Who do you take at 26?

[Ramstien]

I with you on that one PhillyRam and I hope Dart is on the board at #26, finger crossed that the Rams don't pass on him.

 

[dang]

Sounds like a great player but he probably doesn't help much this year since I doubt he plays instead of Lake. Wouldn't be much different than drafting an OT early. Either selection would initially be depth.

I’m weighing in because I get obsessive about 2-3 draft picks a year and Emmanwori is one of them. I see him as playing ILB this year especially on passing down. And Learning SS/NB to take over for Curl or Lake next year. He’d also be a stud on special teams. His versatility would add necessary depth at a number of positions which is what the Rams need this year.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I’m weighing in because I get obsessive about 2-3 draft picks a year and Emmanwori is one of them. I see him as playing ILB this year especially on passing down. And Learning SS/NB to take over for Curl or Lake next year. He’d also be a stud on special teams. His versatility would add necessary depth at a number of positions which is what the Rams need this year.

I'm very leery of the potential jack-of-all trades, master of none types, like Emmanwori. A few years back there was a very similar player who I believe was even higher rated in Clemon's Isaiah Simmons and the league is still waiting for him to do something.

 

[OldSchool]

Did Emmanowori play any ILB in college? Or just big nickle?

 

[fanotodd]

I can't believe anyone hasn't mentioned it... Noteboom is still on the market. If we don't get a tackle in the draft, he's almost absolutely coming back as a fall back.

I don’t have a problem with that—at the correct price, of course. He would be better than anybody currently on the roster as the 6th man.

The Rams run a three Tackle rotation. That’s just the way it’s been for about 3 seasons now. Maybe no offer will be made until after the draft, in case the Rams draft someone else to fill that role.

 

[fanotodd]

Give me Barron

lol! I just read several comments relating to Noteboom and thought you meant Alex Barron! That’s why I gave you a “chill.”

Now I’m figuring you meant the CB from Texas.
Oops!

 

[DzRams]

I'm very leery of the potential jack-of-all trades, master of none types, like Emmanwori. A few years back there was a very similar player who I believe was even higher rated in Clemon's Isaiah Simmons and the league is still waiting for him to do something.

Could that be on the coaching staff(s) not knowing how to correctly deploy him?

 

[dang]

Did Emmanowori play any ILB in college? Or just big nickle?

His wiki write up:
Entering his freshman season South Carolina debated playing Emmanwori as a linebacker or safety, ultimately deciding to play him at safety. In his first two collegiate starts, he would record 11 and 14 tackles against Arkansas and Georgiarespectively As a true freshman in 2022, Emmanwori would emerge as a key player for the Gamecocks, recording a team high 78 tackles and being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. As a junior in 2024, he was named to the All-SEC first team and was named a first team All-American by the Associated Press.

 

[OldSchool]

His wiki write up:
Entering his freshman season South Carolina debated playing Emmanwori as a linebacker or safety, ultimately deciding to play him at safety. In his first two collegiate starts, he would record 11 and 14 tackles against Arkansas and Georgiarespectively As a true freshman in 2022, Emmanwori would emerge as a key player for the Gamecocks, recording a team high 78 tackles and being named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. As a junior in 2024, he was named to the All-SEC first team and was named a first team All-American by the Associated Press.

So no he didn't. But ROD wants to turn him into something he's never been and use a 1st round pick to do it? I get moving OL because that actually has a history with a lot of success but this ilb from safety does not.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Could that be on the coaching staff(s) not knowing how to correctly deploy him?

It's possible.

So far his defensive coordinators have been Vance Joseph, Don Martindale, & Shane Bowen.

 

[LouisvilleRam]

I don't see the Rams going defense with their first pick. They drafted a lot of defensive players early(5 of 6 first picks) last year. I think they get McVay another shiny new toy TE,WR or Dart at pick 26.

 

[muggmeister]

Jaylen McCollough - He was basically starting as a UDRFA.It just
wasn’t in base defense.He saved The Rams hide for a couple of games before Kinchens.

I think a lot of Rams Fans are writing off Cobie Durant as a starting CB as well.His play against Detroit late in that opener to win the game would’ve been AMAZING!! He got up SO high for an INT. When he came down though he came down hard,the ball came out & got hurt.He almost held on,but his fall ??? On hard turf as well.

Usually it takes 4 games for a rookie Rams starter. Not going to disput you.Lampkin,Woods ,& Wallace all found the Grass though.No one ever talks about there impact.
-The Rams haven’t had a 1st rd pick under Mcvay.Yes Everett they traded back for in 2017 & came up with 2 starters.

I'm at a loss over this. No 1st round pick under McVay? What the fuck was Verse. Usually takes 4 games for a Ram rookie to start? Wtf? Verse, Fiske, Young, Turner, Avila, Nacua all hit the ground running. Just so confused over this post.

 

[muggmeister]

You added Contributors. I never said that. I said starters.

I specifically mentioned CB, WR and TE.

Sure I could be wrong but please tell me who is going to lose their starting job to a rookie?

1. Puka
2. Adams
3. Higbee
4. Witherspoon
5. Williams

If you have a big void due to injury or free agency departure then sure a rookie can come in and start.

Puka filled in with Kupp injured.
Punter/Kicker voids
Kinchens eventually got the nod when JJ and Curl got hurt.
Limmer took over when the Oline injuries piled up.
Avila, Young and Turner were filling voids.

Again, I am advocating moving back to get more depth picks and expect said CB, Tackle etc. to eventually get in the lineup when the eventual injury hits and possibly win the starting job as Limmer did.

