Rams Failed in 2026 Draft Approach

[Pupped]

Not missing anything, saying your theory is not accurate
Building a winning team is the mindset for a SB run, and that's the Rams year in and out
The idea of taking a lesser player to fill a hole isnt where this team is at, 10 years of drafts tell you that
They re-loaded the d backfield, they made the move to get the best defensive player in the game and coaxed the best defensive player in their history out of retirement. That is a team with a mind set of winning a SB

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.
You keep missing the point.. saying you're "all in" and not going "all in" is mixed messaging. If it was *only* Simpson? The unique nature of the QB position would give this argument some merit, but the fact they drafted Klare shows me they were not paying enough attention to this year's roster.

The point you're making, "it was the wrong mindset for a SB run" is an opinion, of which the determination whether it's a valid one or not will not be known for months. The huge acquisitions they made for a 2026 SB run were, McDuffie, Garrett and Watson. Again, the determination whether those were good moves won't be known for months. But it afforded them the opportunity to use picks for the future......Read: Future SB runs. Which won't be known for years.

I'm quite enjoying the way this season is unfolding......heavy SB favorites based off of the acquistions...to >>>>> "oh they fucked up".....to the current >>>>>> hmmm, only 8 NFC teams have less losses than the Rams and 3 of those 8 are only 1 game better. For as fucked up as this season has started (and caused some fans to totally give up on the year, not quite rats abandoning a sinking ship but close), they're still right in the thick of things and judging from past experience watching this team, I like their chances STILL.

Again... my whole point is *for this year*. It's always important to remember that nothing in the future is guaranteed. The Rams best draft in the last decade, value-wise, came when they had no first rounders. So.. I'm more confident in them as an organization in solving those problems down the road.

I felt the same way but the Rams said they wouldn't have made the Garret trade if they didn't get Ty Simpson. Acquiring Garret is the ultimate SB mindset.

I disagree. That's the point.. it's "almost" all-in.. and the decision to make future picks exposed them to serious positional failure at WR.

Their SB odds are still high given their record but I know what you mean. Rams always do better when they are counted out or doubted. Looking forward to the rest of the season. I'm expecting a fun ride.

I'm hoping!! They MUST add a WR.. the Raiders are not good.. and the offense could get by without a true explosive threat.. or true second threat at WR. That's not sustainable.

I love McVay and Snead.. they're two of the very best in the league.. but they are not infallible.

 

[gogoat1]

Its too soon to know how good or bad this draft was.

 

[PARAM]

Its too soon to know how good or bad this draft was.

And it's a fools errand to try to point out who would have helped more had we picked them instead of our first two picks.

 

[Pupped]

Its too soon to know how good or bad this draft was.

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.

 

[Pupped]

And it's a fools errand to try to point out who would have helped more had we picked them instead of our first two picks.

Still not the point.

They drafted guys we all KNEW would not contribute this season in any way.

They knew that. It's a purely *future* draft in an "all in" year.

Wrong approach.

 

[DzRams]

but the fact they drafted Klare shows me they were not paying enough attention to this year's roster.

I'm hoping!! They MUST add a WR.. the Raiders are not good.. and the offense could get by without a true explosive threat.. or true second threat at WR. That's not sustainable.

I love McVay and Snead.. they're two of the very best in the league.. but they are not infallible.

There were whispers on draft day that some WRs they were targeting went off the board right before their pick. When asked why they didn't select a WR sooner, Snead said that they always have WR targets for every round. The Klare pick likely means that they didn't see a WR that they liked better than him.

I agree with you that the offense needs a true explosive threat. Who do you propose they could have drafted instead of Klare to fill that role?

From a big picture perspective, I don't agree with your theory that they needed to have a sole focus on this year because they have a proven and successful approach to team-building. I believe they are one of the top 3 successful teams over the last decade when looking at win percentage, playoff games, SB appearances and wins, and draft pick success.

Given this, they shouldn't deviate from their proven formula. Their formula in the McSnead era has always focused the draft on upcoming needs. They have NEVER drafted with a SOLE focus on that current year's needs.

 

[Tumak61]

I think McVay had a lot of confidence in Ferguson to bridge the gap between TE and WR. I think they felt they had their three WR options in Nacua, Adams, and Ferguson. Going all in probably doesn't include a rookie WR in McVay's mind. When Ferguson returns I think you'll see more of that vision. Adams unfortunately may not return. Anything in the hammy area takes a long time to return from.

