From The RamCave: 3/11/22

By Joe Torosian

Ram Flak:
No, I don’t want Rodger Saffold back.

No, I don’t want Rob Gronkowski.

If so, they both have to work for the minimum.

Bobby Wagner… I’d pay a little bit more.

Corey Littleton… He’ll be 29 next season. He’s been healthy but lost in the Las Vegas chaos. If the price is right—maybe. He graded out at 62 of 87 on PFF. (Troy Reeder was 74th).

Off The Top:
I don’t pay much attention to the Chargers, primarily because I don’t have to. They’re the Chargers.

They have a cheap owner and, seemingly, a decades-long curse hanging over them. When I saw they re-signed Mike Williams at three for 60, I thought, okay.

But to make a move for Khalil Mack just a day after the Broncos acquired Russell Wilson was the most proactive thing I’ve ever seen.

(Other than moving to LA and forcing their way into the SoFi deal.)

Of course, the move was likely already in process, but its optics impressed me–like a chess move. Wilson to Denver, countered by Mack to the Chargers. A second and a sixth for Mack and 63-Rocks in contract. Brilliant.

It gives this weird impression that the Chargers are here to play.

Hello Mr. Wilson!
Tom Brady goes to Tampa Bay, and they win a title.

Matthew Stafford goes to the Rams, and they win a title.

Is there any pressure on Wilson?

When the Rams made the deal for Stafford, the minimum expectation was the NFC title game. But a loss to Brady or Zen Rodgers in Lambeau in the conference finals would have been understood.

A loss to the 49ers in the NFC title game at home would have been a meltdown. So the expectation became Super Bowl or bust.

What’s expected of Wilson? The Broncos are a young team, and their window is open, but Wilson will be 34 when the season starts. Given the state of the AFC West and the talent at quarterback in the AFC, a Super Bowl may be a lot to ask.

Kaep Hit:
In a feeble attempt to stay relevant in a world that keeps moving on, Colin Kaepernick is working out and wants another shot in the NFL.

This recent workout is all about remaining relevant so he can cry foul when he’s not signed. And an Orwellian KBM (Kiss Butt Media) will continue to be his Praetorian Guard.

How do The Rams Keep Their Edge?
Let’s just say all goes right with the world, and Von Miller re-signs. He’s going to be 33 next season. Leonard Floyd is going to be 30.

Ogbo Okoronkwo will be gone via free agency. And thank you for the compensatory pick.

This leaves Justin Hollins, 26, and Terrell Lewis, 24, as the “young guys” at the position.

My lingering 20th Century issue is not a “Get Off My Lawn” mentality, but the belief that an athlete after 31 begins to decline. Except for running backs, that just isn’t the case anymore.

So the window is now, but it also tells us that the Rams could go from the penthouse to the outhouse at the Edge position in two years.

The team’s invested in Hollins. He needs to break out this coming season, but that will be tough to do behind Miller and Floyd.

The Rans like Lewis, but, like in college, the dude can’t stay healthy.

Tangent Dreams & Temple City & The Company of The Ages are available at Amazon. (Clic pic)

In the 2021 draft, the Rams spent a fifth-round pick on Earnest Brown IV and a seventh-round pick on Chris Garrett. Neither played a down last season.

Looking at the Mack trade as an example, Edge players have become the defensive equivalent of the quarterback. In terms of being a must-have. And unlike one quarterback on offense, two Edge rushers are required for a title run.

This means they will get more and more expensive.

The latest mock draft projects six edge-rushers going in the first round: Aiden Hutchinson (Michigan), Kavon Thibodeaux (Oregon), George Karlaftis (Purdue), Travon Walker (Georgia), David Ojabo (Michigan), Jermaine Johnson II (Florida St.).

These names (and projected rounds) have surfaced during various mock drafts since the Super Bowl and post-combine. Names that fit the Rams draft budget of eight picks–all outside the top 100.

These are names (and projected rounds) that have surfaced during various mock drafts since the Super Bowl and post-combine at Edge.

Nick Bonitto, Oklahoma—3rd.
Dominique Robinson, Miami (Ohio)—4th
Jeffrey Gunter, Coastal Carolina—5th
Michael Clemons, Texas A&M—6th
Christopher Allen, Alabama—6th

Mock Draft Compilation of Names: (Updated)

3rd.	4th	5th	6th	7th
Memphis,C, Dylan Parham	Miami-Ohio, Edge, Dominique Robinson	Missouri, RB, Tyler Badie	Indiana, LB, Micah McFadden	Tulsa, WR, Josh Johnson
So. Utah, LT, Braxton Jones	Cincinnati, CB, Coby Bryant	Coastal Carolina, Edge, Jeffrey Gunter	Memphis,C, Dylan Parham	Ohio St., CB-S, Sevyn Banks
Washington, G-T, Jaxon Kirkland	Nebraska, C, Cameron Jurgens	North Dakota, LT, Matt Waletzko	Texas A&M, Edge, Michael Clemons	USC, CB, Isaac Taylor-Stuart
ASU, LT, Kellen Diesch	Louisiana, G, Max Mitchell	Josh Ross, LB, Michigan	Michigan, G-T, Andrew Stueber	Iowa St., QB, Brock Purdy
Georgia, G-T, Jamaree Salyer	Alabama, OLB, Christopher Allen	Cade Mays, G, Tennessee	Notre Dame, C, Jarrett Patterson	App State, LB, D’Marco Jackson
Chattanooga, G, Cole Strange	ASU, LT, Kellen Diesch		Alabama, RB, Brian Robinson	Missouri, CB, Allie Green IV
Oklahoma, Edge, Nick Bonitto	Brandon Smith, LB, Penn St.		Alabama, Edge Christopher Allen	Rutgers, KR/WR Bo Melton
Ed Ingram, G, LSU			Duke, CB/RET, Josh Blackwell	Florida, NT Tyrone Truesdale
North Dakota, LT, Matt Waletzko			Coastal Carolina WR, Jaivon Heiligh	Miami-Ohio, S, Sterling Weatherford
			ASU, CB, Jack Jones	Rutgers, DT Ifeanyi Maijeh
			Oregon, S, Verone McKinley III	Jermaine Waller, CB, Virginia Tech
			BYU, C, James Empey	Charleston Rambo, WR, Miami
			Pittsburgh, CB, Damarri Mathis	Zakoby McClain, LB, Auburn
			Alabama, DT, LaBryan Ray	Samori Toure, WR, Nebraska
			Rutgers, RB, Isaih Pacheco
			Damarion Williams, CB, Houston
			Luke Fortner, C, Kentucky
			Coastal Carolina, Edge, Jeffrey Gunter
			Big Kat Bryant, Edge, UCF
			Leon O’Neal Jr., S, Texas A&M
			Christopher Hinton, DL Michigan