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Before Christmas, I completed my first first-round mock of this draft season. I speculated that I might be able to do a Rams-only mock that corresponds, but just haven't had the time recently to sit down and do it...
...UNTIL NOW!!!!! :ram:
CURRENT ROSTER – RESIGN
-FS OJ Atogwe: He’ll be a restricted free agent in an uncapped year, so tender him a high offer and keep him around while trying to work out a long-term deal.
-NT Clifton Ryan: Ryan will likely be either a restricted or exclusive rights free agent without a cap, so the Rams should be able to retain him fairly easily. He’s emerged as a solid starter on the line.
-DT Gary Gibson: Gibson showed some flashes before he was injured, and it certainly couldn’t hurt to resign him to a minimum deal to see if he can win a job in camp.
-OL Mark Setterstrom: Mark is considered to be one of our better young lineman, but just can’t manage to stay healthy. Still, he provides some nice depth and should be retained as a RFA.
-LS Chris Massey: An effective long snapper, there’s really no reason not to bring Massey back, nor any reason to think it can’t be done for cheap.
-DE Leonard Little: Little may not even want to play in 2010, but if he can be brought back for relatively cheap as a situational pass rusher, the Rams would benefit.
CURRENT ROSTER – CUT/UNSIGNED
-OT Alex Barron: Barron looks to be a restricted free agent in an uncapped year, but I think the Rams send a better message by letting him hit the market.
-TE Randy McMichael: A cause for optimism when Scott Linehan lured McMichael away from Miami, the tight end hasn’t really done much and was a big disappointment in 2009.
-QB Kyle Boller: The experiment did not work out. Boller doesn’t really have much in the tank right now, certainly not enough to be relied upon as an efficient back-up passer.
-CB Jonathan Wade: A former third round pick, Wade hasn’t made much of an impact for the Rams and barely played after the bye despite being a starter in September.
FREE AGENCY ADDITIONS
-LB Derrick Johnson (Chiefs): Johnson is upset about his back-up role in Kansas City, and rightfully so. Though he’s a restricted free agent, he may be allowed to walk if Todd Haley doesn’t value him. He could very well become a starter at OLB for the Rams.
-RB Jerious Norwood (Falcons): Norwood will be a popular item on many offseason wishlists for many teams as he’s a very nice change of pace ‘back. The Falcons may be willing to part with Norwood even though he’s a restricted free agent because of the emergence of Jason Snelling.
-DE Mark Anderson (Bears): Anderson is another restricted free agent, but Chicago traded for Gaines Adams and drafted Jarron Gilbert in the third round last year, so the unit may be too crowded for Anderson. If he’s available, the Rams may take a flier and hope he can resemble the form he showed in 2006.
-TE Benjamin Watson (Patriots): Watson is scheduled to hit the free agent market this offseason, and is a solid tight end who can be used in a variety of roles. A former first round pick, he’s had some success in the passing game in New England and would likely remain a starter in St. Louis.
NFL DRAFT
ROUND ONE: NDAMUKONG SUH, DT, NEBRASKA
-With the first pick in the draft, it’s only natural to select the best player, right? The Rams could certainly use a quarterback of the future, but I’m simply not convinced that there’s a candidate worthy of this pick, especially with Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh on the board. It’s hard to imagine Suh not being an absolute force of nature in a Steve Spagnuolo defense.
ROUND TWO: ARRELIOUS BENN, WR, ILLINOIS
-The Rams have some youth and potential at receiver already, but even when this entire unit is healthy, I’m not sure I’ve seen enough of them to feel as if there’s a true #1 receiver on this roster. Benn didn’t have the kind of junior season many expected, but I think the pro potential is evident and he’d be one of the better values on the board if he’s there in the second round.
