[Hacksaw]

Way to go O-line Mel.

[ramsman34]

The truth about these top 50. 100, 150 lists and these player visits, is that half of those players will barely have a cup of coffee in the NFL. Half of the rest will be rotational players at best. That leaves about 25% of those players who will be NFL starters and major contributors for the next 2-5 seasons. That is beyond a crap shoot. I hope the Rams only pick players who end up in that latter 25%.

[Elvis]

From RJ White:

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/new ... the-picks/

Los Angeles Rams
ROUND OVERALL PLAYER NOTES
1 31 G/C Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
3 94 RB Darrell Henderson, Memphis
3 99 ILB Vosean Joseph, Florida
4 133 CB Jamel Dean, Auburn
5 169 to Pittsburgh
6 192 NT Dontavius Russell, Auburn from PIT*
6 203 OT Martez Ivey, Florida
6 207 OLB Wyatt Ray, Boston College from PIT*
7 251 OLB Malik Reed, Nevada

I know the Rams like their replacements on the interior of the line, but as a Super Bowl contender, there needs to be a plan B. That's McCoy, who can play either guard or center and has what it takes to hold his own against fearsome interior rushers like Aaron Donald and DeForest Buckner.

The Rams then have to wait a bit to pick again as they're shut out of Round 2, but they land some quality Todd Gurley insurance in the third round in the form of Henderson, whose big play ability should allow him to be a key part of the offense and perhaps not overwork Gurley as much even when he is healthy. A few picks later the team comes right back for Joseph, who can compete for snaps inside at linebacker and should benefit from learning under Wade Phillips.

Dean is big and fast -- so fast that he ran a 4.3 40 at the combine -- and could easily outpace his draft slot if he can stay healthy. After trading back for an extra pick, the Rams grab a solid nose tackle prospect in Russell who can compete to replace Ndamukong Suh, then add some depth at tackle in Ivey, who has a chance to develop into a starter once the Rams lose one of their bookends. The team's final two picks are used on guys who can improve depth at edge rusher while also contributing on special teams.

[Elvis]

Peter King now mocking a trade:

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2 ... cid=fmiatw

31. Denver: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
PROJECTED TRADE: Denver sends the 41st pick and a 2020 second-rounder to the Los Angeles Rams for this choice.

Feel bad about predicting this. Sometimes in mock drafts, you want to get a player in the first round because you think he’s going to be a first-round pick, and you wedge him in and make the logic fit after that. I do not think the Rams want to pick at 31, and feel they can use a trade-down to get a two or three back after dealing fourth and second-round picks to Kansas City in 2018 for cornerback Marcus Peters. Denver likes Lock, and might be able to snag him as a two-year learner behind Joe Flacco while retaining the ability to use the 71st pick this year on a potential starter at a need position, like Texas A&M tight end Jace Sternberger. A move like this wouldn’t surprise me, but I also think the way Denver GM John Elway’s talking, he could punt on a young quarterback until the richer QB draft of 2020.

[Elvis]

Gary Klein from the Times reporters mock draft:

https://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-s ... story.html

31. Los Angeles Rams | DT Dre’Mont Jones, Ohio State

This deep in the draft, and without a second-round pick, the Rams want to trade back and repeat the success they have had the last few years without a first-round selection. But Jones could help fill a void left by the departure of Ndamukong Suh. — Gary Klein

[Elvis]

[Elvis]

https://theathletic.com/944590/2019/04/ ... aXtKLB9cgp

Dane Brugler’s Final Mock Draft: Wheeling and dealing for quarterbacks

By Dane Brugler

Finally,​ it​ is​ draft​ day. And​ one, final​ mock draft.

Draft​ week is fun,​ but​ the​ amount of information this week (most​​ being misinformation) makes sifting through all the noise an impossible chore. The most difficult aspect of forecasting the first round is attempting to project trades, which will undoubtedly be a part of the first round — I included three trades, including one team moving back twice, in this first round projection.

The only aspect of the first round that I’m confident about? It will be unpredictable and a lot of fun. With that said, here is my attempt at what the first 32 picks will look like:

1. Arizona Cardinals – Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
Since the combine, Murray has been the favorite to go No. 1 to Arizona and I’m sticking with it. The Cardinals have been understandably keeping their cards close to the vest and part of that is the NFL wanting to reveal the top pick in prime time. Several in the building believe Nick Bosa should be the pick, but many around the league believe Murray is the pick.

