Random Ramsdom: Michael Hoecht wants to face L.A. in Super Bowl

Los Angeles Rams News and Links for 4/5/25

Michael Hoecht did some good work for the Los Angeles Rams, but he’s taking his talents to the Buffalo Bills and he wants to see L.A. again, but in the Super Bowl. You may think the Rams have a good chance to make the big game, you may not, but either way two teams will make it, why can’t it be L.A. and Buffalo?

Perhaps Hoecht’s wish will come true. It’s April, so we have plenty of time to wait and see. In the meantime, enjoy your Saturday! Comment on whatever you want and thanks for checking out Turf Show Times!

Michael Hoecht has bold hope for first meeting vs. Rams after signing with Bills (si.com)

Putting that aside for now, Hoecht recently took to social media to say goodbye to the Rams and their fans. And, in his message, he said he hopes to see Los Angeles in the Super Bowl.

“It’s been a minute, but I wanted to make sure I took the time to say thank you to LA,” Hoecht wrote in an Instagram post. “I’m beyond grateful to the unbelievable fans and the franchise for 5 great years with the Rams… Hope to meet you all again in the Super Bowl sometime real soon.”

NFL analyst says Shedeur Sanders is better off on Rams than Giants (sports.yahoo.com)

“The reasons are simple: The Rams wouldn’t required Sanders to start immediately and he’d get to learn behind Matthew Stafford with Sean McVay as his head coach. That’s a nice development start for a young NFL quarterback. This scenario could unfold, too, after one pundit picked Sanders for the Rams in a recent mock draft.

Meanwhile if he went to the Giants, Sanders would be sitting behind Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston — two polarizing quarterbacks themselves — but could be thrust into a starting role at any minute. Plus, the Giants coaching staff led by Brian Daboll is on thin ice and could easily be replaced in a year. That would likely negatively affect Sanders’ development with having to potentially learn a brand new offense with a new coaching staff in his second season.”

WR Guru Names Perfect Los Angeles Rams Fit For 2025 NFL Draft (lafbnetwork)

“Yahoo Sports’ Matt Harmon suggests that Texas’ Matthew Golden would be an excellent fit for the Rams’ offensive scheme. Harmon highlights Golden’s proficiency in running in-breaking routes and his vertical playmaking ability as valuable assets.

“When I watch Matthew Golden, this guy should be an L.A. Ram,” Harmon stated. “I know he probably won’t be because they signed Davante Adams … I think really well in like the routes they ask of their complimentary receivers.”

Golden’s potential availability at the 26th pick adds to his appeal. However, ESPN’s projections indicate only a 30% chance of him falling to that pick, suggesting that other teams with greater receiver needs might select him earlier.”

Random Ramsdom Fandom: Rams Sleeper Picks: Chimere Dike (By samthelost on Apr 4, 2025)

“There are a lot of names flying around during draft season, and it is practically impossible to watch all of them. We’re going to be sat watching those picks rolling in and by Round 5 teams will be picking guys where everyone asks who the hell is that?

Chimere Dike is probably going to be one of those guys. While the Wide Receiver class lacks true talent at the top end, there is a wide and deep pool of players at the position in that middle section (the body) and teams can really pick their poison on day two and three and could still fill out a decent WR room. You could easily justify two or three picks at WR because the players that you are actually picking have such diverse skillsets.

But for this I was planning to do a few posts on players that have slipped down boards (or never risen up them) because of the sheer number of prospects at the position. For me a sleeper, or value pick, is a player that you have graded at least two rounds higher than his current consensus position. So a 2nd round player you can get in the 4th, 4th round player in the 6th, 1st round player you can get as an UDFA etc.

Measurables

Height – 6’1”

Weight – 196lbs

Arms – 32 1/8

Hands – 9 1/8

Span – 76”

Testing

Forty – 4.34

10 Split – 1.51

3 Cone – 6.82

Shuttle – 4.27

Vertical – 38.5

Broad – 128

Stats

2024 – 42 receptions, 782 yards, 2 TDs – 44 long

2023 – 19 receptions, 328 yards, 1 TD – 41 long

2022 – 47 receptions, 689 yards, 6 TDs – 74 long

2021 – 19 receptions, 272 yards, 1 TD – 36 long

2020 – 12 receptions, 189 yards, 1 TD – 49 long

Transferred to Florida from Wisconsin in 2024 following his QB Graham Mertz. Grew up in Wisconsin and turned down an offer from Iowa State to play for the Badgers.

Pros

– Smooth route running, shows flashes coming out of breaks sharply. Especially evident on comeback/curl routes where he turns suddenly and sharply giving little away.

– Lethal on all manner of crossing routes

– Hands catcher and trusts the process of catching the ball.

– Different build but a great match for Cooper Kupp’s routes.

– Punt and Kick returner upside, solidifying a roster spot while improving. Also has experience at the position.

– Great feel against zone and a regular option for a Man beater routes.

Cons

– Slight build that creates a lot of limitation, but not bulked out so room to improve on it.

– Needs a solid technique to get off the line against press.

– Can struggle to maintain the ball through the catch with contact.

– Has speed but does not play as fast as he tests.

Breakdown

Dike has the potential to be a great route match for what the Rams are losing in Cooper Kupp. Although a player that requires physical and technical development he has a combination of skills and ability to read the game that give him a high upside alongside ability for spot contributions immediately

He tested well, with the exception of his shuttle drill, despite 4.34 speed at the combine he doesn’t play to that speed. Deadly on crossing routes, shallow or deep, Dike struggles against more physical corners and can get knocked off his timing at the snap because of a slight build.

Did a lot of work as the motion man for Florida and the Rams utilise a similar combination of motion and stacked receiver sets to create immediate separation for players. Dike would need that while he developed both his frame and technique to combat physical players, but could likely spot replace receivers higher up the depth chart.

I have a 4th round grade on Dike, but recently picked him in a mock draft on Mock Draft Database with the Rams pick 201 (and got a D grade for it). He is ranked 228 on their consensus big board, That’s value.”