QB
Rams outlook: Rams aren’t doing anything here. I wouldn’t even add a camp arm; Austin Davis can use all the reps he can get if he’s to be a legit QB2.
Sleeper: Colby Cameron, Louisiana Tech. Big arm and threw some of the prettiest deep balls at the Combine, perfect deep corners and go routes. Shrine Game exposed his decision-making, though.
Please avoid: Landry Jones, Oklahoma. Awful in the Senior Bowl. Scared of the pass rush, bailed out on every throw, poor accuracy, poor everything. What’s he going to do in front of a real pass rush?
Favorite name: Steele Jantz, Iowa State. Think I have a new name for the main character of that noir detective novel I’m going to write someday.
Rams outlook: Rams aren’t doing anything here. I wouldn’t even add a camp arm; Austin Davis can use all the reps he can get if he’s to be a legit QB2.
Sleeper: Colby Cameron, Louisiana Tech. Big arm and threw some of the prettiest deep balls at the Combine, perfect deep corners and go routes. Shrine Game exposed his decision-making, though.
Please avoid: Landry Jones, Oklahoma. Awful in the Senior Bowl. Scared of the pass rush, bailed out on every throw, poor accuracy, poor everything. What’s he going to do in front of a real pass rush?
Favorite name: Steele Jantz, Iowa State. Think I have a new name for the main character of that noir detective novel I’m going to write someday.
RB
Rams outlook: Steven Jackson’s move to Atlanta leaves a hole 10,000 yards wide in the Ram offense. Who’s getting the ball on 3rd-and-1 now? The most proven power back is Quizno’s sandwich artist Terrance Ganaway. Daryl Richardson flashed potential early in the season but disappeared after Thanksgiving, and 2nd-round pick Isaiah Pead’s season was just depressing; just ask him. Jeff Fisher is whistling past the graveyard if he thinks he’s got enough here for an NFL running game. The Rams at a minimum need to add a big back to give at least 15 carries a game.
Sleeper: LeVeon Bell, Michigan State. A 2nd-3rd round prospect’s not exactly a “sleeper,” but I have a feeling the Rams could go to him in the 3rd if they haven’t already taken a RB. Strong power runner with surprising agility and also a good receiver out of the backfield. A lot of Steven Jackson in his game.
Please avoid: Robbie Rouse, Fresno State. Too damn small. Not even 5’6”. He couldn’t get out of the backfield in the Senior Bowl, then barely ran his height (4.8 40) at the Combine.
Worst name: Christine Michael, Texas A&M. A young man with a woman’s first name (no, pronouncing it “Kristin” doesn’t help) and a first name for a last name.
Rams outlook: Steven Jackson’s move to Atlanta leaves a hole 10,000 yards wide in the Ram offense. Who’s getting the ball on 3rd-and-1 now? The most proven power back is Quizno’s sandwich artist Terrance Ganaway. Daryl Richardson flashed potential early in the season but disappeared after Thanksgiving, and 2nd-round pick Isaiah Pead’s season was just depressing; just ask him. Jeff Fisher is whistling past the graveyard if he thinks he’s got enough here for an NFL running game. The Rams at a minimum need to add a big back to give at least 15 carries a game.
Sleeper: LeVeon Bell, Michigan State. A 2nd-3rd round prospect’s not exactly a “sleeper,” but I have a feeling the Rams could go to him in the 3rd if they haven’t already taken a RB. Strong power runner with surprising agility and also a good receiver out of the backfield. A lot of Steven Jackson in his game.
Please avoid: Robbie Rouse, Fresno State. Too damn small. Not even 5’6”. He couldn’t get out of the backfield in the Senior Bowl, then barely ran his height (4.8 40) at the Combine.
Worst name: Christine Michael, Texas A&M. A young man with a woman’s first name (no, pronouncing it “Kristin” doesn’t help) and a first name for a last name.
WR
Rams outlook: The Rams’ need at WR continues to be high and dire with the free agency departure of Danny Amendola to New England. Besides the miracle of Brian Quick developing into a pro-quality WR, the Rams also need a slot receiver, an outside-the-numbers deep threat and depth, and somebody who can also return kicks would be nice.
Sleeper: Tavarres King, Georgia: runs 4.47, averaged 19 yards a catch against SEC DBs, looked unstoppable at times Senior Bowl week. Conner Vernon, Duke: Great hands, has everything you’d want from a slot receiver. Aaron Dobson, Marshall: big (6’2” 215) WR got off press coverage better than anyone at the Senior Bowl. Impressive moves and elusiveness, ran solid routes, can beat people deep.
