Draft needs

[NN1Badboy]

Looking at the upcoming draft I think we have 5 major needs. QB, TE, WR, MLB, FS. I know a lot of people won't like it, but unless we trade Foles, we may have to wait until next year on a QB.

I'm hoping we cut the oft injured Saffold, along with Laurinitis, Long and Cook. Then use the money that we free up to sign the rest of our free agents. The only exception for me would be Jenkins. If his demands are too high, then I'd let him walk and find a replacement in the draft.

Several guys that we absolutely need to re sign from our current roster are Barron, Hayes, Sims, Johnson, and B. Cunningham. The rest are up in the air. I'd restructure Long to either a one year prove it contract, an incentive laded contract, or a three year back loaded deal that would allow us to cut him if he is injured again. I'd also bring McLeod back, but only as a backup. He has improved every year, but he is still a liability in coverage. Between he and Jenkins, one or both of them are usually to blame for a couple losses each year. Every year I hope we find that true center fielder, and every year we pass on free safeties. I've been left shaking my head after every single draft.

I'm no expert, but I never miss a game and I do know what this team needs. Besides the players we also need to get rid of Boudreau, and find another offensive coordinator who will run this offense like it should be run. Boras did a decent job, but we need someone with a passing mindset. Someone who will use the pass to set up the run, instead of the other way around.

[CalRamFan]

The game is always evolving. Some years the passing game is the way to win. Passing is flashy exciting and draws in more fans no doubt. Even though that's the case it's not always the right formula to win a SB. Over the years you have at least one team in the big game who is mainly a running team with a strong defense. Especially the last three years.

Personally I think Boras is the perfect HC for the type of QB we would have starting, Keenum. Was it boring when Dilfer lead the Ravens to the SB? Yeah, but they won. I say stay the course, bring in more speed on the offense, and keep the defense intact if possible.

I would re-structure Long if possible, get rid of J55, and maybe get rid of Saffold. We need another fast WR to create a double threat with Tavon, and re-sign Quick, Britt for length.

[NN1Badboy]

I have no problem being a running team. But in today's NFL you can't run to set up the pass. You have to pass to set up the run. When teams start to fear our receivers, it will open up huge holes for Gurley, and he will bury Dickerson's record for most yards in a season.

I like what little I saw from Boras, but I'm not sure that he can help the passing game. Maybe we should go out on a limb and take Hunter Henry in the first and one of the receivers in the second. Then use the other second rounder for a MLB.

Let's face it, we are not going to draft a QB in the first two rounds. With Foles under contract, Keenum as our starter, and Mannion potentially the future, we don't have room for another QB right now.

We should do the smart thing. But knowing Fisher he will draft a DE in the first and who knows how he will waste our two second rounders.

[poplarbluffman]

qb,wr,te,cb, mlb,lde

doubtful they will resign both cb's...
bad news is drafting too late for the top 3 qb's they have to look very hard at trading up for one

very deep draft at wr and cb...they can get starters in rds 2/3 bad year at de and mlb if they want one thy better use a #1 pick

btw has a draft site nfldraftresearch.com for those who like to follow the draft

[Wildflecken]

qb,wr,te,cb, mlb,lde

doubtful they will resign both cb's...
bad news is drafting too late for the top 3 qb's they have to look very hard at trading up for one

very deep draft at wr and cb...they can get starters in rds 2/3 bad year at de and mlb if they want one thy better use a #1 pick

btw has a draft site nfldraftresearch.com for those who like to follow the draft

Interesting on the LDE's available this draft. Curious who your top 3 are here? Any known interest from Rams on Shawn Oakman?

[Macnasty357]

I would re-structure Long if possible, get rid of J55, and maybe get rid of Saffold. We need another fast WR to create a double threat with Tavon, and re-sign Quick, Britt for length.

I would restructure J55 and keep Britt move J 55 to SLB. Everyone else I would release.

