NFL1000: Los Angeles Rams 2017 NFL Draft Preview
After a 31-45-1 record in five seasons and all kinds of "eternal 7-9" jokes, the Rams finally did the right thing and moved on from head coach Jeff Fisher. Fisher’s deserved credibility as a defensive mind didn’t do enough to make the team’s defense special, and the offense—under various iffy offensive coordinators—was mediocre at best.
The Rams replaced Fisher with Sean McVay, the former Washington Redskins offensive coordinator who has earned a lot of buzz as an offensive play designer. And he’s going to need all of that skill with the pieces on this offense. Before the 2016 draft, the Rams traded a ton of draft capital—including Los Angeles' first-round pick in 2017—for the right to take Cal quarterback Jared Goff first overall.
To say the least, it didn’t pay dividends overnight. Goff was adequate at best and downright awful at worst in his rookie season, formerly great running back Todd Gurley disappeared in Rob Boras' offense, and the offensive line was quite a bit below average. The Rams' wideouts suffered through the season, and Kenny Britt, the team’s only 1,000-yard receiver in 2016, departed in free agency to the Browns.
The most important free-agent acquisitions for the Rams this offseason were former Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth and new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Whitworth is an older player, but he'll be a huge upgrade over Greg Robinson, and it’s possible that Robinson will move inside to guard, where he belongs.
Phillips will move the formerly 4-3 Rams to a 3-4 base defense, which could affect stars like Aaron Donald, but Phillips' acumen when it comes to getting great results out of defenses is automatic.
Ownership has found the right offensive and defensive minds for a franchise that must do more on the field. On the offensive side of the ball, it’s a nearly clean slate, and McVay must immediately start to acquire players who will fit his system--and do it without a first-round pick. The needs along the offensive line and in the receiver corps are glaring, and if Goff plays like he did last season much longer, there’s a far bigger problem on the horizon.
Methodology
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The NFL1000 team of scouts received a series of important attributes to grade for every player in their positional review. Using a scale starting at zero and going up to anywhere from five to 50 based on the position and the attribute, our scouts graded each player based on their own expertise and countless hours of tape review over the years. Our evaluators had specific positional assignments based on their proven fields of expertise.
- Doug Farrar: Lead scout/quarterbacks
- John Middlekauff: Running backs/fullbacks
- Marcus Mosher: Wide receivers/tight ends
- Mark Schofield: Wide receivers/tight ends
- Duke Manyweather: Offensive tackles
- Ethan Young: Offensive guards
- Joe Goodberry: AFC defensive ends
- Justis Mosqueda: NFC defensive ends
- Charles McDonald: Defensive tackles
- Zach Kruse: 3-4 outside linebackers
- Derrik Klassen: 4-3 outside linebackers
- Jerod Brown: Inside linebackers
- Kyle Posey: Cornerbacks
- Ian Wharton: Cornerbacks
- Mark Bullock: Safeties
- Chuck Zodda: Special teams
Each corresponding position slide was written by the assigned scout.
Quarterback
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Scheme: West Coast/Zone
Starter: Jared Goff
NFL1000 Score: 60.3/100
NFL1000 QB Rank: 37/38
Jared Goff’s 2016 season reads like a line-by-line recipe for disaster for any rookie quarterback: A player comes from a college system that is not sustainable in the NFL and goes to an NFL team with sub-par receivers, an abysmal pass-blocking offensive line, and a coaching staff unable or unwilling to transition him to the next level. These factors let Goff off the hook to a certain degree, but he didn’t help matters with his inability to do most of the things NFL quarterbacks do. He was wildly inaccurate to all levels, terrible under pressure and generally unable to implement even the simplest concepts. He was going to be a two-to-three-year project under the best of circumstances, but with new head coach Sean McVay opening up the offense a bit and left tackle Andrew Whitworth protecting his blind side much better than Greg Robinson did, there’s a lot of work to be done here and no guarantee at all that he’ll ever succeed at the professional level.
Backup: Sean Mannion
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify.
