Do we go with OT in this draft?

[RockinRam]

The question is:

Do we draft a OT in the early rounds in this draft?

We have a "potential" stud OT in Jason Smith. The question is, do we keep him at RT? Or move him to LT? If we keep him at RT because we find out he adjusted so well to that side, do we try to find a franchise LT in the draft? If so, who? Or, do we move Smith back to LT, and try to find an anchoring RT in the early rounds of this draft?


My answer would be:

If he plays the rest of this season very well at RT, there may not be any reason to switch him back to LT. If this is the scenario, I might consider grabbing Okung or Bruce Campbell. They're both solid, solid tackles, but personally I prefer Campbell, because he is the taller of the two, and I prefer taller tackles because wingspan and reach is very important for tackles. Okung isn't bad at 6-5, but Campbell at 6-7 is a major factor. Of course, we still have to see how the rest of the college football season plays out, but Baluga and Brown may also factor in and give Okung and Campbell some competition as the top tackle taken.

Sizes:
Okung: 6-5, 305lb. (I personally think that this is the minimum size a LT should be)
Campbell: 6-7, 310lbs. (Better size)
Baluga: 6-6, 315lbs.
Brown: 6-6 298lbs.

Although size isn't the only attribute to a good tackle, I think it comes into play hugely.

[Ramblin` Ram]

Re: Do we go with OT in this draft?

i think we would be better served getting play makers than yet more high picked OT`s..we have had decent production from our OT`s this year but because we lack playmakers we remain a poor team..i agree that it all starts upfront but i believe we arent so bad upfront now so we need to get players in other positions with high draft picks..
move Jason Smith to LT and go with either Greco at RT with Goldberg as back up..or move Greco inwards and draft a RT in the middle to late rounds..the success rate in finding a decent RT in those rounds is a lot higher than quality play makers.

[39thebeast]

Re: Do we go with OT in this draft?

over 100mil on tackles? I don't know about that. Devaney has already stated that Smith is the LT of the future. We could draft a Tackle, but it most likely wont be in a the first Round. I think we would go after a power blocking RT later

[BarronWade]

Re: Do we go with OT in this draft?

I say we let Jason Smith adjust to the position we drafted him for and that is LT.

Linehan screwed up Barron, carricker, and Chris long. Barron had the build for a great LT but wat did that idiot do put him at RT. Chris Long will probably do better on the left side but wat did that dumb A do he put him on the Right side. Carriker is a 3-4 DE but wat did that stupid guy do put him at 4-3 DT.

I think the Redskins are going to come in and overpay for Barron cuz they probably love his size and potential. I see him going to the Redskins for about 5 years 45+ mill. (those stupid redskins)

And as for do we take a OT in the early (top 3 rounds) rounds of the draft. I say only if we get value at the position we are in. I dont see us reaching for a tackle. If Anthony Davis is available in the top of the 2nd why not take him?

Also someone to look out for is San young of Notre Dame will he fall to the 3rd for us if he does no hesitation in taking him.

[AvengerRam_old]

Re: Do we go with OT in this draft?

Play Smith at LT and get a RT in Round 3 or 4.

[RebelYell]

Re: Do we go with OT in this draft?

Phil Trautwein.
Alex Barron still could return
John Grecco.

The Rams have options. 1st round isn't really possible. In the 4th round you can often get SOLID OTs. This year the Bucs got Xavier Fulton from Illinois (although injured) and he looked solid in preseason.

[txramsfan]

Re: Do we go with OT in this draft?

I want McCoy, but not the one most of you think. I want the DT from OU

[general counsel]

Re: Do we go with OT in this draft?

Tx, as you know, i have the utmost respect for your defensive talent analysis. Why do you think McCoy is a better choice than Kong Suh, the guy i was hoping for. I could be persuaded on this and i would love to hear you state the case for McCoy.

Ramming speed to all

general counsel

[txramsfan]

Re: Do we go with OT in this draft?

I just seen McCoy play, and i haven't seen Suh. I'm willing to take either to be honest, but I'm not one to say I want a player when I haven't seen him play yet. The bowls and the Senior games at the end of the year may be the only time I get a chance to see him.

[eldfan]

Re: Do we go with OT in this draft?

Play Smith at LT and get a RT in Round 3 or 4.

Yes agreed

[Nick]

Re: Do we go with OT in this draft?

The question is:

Do we draft a OT in the early rounds in this draft?

The answer is: No.*

*assuming by early rounds, you mean rounds 1 or 2.


The obvious caveat is that, if there is a tackle available who looks like a bookend right tackle in round two and is of such better value than the other players around him that you can't pass him up, maybe you take him.

But I think next year, the Rams move Smith to the position they envisioned him playing when they drafted him - left tackle. Then, they try to find a right tackle through other means. They have a few possible options on the team already (Goldberg, Greco, Bell, etc) whom they could test out at the position if they wanted to. They could also try to find a serviceable tackle in free agency, knowing that they probably wouldn't have to break the bank for a right tackle free agent. Or they could use a middle round pick on a potential tackle, maybe someone who could also shift inside to guard as well since versatility is a huge plus for NFL teams.

But no, ideally the Rams would not spend an early pick on the offensive tackle position. I certainly would not spend another first round pick (likely top five pick) on another offensive tackle.

[zgare]

We can't trade the first round pick because nobody else in the league wants to commit early pick monster dollars to a player that may not pan out. So maybe we should pick someone and then just not sign them. Or pick someone everyone agrees is a late first round pick but pre-agree to late first round money rather than early first round money. Or announce up front, we will pay X much for our pick, and take names of players that will agree to play for that amount before the draft. This would free up serious money for free agents and to retain existing good players -- if we had any.

Otherwise, I vote for Colt McCoy or Dez Bryant.

[Richbert88]

Re: Do we go with OT in this draft?

Highly unlikely!

I think the RT for next season is already a RAM.

RebelYell named Trautwien. I think this kid is made for RT. Additionally, Greco and Goldberg have some OT flexibility.

There was a reason the front office grabbed Trautwien back and put him on the 53 man roster. Me thinks they have a plan. And that plan won't be costing an arm and a leg.

Phil Trautwein
6-6 310#

Scouting Report <yahoo sports>

The Good: Has a good first step and gets set out of his stance very quickly. Understands angles well and has the foot speed and body control to get around blocks and seal lanes inside. Does a nice job getting his hands on defenders right off the snap and works well to gain initial leverage. A technician on the outside who possess smooth footwork and good re-direction skills in space.
The Bad: Isn’t a real explosive tackle and lacks the foot speed to handle speed rushers off the edge. A bit heavy legged at the second level and needs to prove he’s 100 percent after a foot injury ended his 2007 season.

And the guy was a pretty good wrestler. You know, good at moving other guys around.