Please avoid: Chris Harper, Kansas State: I’m still waiting for him to separate from anybody. Da’Rick Rogers, Tennessee Tech: multiple substance violations and didn’t show very good hands at the Combine.
Favorite name: Rodrick Rumble, Idaho State. And now I have the name for the gangster thug character of my noir detective novel. Or the first champion of my indy wrestling promotion.
Rams outlook: The Rams’ need at WR continues to be high and dire with the free agency departure of Danny Amendola to New England. Besides the miracle of Brian Quick developing into a pro-quality WR, the Rams also need a slot receiver, an outside-the-numbers deep threat and depth, and somebody who can also return kicks would be nice.
Sleeper: Tavarres King, Georgia: runs 4.47, averaged 19 yards a catch against SEC DBs, looked unstoppable at times Senior Bowl week. Conner Vernon, Duke: Great hands, has everything you’d want from a slot receiver. Aaron Dobson, Marshall: big (6’2” 215) WR got off press coverage better than anyone at the Senior Bowl. Impressive moves and elusiveness, ran solid routes, can beat people deep.
Please avoid: Chris Harper, Kansas State: I’m still waiting for him to separate from anybody. Da’Rick Rogers, Tennessee Tech: multiple substance violations and didn’t show very good hands at the Combine.
Favorite name: Rodrick Rumble, Idaho State. And now I have the name for the gangster thug character of my noir detective novel. Or the first champion of my indy wrestling promotion.
TE
Rams outlook: The Rams can stand on a pat hand here after signing Jared Cook. Lance Kendricks improved by leaps and bounds as a blocker last season and may yet blossom as a receiving threat as a 2nd option to Cook. There’s also nice blocking depth with Mike McNeill and Cory Harkey.
Sleeper: Luke Willson’s not even the #1 TE in this draft from Rice, but in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, he showed soft hands, strong route-running and catching fundamentals and the ability to get open at all three levels.
Please avoid: Marquies Gray, Minnesota: combo QB/WR trying to convert into TE for the pros. There aren’t enough failed TE projects littering the NFL, I suppose.
Favorite name: Zach Ertz (Stanford), Jake Stoneburner (Ohio St) and Kurt Hammerschmidt (Iowa State) all have awesome names for tight ends, even though I don’t know what kind of stone actually burns.
Rams outlook: The Rams can stand on a pat hand here after signing Jared Cook. Lance Kendricks improved by leaps and bounds as a blocker last season and may yet blossom as a receiving threat as a 2nd option to Cook. There’s also nice blocking depth with Mike McNeill and Cory Harkey.
Sleeper: Luke Willson’s not even the #1 TE in this draft from Rice, but in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, he showed soft hands, strong route-running and catching fundamentals and the ability to get open at all three levels.
Please avoid: Marquies Gray, Minnesota: combo QB/WR trying to convert into TE for the pros. There aren’t enough failed TE projects littering the NFL, I suppose.
Favorite name: Zach Ertz (Stanford), Jake Stoneburner (Ohio St) and Kurt Hammerschmidt (Iowa State) all have awesome names for tight ends, even though I don’t know what kind of stone actually burns.
OL
Rams outlook: The Rams look set at four starting positions and have at least three candidates for LG but depth wouldn’t be unwelcome. Rodger Saffold’s in his walk year and unhappy the Jake Long signing moved him to RT. Scott Wells was rarely healthy last season. Are Joe Barksdale and Tim Barnes ideal backup options at tackle and center? Can Rokevious Watkins, Shelley Smith or Chris Williams be a reliable NFL starter?
Sleeper: Hawkinson Tanner, Kansas. Lost the war to Devin Taylor at the Shrine Game but won some battles. Mauling run-blocker, uses his hands well in pass pro, can flatten people. I think he has the foundation to be good in the pros.
Please avoid: Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin: the way Ziggy Ansah destroyed him at the Senior Bowl, would you really want him lined up on Aldon Smith or Cliff Avril? Edmond Kugbila, Valdosta State: my Combine notes describe his kick-slide as “like a dog trying to run and pee on a hydrant at the same time.”
Favorite name: Mike Golic, Notre Dame. Someone PLEASE sign young Golic so ESPN’s “Mike and Mike” show talks about another team EVER besides the Jets.
Rams outlook: The Rams look set at four starting positions and have at least three candidates for LG but depth wouldn’t be unwelcome. Rodger Saffold’s in his walk year and unhappy the Jake Long signing moved him to RT. Scott Wells was rarely healthy last season. Are Joe Barksdale and Tim Barnes ideal backup options at tackle and center? Can Rokevious Watkins, Shelley Smith or Chris Williams be a reliable NFL starter?
