Rams Failed in 2026 Draft Approach

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What would this thread look like if they were completely healthy and sitting at 6-1?
Well it certainly wouldn’t be named Rams On Demand. That’s not how the Rams roll under McVay. They start slow, push through injuries and peak at the end of the year. That’s what I’m hoping and expecting to occur this year starting in the next 3 weeks.
 
The difference between that and possibly ten weeks of one functional WR is night and day. One week after a 12 catch performance.. Puka had 5. Was that because of tape? Was Puka too beat up? Both? You're betting way too much on one guy at that point.

Again.. the majority of which.. they had their top two WRs available.

I think this is a fair argument.. but one that will be more borne out in coming weeks. Again.. my post was not solely about WR. I think the draft's impact on STs and depth.. especially quality depth.. and *competition* for roster spots is a factor you create with your draft. I think they took any roster competition out of play during the offseason, and I don't think that's healthy.

Again.. multiple ways to go.. could've traded for one, if it was only about WR. And there's a difference between IMPACT.. and making an impact with marginal improvements that are difference makers.

That's not my argument. My argument is using the top two picks the way they did stole the opportunity to upgrade the roster in key ways.. I also don't like the overall approach. Trading up for Daniels? Why? Why weren't they taking a stab at a potential returner or gunner or ST contributor with that second 7th? Before you scoff.. Nick Scott & Benny Skow.

I think the team has some incredible, potentially overwhelming strengths when healthy.. with obvious failure points at WR, OT and Special Teams.
All valid opinions. (See what I did there?)

Again.. multiple ways to go.. could've traded for one
This is speculation, for which neither you nor I can verify.

Too much speculation and no concrete alternatives are why your criticisms fall short. I've expended enough energy on this. We'll have to agree to disagree.
 
No, that's where we disagree. It isn't foolish at all. Its literally what all fans do. Some trust the organization completely, some sit on the fence, and some need to see the proof after being critical before saying they are wrong (some may actually never admit it too). I look at it as the natural part of being a fan quite honestly.
Makes no sense to me.

If we can't get a right answer because it's too early and there isn't enough information, then there also isn't enough information to determine a wrong answer or action.

It's best to state this is what I would have done or preferred be done. Not that what was done was wrong because nobody really knows.
 
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Well it certainly wouldn’t be named Rams On Demand. That’s not how the Rams roll under McVay. They start slow, push through injuries and peak at the end of the year. That’s what I’m hoping and expecting to occur this year starting in the next 3 weeks.
That has been their history. But I'm not comfortable relying on that. And now home field is not likely. They have 3 winnable games before the bye. Win all 3 and they're sitting at 6-4 with a lot of the injured guys returning. A few tough games after that. But if they mostly healthy, and get guys like Garrett, Turner and Ferguson back, they can compete with anyone. Even if they lost one of the next 3 they can still go on a run. But they'd have less room for error.
 
I'm sorry.. but that's the whole premise..
That their decision to invest in the future came at the expense of the present.

I think that was a mistake. That's why you don't see me criticizing Simpson as a player or prospect. That's why I said their "approach" to this draft was wrong.

They could be right about Simpson.. and wrong about this year at the same time.
So in a way you are saying it's better to go all in for one year than set yourself up for the next say, 10, in theory, even if it costs you in that first year? And then afterwards you are STILL tasked with finding the next Franchise Quarterback (not an easy task).
 
Makes no sense to me.

If we can't get a right answer because it's too early and there isn't enough information, then there also isn't enough information to determine a wrong answer or action.

It's best to state this is what I would have done or preferred be done. Not that what was done was wrong because nobody really knows.
Yes but stating this is exactly what I've would have done doesn't make what I would have done necessarily possible. You're now introducing other factors into the equation like other teams accepting trades for players, trying to take players that may not have been available, trade downs or trade ups where you don't know the compensation involved, etc. This is why you'll get I would have taken a WR or an OT in this round with no particular target, but at most a name here or there. Of course there's a debate of what is wrong or right from either side because we don't know the outcome. You're dealing with opinions not facts because enough time hasn't passed. Both sides can say they are right until they are Ram blue in the face, but we just don't really know. Its a fun exercise as long as people don't go ape shit over it, but it happens. I mostly eat my popcorn when it does because I honestly don't take it that seriously. The Rams have who they have and nothing is changing that. Basically something to kill time and shoot the shit over.
 
