The L.A. Rams Have More Holes In Their Roster Than Picks In The Draft
Roger Goodell:
With the 234th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams select Vinnie Morales (pictured above) tailback, out of Palisades Elementary School, Capistrano Beach, California.
Mel Kiper, Jr.: I had him much, much lower on my big board.
Local boy with all downside thus far, so the Rams must be hoping there’s nothing but upside on the horizon for this kid.
At 4’3” and 55 lbs. in 1974 he has a lot of filling out to do. But, on the plus side he showed great escapability, especially at bath time and a knack for finding daylight, which is important as he is afraid of the dark.
A Boy Can Dream
Like USC wunderkind, Sam Darnold, I was raised in Capo Beach and the product of Palisades Elementary School, Shorecliffs Middle School and San Clemente High.
Unlike Darnold (who will be eligible for the draft next year) and despite our identical pedigrees, I won’t be selected in any NFL draft soon. But, a boy can dream can’t he?
What Talent Will The Rams Draft?
The Rams won’t pick me (I haven’t fulfilled the potential I established in my own mind as an 8-year-old boy) and they won’t pick a quarterback in the 2017 NFL draft this week.
In theory, they’re set at the position with 2nd-year man, Jared Goff.
After all, they did give up six draft picks (four in 2016 and two in 2017) to get him. So, who knows what kind of talent the Rams will procure with the picks they have left.
After a dismal 4-12 record in 2016, the Rams have no first round pick this year. Here’s what they do have:
| LA Rams 2017 NFL Draft Picks | ||
| Round | Overall Pick No. | Overall Pick No. |
| 1 | ||
| 2 | No.37 | |
| 3 | No.69 | |
| 4 | No.112 | No.141 |
| 5 | No.149 | |
| 6 | No.189 | No.206 |
| 7 | No.234 | |
No Picks, No Problem?
After firing Jeff Fisher, the Rams brought in Sean McVay, a young, creative offensive mind as head coach, and grizzled veteran defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips. That’s when general manager, Les Snead got to work on the free agent market.
Snead knew his 2017 draft picks would not yield the type of talent the Rams need to be competitive, protect Goff and generate more offense this season.
Rams’ Offense Hammered Last Season
The Rams’ offense was dead as a doornail last year – just hammered by the opposition. They were dead last in the NFL in total offense; 31st in the league in both rushing and passing.
Imagine how bad that team could have been last year if not for their Top-10 Defense and All-Pro, All-World punter, Johnny Hekker.
Punter Hekker Rams’ MVP
It can’t be overstated: Hekker was the Rams’ most valuable player and arguably their best weapon last season.
Hekker averaged 47.8 yards per punt while shattering the single-season records for punts inside the 20 (51) and punting net yards average (46.0). He had just one touchback all year! So, yeah; they’re set at punter.
Snead Used Free Agency Masterfully
To fill in the blanks, GM Snead made some masterful free agent signings.
When free agent WR Kenny Britt left for the Cleveland Browns (sucker!), the Rams signed former USC Trojan receiver, and Buffalo Bills free agent, Robert Woods.
Snead’s other key free agent signings:
- T – Andrew Whitworth (Bengals)
- C – John Sullivan (Redskins)
- CB – Kayvon Webster (Broncos)
- LB – Connor Barwin (Eagles)
Good News/Bad News
About those free agent signings… There’s good news and there’s bad news.
The good news is the Rams kept their solid, talented CB Trumaine Johnson. In February they slapped the franchise tag on him and re-signed him.
The bad news is the Rams handcuffed themselves to a $16.74 million franchise tag contract for a corner coming off a down year and not nearly worth that kind of money.
Johnson Highest Paid CB In NFL
For those keeping score, that makes him the highest-paid corner in the league. That’s not a misprint. Trumaine Johnson IS the highest paid CB in the NFL. But, stay tuned, Rams fans. They may move him before the draft.
What Do The Rams Need In The Draft?
The Rams first pick in the 2017 draft won’t happen until the 2nd round – pick No.37 overall.
Despite the Woods signing, the Rams are deficient at WR. The 4-year, $42 million dollar extension of WR Tavon Austin bought exactly 58 receptions, 509 receiving yards and only three TD catches.
In my opinion the Rams will use their first pick on a receiver. The Rams need a dependable pass catcher with some speed to stretch defenses and complement Austin and Woods.
Good WR Prospects Available
After 2008, when no WR was selected in the first round, history indicates at least four will go in Round 1.
However, because of injuries and question marks about other WRs, I believe the only two WRs guaranteed to be selected in the first round are Mike Williams of Clemson and Corey Davis of Western Michigan.
Davis is rated the No.1 WR by many, but is coming off ankle surgery. He’s a first-round talent and may slip, but don’t count on him tumbling to the Rams’ spot.
Otherwise, barring a run on receivers, the Rams have some good prospects to choose from in the second round pick (No.37), two in particular.
Curtis Samuel, the Ohio State Buckeye burner ran a 4.3 at the combine yet may sneak out of the first round.
Will Huskies’ Ross Slip To Second Round?
New scouting reports indicate John Ross, the speedy end out of Washington is slipping in the draft, into the second round and off many teams’ draft boards altogether.
Past injuries to both knees and a recent surgically repaired torn shoulder labrum could allow Ross to drift to the Rams.
Although Ross is small – listed at 5’11” and 188 – he ran a blazing 4.22 40 at the combine.
Safety And Center High On The Wish List
After losing TJ McDonald to free agency, a safety who is ready to start as a rookie is high on the wish list.
Two Pac-12 free safety standouts, Budda Baker of Washington and Utah’s Marcus Williams should be available if the Rams don’t get the WR they covet.
Also, the Rams want to protect Goff. They released a veteran center, signed another, yet still likely want an offensive lineman who can develop into a starting center.
The only interior lineman listed as a center that the Rams will consider is Pat Elflein of Ohio State. Although it’s more likely he will be around when they select No.69.
Vincent Morales
Recently, Morales was the marketing manager and publicist for a world-renowned sports artist and was instrumental in securing and maintaining deals for the artist to work with Stephen Curry, Aaron Rodgers, Derek Jeter, Floyd Mayweather, Mayweather Promotions, the Topps Company, Steiner Sports, and Fanatics Authentic, among many others.
Morales is a lifelong resident of southern California.
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