Sleeper: Hawkinson Tanner, Kansas. Lost the war to Devin Taylor at the Shrine Game but won some battles. Mauling run-blocker, uses his hands well in pass pro, can flatten people. I think he has the foundation to be good in the pros.
Please avoid: Ricky Wagner, Wisconsin: the way Ziggy Ansah destroyed him at the Senior Bowl, would you really want him lined up on Aldon Smith or Cliff Avril? Edmond Kugbila, Valdosta State: my Combine notes describe his kick-slide as “like a dog trying to run and pee on a hydrant at the same time.”
Favorite name: Mike Golic, Notre Dame. Someone PLEASE sign young Golic so ESPN’s “Mike and Mike” show talks about another team EVER besides the Jets.
DL
Rams outlook: Defensive line is as set a unit as there is on the team. Chris Long, Robert Quinn and re-signed William Hayes should be one of the league’s most dangerous DE rotations. The Rams could always improve on Eugene Sims, but that’s not a high priority. They really only rotated 3 DTs last year and could use a 4th, though Matt Conrath does come off the IR to join Jermelle Cudjo as backup to Michael Brockers and Kendall Langford.
Sleeper: Devin Taylor, South Carolina. Huge (6’7” 266) DE dominated the Shrine Game with two sacks, two forced fumbles, several pressures and even outran a QB trying to bootleg on him. Only a 5th-6th rounder, huh? Poor man’s Ziggy Ansah; very poor man’s Michael Johnson.
Please avoid: Michael Buchanan, Illinois. Blocked a FG in the Senior Bowl but mostly spent his week in Mobile getting owned by Eric Fisher, Lane Johnson or Justin Pugh. Looked a step slow, looked like he was thinking too much, slow to make counter moves.
Favorite name: Darrington Sentimore, Tennessee. Now I have a name for the rich-guy antagonist of my noir detective novel.
Rams outlook: Defensive line is as set a unit as there is on the team. Chris Long, Robert Quinn and re-signed William Hayes should be one of the league’s most dangerous DE rotations. The Rams could always improve on Eugene Sims, but that’s not a high priority. They really only rotated 3 DTs last year and could use a 4th, though Matt Conrath does come off the IR to join Jermelle Cudjo as backup to Michael Brockers and Kendall Langford.
Sleeper: Devin Taylor, South Carolina. Huge (6’7” 266) DE dominated the Shrine Game with two sacks, two forced fumbles, several pressures and even outran a QB trying to bootleg on him. Only a 5th-6th rounder, huh? Poor man’s Ziggy Ansah; very poor man’s Michael Johnson.
Please avoid: Michael Buchanan, Illinois. Blocked a FG in the Senior Bowl but mostly spent his week in Mobile getting owned by Eric Fisher, Lane Johnson or Justin Pugh. Looked a step slow, looked like he was thinking too much, slow to make counter moves.
Favorite name: Darrington Sentimore, Tennessee. Now I have a name for the rich-guy antagonist of my noir detective novel.
LB
Rams outlook: The Rams’ struggle to get James Laurinaitis enough outside help continued last season. Jo-Lonn Dunbar filled one side very well, but the other side was a rotating mess again, with Mario Haggan, Rocky McIntosh and even Justin Cole all washing out. Plenty of opportunity again this year for a youngster to step into a starting role or add depth.
Sleeper: Travis Johnson, San Jose State. 3-4 OLB flashed in both big all-star games. Was excellent against Collin Klein and the read option, a good skill for an NFC West LB to have, in the Shrine Game.
Please avoid: Manti Te’o, Notre Dame. Let’s just leave it at that.
Worst name: Storm Klein, Ohio State. Seriously? This draft could have players named Christine, Star and Storm? Is this the NFL Draft or a strip joint? And yes, there is at least one player named Dallas.
Rams outlook: The Rams’ struggle to get James Laurinaitis enough outside help continued last season. Jo-Lonn Dunbar filled one side very well, but the other side was a rotating mess again, with Mario Haggan, Rocky McIntosh and even Justin Cole all washing out. Plenty of opportunity again this year for a youngster to step into a starting role or add depth.
Sleeper: Travis Johnson, San Jose State. 3-4 OLB flashed in both big all-star games. Was excellent against Collin Klein and the read option, a good skill for an NFC West LB to have, in the Shrine Game.
Please avoid: Manti Te’o, Notre Dame. Let’s just leave it at that.
Worst name: Storm Klein, Ohio State. Seriously? This draft could have players named Christine, Star and Storm? Is this the NFL Draft or a strip joint? And yes, there is at least one player named Dallas.