Mannion has completed 9 of 13 passes for 50 yards, no touchdowns and an interception in his two-year NFL career. He’s a big quarterback in the Joe Flacco/Mike Glennon mold (6’6”, 229 pounds), but even during his days at Oregon State, he didn’t possess the consistent deep ball you’d expect from a quarterback with that frame. He’s a decent backup in a West Coast system, but don’t expect a lot more.
Backup: Aaron Murray
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify.
Murray really hit the national scene in March, 2014, when Tony Dungy claimed that the Georgia alum was comparable to Russell Wilson. It hasn’t worked out that way for Murray in his college-to-pro transition: A torn ACL in 2013 affected his draft status, and though he threw for over 13,000 yards and 121 touchdowns to 41 picks for the Bulldogs, he hasn’t taken a regular-season snap in his career. Murray has a decent command of the little things in the pocket and might be able to show something in Sean McVay’s offense if Jared Goff continues to underwhelm.
Team Need: 7/10
Potential Draft Fits: Davis Webb (Cal), Nathan Peterman (Pittsburgh)
There’s no way the Rams are going to draft a quarterback high. They lost their 2017 first-round pick in the trade to acquire Jared Goff, and the blowback to basically calling Goff a bust this early would be disastrous. But there’s no question that this team desperately needs veteran quarterback depth while Goff tries to develop in a very complex offense.
Running Back
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Scheme: Zone/West Coast
Starter: Todd Gurley
NFL1000 Scores: 72.4/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 18/82
Todd Gurley is coming off a terrible reason, but it wasn't all his fault. The Rams made a much-needed coaching change, replacing longtime head coach Jeff Fisher with former Redskins OC Sean Mcvay in hopes of revitalizing the offense. While the Rams offensive line and quarterback play was a total abomination in 2016, Gurley did play a part in the struggles. After a very promising rookie season, his production fell off a cliff averaging only 3.2 yards per carry in 2016. But the most glaring number might be his lack of explosive plays. He did not have a 25-plus-yard run throughout the entire season. For a game-breaking runner, that is a pretty alarming statistic.
A true bell-cow back, Gurley possesses the size and strength to dominate between the tackles. He has outstanding feet, but his vision is a little or hit or miss. He leaves yards on the field when he runs into blockers instead of allowing plays to develop, and he's much more of a physical freak than a natural runner of the football. His vision is a question. Gurley has exceptional burst and explosion to utilize on outside runs, and he has the top-end speed to take it to the house if there is space. He is solid in the passing game, catching the football naturally and providing sound pass protection. Clearly his confidence dipped as the season played out in 2016, and it will be incumbent on the new coaching staff to rehabilitate what once made him a top-10 pick. The smart bet would be on him having a bounce-back season.
Backup: Malcolm Brown
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Brown saw limited action in 2016 as the third-string back. He only had 18 carries in 2016 but could see a much bigger role in 2017. Brown is a big, physical runner who doesn't have speed or burst but does possess the power to get downhill. He should be a good match for the zone-blocking scheme with his one-cut style and could potentially see his production rise. Brown will not be used to run outside and doesn't bring much in the passing game. He will need to make his money between the tackles.
Backup: Lance Dunbar
NFL1000 Scores: 65.5/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 81/82
Dunbar struggled to get playing time with the Cowboys because of the addition of Ezekiel Elliott in last year's draft. Dunbar was relegated to a backup role and was not very productive. He is basically a third-down back who brings little to the table as a runner, especially inside the tackles. His only value is in the passing game, and even then he has never had a season with over 21 catches. If they add someone in the draft, Dunbar will struggle to make the team.
Team Need: 2/10
Potential Draft Fits: None.
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Fullback
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Scheme: Zone/West Coast
Starter: Cory Harkey
NFL1000 Scores: 67.1/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 20/20
A very limited player who could be on the outside looking in with Sean McVay's new offense, Harkey only played 111 offensive snaps in 2016 and just wasn't very good when he did see the field. Harkey isn't a great lead blocker, is limited physicality on contact and struggles to locate in the open field. He does not bring much of anything as a playmaker with the ball in his hands. He only has seven targets over the past two seasons and might be the odd man out come this fall in the Rams' new offense.
