I guess we'll see how this strategy plays out.

“I mean, we’ve got 11 guys who’ve played games that we won,” Snead said. “That’s probably as deep a group that’s played as I’ve ever been a part of. So, give those guys credit and they’ve done a heck of a job. As Sean said, that unfortunate at times that we’ve had a lot of guys get a chance to play and they’ve grown together and they’re jelling together and like Sean said, in the draft, there’s times you’re looking at OL, maybe if you’re 15 spots away, but someone takes one. So, that’s just how the draft goes. But we did know this going into this draft, right? If we did take an OL, it would really be, I would say maybe a redshirt year. It’d be hard for an offensive lineman to be one of our eight (game day OL) no matter how good you were coming into this group.”

‘F–k them’: Marcus Peters still extremely bitter at Rams over trade


By Jeremy Layton

May 5, 2021 | 12:05pm | Updated

It’s been a year and a half since the Rams traded cornerback Marcus Peters to the Ravens, replacing him with Jalen Ramsey in another deal hours later. But Peters has not forgotten, and made that clear on an episode of “Catching Fades” with Aqib Talib.

“F–k them, that’s how I was feeling and I’m still feeling like that,” Peters said.

“I felt disrespected in the sense of, yeah, y’all can trade me, that’s a part of the business. But two minutes after that you bring in another guy who do the same s–t I do, maybe a little bit different. If we play this compare game, I do a little bit more.”

The Rams had to pay a premium to “upgrade” from Peters to Ramsey, sending two first-round picks to Jacksonville in return. And to Peters’ credit, he was more effective than Ramsey was for the remainder of that season. Peters had three interceptions in Baltimore in 2019, two of them pick-sixes, and a 63.4 passer rating against. Ramsey had one interception and an 87.5 passer rating against.

Ramsey was named first-team All-Pro in 2020, his second season in Los Angeles, and helped anchor the top defense in the NFL. Still, Peters recounted to Talib – his teammate on that Rams team who was also traded midseason – that he didn’t feel GM Les Snead and company went about things the right way.

“I don’t think that we were the issue that was holding the Rams back from taking the steps of where we needed to get to,” Peters said....

Los Angeles Rams draft grades: Mostly thumbs-up

ERIC D. WILLIAMS MAY 2, 2021

The Los Angeles Rams received mostly solid reviews from the work they did on this year’s draft class nationally.

Draft analysts praised Rams GM Les Snead for taking value picks and adding players with upside.

However, Pro Football Focus took the Rams to task for adding players with potential based on size and speed that had not necessarily shown they can execute and produce at the next level based on how they performed in college.

Here’s a roundup of evaluations on L.A.’s draft class.

Connor Orr of Sports Illustrated hands out a solid B grade for the Rams, which you can find here. Orr: “Tutu Atwell was a fascinating way to kick the draft off. Like Devonta Smith, a lot of people are making a big deal out of the weight (155 lbs) but he could be a difference maker behind the line of scrimmage. Their best pick, though, may have been securing the likes of Ernest Jones, who can finally help bring some stability to the middle of their defense. Losing Brandon Staley is a massive hit for the Rams, but bringing in an off-ball linebacker who can cover and play tough against the run is a good way to start the rebuilding process.”

Draft analyst Chad Reuter of NFL.com was even more impressed, handing out an A grade for the Rams. Click here. Reuter: “While I’m usually not a big fan of parting with multiple first-round picks for a non-quarterback, cornerback Jalen Ramsey is an exception to the rule as one of the top defenders in the NFL. His presence is one reason the Rams have one of the top defenses in the league, so allowing the Jaguars to pick at No. 25 (and in the fourth round, as well) this year was a worthwhile deal. Atwell’s an explosive player whose extremely small frame (5-9, 155) is a bit worrisome. GM Les Snead traded one of the Rams' two third-round picks for two fourths, which made sense, given the team’s lack of overall draft capital. Using their third-round comp pick on Jones addressed a big need on defense.

“The Rams picked two defensive lineman with the last name Brown (Bobby in the third, Ernest in the fifth) to help replace Michael Brockers (traded to the Lions). Rochell was expected to go in the fourth round, and the Rams needed depth at the position; that’s a good marriage of need and value. Harris won over teams at his pro day and projects as a stand-up receiving tight end. Garrett is an edge rusher prospect who will bring it hard in training camp.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper gave the Rams a B-plus here. Kiper: “Ernest Jones (103) will compete to start at middle linebacker. I thought he could have snuck into the second round, so the Rams got value. Bobby Brown (117) will get snaps at nose tackle. Robert Rochell (130) went under the radar because he played at Central Arkansas, but he had five picks in 2019. Jacob Harris (141) is a 6-foot-5 receiver who hasn't...