[lynyrdsghost]

It's tuff to say what the Rams draft needs are until after Free Agency. I believe they can/will re-sign/tender Keenum, B. Cunningham, Harkey, Hayes, T. Johnson and McLeod. Maybes are Zuerlein (I wouldn't), Quick (maybe if he's 100% healthy), Barnes (only if they can't do better), Fairley (too much pay for too little production), Bates (meh) and J. Jenkins (hopeful). They can probably re-sign most of these guys if they cut Cook, Long and Laurinatis (hoping they do).

Assuming they keep most of these guys, cut JL, Cook and Long; I'd say their top needs in the draft are:
MLB
WR x 2 (maybe 3)
TE
C
LDE
CB

I'm not gonna add QB because I just don't think Fisher will draft one for the next HC. A decent draft might look something like this:

#1-Reggie Ragland MLB Alabama
#2-Nick Martin C Notre Dame
#2-Braxton Miller WR Ohio St.
#3-Paul McRoberts WR SE Missouri
#4-Tyler Higbee TE W. Ky.
#6-Duke Williams WR Auburn

Can't fix everything in one draft but this would improve the team IMHO. Gonna be a very interesting off season.

[Macnasty357]

It's tuff to say what the Rams draft needs are until after Free Agency. I believe they can/will re-sign/tender Keenum, B. Cunningham, Harkey, Hayes, T. Johnson and McLeod. Maybes are Zuerlein (I wouldn't), Quick (maybe if he's 100% healthy), Barnes (only if they can't do better), Fairley (too much pay for too little production), Bates (meh) and J. Jenkins (hopeful). They can probably re-sign most of these guys if they cut Cook, Long and Laurinatis (hoping they do).

Assuming they keep most of these guys, cut JL, Cook and Long; I'd say their top needs in the draft are:
MLB
WR x 2 (maybe 3)
TE
C
LDE
CB

I'm not gonna add QB because I just don't think Fisher will draft one for the next HC. A decent draft might look something like this:

#1-Reggie Ragland MLB Alabama
#2-Nick Martin C Notre Dame
#2-Braxton Miller WR Ohio St.
#3-Paul McRoberts WR SE Missouri
#4-Tyler Higbee TE W. Ky.
#6-Duke Williams WR Auburn

Can't fix everything in one draft but this would improve the team IMHO. Gonna be a very interesting off season.

The 1st need is WR or TE. Martin is a reach at 43. Live with Braxton like Higbee.

[NN1Badboy]

I wouldn't hate Ragland, but I think we can get better value later. I'd like to see us trade back in the first and be able to land the guy with the best hands in the draft, while adding an extra third or 4th. Looking at the draft chart, here's more what I'm thinking.

Round 1 - After trade down

TE Hunter Henry

Round 2 - Pick 2 from this category

FS Darian Thompson or Jalen Mills
MLB Kentrell Brothers or Tyler Matakevich
WR Braxton Miller or Tyler Boyd

Round 3 - Unless one of the above guys fall

QB Cardale Jones or Kevin Hogan

Round 4 - We could use another TE

TE Bryce Williams or Jarell Adams or Jake McGee (We could use 2)

Round 4 - Extra pick from trade down

CB - Top CB or C available, unless one of the above players fall this far

Round 5 - Supplemental pick from last year already is a year ahead of the game if he makes the final 53

LT Isiah Battle

Round 6 - Dabo Sweeny speaks highly of this kid

WR Charone Peake - worth taking a late round flier on. Dabo Sweeny said he’s the best WR he’s coached (that includes De’Andre Hopkins, and Sammy Watkins)

Round 7 - Wasted on a guy who we already had on our roster and let go

Case Keenum

[Boffo97]

We didn't let Keenum go. He was signed off our practice squad.

[George Costanza]

#1: QB Goff (CAL), ILB Ragland (ALA), CB Hargreaves III (FLA), or CB Alexander (CLE)
#2: WR Thomas (OSU), WR Fuller (ND) or WR Boyd (PIT)
#2: TE Henry (ARK), QB Cook (MSU), QB Jones (OSU), or QB Hackenberg (PSU)
#3 Best available C: Martin (ND), Glasgow (MICH), or Tuerk (USC)