The Cam Akers Enigma - Do the Rams need to add a starting RB?

[Loyal]

"I'd cut off my tingling members for Bijan!" ~ @El Chapo Jr

 

[El Chapo Jr]

"I'd cut off my tingling members for Bijan!" ~ @El Chapo Jr

I'm not sure I'd go that far even if I am nuts!

 

[PARAM]

The Rams need a RB but a #3 RB that can be had off of FA list or late or mid-round draft. With Akers and Williams they are set at 1 & 2.

They need a big bruiser. Bijan will be gone. As I've said before I'd take Rochon Johnson (6'2", 233) or Kendre Miller (6'0", 223). It doesn't make any sense to sign a UFA RB when you can have a 2nd or 3rd round pick on a rookie deal for 4 years. RB is about youth

 

[Flatlyner]

I will be terrified if Gibbs is on the board at our pick. I cannot see McVay passing him up unfortunately. He's a great back for sure. We missed out on a trade offer for CMC that would have cost us much more in both draft capital AND salary. Therefore, I see McVay thinking how much of a bargain Gibbs would be at that draft slot. This is particularly likely if we address some OL in the FA period. I'm not overly in love with any OL that is predicted to be available at our draft slot either. Certainly some solid Edge and CB prospects should be there.

 

[blackbart]

They need a big bruiser. Bijan will be gone. As I've said before I'd take Rochon Johnson (6'2", 233) or Kendre Miller (6'0", 223). It doesn't make any sense to sign a UFA RB when you can have a 2nd or 3rd round pick on a rookie deal for 4 years. RB is about youth

If that east the biggest need I would agree but RB isn’t even in the top 3 needs and should not be eating up the valuable draft capital that the rams have.

 

[PARAM]

If that east the biggest need I would agree but RB isn’t even in the top 3 needs and should not be eating up the valuable draft capital that the rams have.

According to us fans and many media people. But I've yet to see the Rams viewpoint concur. Who had us taking a RB with our third pick last year? Or 4 DBs? Or zero OL in 2021?

FWIW, I expect a tradedown to add another day two pick. Having three could afford them to go Edge, RB and TE. Still not jiving with consensus viewpoint?

What do I know? Wasted draft capital is only wasted if the guy can't play. We're gonna have 10 picks with the comps. I'm betting they have options.

 

[Merlin]

Given how good McVay's offense has always looked when the RB is a threat it seems to me it is a pretty big need. I agree there are bigger needs but we need a young impact player badly. Someone with high upside if possible.

Seems there is a reasonable chance that the best high upside option will be a RB. Due to undervaluing of the position but also this position group in this draft.

If the Rams pass on that type of player due to counting on Akers they are gonna get what they deserve.

 

[Rambitious1]

The Rams need a RB but a #3 RB that can be had off of FA list or late or mid-round draft. With Akers and Williams they are set at 1 & 2.

 

[kurtfaulk]

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2023 NFL mock draft 4.0: QB prospect makes big jump into top 10 as scouting combine beckons

Four quarterbacks go in the top seven of Charles McDonald's latest mock draft, the last before the combine delivers us a ton of new information.

sports.yahoo.com

this guy has the rams taking a rb in the 2nd round.

he also has the lions taking a qb at #6. goff can't get no respect from these guys. the guys at espn had the lions taking a qb at 12, when they traded up to that pick in the last draft, that ended up going in the 3rd round. haha, how wrong can you be?

37. Los Angeles Rams​

Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs​

An explosive running back to help give the Rams a higher floor than they’ve recently had.

.

 

[BuffaloRam]

.

2023 NFL mock draft 4.0: QB prospect makes big jump into top 10 as scouting combine beckons

Four quarterbacks go in the top seven of Charles McDonald's latest mock draft, the last before the combine delivers us a ton of new information.

sports.yahoo.com

this guy has the rams taking a rb in the 2nd round.

he also has the lions taking a qb at #6. goff can't get no respect from these guys. the guys at espn had the lions taking a qb at 12, when they traded up to that pick in the last draft, that ended up going in the 3rd round. haha, how wrong can you be?

37. Los Angeles Rams​

Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs​

An explosive running back to help give the Rams a higher floor than they’ve recently had.

.

Shies that he watches football for fantasy only and whoever is playing the Buccs

 

[ottoman89]

If they get away from Akers. Get someone powerful and violent.

Tired as hell watching the 9ers, James Connor and other physical running backs just roll through our defenders, meanwhile we get shoe string tackled constantly m

 

[OldSchool]

This brand of logic escapes me. People are pissed off at Morris his lack of coverage and pass rush and we're using our first pick on a RB? Amazing, if this happens next years GDT will be beyond entertaining. Not sure there's enough popcorn in the world to read through them.