Team Need: 0/10
Potential Draft Fits: None
Wide Receiver
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Scheme: West Coast
Starter: Tavon Austin
NFL1000 Scores: 66.3/100
NFL1000 Rank: 55/155
Tavon Austin is still an amazing talent. He's one of the quickest players in the entire league, but he also has rare speed to break away from defenders in the open field. He's surprisingly tough to tackle at his size and is a home run threat anytime he touches the ball.
But the problem with Austin is that he’s being paid to be team's No. 1 receiver when. in reality, he's just a high-end gadget player whose best work comes from out of the backfield. In the passing game, he's forced to play in the slot, but he’s just not as developed in that area as you would like him to be. He struggles against press coverage, and bigger players can handle him at the top of his routes.
In the right scheme, Austin could be a dynamic player if the team posses a true No. 1 on the outside—he's not someone you build an offense around. At best, he should be the third target in a team's passing game.
Starter: Robert Woods
NFL1000 Scores: 67.1/100
NFL1000 Rank: 48/155
The Rams signed Robert Woods this offseason to help stabilize their receiving unit. But at best, he's a high-end No. 2 receiver who needs to play with an alpha dog on the other side. Woods does everything well but nothing elite. His best fit on an offense is as a Z receiver who can make plays down the field. He's also one of the better blocking receivers in the NFL and on a West Coast offense, and that will prove to be valuable for the Rams. He's not going to fill the void of Kenny Britt, but Woods can be a useful, important part of the offense going forward and provides a reliable target on the outside for Jared Goff.
Backup: Pharoh Cooper
NFL1000 Scores: 59.1/100
NFL1000 Rank: 142/155
Cooper was a fourth-round pick in 2016 by the Rams. The selection didn’t make sense at the time, and it still doesn’t a year later. Cooper's best football at South Carolina came in the return game, and the Rams already paid Tavon Austin a hefty chunk of money to handle those duties.
He's a player who needs to have touches manufactured for him, and the Rams already have that player on their roster. He caught just 10 passes in his rookie year and failed to score. With a new coaching staff in place, it's fair to assume that Cooper's roster spot on the team is anything but safe.
Backup: Mike Thomas
NFL1000 Scores: 58.9/100
NFL1000 Rank: 143/155
Thomas was a sixth-round pick in 2016 and made the Rams' active roster after a very disappointing preseason. Thomas has the size and athleticism to play on the outside, but drops and inconsistent route running are the reasons he didn't see the field much in 2016. He'll likely be competing for a roster spot during training camp again this year.
Team Need: 9/10
Potential Draft Fits: JuJu Smith-Schuster (USC), Chris Godwin (Penn State), Zay Jones (East Carolina)
Tight End
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Scheme: West Coast
Starter: Tyler Higbee
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
With Lance Kendricks off to Green Bay, Tyler Higbee will assume the role of the team's No. 1 tight end until at least the draft. Higbee fell in the 2016 draft due to several off-the-field issues, but the Rams selected him because of his receiving upside. At 6'6", 250 pounds, Higbee has the size and athleticism to be a true inline tight end.
Higbee was a former college receiver who switched to tight end during his senior year. He is still a work in progress and shouldn't prevent the team from drafting another tight end high in the draft, but Higbee has a lot of potential as one of the few weapons in the Rams offense.
Backup: Temarrick Hemingway
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Hemingway was drafted late in the 2016 draft as a receiving project with no real blocking skills. If another tight end is added to the roster, he’s probably destined for the team's practice squad.
Team Need: 8/10
Potential Draft Fits: Evan Engram (Ole Miss), Jake Butt (Michigan)
Left Tackle
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Scheme: Zone
Starter: Andrew Whitworth
NFL1000 Scores: 75.9/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 11/40
The Los Angeles Rams upgraded their left tackle position through free agency with one of the best in the business, Andrew Whitworth. The former Cincinnati Bengal signed for three years and $36 million with $15 million of that guaranteed. Whitworth was our No. 1 free-agent left tackle and was head and shoulders above the rest of the options the market presented.