ROUND THREE: SEAN CANFIELD, QB, OREGON STATE
-Many Rams fans would probably want to see a quarterback selected prior to the third round, but I think you have to stay true to your board and not get tunnel vision on one position in a certain round. At the top of the third round, I think a strong southpaw passer like Sean Canfield would be great value and could become an effective quarterback with some grooming.
ROUND FOUR: KYLE CALLOWAY, OT, IOWA
-Jason Smith is this team’s franchise tackle, but Alex Barron has essentially played his way out of town. Another starting tackle is needed, so the Rams dip into the Iowa pipeline of offensive linemen for Calloway.
ROUND FIVE: PERRY RILEY, LB, LSU
-The Rams can’t expect significant improvements on defense if they have to rely on Paris Lenon and David Vorbora as starters again in 2010. Normally I wouldn’t think a fifth round pick has much chance at starting, but on this team, Riley would have as good a chance as anyone.
ROUND FIVE (f/PHI): LINDSEY WITTEN, DE, CONNECTICUT
-Adding Suh in the first round should help make everyone better on the defensive line. Unfortunately, Chris Long is really this team’s only legitimate defensive end. Witten had a very productive senior season and could help the Rams out situationally as he continues to develop.
ROUND SIX: ANDRE ANDERSON, RB, TULANE
-If Steven Jackson is going to hold up long-term, the Rams need to find some help in the backfield. I anticipate they’ll try someone from the free agent market as well, but Andre Anderson was productive as both a runner and receiver at Tulane and would be nice value here.
ROUND SEVEN: MIKE CAUSSIN, TE, JAMES MADISON
-Not much to expect out of a seventh rounder, but if Caussin’s 6’5” height holds up, he’s worth a look. He could probably add on some weight and at least compete in a weak group of tight ends that will likely lose Randy McMichael.
PROJECTED 2010 CAMP/PRE-SEASON DEPTH CHART
Starters in bold
QB: Marc Bulger / Sean Canfield / Keith Null
RB: Steven Jackson / Jerious Norwood / Chris Ogbonnaya / Andre Anderson
FB: Mike Karney
WR: Laurent Robinson / Brandon Gibson / Donnie Avery / Arrelious Benn / Brooks Foster
TE: Benjamin Watson / Daniel Fells / Mike Caussin
OT: Jason Smith / John Greco / Kyle Calloway / Phil Trautwein
OG: Jacob Bell / Adam Goldberg / Roger Allen
C: Jason Brown / Mark Setterstrom
DE: Chris Long / Mark Anderson / Leonard Little / Lindsey Witten / C.J. Ah You
DT: Ndamukong Suh / Clifton Ryan / Darell Scott / Gary Gibson / Adam Carriker
OLB: Derrick Johnson / Perry Riley / David Vobora / Larry Grant
MLB: James Laurinaitis
CB: Ron Bartell / Bradley Fletcher / Quincy Butler / Justin King
FS: O.J. Atogwe / Craig Dahl
SS: James Butler
K: Josh Brown
P: Donnie Jones
LS: Chris Massey
RET: Danny Amendola
Notes
-I think, provided Bulger is up for returning, he'd be a fine stop-gap until Canfield would be ready to take the reigns. It's one less hole the Rams would have to worry about addressing in a weak free agent market.
-Despite being drafted in the second round, it would be hard to put Benn higher than fourth on a camp/pre-season depth chart. That said, I would hope it wouldn't take him long to rise up that list and earn more time and opportunities.
-I'd like to see what Greco has at right tackle in this scheme, and I think Goldberg's a better starting guard than he is a tackle. Ultimately I'd like to see Calloway take that starting RT spot and move Greco back inside, unless John is a stud out there.
-I like DE Anderson as a potential starter in a unit that has a lot of rotation.
-As I said in his description, given our present personnel, I don't think it's outrageous to think a guy like Riley could emerge as a starter at OLB.
-Unless the Rams spend a high pick on a cornerback, I don't see them using much at the position because it wouldn't represent a significant upgrade over current personnel. I'd like to give Fletcher a try in this scenario to see what he can do.
