Are Rams an early sleeper team at quarterback and other draft storylines
The NFL Draft takes place on Thursday and for the Los Angeles Rams, this is certainly an interesting one. They go from being a team in a competitive rebuild to needing to supplement a competitive roster. After the success from the last two draft classes, there will be a lot of expectations on Les Snead and Sean McVay to once again come out with a successful haul. Here are the top Rams storylines heading into the draft.
1. Are Rams an Early Sleeper Team at Quarterback?
There has been a lot of buzz on the Rams potentially being a team that could draft a quarterback. I’m not sure it’s a question of if the Rams take a quarterback, but when. It’s become pretty clear that the Rams don’t see Stetson Bennett as the long-term backup. If that were the case, they likely don’t re-sign Jimmy Garoppolo with Bennett heading into year three.
The question here is would the Rams take a Jalen Milroe or Jaxson Dart at 26 or early in the second round? Either Dart or Milroe would be the presumed heir to Matthew Stafford in that case. If the Rams pass on those options, do they bring in a Kyle McCord, Tyler Shough, or Will Howard? Those players are likely in the long-term backup plan that the Rams initially had for Bennett. It could all be a smokescreen as the Rams try to call a team’s bluff on a quarterback in order to trade back. However, it is something to watch on draft night.
2. Is This the Draft to Find an Heir to Rob Havenstein?
At some point the Rams need to find an heir to Rob Havenstein. The long-time right tackle is going into the final year of his deal and he isn’t getting any younger. Havenstein will have a spot as long as he continues to play. The Rams will figure it out contractually, but it’s also important to have a plan in place. However, at the same time, this may not be the draft to take a tackle on day two or three of the draft. Said NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah last week,
“In terms of positions that you probably don’t want to wait on, if you are dead set on getting an offensive tackle and you want to get your long-term left tackle, you’re going to want to do that with your first pick. I just don’t love the possibilities of you seeing someone that’s going to be an upgrade over what you have once you get into the second round of this particular draft.”
The player that the Rams draft will have the benefit of sitting behind Havenstein and acting as a swing tackle in year one. Still, outside of the first round, this isn’t a particularly strong class at tackle. In that case, could tackle be a position that the Rams draft in the first round? It’s not something that can be ruled out.
3. How Will Rams Prioritize Explosiveness on Offense?
Last season, the Rams offense lacked the typical explosiveness that many have grown used to under Sean McVay. While some of that is due to defenses putting a metaphorical umbrella over the top, part of it was also lacking explosive playmakers. Kyren Williams was one of the least-explosive running backs in the NFL. Additionally, Cooper Kupp seemed to lose a step. Without Tyler Higbee, the Rams lacked the explosiveness from the tight end position.
Adding more versatility to the offense seemed to be an offseason priority for McVay this offseason. They made a good start in free agency by bringing in Davante Adams. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to add an explosive player or two in the draft. Does this mean taking a wide receiver or running back early? Would the Rams take Jalen Milroe who adds some explosiveness with his legs as a runner? This is something that the Rams need to prioritize in the draft, but it remains a question on how they do it.
4. When Will the Rams Address Linebacker?
If there is one hill that I die on every single year, it is that the Rams do not value the linebacker position. Therefore, while we can try to will Les Snead into taking a linebacker like Jihaad Campbell, it is very likely that even if the Alabama linebacker were available at 26, the Rams would not take him. This is simply not a team that values the position. They haven’t drafted a linebacker inside the top-100 since Sean McVay has been the head coach and they brought back Troy Reeder while signing Nate Landman.
This isn’t to say that the Rams won’t or shouldn’t draft a linebacker. The big question here is when they do it. Do they wait until the final day of the draft and take one in the sixth round or will they prioritize the position in the third or fourth round? Not many would be surprised in either scenario.
5. Does Nate Scheelhaase Re-Unite With Iowa State Wide Receivers?
One of the biggest storylines throughout the draft process has been passing game coordinator Nate Sheelhaase’s connection to wide receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins. Noel and Higgins both played at Iowa State where Scheelhaase was previously the offensive coordinator.
It’s not just that there is a connection here, but also that Noel and Higgins each play like a Rams wide receiver. Both players run crisp routes and are alignment versatile. They may be projected more as slot receivers, but being able to play all three wide receiver positions is something that Higgins especially values. Both players also give a lot of effort in the run game as blockers. If the Rams do take a wide receiver on day two, it would not be surprising if Higgins’ or Noel’s name was on the draft card.
6. What is the Vision in the Secondary?
At some point, it feels like the Rams have to give some attention to the secondary. Ahkello Witherspoon was brought back on a one-year deal, but this is a group that ranked among the worst units last season. The Rams took a chance on Emmanuel Forbes, but that also can’t be where the team puts all of their eggs.
In the secondary, Quentin Lake is on the final year of his rookie deal and Kam Curl’s contract expires at the end of the season. At some point, the Rams are going to need a safety. The defensive backs have been a group in which the Rams have gotten away with band-aids over the last few years. When will they look to find a more permanent solution?
7. Will Rams Trade Back From Pick 26?
Trading back from the 26th overall pick seems like it would be the best move at this point for the Rams. The value from 26 to over 46 is not that steep of a drop-off and it would allow the Rams to pick up more selections in the third-or-fourth round range which is the value spot of this draft class.
In that same breath, the Rams need to ensure that they aren’t trading down too far. They need to keep that first pick inside the top-50. There are also some questions on whether or not a team would be willing to move up into the back-half of the first round. The Rams certainly won’t be the only team looking to move back.