Despite being 35 years old, Andrew Whitworth is still a very good starter who is consistent in pass protection and an above-average run-blocker. Whitworth will provide strong veteran leadership to a young Rams offense.
Backup: Pace Murphy
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Pace Murphy appeared in two games in 2016 and registered 15 total snaps from scrimmage.
Team Need: 4/10
Potential Draft Fits: Storm Norton (Toledo)
Right Tackle
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Scheme: Zone
Starter: Rob Havenstein
NFL1000 Scores: 70.7/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 20/38
After a solid rookie season in 2015, Rob Havenstein ran into some struggles in 2016, mostly stemming from working through a foot injury. It was evident Havenstein's range in pass protection and overall agility suffered as a result of the injury.
Late in the season, Havenstein began to return to his rookie-season form. He turned in solid production as a run-blocker and found new ways to win in pass protection, working around his injury limitations.
A healthy Havenstein should give the Los Angeles Rams a solid starting right tackle in 2017 and should make for a solid tackle tandem with Whitworth.
Team Needs: 4/10
Potential Draft Fits: None
Offensive Guard
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Scheme: Zone
Starter: Greg Robinson
NFL1000 Scores: 70.8/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 32/40 (graded at left tackle)
The Greg Robinson tackle experiment is over, but the former second overall pick should get a chance to battle for a job on the interior. His skill bell curve fits a transition to guard well, the Rams' move to bring in Andrew Whitworth to replace him was a good one. With just that one signing, the Rams could end up with two big upgrades if Robinson takes to his new role quickly.
Starter: Rodger Saffold
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Rodger Saffold is only 28, but his medical history has hurt his play in recent years and aged him quickly. While he likely holds the right guard job right now, if his movement ability drops anymore, Andrew Donnal could end up pushing him in camp.
Backup: Andrew Donnal
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Looking at his grades objectively, Donnal had two solid games and two below-average games when called upon last year. But the flashes on his tape were very intriguing. Donnal plays tall, but his ability to explode and drive defenders out of gaps with his upper-body strength is impressive, and while his feet can be a little heavy, he is efficient enough with them to mirror in pass protection.
Backup: Jamon Brown
NFL1000 Scores: 65.9/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 75/78
Jamon Brown had a rough season last year, and although he has a lot of power, he is looking less like a developmental project and more like a body at this point. He just doesn't have the agility needed to stick in this zone-heavy scheme, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he doesn’t make the team with this new coaching staff.
Team Need: 4/10
Potential Draft Fits: Greg Pyke (Day 3), Jake Eldrenkamp (UDFA)
Center
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Scheme: Zone
Starter: Cody Wichmann
NFL1000 Scores: 66.5/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 73/78 (graded at guard)
The center by proxy, Wichmann would slide over to center if the season started today. This position should be addressed early on in the draft, though, with Wichmann sliding back to guard and battling with Jamon Brown to make the team.
Team Need: 9/10
Potential Draft Fits: Ethan Pocic (Day 2), Pat Elflein (Day 2)
Defensive End
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Scheme: 3-4
Starter: Aaron Donald
NFL1000 Score: 80.9/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 1/99 (graded at defensive tackle)
Aaron Donald was our top-ranked defensive tackle in the 2016 regular season. With the old staff out and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips now in charge of the defensive side of the ball, Donald will move from tackle to end on the depth chart. With that being said, Phillips coaches a one-gap 3-4, so Donald will likely still play three-technique in an under front, similar to what Mike Daniels does in Green Bay. Donald is still going to be one of the more productive defensive linemen in the NFL despite the switch. The 25-year-old is one of the top three defensive linemen in the league.
Starter: Michael Brockers
NFL1000 Score: 68.3/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 20/99 (graded at defensive tackle)
After Aaron Donald, there are some question marks on the defensive line. Only four defensive linemen— Donald, Michael Brockers, Dominique Easley and current free agent Cam Thomas—registered enough snaps last season to warrant a final grade in the NFL1000 project. That means the Rams really have three bodies in a three-man line. In that situation, would Brockers play nose tackle or end? He could do either but has more of an end body. Easley and Donald being on the field at the same time is a bit redundant, though, as they're both penetrating, undersized linemen. There's going to be a hole at either strong end or nose tackle for the Rams, wherever Brockers doesn't play. He's an above-average lineman who still has three years and over $32 million left on his current deal. Brockers is going to start for Los Angeles for the foreseeable future.
