Great topic, Avenger Ram.
QB: Agree. Admittedly, I was originally in that “grab a QB early” camp, but no more because the Rams are close and there’s talent to be had early that could put the Rams back in the SB. I don’t know that wentz is ready to accept being strictly a backup and accepting backup $$, but a guy like minshew is. Minshew has performed well enough in that role to have had a decent career. I would think McVay could get from him what we saw in wentz for a game.
RB: Agree. How about a guy like Ray Davis (kentucky) in the 5th?
WR: Hmm. Should the Rams re-sign both Shelton and Dotson, I can easily see the Rams going this route. If so, a lotta draft crushes come off the board for us wanting an IOL early. If either Shelton or Dotson walk away, then some maneuvering should happen so the they can still grab a top defender and OL early.
TE:Agree! What didn’t Allen show last season when given a chance? Sure, some growing pains, but he showed hands as good as anybody else I saw play the position last year—league-wide. I can’t be the only person here who saw enough “wow” plays to want to give him a legitimate chance to earn the starting job.
As for late round prospects to develop or use as backups, I like Jarrod Wiley (tcu). I’d also look at Culp (wash) as an UDFA.
OL: Everything hinges on whether or not Shelton and Dotson come back. If either (both?!) walk, IOL is in play early. There’s a few names bandied about here and they all seem like good prospects, but mine would be Zach Frazier (w. vir) who just might last until the 3rd—depending on which site you trust more.
Should both guys return, I like Christian Jones (texas) to come in as a swing Tackle in training. The Rams have 3 legit Tackles but they all miss games. By 2025, there will probably be a shakeup at the Tackle hierarchy. Jones has experience at both spots.
IDL: Here’s where I’m gonna stray a bit because I’m looking at DL vs Edge in the draft. They can both get to the QB. I like a guy like a DL like Darius Robinson (mizz) just as much as Chris Braswell (bama) on the Edge should either fall to the Rams in the 2nd.
A deep DL rotation is a good thing to have, especially when they have a few guys who can get after the QB.
Pass Rush/Edge: Again, this is a tricky thing. Should a guy like Verse miraculously fall anywhere near the Rams in the 1rst round…
As for potential FAs/Trades, there is something to be said about having patience and waiting to see how FA unfolds. What if the bills have to let Floyd walk? He might be available after the first wave of FA to sign for a more reasonable figure than what some of these first tier guys will cost. An in-season move like the vmiller trade could materialize down the road too. I don’t think it’s imperative the Rams jump at a guy who will require $20+ mil/per and maybe even some prime draft capital on top of that.
ILB:Agree. Too many good players in front of the top ILBs in the draft, and no way you spend top $$ to fill the spot unless a guy like queen (ravens) becomes a possibility. If Wilson (nc st)could fall past the 3rd, I’d be all for it. He’s good in coverage and a tackling machine.
CB: Agree. I’d say it should be the most likely target for the Rams at #19. There will be a top rated player available and he could instantly impact the defense.
Safety: Agree. The Rams have done well bringing in Safeties using all channels.
STs:Yes and no. A kicker is a high priority, but that just means drafting one—not an early pick. I’d like to not only draft Jonah Dalmas (boise st), but I’d add at least add another UDFA like Harrison Mevis (mizz).
*just a thought:
Are you willing to kill two birds with one stone and prioritize WR and draft one of the top prospects who also was a top PR in college like Coleman (fsu) or Worthy (texas) and put him out there on punts?