Truly impactful draft class

[Ram_Rally]

I’ve been critical of Snead’s drafting. I hate all of the trading back. Take BPA. Too many times he’s all about looking for a specific type so he passes up good players and trades back for sixth round picks. The Tutu pick is famously bad. Same with Wagner. And yes that was all him trying to play the board. I didn’t like Rapp in round 2. That’s too high for a strong safety. Most of his drafts have been below average imo. He nailed the AD pick of course but had a colossal whiff in that same draft. His last two drafts have been good so far. I think there was a bit of a philosophy change. I hope he keeps it up.
He’s great at making trades too.

Those teams could have been better. Fisher thought he knew offense and his ultra conservative approach scared off any good OC’s that he interviewed. I was excited for the hire. In the end I think he’s best as a DC.

Yeah when I think back on it, I liked most of the drafts as a whole. I just hated a few picks (Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Taylor rapp). But I was giddy about others (Kupp, Avila, Akers, Terrell Lewis, Terrell Burgess).

 

[Ram_Rally]

He did that for years, ever since he was with the Rams.

Brian Quick was definitely a Snead traits pick.

 

[Ram_Rally]

Sorry, but this is nonsense. Structurally.. Fisher was in charge.

It was one of the things he required to take a job.

Numerous articles out there on it.

Here’s just one;


View: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2633712-2016-nfl-draft-decision-makers-for-each-team-revealed-by-espn-nfl-nation

Yeah I definitely remember us fighting with the dolphins to sign him and team control was a big thing.

Edit: here's an article

Jeff Fisher Chooses The Rams

For the second time in a year, the Miami Dolphins have been left at the altar by a big-name head coach, this time it's Jeff Fisher.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[Jacobarch]

Sorry, but this is nonsense. Structurally.. Fisher was in charge.

It was one of the things he required to take a job.

Numerous articles out there on it.

Here’s just one;


View: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2633712-2016-nfl-draft-decision-makers-for-each-team-revealed-by-espn-nfl-nation

This is a nice find!

Thanks!

 

[Kupped]

Brian Quick was definitely a Snead traits pick.

Again… Fisher pick. Not saying Snead had nothing to do with it.. but he’s not making that pick under McVay imo.

 

[thirteen28]

Again… Fisher pick. Not saying Snead had nothing to do with it.. but he’s not making that pick under McVay imo.

I don't think there's any question. Quick was empty from the neck up, and McVay rarely makes the mistake of picking a guy like that. Fisher, OTOH, was blinded by good athleticism the way a typical dude is blinded by big tits on a girl.

 

[WestCoastRam]

https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/12/08/los-angeles-rams-junior-high-jeff-fisher-les-snead-problem

He was the most highly sought after coach that hiring cycle. Rams (Stan) threw money at him plus at the time were a fucking shambles. When he was finally axed, the GM was kept around. So to me it's pretty clear he had full power. Was it ever mentioned by the Rams? Not that I can recall but I am certain of this.

Legit thanks, this must have entered a memory hole for me

 

[rdlkgliders]

Pretty impressive to see what this draft class has done. If you consider where they were all picked we may have had the best draft of anyone. I think top 5 is fair

 

[RamBall]

The biggest difference between the last 2 drafts and previous drafts is the roster before the draft or team needs. Before the 21 season the draft was primarily to fill STs and maybe find a gem. The last 2 drafts have been more about filling out the roster to supplement the key veterans and studs. This past draft we had an unusually large number of picks and hit on an extraordinarily high percentage of them, which is a good thing because these last 2 drafts have been more about filling out the roster with inexpensive talent.

As far as Snead goes, I have noticed he seems to be looking a year or 2 ahead and the teams needs usually line up with the positions that are loaded in the upcoming draft. When the Rams are a Super Bowl contender next season it will be a big fuck you, to the pundits that claimed the Rams sold out for a Super Bowl and set the franchise back in doing so. Injuries really set the team back last season, but good drafting has made the team much more competitive than the pundits thought possible.

 

[XXXIVwin]

And, yep.. Fisher loved him some athletic freaks and was definitely drawn to those types of players.

IMO Fisher had a soft spot for athletic freaks who were also reclamation projects. Fisher seemed to think that he could take guys under his wing and help them mature. To his credit, sometimes he succeeded. Janoris Jenkins, for example, was a guy with a checkered past who came to the Rams and became a solid pro.