DB
Rams outlook: The Rams are very raw and very understaffed at safety, where free agency has left them with just Darian Stewart and two of last year’s rookies, Rodney McLeod and Matt Daniels, and Stewart and Daniels were out most or all of the season to boot. They have a need for an immediate starter and also depth. The corners look great talent-wise, but Trumaine Johnson’s recent off-field troubles and Janoris Jenkins’ (who has gone a full year without getting in trouble with the law) reputation for them would make an upgrade on Quinton Pointer at CB4 welcome.
Sleeper: Robert Alford, Louisiana Tech. The way Alford broke up short routes at the Senior Bowl, nearly returned a kick for a TD, ran 4.37 at the Combine, how is he only a 3rd-4th rounder? I’d consider him starting late in the 1st.
Please avoid: Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu, LSU. Do we really want this guy and Janoris Jenkins hanging around one another? And unlike Jenkins, who was able to transfer after getting kicked out at Florida, Mathieu didn’t even play in 2012, suspended at LSU for “substance abuse” and then getting multiple marijuana arrests after that. If Honey Badger don’t care, well, he better.
Favorite name: Bacarri Rambo. Sounds like he was born to be a Ram to me.
Rams outlook: The Rams are very raw and very understaffed at safety, where free agency has left them with just Darian Stewart and two of last year’s rookies, Rodney McLeod and Matt Daniels, and Stewart and Daniels were out most or all of the season to boot. They have a need for an immediate starter and also depth. The corners look great talent-wise, but Trumaine Johnson’s recent off-field troubles and Janoris Jenkins’ (who has gone a full year without getting in trouble with the law) reputation for them would make an upgrade on Quinton Pointer at CB4 welcome.
Sleeper: Robert Alford, Louisiana Tech. The way Alford broke up short routes at the Senior Bowl, nearly returned a kick for a TD, ran 4.37 at the Combine, how is he only a 3rd-4th rounder? I’d consider him starting late in the 1st.
Please avoid: Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu, LSU. Do we really want this guy and Janoris Jenkins hanging around one another? And unlike Jenkins, who was able to transfer after getting kicked out at Florida, Mathieu didn’t even play in 2012, suspended at LSU for “substance abuse” and then getting multiple marijuana arrests after that. If Honey Badger don’t care, well, he better.
Favorite name: Bacarri Rambo. Sounds like he was born to be a Ram to me.
ST
Rams outlook: With Amendola gone, the Rams have even less at the return positions than ever. Jenkins would be a lock to return punts if you can trust his ball security. The Rams’ big rookie legs from last season shouldn’t have any trouble keeping their jobs, but Johnny Hekker needs to quit shanking punts, and I honestly don’t think he’s ever going to. I’d bring in competition despite his very strong leg.
Sleeper: Marquise Goodwin, Texas. Another excuse for me to bang the table for Goodwin. He’s got a little kick return experience, had one TD runback for the Longhorns, and with 4.27 speed, you have to figure the 2012 Olympic long jumper would be kind of hard to catch.
Please avoid: NEVER DRAFT A KICKER. Greg Zuerlein’s successes last year don’t change RamView’s philosophy. After all, Legatron was only the third-best rookie kicker in ’12. And sure, rookie Pro Bowl kicker Blair Walsh was also drafted, but Justin Tucker of the Ravens is also better (ask the Broncos), and he was an undrafted free agent.
Favorite name: South Dakota punter Cole Zwiefelhofer, who’s not even the last punter alphabetically in this year’s draft! He can thank Stanford punter Dan Zychlinski for that.
Rams outlook: With Amendola gone, the Rams have even less at the return positions than ever. Jenkins would be a lock to return punts if you can trust his ball security. The Rams’ big rookie legs from last season shouldn’t have any trouble keeping their jobs, but Johnny Hekker needs to quit shanking punts, and I honestly don’t think he’s ever going to. I’d bring in competition despite his very strong leg.
Sleeper: Marquise Goodwin, Texas. Another excuse for me to bang the table for Goodwin. He’s got a little kick return experience, had one TD runback for the Longhorns, and with 4.27 speed, you have to figure the 2012 Olympic long jumper would be kind of hard to catch.
Please avoid: NEVER DRAFT A KICKER. Greg Zuerlein’s successes last year don’t change RamView’s philosophy. After all, Legatron was only the third-best rookie kicker in ’12. And sure, rookie Pro Bowl kicker Blair Walsh was also drafted, but Justin Tucker of the Ravens is also better (ask the Broncos), and he was an undrafted free agent.
Favorite name: South Dakota punter Cole Zwiefelhofer, who’s not even the last punter alphabetically in this year’s draft! He can thank Stanford punter Dan Zychlinski for that.
And that will do it for RamView’s
2013 draft preview. Let’s get the Chiefs on the clock already!
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