Backup: Dominique Easley
NFL1000 Score: 67.3/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 26/99 (graded at defensive tackle)
In 2014, Dominique Easley was a first-round pick by the New England Patriots. In college, Easley was a starting under tackle at Florida, known for his tackles for loss and his dancing at the line of scrimmage. After a two-year stint with the Patriots, he was waived and picked up by the Rams. In the Rams' 4-3 defense, he was the backup under tackle behind Aaron Donald. In Phillips' system, he will likely play the same role. With that being said, he’s one of the better backup under tackles in the NFL, if not the best. The Rams used their right to place an original-round tender on Easley this offseason. He was a slated free agent but only has three years of experience as a 24-year-old.
Team Need: 6/10
Potential Draft Fits: Dalvin Tomlinson (Alabama), Chris Wormley (Michigan), Caleb Brantley (Florida),
Defensive Tackle
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Scheme: 3-4
Starter: Tyrunn Walker
NFL1000 Scores: 59.6/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 79/99
It remains to be seen how often the Rams will use a true nose tackle, but if Tyrunn Walker is a starting option for them they're in big trouble. He was unspectacular in backup duty for the Detroit Lions last season. Michael Brockers will probably take on a large percentage of the starting nose tackle reps this season. If Walker is forced to play a vast majority of the snaps, the Rams will quickly find out that he's a liability in both run and pass defense. He should easily be upgraded in the 2017 NFL draft.
Team Need: 9/10
Potential Draft Fits: Dalvin Tomlinson (Alabama), Eddie Vanderdoes (UCLA)
Outside Linebacker
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Scheme: 3-4
Starter: Mark Barron
NFL1000 Scores: 63.4/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 22/46 (graded at 4-3 OLB)
Few linebackers were as inconsistent as Mark Barron was last year. Barron had a handful of games where he rose to the occasion, played with confidence and successfully carried out his assignments. However, Barron was equally as often a liability. Barron's success banks on how quick his trigger is on a given day, so when he is reacting a tad slow and can’t beat blockers with his quickness, it's game over for him.
The Rams are in a sticky wicket with Barron. He’s not a real linebacker after a transition from safety, and his limitations as a run-defender put constraints on the Rams defense. Although he can fare well in coverage and be a decent blitzer, Barron gets overwhelmed by blockers. He doesn’t have proper linebacker strength and is fragile. His peaks are excellent, but they don’t come as often as they need to in order to outweigh his egregious valleys. Moving on from Barron is not a pressing need, but the Rams would be wise to do so if they can find the resources.
Backup: Connor Barwin
NFL1000 Score: 65.9/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 31/68 (graded at defensive end)
Connor Barwin is primarily a pass-rushing specialist, but one who should be a team's third- or fourth-best pass-rusher. Largely due in part to natural athletic ability, he is able to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks. He isn't able to finish as often as he should, though; in seven healthy seasons, Barwin has eclipsed 10 sacks just twice. He lacks the technique and bend to be able to continually make it to the quarterback. Lucky for Barwin and the Rams, he will be their third-best pass-rusher. Aaron Donald is arguably the best defender in the league, largely because of his ability to get to the quarterback, and Robert Quinn is one of the better edge-rushers when healthy. Barwin is not a slam-dunk signing, nor is he a long-term solution, but he can be a steady contributor while the Rams try to sort themselves out.
Backup: Josh Forrest
NFL1000 Scores: 59.6/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 36/46 (graded at 4-3 OLB)
Before suffering a season-ending knee injury, Josh Forrest was the third linebacker for the Rams. The Rams primarily stayed in their nickel package, but Forrest sporadically saw time when a heavier defensive package was necessary. As a product of his youth and natural disposition as a player, Forrest was slow to get moving toward plays as a rookie. That is often the case with young players, but Forrest seldom had moments that suggested he could be decisive and aggressive. To his credit, Forrest was the best linebacker on the team at taking on blocks and holding his ground. Forrest was not good, but for a sixth-round pick in his rookie season, he didn’t disappoint. That being said, it's still easy to rationalize Forrest as being disposable.
