Way-too-early 2018 Rams 7-Round mock draft

  • To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.

JKBOGEN

JAKE OLIVER ELLENBOGEN
Joined
Jun 26, 2016
Messages
1,745
Way-too-early 2018 Rams 7-Round mock draft
227364_f0db36c0c07a468ab73ded52a335de46~mv2.webp

https://www.downtownrams.com/single-post/2017/05/01/Way-too-early-2018-Rams-7-Round-mock-draft

1st round: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama (6-foot-1, 203 pounds)
227364_8d2736868a7d4f52b76a4c67df15967f~mv2.webp

Yes, we have a first round pick again, this is going to feel weird. It’s also real early and right now many would probably go offensive tackle to replace veteran LT Andrew Whitworth, but I am going to mock Minkah Fitzpatrick here because CB Trumaine Johnson is not guaranteed to re-sign. I know he wants to, but sometimes the team and player are unable to come to a deal and it’s not that a expect that to happen, but I would still be aware that is a possibility.

With no one signed to a long-term deal at the cornerback position, I believe (at least as of April 2017) that grabbing a potential superstar cornerback is the right move. Fitzpatrick look like just that last season when he picked off six passes towards the end of Alabama’s season.

Fitzpatrick is a bigger and physical cornerback that can play both inside the numbers and outside the numbers. He is a faster cornerback as well posting a 4.4 at Alabama, which is very evident on tape. When you watch Fitzpatrick you get excited about the explosiveness to his game, he’s got some growing up to do as of now. He has some areas of concern, but I believe he will fix things and he will only get better this up-coming season for the Crimson Tide.

2nd round: Martez Ivey, OT, Florida (6-foot-5, 312 pounds)
227364_501e28eadce64cd188ec6bcab7daa6f9~mv2_d_2048_1365_s_2.webp

Now we can address the offensive tackle position. I am not going to predict the future with this mock, but I believe Whitworth is in for another great year as usual. He’s been the model of consistency for years and I expect no different. After the season the Rams should absolutely be prepared for life after Whitworth and that is why we have Martez Ivey coming to the Rams here.


Ivey is the pick here because he is not quite a first round selection right now (that could easily change at the end of the season) but he is still a really good prospect. What you like from Ivey on tape is his quickness. Right off the bat he has a lot of it and he moves so well where you know he will be a threat in the second level. He’s a full on finisher that will take his opponent out of the play if need be. He’s a little bit raw and that was shown immediately which is why the Gators put in him in at guard. However, he can and will be playing left tackle especially now that David Sharpe is in the NFL.

Now that Ivey is at his natural position it is only a matter of time before people start knowing his name.

3rd round: Jalen Hurd, RB, Baylor (6-foot-4, 240 pounds)
227364_3362240afe3a42dea7fc461c04be1e94~mv2.webp

What if Todd Gurley struggles in his third season? Not saying it will happen, but again let’s be real that Gurley has hit a considerable wall and will need a big season to tell us and show us otherwise. Regardless of Gurley’s success or not, the Rams in my opinion don’t have a great option behind Gurley. They have some nice options, but nothing that makes teams cringe. Malcolm Brown is a good back, but not a great one that can come in and seemingly do just as much damage at the RB position. Lance Dunbar is on a one-year deal and the jury is still out on Aaron Green. So I’ve decided to add a fun back here.

Jalen Hurd is a freak of a running back who knows how to run like an NFL running back. Scouts and I love the way he is able to run with low pad level, excellent balance, ability to run through tackles with ease. Hurd is similar to James Conner who was drafted by the Steelers this past weekend, in that he refuses to go down. However, Hurd is a different back, Conner isn’t nearly as big or tall and Hurd runs like a much more technically sound running back. He is apparently transferring from Tennessee to go to Baylor, regardless I think he is going to enter the NFL draft even if he has to sit out a year.

Hurd is a great pass protector which makes him even more valuable as a back. To be completely honest he is an outstanding back. Even if all works out with Gurley, imagine Gurley and Hurd as a duo…that might be a little unfair.

4th round: Dorance Armstrong Jr., OLB, Kansas (6-foot-4, 241 pounds)
227364_208bd760d8114b63a97ee03fd946a887~mv2.webp

Armstrong Jr., is one of the up-and-coming pass rushers in college football. In fact, he’s being touted as the possible next Myles Garrett who both were recruited by David Beaty who just so happens to be the Head coach at Kansas. He has shown steady improvement and has really flashed a high ceiling thus far. As Kansas football continues to improve so does he. Of course the Jayhawk edge rusher ranked 15th overall in the entire country for pass rushing productivity according to Pro Football Focus. Now this is his year to really take the college level by storm.