2. San Francisco 49ers – Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State
Even with Dee Ford in the fold, the 49ers would love to add a premium talent like Bosa to their defensive front-seven. As long as the medicals come back clean, Bosa is viewed as the top talent by most around the league.

3. New York Jets – Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
The Jets want out of here. General manager Mike Maccagnan is looking to recoup picks on day two and invest on offensive linemen. However, will the offer be there? A trade up by Washington (for a quarterback) makes sense in theory, but the asking price might be prohibitive. If the Jets can’t trade, Williams is a great fallback option.

4. Oakland Raiders – Devin White, LB, LSU
The Raiders are being extremely tight-lipped on what they will do here, which leads to speculation about a quarterback or surprise selection. White might surprise some, but you can bet his alpha attitude will be attractive to Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock. While he isn’t a pass rusher, White will be one of the better blitzing linebackers early in his NFL career.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky
As the Buccaneers move to a 3-4 base defense, Tampa needs to add more outside rush talents who can pressure the pocket. Allen is a natural fit and with White off the board, he becomes the new favorite to be drafted here.

6. New York Giants – Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
General manager Dave Gettleman believes in high upside traits and Oliver certainly qualifies. He might not be an ideal fit, but defensive coordinator James Bettcher mixes up his personnel and will put Oliver in position to succeed.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
The Jaguars are invested in Nick Foles as the starting quarterback and they are going to surround him with more talent via the draft. But drafting Taylor not only upgrades the pass protection, but also the run blocking, taking pressure off the quarterback. The former Gator is the type of big, powerful blocker Jacksonville covets.

8. ***TRADE*** Washington Redskins – Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
The buzz out of Washington is head coach Jay Gruden prefers Daniel Jones, but owner Daniel Snyder and president Bruce Allen want Dwayne Haskins. Using a second-round pick, the Redskins jump into the top 10 to secure Haskins as the quarterback of the future.

9. Buffalo Bills – Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Other NFL teams believe this pick will be in the trenches, either on the offensive or defensive line. Williams is a technically sound blocker with natural instincts and positional versatility and the Bills would be wise to help protect their young quarterback.

10. Denver Broncos – Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
You can never rule out a quarterback, but I think John Elway is going to give Joe Flacco a chance to be “the guy” and not a bridge quarterback. Bush has everything you want in an impact linebacker except ideal size, giving first-year head coach Vic Fangio a tempo-setter on defense.

11. Cincinnati Bengals – Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
The Bengals would love Devin White or Devin Bush here, but both are off the board. Cordy Glenn is solid at left tackle, but Bobby Hart is a replaceable talent at right tackle. Dillard is the most athletic tackle in this class and will be starting as a rookie.

12. Green Bay Packers – T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
Incumbent starter Jimmy Graham is old, expensive and a shell of who he once was in New Orleans. Hockenson would quickly emerge as one of the key cogs in the Packers’ offense — as a blocker and pass-catcher.

13. ***TRADE*** New York Giants – Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
The Giants don’t go quarterback at No. 6, but they don’t risk their quarterback lasting until No. 17 and move up three spots to guarantee they get their guy. The connections between Jones and the Giants have been well-documented, giving New York its long-term answer at quarterback.

14. Atlanta Falcons – Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State
The Falcons are one of the teams in the top 20 with Sweat still on their draft board, despite the enlarged heart diagnosis. Atlanta needs to upgrade the pass rush with neither Vic Beasley or Takk McKinley living up to where they were drafted in the first round.

15. Detroit Lions (projected trade with WAS) – Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
The Lions are expected to select a tight end in this draft, and Fant gives Matthew Stafford and the Detroit offense a playmaker they desire. Two tight ends (from the same program, no less) in the top 15 would be surprising, but it is possible.

16. Carolina Panthers – Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State
The belief around the league is this pick will either be an offensive tackle (trade up for Andre Dillard) or a pass rusher. With Julius Peppers hanging up his cleats, the baton can be passed to a young, athletic rusher like Burns.

17. ***TRADE*** Houston Texans – Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma
The Dolphins traded back to this spot and they move back again, adding more draft capital. The Texans need offensive tackle help and might not be willing to wait and hope a talent like Ford falls to No. 23.