So.. I've responded to, I think, pretty much every approach.. (this isn't me saying.. "I win! I'm right!)....
So, I'm gonna take a break from this and we can revisit over the rest of the season and see how it plays out.
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That has been their history. But I'm not comfortable relying on that. And now home field is not likely. They have 3 winnable games before the bye. Win all 3 and they're sitting at 6-4 with a lot of the injured guys returning. A few tough games after that. But if they mostly healthy, and get guys like Garrett, Turner and Ferguson back, they can compete with anyone. Even if they lost one of the next 3 they can still go on a run. But they'd have less room for error.
I'm hoping they can run the table. If we lose one more, you can most definitely kiss any chance at the division good bye. That Cardinals loss was not good. 7-3 would be much better than 6-4 with the lead the 49ers have in our division. Hopefully none of the return from injury players take longer than their projected time to be out since that seems to have happened quite a few times already this year. I'm looking at you Myles, get your ass out there bruh :laugh1:
 
So.. do the alternate..
They don't get Garrett and would've had the draft capital to go after someone at the trade deadline and would've had Verse.
I could make that argument very easily.. and say it would be better "long term" because Verse is younger and they could've traded for someone younger than Donald.. like Jeffrey Simmons.
That's not the alternative. They couldn't have traded two first for Jeffrey Simmons for the same reason they wouldn't have Myles Garrett: Because they need those picks for a QB! And don't tell me that you trust McVay and Snead to figure it out. That's how they figured it out! They took Simpson and then spent future draft capital on the best edge rusher in football. If they didn't take Simpson, they wouldn't be trading the future draft capital because they knew they needed to keep it to draft a QB.
 
Regarding the Rams 2026 draft approach, my sole contribution to this thread is going to be the same answer that Zhou Enlai gave to Richard Nixon in 1972 when asked his thoughts on The French Revolution that started in 1789:

"It is too soon to tell."
 
"Outright insult to the Team"

And.. well.. there we have it. The inability to think that criticizing the team is akin to an effort to debase the character of McVay and Snead.. two guys I love and wouldn't want to have anyone else in charge of the Rams.

So.. thanks for proving one point.. that this isn't about an honest exchange of critique.. it's an emotion-based defense of the team at all costs.. for whatever reason.
This isnt an honest exchange, you are trolling the board
At least I hope that is what it is, otherwise its just complete ignorance
This isnt critical thinking, its a poster who is off the rails over a single draft pick who wants to shit on the team. That's not was this board is about.
 
This isnt an honest exchange, you are trolling the board
At least I hope that is what it is, otherwise its just complete ignorance
This isnt critical thinking, its a poster who is off the rails over a single draft pick who wants to shit on the team. That's not was this board is about.
Gonna respond here, because it’s an insult.
Go fuck yourself and your judgement.
I’ve never been a goddamn troll and ain’t now.
Look at my board history and make a case that I’m a troll on here.

You’re trying to disqualify an argument by making a personal attack.. so, again.. Go fuck yourself.
 
My last contribution in to this ludicrous troll-fest
Had the Rams drafted a WR, who got injured and didnt play all season, that wouldnt be a failure
If Stafford were to be injured, and Ty Simpson were to win 4-5 games in his absence keeping the playoff hopes alive, that would be a failure
Got it.....
 
Gonna respond here, because it’s an insult.
Go fuck yourself and your judgement.
I’ve never been a goddamn troll and ain’t now.
Look at my board history and make a case that I’m a troll on here.

You’re trying to disqualify an argument by making a personal attack.. so, again.. Go fuck yourself.
Perfect.
Once a troll, always a troll
 
Guys... please. At the beginning of the season EVERYONE thought the Rams were gonna go 17-0 and win the Lombardi ar Sofi. Ans the Rams may have gotten their future franchise QB. That's all that matters. Now is not the time to question their decisions. It's just been a bad start to the year. Blame it on injuries, the refs, and the worst special teams ever -lol. Bur even Mevis and Xavier Smith had good years last year (minus the muffed punt at Seattle)... who would have thought they were gonna implode this year. Answer.. nobody. Cheers.