Open Rants by kkunert327

With the draft in the books time to go back and do a wrap up of how teams made out. I might be a bit of a harsh critic to the top 3 round picks, but that is where you need to hit in the draft to be successful. Sure most of the league is 4th rounders and later, but any that turn into Pro Bowlers or All-Pro players is mostly out of luck. So without further adieu, let's move back to LA with the Rams who might not have a new stadium by the start of next season like they expected. 

2 (20) - Cam Akers RB Florida St - C 

2 (25) - Van Jefferson WR Florida - C- 

3 (20) - Terrell Lewis OLB Alabama - B- 

3 (40) - Terrell Burgess S Utah - A-

This draft comes with the caveat that their first pick came with Jalen Ramsey, which is not the best in my opinion, but he is without a doubt one of the best corners. If they do not come to a long term agreement with Ramsey this draft will come with a whole different dreadful caveat. In any case, what they did with the rest of their picks was mediocre in my opinion. I know replacing Todd Gurley was high on their minds, but taking Akers over the likes of A.J. Dillon and J.K. Dobbins was a big mistake in my opinion. Akers never tried hard at FSU, nor did most of the roster, which could come with bad habits to the NFL. He is a much smaller back also who I am not sure will even beat out Malcolm Brown or Darrell Henderson who all have more talent in my opinion. This was a definite we need a running back so we took a running back pick. Then they went and did the same with Van Jefferson to replace Brandin Cooks. The only problem is, I think Jefferson is more of what they have already they had in Josh Reynolds, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp. Not as good in my opinion of those veterans either as a slot receiver. Goff is too gifted as a deep ball thrower to have him just dink and dunk. His ability to read defenses and make quick decisions is also one of his bigger weaknesses along with seeing ghosts if he is getting rushed constantly. Instead of Akers and Jefferson, taking a blocker or two would of had much more value. Lewis is a great value if he can stay healthy and continue to develop. I would not be shocked if he stays healthy that he will beat out their recent free agent pick up of Leonard Floyd. It's a risky high reward pick that could either work or flat out fail. I saw no big issues besides passing on more needed corners, safeties, or blockers. They did come around and take one of the better safety sleepers in the class with Burgess. I am high on many of the Utah defensive backs and can see him turn into a nice talent alongside Taylor Rapp. He is also versatile enough to move all over the defense and provide value all over the field. This was by far the best pick at the top of the draft. 

4 (30) - Brycen Hopkins TE Purdue - C

6 (20) - Jordan Fuller S Ohio St - C+

7 (20) - Clay Johnson LB Baylor - B-

7 (34) - Sam Sloman K Miami - C+

7 (36) - Tremayne Anchrum OG Clemson - C+

Wow this was a bad draft now looking at it deeper. Not only did they avoid drafting a key blocker they so desperately needed, they landed not one player who can start or contribute this season. I have no clue what it is with these young hip coaches like Matt Nagy and Sean McVay trying to find their great white whale at tight end. I guess since Andy Reid did well there that is why they want to do the same, but it is just so hard to find a guy like Travis Kelce or Zach Ertz. Hopkins will not beat out Tyler Higbee or Gerald Everett who both continue to get better each year, maybe as slow as molasses, but they do get better. Fuller would have been a nice pick thanks to his experience and veteran ability as a multi year starter, but they just landed a better more upside safety with Burgess and still have Rapp from last year. For some reason people love 6th round or later linebacker prospects, but to me there is no value there. Very rarely do any actually turn into viable starters and at best they are just special team contributors. The Rams very well could have gotten a similar player after the draft as an undrafted talent. Same could be said about Sloman, but they did have a huge need at kicker after letting Greg Zuerline go. There was a better kicker in Rodrigo Blankenship on the board, but hey who knows with kickers now a days. Anchrum is my favorite pick outside of Burgess, but it feels a little bit too late for the offensive line help. To me they had almost a similar meh draft as the Chicago Bears, but at least the Bears took more players who can start for them right away. Lucky for Sean McVay and GM Les Snead that they built up some good equity in LA to stick around if they have a bad year next year like I expect them too. However, if they miss the playoffs for a 3rd season in a row after, do not be shocked if the LA fan base turns quickly. This drat gets a C- grade.....honestly, I am even tempted to give it just a D also, but I did like the Burgess and Lewis picks. 

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