Backup: Cory Littleton
NFL1000 Scores: 60.6/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 28/46 (graded at 4-3 OLB)
Cory Littleton was Forrest’s replacement. Littleton did not show Forrest's fortitude against blockers, but he was quicker to get to his spots and get in the way. Littleton was not necessarily a disruptor, though he did serve as a nice roadblock and granted an extra split second to his teammates to go make a play. Littleton was an undrafted rookie converting from defensive end, so for him to be able to make an active roster and not be a disaster when called upon is quite impressive. Littleton may not turn out to be a legitimate starter, but he should stick in the league as a depth player.
Team Need: 7/10
Potential Draft Fits: Tyus Bowser (Houston), Duke Riley (LSU), Alex Anzalone (Florida)
Inside Linebacker
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Scheme: 3-4
Starter: Alec Ogletree
NFL1000 Scores: 66.1/100
NFL1000 ILB Rank: 56/65
Ogletree spent 2016 as one of the most overhyped players in the league. His performance on the field, however, was below average and should encourage the Rams to look for a replacement for Ogletree over the next year or two. The Rams are more or less financially tied to Ogletree for the 2017 season, but he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2018, and they shouldn't show any interest in bringing him back.
He'll bank plenty of tackles, but they all come 10 yards down the field. Ogletree shows no tenacity at the line of scrimmage and looks hesitant in any sort of run fit. Relying on him to ever be a forceful player in the interior run game is a losing proposition.
The Rams could choose to find Ogletree's replacement in this year's draft and allow the new guy to develop while Ogletree plays out the last year of his contract. Otherwise, they could wait and draft a rookie to start next year. Either way, Ogletree's inability to fight through contact and maintain leverage at the point of attack is a clear issue in the middle of the Rams defense.
Backup: Bryce Hager
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
Behind Ogletre is third-year player Bryce Hager, a linebacker out of Baylor who was selected in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL draft. Hager has played in 32 games without a start in any. He’s a special teamer who might push for a backup role on most rosters but has a fighting chance in Los Angeles given Ogletree's poor play.
Whether the team expects a rookie to start over Ogletree or not, inside linebacker is a major need given the unreliability of Ogletree as an efficient and effective player. Whether in 2017 or beyond, the Rams should be looking to upgrade the inside linebacker position.
Team Need: 7/10
Potential Draft Fits: Connor Harris (Lindenwood), Alex Anzalone (Florida), Ben Gedeon (Michigan)
Cornerback
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Scheme: Man-to-Man
Starter: Trumaine Johnson
NFL1000 Scores: 70.5/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 16/192
Even in a year where the Rams opted to play a secondary scheme that was disadvantageous to Trumaine Johnson's skill set, he finished the season graded as a top-16 cornerback. In an effort to protect the rest of the unit, the Rams played a lot of off coverage, both zone and man. Johnson's strength lies in press and press bail man, not playing eight yards off the line of scrimmage. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Rams are open to trading Johnson. But with his massive franchise tag and the cost of extending him, it’s unlikely anything gets done unless the Rams take pennies on the dollar. A long-term answer is needed here, whether it come in the form of Johnson staying or finding a suitable plan for the future.
Starter: E.J. Gaines
NFL1000 Scores: 55/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 164/192
There was excitement about E.J. Gaines' future after a decent rookie season, but the off-ball specialist was closer to average than anything special even in his best campaign. Two years later, it’s a major concern as to whether Gaines can be a legitimate starter in the NFL. He lacks any standout traits and is more of a warm body who allows receptions with ease. Gaines benefitted from the previous regime, but Wade Phillips will want a more aggressive attitude. An upgrade is needed here.