Questions, comments, constructive criticism is always welcomed!
...UNTIL NOW!!!!! :ram:
CURRENT ROSTER – RESIGN
-FS OJ Atogwe: He’ll be a restricted free agent in an uncapped year, so tender him a high offer and keep him around while trying to work out a long-term deal.
-NT Clifton Ryan: Ryan will likely be either a restricted or exclusive rights free agent without a cap, so the Rams should be able to retain him fairly easily. He’s emerged as a solid starter on the line.
-DT Gary Gibson: Gibson showed some flashes before he was injured, and it certainly couldn’t hurt to resign him to a minimum deal to see if he can win a job in camp.
-OL Mark Setterstrom: Mark is considered to be one of our better young lineman, but just can’t manage to stay healthy. Still, he provides some nice depth and should be retained as a RFA.
-LS Chris Massey: An effective long snapper, there’s really no reason not to bring Massey back, nor any reason to think it can’t be done for cheap.
-DE Leonard Little: Little may not even want to play in 2010, but if he can be brought back for relatively cheap as a situational pass rusher, the Rams would benefit.
CURRENT ROSTER – CUT/UNSIGNED
-OT Alex Barron: Barron looks to be a restricted free agent in an uncapped year, but I think the Rams send a better message by letting him hit the market.
-TE Randy McMichael: A cause for optimism when Scott Linehan lured McMichael away from Miami, the tight end hasn’t really done much and was a big disappointment in 2009.
-QB Kyle Boller: The experiment did not work out. Boller doesn’t really have much in the tank right now, certainly not enough to be relied upon as an efficient back-up passer.
-CB Jonathan Wade: A former third round pick, Wade hasn’t made much of an impact for the Rams and barely played after the bye despite being a starter in September.
FREE AGENCY ADDITIONS
-LB Derrick Johnson (Chiefs): Johnson is upset about his back-up role in Kansas City, and rightfully so. Though he’s a restricted free agent, he may be allowed to walk if Todd Haley doesn’t value him. He could very well become a starter at OLB for the Rams.
-RB Jerious Norwood (Falcons): Norwood will be a popular item on many offseason wishlists for many teams as he’s a very nice change of pace ‘back. The Falcons may be willing to part with Norwood even though he’s a restricted free agent because of the emergence of Jason Snelling.
-DE Mark Anderson (Bears): Anderson is another restricted free agent, but Chicago traded for Gaines Adams and drafted Jarron Gilbert in the third round last year, so the unit may be too crowded for Anderson. If he’s available, the Rams may take a flier and hope he can resemble the form he showed in 2006.
-TE Benjamin Watson (Patriots): Watson is scheduled to hit the free agent market this offseason, and is a solid tight end who can be used in a variety of roles. A former first round pick, he’s had some success in the passing game in New England and would likely remain a starter in St. Louis.
NFL DRAFT
ROUND ONE: NDAMUKONG SUH, DT, NEBRASKA
-With the first pick in the draft, it’s only natural to select the best player, right? The Rams could certainly use a quarterback of the future, but I’m simply not convinced that there’s a candidate worthy of this pick, especially with Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh on the board. It’s hard to imagine Suh not being an absolute force of nature in a Steve Spagnuolo defense.
ROUND TWO: ARRELIOUS BENN, WR, ILLINOIS
-The Rams have some youth and potential at receiver already, but even when this entire unit is healthy, I’m not sure I’ve seen enough of them to feel as if there’s a true #1 receiver on this roster. Benn didn’t have the kind of junior season many expected, but I think the pro potential is evident and he’d be one of the better values on the board if he’s there in the second round.
ROUND THREE: SEAN CANFIELD, QB, OREGON STATE
-Many Rams fans would probably want to see a quarterback selected prior to the third round, but I think you have to stay true to your board and not get tunnel vision on one position in a certain round. At the top of the third round, I think a strong southpaw passer like Sean Canfield would be great value and could become an effective quarterback with some grooming.