 

[Conciliator]

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.
You keep missing the point.. saying you're "all in" and not going "all in" is mixed messaging. If it was *only* Simpson? The unique nature of the QB position would give this argument some merit, but the fact they drafted Klare shows me they were not paying enough attention to this year's roster.

Again... my whole point is *for this year*. It's always important to remember that nothing in the future is guaranteed. The Rams best draft in the last decade, value-wise, came when they had no first rounders. So.. I'm more confident in them as an organization in solving those problems down the road.

I disagree. That's the point.. it's "almost" all-in.. and the decision to make future picks exposed them to serious positional failure at WR.

I'm hoping!! They MUST add a WR.. the Raiders are not good.. and the offense could get by without a true explosive threat.. or true second threat at WR. That's not sustainable.

I love McVay and Snead.. they're two of the very best in the league.. but they are not infallible.

 

[CanadaRam]

Rams invested in a receiver in round 2. That receiver is a TE not a WR.
The Rams offense was planned around 13 personnel.
With that 2 good WRs and a competent third is more than enough.

Depth has always been a risk with Rams this year. Davonte going down hurts badly. This is similar to Garrett not being on the field, or McDuffie. It hurts.

 

[Pupped]

There were whispers on draft day that some WRs they were targeting went off the board right before their pick. When asked why they didn't select a WR sooner, Snead said that they always have WR targets for every round. The Klare pick likely means that they didn't see a WR that they liked better than him.

I agree with you that the offense needs a true explosive threat. Who do you propose they could have drafted instead of Klare to fill that role?

From a big picture perspective, I don't agree with your theory that they needed to have a sole focus on this year because they have a proven and successful approach to team-building. I believe they are one of the top 3 successful teams over the last decade when looking at win percentage, playoff games, SB appearances and wins, and draft pick success.

Given this, they shouldn't deviate from their proven formula. Their formula in the McSnead era has always focused the draft on upcoming needs. They have NEVER drafted with a SOLE focus on that current year's needs.

As I've said.. they could've used the draft capital in trades as well. Imagine if they had that first rounder in their pocket right now!!

I mean.. there are multiple rookie WRs making plays.. All drafted after pick 20. So.. they could've traded down as well.. kept more draft resources and be able to make more picks or trades, etc.

Again, with the conclusion.. they did not HAVE to use the picks in the draft, right? Especially the 27 first rounder.. which could've been VERY valuable right now.

 

[Psycho_X]

Nah, you take a shot at a franchise QB if you think he can be one. Everything else they drafted I wouldn't consider drafting for the future but rounding out current depth and future needs. Any WR they drafted would have been considered depth and for the future too. You can't predict injuries, you just take your best bet and hope it pays off.

 

[Pupped]

I think McVay had a lot of confidence in Ferguson to bridge the gap between TE and WR. I think they felt they had their three WR options in Nacua, Adams, and Ferguson. Going all in probably doesn't include a rookie WR in McVay's mind. When Ferguson returns I think you'll see more of that vision. Adams unfortunately may not return. Anything in the hammy area takes a long time to return from.

I agree on the vision and point out that there was and is still a massive failure point.. Adams and his age. Everyone knew he would likely miss some time this season.. and we may be looking at the worst case scenario with that.

 

[Psycho_X]

Especially the 27 first rounder.. which could've been VERY valuable right now.

And if Garrett comes back in the next month and plays at the level he has his whole career would you change your mind? Would you rather have a Brian Thomas Jr. who can't perform in a McVay like offense currently or a Josh Downs maybe instead of Myles Garrett giving us the pass rush we haven't had so far in his absence?

 

[Pupped]

Nah, you take a shot at a franchise QB if you think he can be one. Everything else they drafted I wouldn't consider drafting for the future but rounding out current depth and future needs. Any WR they drafted would have been considered depth and for the future too. You can't predict injuries, you just take your best bet and hope it pays off.

Nah.. you can't guarantee that QB will work out... especially at a Super Bowl level.

You can't predict the QB market... ask Seattle... or even Tampa Bay.

I mean.. in an alternate universe where Stafford's injury a few years ago was a career-ender.. what would the Rams have looked like with Baker? The time together was pretty excellent.