Other guys, like Brian Quick? Not so much.

All in all, Fisher was a solid guy who had a knack for communicating well with players. But I'm thankful that McVay prefers to draft players with high football IQ's.

 

[WestCoastRam]

All in all, Fisher was a solid guy who had a knack for communicating well with players. But I'm thankful that McVay prefers to draft players with high football IQ's.

I mean... they didn't really need high football IQ's since all they were doing was running 5 yard hitches.

 

[Ram_Rally]

Again… Fisher pick. Not saying Snead had nothing to do with it.. but he’s not making that pick under McVay imo.

I wouldn't doubt you on that. I do think quick and Rochell are similar though. And fisher was nowhere around for that. Either way, I think Snead is a good GM and no GM hits on every pick. I'm not criticizing him at all.

 

[Faceplant]

I mean... they didn't really need high football IQ's since all they were doing was running 5 yard hitches.

I can't like this enough. Dominant post, man.

I still shudder at the thought of Rob BoreUs as an NFL OC....

 

[Kupped]

I wouldn't doubt you on that. I do think quick and Rochell are similar though. And fisher was nowhere around for that. Either way, I think Snead is a good GM and no GM hits on every pick. I'm not criticizing him at all.

Rochell and Harris were absolutely both "traits" picks and the only two I can really think of since McVay became coach.

I mean.. Maybe Daniel Hardy. and Nick Scott? But when we're talking 7th round, I think it's all a crapshoot.

I'm just glad Harris and Rochelle were 4th rounders and not high seconds or first rounders.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Rochell and Harris were absolutely both "traits" picks and the only two I can really think of since McVay became coach.

I mean.. Maybe Daniel Hardy. and Nick Scott? But when we're talking 7th round, I think it's all a crapshoot.

I'm just glad Harris and Rochelle were 4th rounders and not high seconds or first rounders.

2021
Tutu
Rochell
Jacob Harris
Jake Funk

2020
Terrell Lewis
Terrell Burgess
Brycen Hopkins

2017
Gerald Everett
Samson Ebukam

2014
Gregg Robinson
Tre Mason
Maurice Alexander

2013
Tavon

2012
Brian Quick
Jackrabbit
Pead


Technically AD and Gurley, but they also had proven production and were first round picks. The miss rate is much higher than the hit rate when picking players based on elite athleticism and ignoring the lack of production, or injuries.

I think Snead puts a lot of emphasis on athleticism, he’s talked about it enough.

I’ve always hoped Snead would value character , intelligence and production, just as much as athleticism. He seemed to when McVay arrived but 2021 seemed like he returned to old tendencies.

I know Jourdan explained that once the roster was good and pretty much set, that Snead was mostly drafting for Special Teams and situational role players. That’s a poor strategy if those types aren’t panning out. What’s wrong with continually trying to improve the starting roster and create competition?

 

[Kupped]

2021
Tutu
Rochell
Jacob Harris
Jake Funk

2020
Terrell Lewis
Terrell Burgess
Brycen Hopkins

2017
Gerald Everett
Samson Ebukam

2014
Gregg Robinson
Tre Mason
Maurice Alexander

2013
Tavon

2012
Brian Quick
Jackrabbit
Pead


Technically AD and Gurley, but they also had proven production and were first round picks. The miss rate is much higher than the hit rate when picking players based on elite athleticism and ignoring the lack of production, or injuries.

I think Snead puts a lot of emphasis on athleticism, he’s talked about it enough.

I’ve always hoped Snead would value character , intelligence and production, just as much as athleticism. He seemed to when McVay arrived but 2021 seemed like he returned to old tendencies.

I know Jourdan explained that once the roster was good and pretty much set, that Snead was mostly drafting for Special Teams and situational role players. That’s a poor strategy if those types aren’t panning out. What’s wrong with continually trying to improve the starting roster and create competition?

Tutu? This is the kind of thing that drives me a little batty in these conversations... any questionable pick can be labeled "traits"?
Tutu was a productive player in college and we can see why he was drafted now. On top of that.. he's actually NOT. a traits player.. as he's undersized. A "traits" player would be someone with special overall ability who might be raw or have lacked production in college.