ROUND FOUR: KYLE CALLOWAY, OT, IOWA
-Jason Smith is this team’s franchise tackle, but Alex Barron has essentially played his way out of town. Another starting tackle is needed, so the Rams dip into the Iowa pipeline of offensive linemen for Calloway.
ROUND FIVE: PERRY RILEY, LB, LSU
-The Rams can’t expect significant improvements on defense if they have to rely on Paris Lenon and David Vorbora as starters again in 2010. Normally I wouldn’t think a fifth round pick has much chance at starting, but on this team, Riley would have as good a chance as anyone.
ROUND FIVE (f/PHI): LINDSEY WITTEN, DE, CONNECTICUT
-Adding Suh in the first round should help make everyone better on the defensive line. Unfortunately, Chris Long is really this team’s only legitimate defensive end. Witten had a very productive senior season and could help the Rams out situationally as he continues to develop.
ROUND SIX: ANDRE ANDERSON, RB, TULANE
-If Steven Jackson is going to hold up long-term, the Rams need to find some help in the backfield. I anticipate they’ll try someone from the free agent market as well, but Andre Anderson was productive as both a runner and receiver at Tulane and would be nice value here.
ROUND SEVEN: MIKE CAUSSIN, TE, JAMES MADISON
-Not much to expect out of a seventh rounder, but if Caussin’s 6’5” height holds up, he’s worth a look. He could probably add on some weight and at least compete in a weak group of tight ends that will likely lose Randy McMichael.
PROJECTED 2010 CAMP/PRE-SEASON DEPTH CHART
Starters in bold
QB: Marc Bulger / Sean Canfield / Keith Null
RB: Steven Jackson / Jerious Norwood / Chris Ogbonnaya / Andre Anderson
FB: Mike Karney
WR: Laurent Robinson / Brandon Gibson / Donnie Avery / Arrelious Benn / Brooks Foster
TE: Benjamin Watson / Daniel Fells / Mike Caussin
OT: Jason Smith / John Greco / Kyle Calloway / Phil Trautwein
OG: Jacob Bell / Adam Goldberg / Roger Allen
C: Jason Brown / Mark Setterstrom
DE: Chris Long / Mark Anderson / Leonard Little / Lindsey Witten / C.J. Ah You
DT: Ndamukong Suh / Clifton Ryan / Darell Scott / Gary Gibson / Adam Carriker
OLB: Derrick Johnson / Perry Riley / David Vobora / Larry Grant
MLB: James Laurinaitis
CB: Ron Bartell / Bradley Fletcher / Quincy Butler / Justin King
FS: O.J. Atogwe / Craig Dahl
SS: James Butler
K: Josh Brown
P: Donnie Jones
LS: Chris Massey
RET: Danny Amendola
Notes
-I think, provided Bulger is up for returning, he'd be a fine stop-gap until Canfield would be ready to take the reigns. It's one less hole the Rams would have to worry about addressing in a weak free agent market.
-Despite being drafted in the second round, it would be hard to put Benn higher than fourth on a camp/pre-season depth chart. That said, I would hope it wouldn't take him long to rise up that list and earn more time and opportunities.
-I'd like to see what Greco has at right tackle in this scheme, and I think Goldberg's a better starting guard than he is a tackle. Ultimately I'd like to see Calloway take that starting RT spot and move Greco back inside, unless John is a stud out there.
-I like DE Anderson as a potential starter in a unit that has a lot of rotation.
-As I said in his description, given our present personnel, I don't think it's outrageous to think a guy like Riley could emerge as a starter at OLB.
-Unless the Rams spend a high pick on a cornerback, I don't see them using much at the position because it wouldn't represent a significant upgrade over current personnel. I'd like to give Fletcher a try in this scenario to see what he can do.
Questions, comments, constructive criticism is always welcomed!
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