Slot: Kayvon Webster
NFL1000 Scores: 59/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 121/192
A nice under-the-radar pickup for the Rams, Kayvon Webster was a special teams ace for the Denver Broncos. With Wade Phillips knowing Webster well, it’s possible Webster fights for the No. 2 corner job if not the slot position. Webster barely played on the defensive side of the ball for Denver due to the team's great secondary depth, but he flashed enough talent and physicality to believe he can become a worthwhile rotational player. The Rams shouldn't be content with Webster, though, and it’s more likely that Lamarcus Joyner takes the majority of slot reps.
Team Need: 9/10
Potential Draft Fits: Marlon Humphrey (Alabama), Teez Tabor (Florida), Cordrea Tankersley (Clemson), Sidney Jones (Washington), Brian Allen (Utah)
Free Safety
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Scheme: Cover 1
Starter: Maurice Alexander
NFL1000 Scores: 71.4/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 23/50
Alexander had a solid year for the Rams acting as their center fielder last season. While the Rams are transitioning from Gregg Williams to Wade Phillips, Alexander's transition should be relatively smooth. He should be able to fill the same role that Darian Stewart played under Phillips with the Broncos last year, mostly as the deep middle safety who stays on top of anything deep and frees up the rest of the defense to play more aggressively closer to the line of scrimmage. He's unlikely to be spectacular, but he should provide a reliable option on the back end.
Backup: Cody Davis
NFL1000 Scores: 67/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 48/50
Davis worked his way up from being an undrafted free agent in 2013 to the Rams' third safety last year. He mostly saw time on the field in nickel and dime packages as a second deep safety in two-deep coverages alongside Alexander, freeing up T.J. McDonald to shift closer to the line of scrimmage. Davis had very little impact in the run game and rarely played man coverage. He was used almost exclusively as a deep half defender in Cover 2 and two-man. He won't challenge Alexander for playing time, but he fills the role as a backup and special teams player.
Team Need: 3/10
Potential Draft Fits: Eddie Jackson (Alabama), Justin Evans (Texas A&M)
Strong Safety
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Scheme: Cover 1
Starter: Marqui Christian
NFL1000 Scores: Did not have enough snaps to qualify
With last year's starter T.J. McDonald still a free agent, the Rams are left with Christian as their top strong safety. The Cardinals spent their 2016 fifth-round pick on Christian, who was purely a box safety at small school Midwestern State. He made the Cardinals final roster, but was waived in late September before the Rams picked him up. He played just three snaps last year before he was shut down in December with an ankle injury. Christian may develop into a potential starter down the road, but he's not ready yet.
Team Need: 9/10
Potential Draft Fits: Obi Melifonwu (Connecticut), Budda Baker (Washington), Marcus Maye (Florida)
Kicker
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Starter: Greg Zuerlein
NFL1000 Scores: 67.7/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 17/38
Greg Zuerlein had a bounce-back year in 2016, making 86.4 percent of his field goals, his second-highest mark since coming into the league in 2012. A large part of this improvement was simply because of an improved usage pattern, as Zuerlein attempted 30 percent of his kicks from over 50 yards in 2015, but only 18 percent of his kicks from the same distance this year. Zuerlein showed improved consistency on shorter kicks as well, making all 14 of his attempts from under 40 yards.
Zuerlein was a free agent after the 2016 season, but the Rams re-upped him on March 14 to a three-year deal worth an average of $2.25 million per year. While not as cheap as the team likely would have preferred, if Zuerlein has another year similar to his 2016, he will prove to be solid value, though the potential for regression exists heading into next year.
Team Need: 4/10
Potential Draft Fits: UDFA competition is likely, but no draft picks will be spent here.
Punter
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Punter: Johnny Hekker
NFL1000 Scores: 74.5/100
NFL1000 Position Rank: 1/38
Johnny Hekker was the best punter in the NFL in 2016, and he put some distance between himself and a phenomenal group of punters that included Marquette King, Sam Koch and Thomas Morstead. Hekker has every tool needed to be an upper-echelon punter in the NFL, and if the Rams think about moving on from him, especially with their offensive woes, they are making the biggest mistake in the history of special teams in the NFL. Hekker is a lock to be back in Los Angeles next fall and is likely to remain one of the top punters in the game for years to come.
Team Need: 0/10
Potential Draft Fits: None
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
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