And you're hinting at a mindset that I think is core to the softness displayed at the start of the season.. it was taking the "safe" future path.. "oh.. you HAVE to take that future QB.."

No, you don't. Things are fluid.. hell.. look at the Niners.

 

[Pupped]

And if Garrett comes back in the next month and plays at the level he has his whole career would you change your mind? Would you rather have a Brian Thomas Jr. who can't perform in a McVay like offense currently or a Josh Downs maybe instead of Myles Garrett giving us the pass rush we haven't had so far in his absence?

Well.. they would've still had Verse.

I don't think he's nearly as good as Garrett, obviously, but he's better than Stewart.. and young and healthy.

So...

 

[DzRams]

As I've said.. they could've used the draft capital in trades as well. Imagine if they had that first rounder in their pocket right now!!

I mean.. there are multiple rookie WRs making plays.. All drafted after pick 20. So.. they could've traded down as well.. kept more draft resources and be able to make more picks or trades, etc.

Again, with the conclusion.. they did not HAVE to use the picks in the draft, right? Especially the 27 first rounder.. which could've been VERY valuable right now.

I strongly agree with their approach of using the 13th pick for a future QB and utilizing their 1sts for game wrecking players like McDuffie and Garrett. I don't see any game wrecking WRs yet from this last draft.

I wouldn't change how they used their 1st round picks.

I'm ok with a debate centered around Klare. I'm just not sure they could have acquired an explosive WR with their late 2nd, even if we're bringing trades into the discussion.

 

[Psycho_X]

Nah.. you can't guarantee that QB will work out... especially at a Super Bowl level.

You can't predict the QB market... ask Seattle... or even Tampa Bay.

I mean.. in an alternate universe where Stafford's injury a few years ago was a career-ender.. what would the Rams have looked like with Baker? The time together was pretty excellent.

And you're hinting at a mindset that I think is core to the softness displayed at the start of the season.. it was taking the "safe" future path.. "oh.. you HAVE to take that future QB.."

No, you don't. Things are fluid.. hell.. look at the Niners.

Didn't say it was a guarantee. You can't guarantee a WR we take instead does anything either.

Well.. they would've still had Verse.

I don't think he's nearly as good as Garrett, obviously, but he's better than Stewart.. and young and healthy.

So...

And AD would not have unretired. Can't say you want a domino back because you currently don't like how they've fallen and expect it would have fallen in a better way. I get the frustration so far this year but I'm gonna let it play out.

 

[Pupped]

I strongly agree with their approach of using the 13th pick for a future QB and utilizing their 1sts for game wrecking players like McDuffie and Garrett. I don't see any game wrecking WRs yet from this last draft.

I wouldn't change how they used their 1st round picks.

I'm ok with a debate centered around Klare. I'm just not sure they could have acquired an explosive WR with their late 2nd, even if we're bringing trades into the discussion.

It's the false paradigms in this conversation that I take exception to.

Who said they had to have a "game wrecking" WR from the draft? Functional would be great!! They've gotten almost nothing from the WRs after Adams and Puka. Mumpfield has 9 catches. Atwell has 3. Whit has 1. Bachman doesn't even see the field. Are you really defending this group and suggesting a draft pick couldn't do better???

I get the QB perspective.. but I think we're seeing more and more that there are often QB opportunities that no one saw coming.

 

[DzRams]

And you're hinting at a mindset that I think is core to the softness displayed at the start of the season.. it was taking the "safe" future path.. "oh.. you HAVE to take that future QB.."

This is ridiculous. They've been taking this future path the entire duration of the McSnead era. How many teams have had better results over the last decade? When you have a Strong answer for that, then what you're saying may make some sense.

 

[Pupped]

Didn't say it was a guarantee. You can't guarantee a WR we take instead does anything either.

And AD would not have unretired. Can't say you want a domino back because you currently don't like how they've fallen and expect it would have fallen in a better way. I get the frustration so far this year but I'm gonna let it play out.

And they would've had draft capital to trade for a D-tackle.. like Buckner.

I *KNOW* there's no guarantee that the WR would hit.. but I KNOW Simpson won't make an impact this year.. and if he does, it means Stafford is hurt and what are the Rams SB chances if he's down?

I'm talking about the approach of being fine with getting nothing this season from two first round picks and a second. Not an urgent mindset.