The Rams drafted two linebackers and have a ton of linebackers, but even so, we have no idea the fate of Robert Quinn. If he has another year where he battles injuries it’s likely the Rams will look for a future starter at the position. Armstrong Jr. has the tools to be a starting edge rusher in the NFL and will only fall to the third round because of him being at Kansas and how they seem to go unnoticed even more now.

5th round: Shaquem Griffin, LB, UCF (6-foot-1, 213 pounds)
227364_e3f21b1efd144b3c8732245fb58820ed~mv2.webp

With Alec Ogletree un-signed and Mark Barron’s future in question, it remains to be seen what the Rams will have to do. So I gave them the one-handed wonder Shaquem Griffin. He is an absolute inspiration to everyone out there as he had his hand amputated when he was four years old, but you would never know it.

His brother Shaquill will be in Seattle as they drafted him in the third round, but his brother is going to be at UCF for one more year and he’s already had some outstanding production there. Griffin won the AAC defensive player of the year award racking up 11 sacks, 20 tackles for a loss on 92 tackles, seven pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

He may have one hand, but he can definitely contribute and would be a great option for the Rams in the fifth round.

6th round: Evan Berry, FS, Tennessee (5-foot-11, 207 pounds)
227364_8b8f9b145b3248838378fc396131c862~mv2.webp

I’m unsure how the off-season and regular season will go with the safeties on the roster, but I think regardless drafting Eric Berry’s brother would help the Rams. Since Benny Cunningham left in free agency and there is the possibility of letting Tavon Austin go after the season if he doesn’t perform up to par…the Rams could be in use of a return man.

Berry flashes an obvious bloodline, potential and the ability to take back any kick for a touchdown. The Rams really won’t understand the need for a kick returner until after the year. Benny Cunningham averaged 27.1 yards per return for his four years with the Rams. Berry makes sense as we look to the future.

7th round: Thomas Sirk, QB, East Carolina (6-foot-4, 220 pounds)
227364_a7133d71e5424dcfad3a3c83d186c4d0~mv2_d_2048_1365_s_2.webp

Lastly, I have the Rams taking a QB and this has nothing to do with what I think about Jared Goff because trust me, if it did, I would be selecting a first round QB not a seventh round. Sean Mannion is a free agent in 2019, so may not seem like a big deal, but besides the fact Mannion isn’t amazing by any means. On top of that the Rams have Aaron Murray as a restricted free agent next year. I do not believe Goff’s long-term backup option is on this roster judging by the amount of time these guys are signed. Sirk may not be the option either, but he does give the Rams a developmental option that is considered a dual threat QB. Sirk is transferring from Duke to East Carolina as a graduate transfer, receiving on more year of college football eligibility.

What are your thoughts on our extremely early mock draft? Any of these names interest you? Let us know!
 

snackdaddy

Who's your snackdaddy?
Joined
May 6, 2014
Messages
10,719
Name
Charlie
You really think Fitzpatrick will still be there with the 32nd pick we're gonna have? :cool:
 

Riverumbbq

Angry Progressive
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
May 26, 2013
Messages
11,962
Name
River
images_maninchair.jpg


Sorry Jake, i'm looking for our true # 1 WR next draft, lets complete the transformation and blow the doors off the competition. 1'st round = WR


WR - Anthony Miller, Memphis

Those who’ve followed Miller closely over the last two seasons will have a hard time believing he began his career without a scholarship. Yes, a one-time walk-on rewrote the Memphis single-season record books in 2016 with 95 receptions for 1,434 yards and 14 touchdown catches. Miller is especially dangerous on deep routes, and his ball skills are outstanding. The best is likely ahead now that he’s entering his second season in Mike Norvell’s system as quarterback Riley Ferguson’s battery mate.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP6U2W9ecAw



WR - Ahmmon Richards, Miami
Richards is a classic burner, a field-stretcher with the 4.3 jets to take the top off the defense. It turns out he’s also a rather polished receiver, debuting in his first year out of high school with 49 receptions for 934 yards and three touchdowns. Richards is now looking to become more of a leader in Year 2 and more polished at the finer points of the position. He’ll look to do so without the luxury of Brad Kaaya, who’s about to be replaced by a far less experienced quarterback.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pphjtiMosM



