Joe T.’s Rams Mock Draft-part 2.
By Joe Torosian
If the Rams had a weak spot on defense last season, it was at inside linebacker. They, Kenny Young, Micah Kiser, Troy Reeder, were all reasonably poor in coverage. This opened up the middle of the field and taxed the unit.
In last week’s draft, I went with Ohio State linebacker Justin Hilliard in the second round (57th overall). This week Hilliard went 60th, and I took LSU’s Jabril Cox at 57, who is supposed to be even better in coverage.
We know Josh Reynolds is walking (and the Rams should walk away from Reynolds). The expectation is that Van Jefferson will replace him as the third receiver. Great, but if Robert Woods is dealt because of the team’s salary cap issues, the Rams will need another receiver.
Last week I took D’wayne Eskridge (Western Michigan) at 140 overall. However, working from the thought that Woods may be moved, I snagged USC’s Amon-Ra St. Brown at 101. St. Brown could be a big hit or big miss. If he’s a big hit, I need to be hired by the Rams front office. If he’s a whiff…So what? He’s pick number 101. (Eskridge went at 186 to Tampa this week.)
Because I’m a long-time Rams fan, I believe in the offensive line. So I took Georgia’s Ben Cleveland, guard, and Penn State’s Michael Menet, center, at 103 and 210. The cost of upgrading from Austin Blythe at center will be too expensive. I’m thinking the Rams re-sign Blythe and bring Menet in as a potential replacement down the road.
(Drafting with no consequences is like speeding with no highway patrol around. I love it.)
At 140, I reached for another linebacker, Baron Browning, Ohio State.
While many believe in The Wolf, John Wolford, I’m not a hundred percent sold on him long term. And Notre Dame’s Ian Book was just hanging there at 251, so I grabbed him. If Stafford goes down, it’ll be The Wolf who fills in. If Stafford retires after consecutive Super Bowls…The Rams might take this Book off the shelf.
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I didn’t draft an edge defender because the NFL market is saturated, and there’s not enough money to go around. So there are some deals to be had. And the Rams have Edge prospects already in the house: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Justin Hollins, and Terrell Lewis.
You like Samson Ebukam? So do I, but he’s gone (free agent).
Last week I drafted Georgia tight end Tre’ McKitty at 251 and got a B+ grade for it. We all know Gerald Everett should be walking, and the team has already paid Tyler Higbee. In the 4th round last year (136), the Rams took Brycen Hopkins out of Purdue. He’s going to get the shot to replace Everett. Johnny Mundt will stick around to take out the trash and mow the lawn.
The place where there Rams are deepest is at safety, which means John Johnson III’s days are numbered. It all boils down to finding the money. Without a higher than expected salary cap put in place by the league, four—maybe five—contracts restructured, and a major cost-cutting trade (Michael Brockers and/or Woods), there’s going to be some pain.
I’d be more apt to deal Cooper Kupp than Woods, but teams are calling about Woods…So it sort of tells you many in the league feel like they’ve already seen the best of Kupp and his suspect knee.
Isn’t this fun? Love talking football…hate talking about Johnson leaving the Rams…Excited about this team, coach, GM, and owner.
Not since the first year of John Robinson (1983) has there been this new birth of freedom in Ramsland…Where all things are possible, and leadership is dependable and wise.
Joe T. is the author of “Tangent Dreams: A High School Football Novel” … “Temple City & The Company of The Ages” … “The Dead Bug Tales” … “The Dark Norm” & “FaithViews for Storm Riders”…all five available through Amazon.com.
www.JoeTorosian.com
jtbank1964@yahoo.com
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Be sure to read:
The Saxon Top 25—Every Monday (College Bball)
The Urena Express—Every Wednesday (MLB)