18. Minnesota Vikings – Garrett Bradbury, C, NC State
Not breaking news here, but the Vikings need offensive line help and Pat Elflein struggled last season at center. Drafting Bradbury upgrades two spots: Bradbury at center and Elfelin moving to his more natural guard position.

19. Tennessee Titans – Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson
The Titans finished 16th in sack rate (6.8%) and 20th in tackle for loss rate (19.8%) last season. Tennessee added Cameron Wake to play opposite Harold Landry, but a young, productive rusher like Ferrell will be attractive for the Titans.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple
The Steelers have openly talked about their struggles in the secondary and lack of playmakers who can get their hands on the football. Ya-Sin is one of the best corners in this class with his back to the football, consistently playing through the hands of receivers.

21. Seattle Seahawks – Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan
Even with the additional first-round pick (No. 29) in the Frank Clark trade, there is still a strong likelihood that John Schneider will trade back from this spot. But if they stay put, it would be a natural landing spot for Gary, who will slip a little bit with questions about his shoulder.

22. Baltimore Ravens – Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
The Ravens are another team I expect to trade down and possibly all the way out of the first round. But if they stay at No. 22, Brown has the explosive speed that will give Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore offense another weapon for defenses to worry about.

23. Miami Dolphins (projected trade with HOU) – Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
The Dolphins add draft capital with two trade backs and draft a player who they might have drafted if they stayed at No. 13. Many around the league expect Miami to start a rebuild and invest in a quarterback next year, so adding a premier talent like Simmons, who might require a redshirt year as a rookie, makes sense.

24. Oakland Raiders – Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
Figuring out the landing spot for Lock is a tough task, but it would be a surprise if he falls out of the first round. Some consider the former Missouri quarterback a possibility at No. 4 for the Raiders, but if he is still around at this point in the draft, Jon Gruden might not be able to help himself.

25. Philadelphia Eagles – Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
If Marquise Brown is available, go ahead and pencil him in with this pick. But he is off the board and Wilkins isn’t a bad consolation prize. General manager Howie Roseman is always looking to upgrade the defensive line and Wilkins has desirable traits and an impressive resume.

26. Indianapolis Colts – Jonathan Abram, SS, Mississippi State
Abram is the top safety on several draft boards around the league, not only for his intense play on the field, but also his leadership traits to rally the defense. Pairing him with Malik Hooker would provide immediate dividends for Indianapolis.

27. Oakland Raiders – Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
The worst kept secret is the Raiders interest in Jacobs, who has the multidimensional talent to be an any-down back and give Oakland’s offense a jolt from day one.

28. Los Angeles Chargers – Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington
Right tackle Sam Tevi is a replaceable talent and left tackle Russell Okung is on the wrong side of 30. McGary is a favorite among many NFL teams and has a legitimate chance to land in the top 32 picks.

29. Seattle Seahawks – Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
The Seahawks feel OK with Tre Flowers and Shaquill Griffin as the starters outside, but need an upgrade inside at nickel corner and Murphy would be a great fit. Seattle hasn’t invested a top-two round draft pick at cornerback since 2007.

30. Green Bay Packers – Nasir Adderley, FS, Delaware
Josh Jones hasn’t developed as expected and 36-year-old Tramon Williams is a liability at free safety. Aside from being a natural fit in Green Bay’s secondary, Adderley would be a great story, joining the organization where his relative Herb Adderley played defensive back when the Packers won Super Bowl I and II.

31. Los Angeles Rams – Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College
The Rams are showing cracks on the offensive line, especially after the loss of left guard Rodger Saffold in free agency. Lindstrom provides immediate competition for the expected starters at guard: Joseph Noteboom and Austin Blythe.

32. New England Patriots – Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Lawrence directly benefits from the planet theory — there are only so many humans on this planet with his size and movement skills. His injury past might knock him down the board a tad, but it would be a surprise if he isn’t a first-rounder and the Patriots might see Lawrence as their new Vince Wilfork.

[Elvis]

Rob Rang:

https://footballmaven.io/nfldraftscout/ ... NtM7PiK5g/

31. Los Angeles Rams – Byron Murphy, CB, Washington

Too talented to fall out of the first round, Murphy would provide the Rams with terrific depth at cornerback behind the gifted (but not exactly reliable) Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. Like the Chiefs, the Rams would be wise to keep adding to their defense.