 

[ottoman89]

This brand of logic escapes me. People are pissed off at Morris his lack of coverage and pass rush and we're using our first pick on a RB? Amazing, if this happens next years GDT will be beyond entertaining. Not sure there's enough popcorn in the world to read through them.

Yeah there's no way I'm using the first pick or 3 on a RB. DB, EDGE and OL.. not in that order. Maybe MLB if Jack Campbell is there

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

It's worrying we all see needs in so many positions. I personally think our first priority for capital (draft or FA or really both) has to be to beef up the OL. I think Cam can do well if we get that taken care of--he's good when he has a lane or hole and makes it to the 2nd level, but maybe we could pick a RB up in later rounds.

 

[So Ram]

It's worrying we all see needs in so many positions. I personally think our first priority for capital (draft or FA or really both) has to be to beef up the OL. I think Cam can do well if we get that taken care of--he's good when he has a lane or hole and makes it to the 2nd level, but maybe we could pick a RB up in later rounds.

I think that would go back to lossing ways.Then again it is how The Rams use FA & draft together.
I have a feeling The Rams try to sign Montgomery away from the Bears? Mcvay liked him.
If not a Bigger RB is a must IMO early through the draft.

 

[Rams43]

Well, early Ram picks will be determined by what holes Snead has already plugged via FA and trade, of course.

Having said that, I see RB as a lower need position on Day 2. Important position to bolster in this rich RB draft, but NOT on Day 2.

Edge
IOL
CB
TE

These positions all exceed RB in terms of value AND need to current Rams, imo.

Here’s what I think is gonna happen. Snead fills 2 of the above 4 positions via FA or trade pre draft.

Snead then trades down from 36 (if he still has it) to get another Day 2 pick if at all possible. He then drafts BPA at the 2 positions he’s not already filled and THEN starts to think about RB, S, backup QB, ILB, DL, or maybe double dipping on one of the earlier 4-5 positions.

Day 3 will be for developmental players and he may move either up or down depending on who is still there that he likes.

But if Rams make bold trades of Ramsey and/or Floyd predraft then ammo and priorities really shuffle around. And such a trade(s) seem very possible given recent articles by beat writers.

Gonna be a fun offseason, that’s for sure.

 

[snackdaddy]

I don't know what to make of Akers. He definitely has the ability to be a top tier back. But its hard to figure him out. Which one would we get? The guy who had trouble averaging 3 yards per carry? Or the guy who finished with 3 straight 100 yard games looking like an all pro? Was it his injury that took longer than expected causing the problems? Or was it between the ears? Or was it as simple as bad blocking?

I wouldn't look for a back in the early rounds. I wouldn't mind finding a speed back on day 3 and see if they can make him a change of pace guy. The Chiefs found a gem in Pacheco. He was picked in the 7th round. Can we find a guy like that?

 

[dang]

I don't know what to make of Akers. He definitely has the ability to be a top tier back. But its hard to figure him out. Which one would we get? The guy who had trouble averaging 3 yards per carry? Or the guy who finished with 3 straight 100 yard games looking like an all pro? Was it his injury that took longer than expected causing the problems? Or was it between the ears? Or was it as simple as bad blocking?

I wouldn't look for a back in the early rounds. I wouldn't mind finding a speed back on day 3 and see if they can make him a change of pace guy. The Chiefs found a gem in Pacheco. He was picked in the 7th round. Can we find a guy like that?

Qs: Was it his injury that took longer than expected causing the problems? Or was it between the ears? Or was it as simple as bad blocking?

Answer: yes to all 3 resulting in the perfect site storm.

 

[AvengerRam]

Do we need to add a RB? Yes.

Do we need to add a starting RB? Not sure.

At this point, I'm still thinking RB in Round 4 or 5 (with expected comp picks).

 

[Memphis Ram]

I will be terrified if Gibbs is on the board at our pick. I cannot see McVay passing him up unfortunately. He's a great back for sure. We missed out on a trade offer for CMC that would have cost us much more in both draft capital AND salary. Therefore, I see McVay thinking how much of a bargain Gibbs would be at that draft slot. This is particularly likely if we address some OL in the FA period. I'm not overly in love with any OL that is predicted to be available at our draft slot either. Certainly some solid Edge and CB prospects should be there.

If Gibbs is on the board and the Rams select him, I would be thrilled because he would finally provide the offense a weapon besides Kupp for defenses to fear. I would trade Akers, sign a bigger veteran like Sony Michel, and add a full back capable of forcing defenders to make some business decisions.

Rams come out of this draft with Gibbs and Luepke, they stay healthy, and McVay incorporates the backs more in the passing game then look out the offense is back. And the FB part is important, because the threat of that player actually running the football gives defenses more to think about when the tailback motions out wide as he's the rushing option the TEs are not.

Jahmyr Gibbs | Alabama Crimson Tide RB | Career Highlights - YouTube


Hunter Luepke NDSU Career Highlights - YouTube