Brycen Hopkins.. same thing.. totally productive as a college player at a power 5 school. Not a traits pick. He was a second team all American, for goodness sakes.

Jake Funk? Dude.

Heck.. Lewis wasn't a "traits" guy.. he was an injury gamble and everyone knew it. That was a bet on health, not ability or skill.

Everett and Ebukam were highly productive at smaller schools and started a ton of college games at the positions they were drafted at.

I'm not getting into the Fisher years... I've been pretty clear about that and there's a clear change in philosophy once McVay was hired.

I just think it's reductive to throw any guy who's an excellent athlete who bombs into a "reach" bin.. in fact.. even Rochell had a lot of buzz about him going into the draft and was projected to be a starter in the NFL.

Guys like Robinson are fair to characterize this way, though... he was a FREAK.. but there were serious technnique questions.. and it turns out he was an idiot.


The NFL Draft is a high-variance thing.. and even the best at it fail plenty. Having more high-round picks is usually the best way to find success. The alternative is a shit ton of picks overall... and that's what the Rams do.

 

[Ram_Rally]

Rochell and Harris were absolutely both "traits" picks and the only two I can really think of since McVay became coach.

I mean.. Maybe Daniel Hardy. and Nick Scott? But when we're talking 7th round, I think it's all a crapshoot.

I'm just glad Harris and Rochelle were 4th rounders and not high seconds or first rounders.

I was a big Rochell and Harris fan. I fell for all of lol

 

[Kupped]

I was a big Rochell and Harris fan. I fell for all of lol

I for sure did with Rochell. Thought Harris was a major project. Rochell hugely disappointed me... man.. talk about having everything you need to be a top-flight corner!!

 

[Ram_Rally]

I for sure did with Rochell. Thought Harris was a major project. Rochell hugely disappointed me... man.. talk about having everything you need to be a top-flight corner!!

Dude! Tell me about it. And I'm a sucker for a height/weight/speed corner. It's maybe the one position where I over value that stuff. Rochell being 6', 200 pounds and hyper fast just drew me in. And those long arms!

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Tutu? This is the kind of thing that drives me a little batty in these conversations... any questionable pick can be labeled "traits"?
Tutu was a productive player in college and we can see why he was drafted now. On top of that.. he's actually NOT. a traits player.. as he's undersized. A "traits" player would be someone with special overall ability who might be raw or have lacked production in college.

Brycen Hopkins.. same thing.. totally productive as a college player at a power 5 school. Not a traits pick. He was a second team all American, for goodness sakes.

Jake Funk? Dude.

Heck.. Lewis wasn't a "traits" guy.. he was an injury gamble and everyone knew it. That was a bet on health, not ability or skill.

Everett and Ebukam were highly productive at smaller schools and started a ton of college games at the positions they were drafted at.

I'm not getting into the Fisher years... I've been pretty clear about that and there's a clear change in philosophy once McVay was hired.

I just think it's reductive to throw any guy who's an excellent athlete who bombs into a "reach" bin.. in fact.. even Rochell had a lot of buzz about him going into the draft and was projected to be a starter in the NFL.

Guys like Robinson are fair to characterize this way, though... he was a FREAK.. but there were serious technnique questions.. and it turns out he was an idiot.


The NFL Draft is a high-variance thing.. and even the best at it fail plenty. Having more high-round picks is usually the best way to find success. The alternative is a shit ton of picks overall... and that's what the Rams do.

This is what drives me batty. You refuse to believe that Snead is very big on physical measurables, after we’ve been hearing and reading about for several years.

I’m not going through the list right now But I think you are off on nearly every one of your explanations.

Maybe your idea of a measurables player isn’t the same as mine, but certain physical characteristics of players drives the pick more so than production, on the listed picks. They don’t have to be athletic freaks to fit that description. For Tutu it was his speed. Is he a good receiver? He’s a decent third receiver. He’s got good hands, but if he doesn’t run as fast as he did there is no way the Rams draft him.

Funk was picked for his speed. Jacob Harris for speed and height. Everett and Ebukam didn’t go to D1 schools and they both came in as very raw prospects. They were picked due to their measurables.

Terrell Lewis was called the most athletic player on Alabama’s team.

I don’t share your view at all. We can just agree to disagree.