Concepcion (#24) has 30 for 315 and 0 TDs. Decent production.
Boston (#39) has 20 for 372 and 3 TDs. Decent production.
Bernard (#47) has 27 for 354 and 1 TD. Decent production.

I ask, how many snaps would any of those last 4 have gotten with the Rams running 13P and having Puka and Davante as the #1 and #2? A better question is, which of them are intelligent enough to learn McVay's system? I think it's Madden26-like to suggest any of them would have helped the Rams significantly THIS YEAR!

Multiple of them have more catches than the Rams #3 WR.. AND.. that's as rookies just learning.

Who knows?

What we do know is that the Rams currently have no one with any promise at the WR position after Puka.

One major thing here is to define "significantly".. because the limitations of Mumpfield and Whittington don't even allow them to be considered threats in the offense..

NOT TO MENTION BACHMAN..

So.. gimme a break.

 

[dieterbrock]

It's not a theory, it's an observation. Everyone knew that WR was a potential failure point. Not addressing that until the 6th was absolutely an error.

Lol
Everyone?
You keep talking in circles. The Rams filled the needs they had to make the team as competitive as possible with the goal of winning the Superbowl. Period, end, stop
Unfortunately for you, it wasnt to your liking. Which is why you are a random poster on a message board, and they have a Superbowl Trophy in their office

 

[DzRams]

I have offered a rebuttal. They've constantly traded their first rounders for proven talents.

They used two for a rookie who will not contribute this year.

You're ignoring this point.

So this year's approach of using a 1st for McDuffie and a future 1st for Garrett is in keeping with their established approach. Typically, after that, they use their picks for the future.

It's been working. They should continue.

And why do I need to say late second? I'm including anyone drafted after Simpson.

KC Concepcion
Omar Cooper Junior
Denzel Boston
Germie Bernard
Antonio Williams
Malachi Fields (16.6 ypc)
Caleb Douglas
Zacharaia Branch
Ted Hurst
Zavion Thomas

They used two 1sts for proven talent this year. McDuffie and Garrett.

If you're fine with them using a 1st on Simpson, how would they have gotten any of the above WRs before Antonio Williams given that their 2nd rounder was in the 60s?

They had the chance to draft Williams and on down in your list and passed on them. This is complaint is not about approach. It's mere run of the mill, 'they didn't draft my guy' hindsight as they clearly liked Klare more. They could be wrong on liking Klare more but it's incorrect to classify that as a complaint about their approach.

And then proceeded to not use the draft value of two first rounders and a second rounder to actually improve this year's roster.

Incorrect. They're not using one 1st and a 2nd.

 

[dieterbrock]

So this is a thread of its own now?
Good grief

 

[Pupped]

Lol
Everyone?
You keep talking in circles. The Rams filled the needs they had to make the team as competitive as possible with the goal of winning the Superbowl. Period, end, stop
Unfortunately for you, it wasnt to your liking. Which is why you are a random poster on a message board, and they have a Superbowl Trophy in their office

Everyone.
Go look at every pre-draft eval of what the Rams needed..
just some links.. there are many more

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2026/04/20/nfl-draft-rams-positions-need-roster-preview/89606216007/

2026 NFL Draft: Five biggest roster needs for all 32 teams

With the 2026 NFL Draft just days away, Dan Parr identifies the top five needs for every team.

www.nfl.com

Rams NFL Draft big board: 3 scenarios that could make sense at pick No. 13

Taking a look at a few different ways the Rams can approach their first-round selection in this year's draft.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Pupped]

So this year's approach of using a 1st for McDuffie and a future 1st for Garrett is in keeping with their established approach. Typically, after that, they use their picks for the future.

It's been working. They should continue.



They used two 1sts for proven talent this year. McDuffie and Garrett.

If you're fine with them using a 1st on Simpson, how would they have gotten any of the above WRs before Antonio Williams given that their 2nd rounder was in the 60s?

They had the chance to draft Williams and on down in your list and passed on them. This is complaint is not about approach. It's mere run of the mill, 'they didn't draft my guy' hindsight as they clearly liked Klare more. They could be wrong on liking Klare more but it's incorrect to classify that as a complaint about their approach.


