Wetjen would help on returns, but how is he helping us at WR? Pittsburgh has a bunch of injuries at WR, yet he's not playing WR for them. He's currently behind Ben Skowronek in the WR pecking order.
Rams Failed in 2026 Draft Approach
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- #142
I’m only talking about his impact as a WR.. simply as a returner.
Which would be a huge upgrade.
I liked Wetgen, too. But I noticed that he hasn't really done much so far.
Steelers’ Kaden Wetjen Is Already Looking Like A Massive Draft Bust: "Not Really In Their Game Planning"
The Pittsburgh Steelers invested a fourth-round pick in Iowa return specialist Kaden Wetjen during the 2026 NFL Draft to the dismay of many fans and analysts.
No the Rams don't only run 13 personnel. But, whether it's Puka or Adams (when Puka is out) that's where the ball is going the vast majority of the time. And when Ferguson gets back he's probably going to be the next option. I doubt it would have been a rookie. Not enough to make a difference.
But again I ask, if the 3rd WR need is deemed so desperate then why do you believe the team hasn't made a move for one yet?
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That's a lot of draft compensation for a returnman. Barion Brown has been better on returns and at WR, and he was a sixth round pick. Hell, Xavier Smith averaged more yards per punt return and Jordan Whittington is averaging more yards per kick return than Wetjen currently is.
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- #146
I think all the opportunities that are going to all the other WRs could be going to a better prospect.I liked Wetgen, too. But I noticed that he hasn't really done much so far.
Steelers’ Kaden Wetjen Is Already Looking Like A Massive Draft Bust: "Not Really In Their Game Planning"
The Pittsburgh Steelers invested a fourth-round pick in Iowa return specialist Kaden Wetjen during the 2026 NFL Draft to the dismay of many fans and analysts.www.steelernation.com
No the Rams don't only run 13 personnel. But, whether it's Puka or Adams (when Puka is out) that's where the ball is going the vast majority of the time. And when Ferguson gets back he's probably going to be the next option. I doubt it would have been a rookie. Not enough to make a difference.
I would love to have Wetjen in this WR group. But I do think Pittsburgh took him too early.
Of course that's probably better than ignoring returner. We will see how much impact Wetjen makes as the season goes on.
I will say that the Steelers had a hell of a draft. They got better with their haul, that's for damn sure. Watched them the other week and their midround CB they took was starting and playing well. Same with RT. Bernard was doing his thing. Etc.
Of course that's probably better than ignoring returner. We will see how much impact Wetjen makes as the season goes on.
I will say that the Steelers had a hell of a draft. They got better with their haul, that's for damn sure. Watched them the other week and their midround CB they took was starting and playing well. Same with RT. Bernard was doing his thing. Etc.
Prospect? For an All-In year?
And you are sure that would make a difference?
As stated earlier in this thread, Tutu Atwell is a pretty good WR who knows every WR position and he can't even get the ball.
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- #149
I’m sure it’s possible.
I’m sure if you don’t address the glaring need, it’s impossible.
But first one would have to agree that a glaring need exists.
To date, it doesn't appear that the Rams share that belief.
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- #151
Right.
And that’s an obvious failure in their approach to the draft.
You get it!!!!
I think I got it all along, I just disagree wholeheartedly. If this were still a 90+ % 11 personnel team I might slightly lean to your way of thinking, but it isn't.
Somewhat ashamedly, I've been a draftnik for decades and IMO attempting to fill immediate needs via the draft hoping for a rookie impact is foolhardy. Especially in what may be considered a weaker draft class. Hoping for something that is possible, but perhaps not likely, probably gets GMs fired.
I guess this just goes toward my yearly draft mantras:
Teams draft players and not positions.
Team needs don't influence player availability.
This year's draft class is not just for this year's season.
The NFL Draft is not the only part of the player acquisition process.
And rookies don't typically make immediate impacts (And especially not on loaded rosters).
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Simpson was not drafted to be Stafford's backup this season. He was drafted to succeed Stafford. Whether or not that works out remains to be seen. None of us can know today.
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- #155
Stepping back from “this year”… I’ve never believed in an overall “best player available” strategy… and I don’t believe it exists.
Need always factors into those decisions, imo.
We’re also ignoring how many rookies the Rams have drafted that have made an impact.
2021… a rookie made a huge impact.. his blitzing being the turning point…
Earnest Jones.
And.. a well-documented need going into the 2021 draft?
ILB
Adding…
They also drafted a key special teams contributor.. Benny Skow
Best player available within reason exists. And the within reason is where need may be factored in.
The key is it's the best player available within reason on a team's particular draft board and not an imaginary draft board that fans and media working with very limited information rely upon. That's where the disconnect occurs.
And what we are ignoring is how loaded the 2026 Rams were prior to the draft vs. the 2021 Rams. The media wasn't calling the latter a Super Team.
BTW, the Rams had 9 draft picks in 2021 and Ernest Jones started 7 games. Maybe we see something from Simpson or Klare in these final 10 contest.
I'll acknowledge I haven't read this whole thread.
My overall take is that your opinion is that the Rams erred in having a "future oriented" draft when you think this should be an "all in" year. Feel free to correct my summation if you think that's inaccurate.
Just one point of clarification though... McSnead repeatedly said that their drafting of Simpson was inextricably linked with their decision to trade for Garrett. Having drafted their QB of the future, McSnead implied they were then comfortable with shipping off their 2027 first rounder for their "win now guy" in DPOY game-wrecker Garrett.
Anyway... are you willing to concede that at least "part of" their overall offseason approach was in "win now" mode? The additions of Garrett and McDuffie and Watson were all pretty huge. In particular, using their 2026 1st rounder on a QB allowed them to ship off their 2027 1st rounder for an impact player.
And for the record, I was hoping for a WR in round 2 also, and was pretty surprised by the Klare pick.
Also for the record... if the Rams win a SB at any time with Simpson, one would have to say the 2026 draft was a success. So we'll of course have to wait a few years to find out.
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- #160
Good post.
But let’s play that out then…
That would mean no Garrett, but they would have Verse & a future 1st and 2nd to trade now.
Just saying.