The Rams biggest need?

[shower beers]

I voted for OL, and I'll tell you why. We don't have the depth needed for any future with our tackles. Sure Barron and Pace are still under contract, but Pace is certainly susceptible to injury, and Barron is certainly susceptible to his head falling completely off at any time. We need to start the wheels in motion for the future of arguably the most important position in football.

[Bar-bq]

So far I don't understand some ram fans ! They have voted 5 times for OT so far.

Here is why:

(1) The rams don't have a starting Center.

This is true, but starting OT's are far more valuable than starting C's. The entire OL needs to attain continuity, but it all starts with securing the outside.

(2) Only one SS on team.(T. Johnson was the backup last year)

Again, another important area. A defense can still be functional without a stud at Strong Safety. NFL teams are shifting more and more toward versatile safeties who can play the run and the pass well, and we're lucky to have one in Atogwe. Again, a great need, but not as great as ensuring that whoever your passer may be is protected for the next ten seasons.

(3) Witherspoon moving back to weakside LB. Who will be MLB.

Again, another legitimate area of need. We have many of them. It's probably why we're picking at number two overall. A lot of the problems we encountered last season on defense arose simply because they were on the field so much. When you cannot sustain drives your defense is ultimately and infinitely vulnerable, even if Jack Youngblood was starting.

(4) If Holt leaves (cut) Who at WR?

Apply the same logic to Pace.

(5) You Ram fans don't even know what Offence the Rams will be ruuning.(Power running Game or West Coast) Pace & Barron have one more year on there contract.

Typically, the offenses Spagnuolo has been associated with have been a combination of both. Teams built on power running and efficient passing. Neither of which can be sustained if you don't have quality starters at OT. Barron has proven to be nothing more than a mentally impaired band-aid and Pace could also be gone this season. Pace is constantly susceptible to injury, and we can't go into the season, as we did this year, with Adam Goldberg as the number three.

The offense fell this season on the knife of poor line play and injury. Ultimately, it cost them points and it put the defense under intense pressure.
To me, this is what qualifies OT as our greatest need, alongside the many other needs you've mentioned.

It doesn't matter who we sign and who we draft where, we are going to have to aim to come away this offseason with three to four future starters.

[Shan the Ram Man]

Thanks Ram Fans.

I guess I will have to switch my vote to OT. To many holes on a Rams team.TRADE DOWN just a little 5th - 10th I don't care if it's just for a extra second round pick. It will be a early 2nd round pick.
The Rams can go SS, WR, C, MLB, or OT again. Whatever they want.
The Rams will still get 1 of the top OT's if they trade down.

Defence Builds Championships ! !

[Shan the Ram Man]

I would love the Rams to pick a big run stuffing NT in draft. Move Carricker back to DE. The Rams need Defencesive line help at every position except DE C. Long's spot.
If Rams can find at least 2 starters out of undrafted free agents it could turn the franchise around. The rams new Brain trust should be ready for the undrafted free agents after the draft.

[diehard99]

Other than OT yould have to say the middle of both the Off. and Def. lines.
Run the ball between the tackles and stop the run with the tackles and middle linebacker.

[Shan the Ram Man]

diehard99
I like the way u think.
I don't think A. Mack will slip to rd2 but rather have him instead of Birk for one to two years.then go DT.

[#39 Fan]

I voted center, but it might as well be a flip of the coin between that and strong safety. I'm not sure we've got a starter at either spot. After that, I'd go for MLB because we do have someone who can fill the role, but it's an obvious point to target for upgrade (especially since the linebacker depth is so perilously thin).

My thinking as well. I voted SS, but almost went with C.

[Shan the Ram Man]

Some draft boards have Mack slipping and being picked before us in the 2nd.
I don't think he'll make it out of 1st round. If he was there in the 2nd round I hope Rams pull trigger.

[CanadianRamsFan]

Thanks Ram Fans.

I guess I will have to switch my vote to OT. To many holes on a Rams team.TRADE DOWN just a little 5th - 10th I don't care if it's just for a extra second round pick. It will be a early 2nd round pick.
The Rams can go SS, WR, C, MLB, or OT again. Whatever they want.
The Rams will still get 1 of the top OT's if they trade down.

Defence Builds Championships ! !

If it were that easy, the rams would surely do it. Truth is, it isn't. None of those teams really have a reason to actually trade with us. It is nice in theory, but in reality I can't see it happening.

[eldfan]

We can’t go wrong we need allot, I think our run D was just as bad or worse than the OL so addressing the MLB spot would not be a bad ideal.

[Aussie Dave]

how do i select 'all of the above' ?

[A-Web]

I think this issue will be better asked and answered in the following weeks, once the final parts of the team are thinned out, and all the releasing is done. We are looking at big gaps in most positions. SS is now in a hole, and WR, LT, C, MLB, OLB are all going to be needing makeovers pretty soon if the players go like it seems they will.

[diehard99]

If we end up with 9 draft picks Id go with 5 or six of those as OFF & DEF linemen.1 starting LOT, 1 developmental OT/OG mid to later rds.,1 starting NT, at least 1 DE sit. pass rusher and 1 UT type that can rush the passer. We could pick up Hangartner (C) from Panthers to start @ center. I feel these moves would upgrade our lines without breaking the bank. WE could also pick up a FA MLB, although more costly, might work out better for us. SS via the draft and FB and perhaps even a middle rds. WR.