Incorrect. They're not using one 1st and a 2nd.

Nope. '

Because they could've traded the picks.

I wasn't banging the table for any particular guy in the draft and was open to the Simpson pick.. Klare was a little more confusing to me.

You're correct.. one first and one second. My bad.

I'm not "fine" with them picking Simpson.. I'm saying I understand that approach.. I'm saying I still think it was the wrong approach to THIS SEASON.

 

[Pupped]

So this is a thread of its own now?
Good grief

Yes, because moderators told me to stop talking about the draft on the Puka thread.

So, I'm respecting the board by creating a separate, clear post.

 

[PARAM]

Multiple of them have more catches than the Rams #3 WR.. AND.. that's as rookies just learning.

Who knows?

I do. They have more receptions than the Rams #3 WR perhaps because they aren't #3 WRs in their respective offenses.

Concepcion is the #1 in Cleveland, Boston is the #2
Bernard is the #2 with Pittsburgh and Cooper the #2 with the Jets.

Would any of them have received anywhere near the targets with the Rams? Let's be honest. NO WAY.

So.. gimme a break.

No breaks at all.

 

[Psycho_X]

I get that that is your perspective.

What I will say is I can definitively say that it is, literally, not "all-in" for this season. That would've been either drafting for obvious needs.. OR trading for those needs.

I simply don't think it's accurate to say they are "all-in" when they are drafting for the future. That's a non-sensical argument that ignores the reality of the draft.

If it makes you feel better consider the 1st this year was actually for Garrett and the 1st next year they used for Simpson.

 

[PARAM]

I'm not "fine" with them picking Simpson.. I'm saying I understand that approach.. I'm saying I still think it was the wrong approach to THIS SEASON.

Despite the fact, it's been pointed out by experts and fans that the theory seems to have been, they had the #13 pick and since you don't bank on having one that high unless you are the Jets or Browns (and look they won't even have one that high), you use it NOW to get Stafford's replacement. Anybody thinking the Rams would have had a shot at a better QB in 2027 like Manning (or somebody better) is probably delusional. But yeah, your point is, it was wrong because it wasn't ALL IN.

 

[Pupped]

I do. They have more receptions than the Rams #3 WR perhaps because they aren't #3 WRs in their respective offenses.

Concepcion is the #1 in Cleveland, Boston is the #2
Bernard is the #2 with Pittsburgh and Cooper the #2 with the Jets.

Would any of them have received anywhere near the targets with the Rams? Let's be honest. NO WAY.

No breaks at all.

Lol..

So.. now we DO KNOW everything????

Got it.

Take care.

 

[Pupped]

If it makes you feel better consider the 1st this year was actually for Garrett and the 1st next year they used for Simpson.

It doesn't.

Because they didn't use the assets for *this year's* roster.

It's that simple.

Shit.. they could've traded back.. added a future second and had that pick to use now..

Which just reinforces my point that the draft approach they used for this year.. an "all in" year, was wrong.

 

[Ram_Rally]

That's not what I'm saying.
Because, of course.. a few years down the road, Simpson, Klare and Trost could be starting and contributing at a high level.

I'm saying what they did in this draft, specifically using two firsts and a second on players who were more than unlikely to have any chance to contribute this season because of their position and the depth chart.

And for those saying Simpson might help, my response would be they could've easily brought in a vet like Jimmy to keep the ship stable.

They could've addressed other positions.. traded back to get more players and increase roster competition and depth.. or trade the pics for vets.

But this approach was wrong for this season.

What other positions? I've legitimately not seen many rookies we had a shot at who have done anything this season.

 

[FrantikRam]

The Rams have made plenty of mistakes. The entire approach to special teams, keeping Evans after such a bad year (he had a good game last week but has still been one of the worst punters I've seen and plays a position that is so easy to replace).

But not drafting a WR earlier was not one of them.