But which rookie projected at #26 is going to come in and take over one of those 5 spots barring injury?

No WR is taking Puka or Adams job.
No TE is bumping Higbee (Loveland and Warren will be gone)
Witherspoon earned his spot due to a strong end of season and playoff performance.
Williams could possibly get beat out by a CB at #26 - Maybe. But he is a seasoned Pro with experience, so it won't be easy.

The difference in this Team to prior years is we are going into the draft with a complete filled out roster coming off a season where we were arguably the 2nd best team at the end of the year (once we got healthy) and we improved via Free Agency,

Lots of potential starters could be available at pick 26. At corner, A. Thomas (FSU), Morrison (ND), Revel (ECU), Amos (Ole Miss) and Hairston (Kentucky) could all possibly be day 1 starters and significant improvement over Williams and Spoon. If Matthew Golden fell a little bit he would see the field immediately over Atwell, as would Luther Burden and Emeka Egbuka. Starks would be an immediate starter, as I also think Emmanwori would take Curls job starting day 1. If Josh Simmons slid, would we take him and possibly move A. Jackson to RT? I don't see an ILB at 26 as I believe both Walker and Campbell will be long gone. Also not sold that Loveland won't slide due to the fact that this a extremely deep TE draft, and yes, he would see the field immediately on passing downs. Ezeiruaku, Mike Green, James Pearce, or Mykel Williams could all potentially be upgrades to Young, and all could be available at 26. Kelvin Banks could slide and be day 1 improvement from Big Rob or a guy like Grey Zabel that can backup all across the line and be day 1 vast improvement at center. I guess I'm a glass half full kind of guy.

 

[dang]

So no he didn't. But ROD wants to turn him into something he's never been and use a 1st round pick to do it? I get moving OL because that actually has a history with a lot of success but this ilb from safety does not.

Dude. Read the whole post before coming guns a blazin. He could help out at ILB and learn NB/SS this year. THEN take over NB/SS/Star NEXT year. IMO ( and that means IN MY OPINION) his skill set adds depth in a number of areas that we need depth in THIS year. Also IMO quality depth is our biggest need this year. It won’t happen for many reasons but I would be happy using the R1.26 pick this year if it did.

 

[OldSchool]

Dude. Read the whole post before coming guns a blazin. He could help out at ILB and learn NB/SS this year. THEN take over NB/SS/Star NEXT year. IMO ( and that means IN MY OPINION) his skill set adds depth in a number of areas that we need depth in THIS year. Also IMO quality depth is our biggest need this year. It won’t happen for many reasons but I would be happy using the R1.26 pick this year if it did.

Read the whole post and no guns were blazing. Calm down and think about why somebody has a different idea than you, you're the only one blazing around here mad that somebody thinks differently than this idea.

There's no need to draft a safety and have in spend any time at a different position like ILB. If you want somebody at ILB then draft one if you want this guy to play NB/SS this year then keep him there though I don't think we need help at SS. Yes he's a good player but there are going to be good players available at 26 and we can have those guys play at their natural positions where they're good and earned a first round pick at.

 

[DzRams]

If the Rams move up and get a Barron or Johnson then maybe they beat out Williams or Spoon in camp or get the nod early in the season and play every down.

But at #26 it is more likely this player is not an every down player. Who would he bump? Lake? Spoon was excellent down the stretch last year and both him an Williams have a ton of experience. To get every down snaps we are talking an injury to a starter or the rookie majorly outplays someone very early on. As stated before, Revel has #1 potential but coming off an ACL. Morrison, Amos, Thomas all would be solid prospects as well but I would rather get them after a trade back.

If Jihaad Campbell falls then I can see him starting, but the most recent mock drafts that I have seen show him rising in the 15-20 range.

Again, I don't see any of these other LBers projected at #26 starting.

I think #26 is a weak spot to be in this year based on our needs and the projections.

But who knows, every year a few prospects fall.

I'm fine with the trade back plan but no guarantee we find a trade partner.

As far as the talent, I feel that several LBs beyond Campbell, namely Carson Schwesinger and Knight, Jr., could start immediately. We don't have a high bar with Speights and Landman.

On the CBs, Thomas, Amos, and Morrison could potentially start year 1 over either Williams or Witherspoon but I suspect it wouldn't be day 1.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I'm very leery of the potential jack-of-all trades, master of none types, like Emmanwori. A few years back there was a very similar player who I believe was even higher rated in Clemon's Isaiah Simmons and the league is still waiting for him to do something.

And then you have Kyle Hamilton too

 

[RamFan503]

Dude. Read the whole post before coming guns a blazin.

How was that “guns a blazin”? Seemed that he simply disagreed.

I think people are getting a little too invested in opinions. Let’s all relax and tone down the vitriol.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I don't see the Rams going defense with their first pick. They drafted a lot of defensive players early(5 of 6 first picks) last year. I think they get McVay another shiny new toy TE,WR or Dart at pick 26.

I gave up guessing. I couldn’t be happier how unpredictable this team is in the draft. If stopping the run is still a priority I wouldn’t rule out a player that impacts that part of the game.

But, it feels like Emmanwori and LB Campbell will be gone and the BPA at 26 will be a CB or WR, maybe RB.

 

[OldSchool]

I don't see the Rams going defense with their first pick. They drafted a lot of defensive players early(5 of 6 first picks) last year. I think they get McVay another shiny new toy TE,WR or Dart at pick 26.

I'd say with the Rams history of getting good production on offense from day 3 picks anything is possible.