First round - the two most talked about picks, BY FAR - were Lemon and Sadiq. Both have looked incredibly "meh" thus far, and that's with Sadiq having one amazing game. Neither would solve our problem here, and in fact, I think both have MASSIVE bust potential.

Cooper and Concepcion weren't realistic targets given their pick point. Like it or not, where and how these guys are valued comes into play. Snead said it best....if they knew Puka would be THIS, no way we wait until the 5th round for him. And....we drafted Davis Allen BEFORE Puka. Can you imagine if we missed out on him for Davis....??

Second round - three of our four TEs are free agents/Higbee who might retire after this year. Ferguson is the ONLY one under contract. If there is a TE that we like, that makes a ton of sense here.

Third round - T is a glaring, glaring need on this roster

So I strongly disagree with your assessment that this was a mistake. I think that people are - no offense to the OP here, talking more about the media who freaked out that we didn't take a WR - unbelievably idiotic about this and applying Rams skepticism to this logic. I'll give you this example:

JSN - guy takes some HITS because he works all parts of the field. What would happen to Seattle's offense if he went down....? Would they even score a TD? That's a serious question. He has 8/18 TDs, but over 40% of their receiving yards (so he's a major part of even other players getting into position to score TDs).

Do we feel like Shaheed or Cooper Kupp can fill that void? Fuck no. FUCK. NO.

On the flip side.....we have both Puka and Davante. We saw what each of them did while the other was out. We just scored 35 points without Davante. Without Puka earlier this year, we averaged 27.

The only real danger is if BOTH of them go out. Because here's the thing - take away every team's #1 WR and THEN stack their WR room against ours minus Puka or Davante (either one). Are we taking Kupp and Shaheed over Davante? Higgins and whomever? Pickens and Flournoy? Keep going down the list. Who, without their #1 WR and us without Puka, is blatantly better?

You see, start applying actual logic and what you realize is, people just needed to find something to ding our roster about. Our depth WRs are nothing to write home about, but the bigger question is.....which teams are? Sure, you have a team like the Jags who have an ascending Parker Washington and then multiple fringe #2/3 WRs - but largely, nobody actually has much better depth.

TE - due to the lack of bodies after this season and difficulty of learning the position - along with T/OL, again due to lack of bodies after this season - were much bigger needs.

The Simpson pick - feeling better about it every day seeing Matt AND this current historically "great" QB class falling apart in college football every Saturday.

 

[Pupped]

What other positions? I've legitimately not seen many rookies we had a shot at who have done anything this season.

Again.. if the argument is there was no one who would’ve made a difference to draft, you could’ve traded picks for players.

The bigger point I’m making is this was the wrong approach.. meaning using that much draft capital on players who, by the Rams admission, would not contribute this year.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Yeah, I get it.

So WR was a "need". There are 5 drafted WRs with 20 receptions this year.

Tate (34 - 413 - 1 TD) went off the board at #4 so we can eliminate him from that "better plans" theory.

That leaves 4.

Lemon (off at #20) has 25 receptions, 1 TD with Philly, averaging a whopping 7.4 yds per. Awesome!!!
Concepcion (#24) has 30 for 315 and 0 TDs. Decent production.
Boston (#39) has 20 for 372 and 3 TDs. Decent production.
Bernard (#47) has 27 for 354 and 1 TD. Decent production.

So those 4 are averaging about 3 to 4 receptions per game give or take. Does anybody think Stafford would be looking their way with Puka and Davante on the field? For that matter, how many snaps would any of those last 4 have gotten with the Rams running 13P and having Puka and Davante as the #1 and #2? A better question is, which of them are intelligent enough to learn McVay's system? I think it's Madden26-like to suggest any of them would have helped the Rams significantly THIS YEAR but there's still time to show more.

Foolish to suggest IMHO.

Not foolish to suggest getting one to work with.....Adams hurt and a FA, Puka gets dinged up and yet to be resigned, and every other WR is essentially a JAG. People want to say any other rookie like a Klare is working his way into playing more yet its foolish to invest higher than an extremely late round flyer on a WR with some better athletic traits to work with? Yeah I ain't buying that one.