WR - Dante Pettis, Washington
Pettis glides with such an effortless gait that it doesn’t appear he’s moving fast until he’s already blown past a defender. He’s a big-play, soft-handed receiver who pulled down 53 balls for 822 yards and 15 touchdowns a season ago. And he took a pair of punts back for touchdowns, including the game-winner to beat Utah in Salt Lake City. With John Ross off to the NFL, Pettis is about to take center stage as Jake Browning’s preferred target on the outside, while Chico McClatcher causes headaches for opposing teams out of the slot.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDIp3yNDmjU



WR - James Washington, Oklahoma State
It’s a shocker that Washington isn’t preparing for the NFL Draft right now. He’s a pro-ready long ball threat who’ll spend one more year tormenting Big 12 defensive backs on the other end of Mason Rudolph’s spirals. In three seasons in Stillwater, Washington has caught 152 passes for 2,923 yards and 26 touchdowns. He’s shown an uncanny knack for slipping behind defenses and then effortlessly plucking the ball out of the air like an outfielder. Washington is plenty fast, but he has even better game speed, which is also him separate from tight coverage.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdpIqDPUJZs
 
Last edited:

JKBOGEN

JAKE OLIVER ELLENBOGEN
Joined
Jun 26, 2016
Messages
1,745
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5
You really think Fitzpatrick will still be there with the 32nd pick we're gonna have? :cool:
Is this the same dude from reddit? LOL! I've been asked this now twice today. HAHA
 

JKBOGEN

JAKE OLIVER ELLENBOGEN
Joined
Jun 26, 2016
Messages
1,745
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7
Sorry Jake, i'm looking for our true # 1 WR next draft, lets complete the transformation and blow the doors off the competition. 1'st round = WR

advert-memorex-ad-12675260812341.jpg



WR - Anthony Miller, Memphis

Those who’ve followed Miller closely over the last two seasons will have a hard time believing he began his career without a scholarship. Yes, a one-time walk-on rewrote the Memphis single-season record books in 2016 with 95 receptions for 1,434 yards and 14 touchdown catches. Miller is especially dangerous on deep routes, and his ball skills are outstanding. The best is likely ahead now that he’s entering his second season in Mike Norvell’s system as quarterback Riley Ferguson’s battery mate.


WR - Ahmmon Richards, Miami
Richards is a classic burner, a field-stretcher with the 4.3 jets to take the top off the defense. It turns out he’s also a rather polished receiver, debuting in his first year out of high school with 49 receptions for 934 yards and three touchdowns. Richards is now looking to become more of a leader in Year 2 and more polished at the finer points of the position. He’ll look to do so without the luxury of Brad Kaaya, who’s about to be replaced by a far less experienced quarterback.


WR - Dante Pettis, Washington
Pettis glides with such an effortless gait that it doesn’t appear he’s moving fast until he’s already blown past a defender. He’s a big-play, soft-handed receiver who pulled down 53 balls for 822 yards and 15 touchdowns a season ago. And he took a pair of punts back for touchdowns, including the game-winner to beat Utah in Salt Lake City. With John Ross off to the NFL, Pettis is about to take center stage as Jake Browning’s preferred target on the outside, while Chico McClatcher causes headaches for opposing teams out of the slot.


WR - James Washington, Oklahoma State
It’s a shocker that Washington isn’t preparing for the NFL Draft right now. He’s a pro-ready long ball threat who’ll spend one more year tormenting Big 12 defensive backs on the other end of Mason Rudolph’s spirals. In three seasons in Stillwater, Washington has caught 152 passes for 2,923 yards and 26 touchdowns. He’s shown an uncanny knack for slipping behind defenses and then effortlessly plucking the ball out of the air like an outfielder. Washington is plenty fast, but he has even better game speed, which is also him separate from tight coverage.
I almost mocked my favorite WR that I have ranked higher than Corey Davis, Amari Cooper and Mike Evans...Courtland Sutton.
 

OldSchool

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
ROD Credit | 2022 TOP Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2013
Messages
38,390
Interesting ideas. Don't like a RB early and we just drafted a FS in the 3rd seriously doubt they give up on that one and take a 6th rounder the following year to replace him, maybe a SS there if anything. We also just drafted 2 OLB this year so while they're possible to draft 2 more that would be what 5 OLB drafted in 3 years? Seems excessive. Ah wait one of those is likely an ILB inside so drop the number one. Anything is possible but as the title says it's way too early to worry about this when we don't know how the players on the roster now will adjust to McVay.
 

JKBOGEN

JAKE OLIVER ELLENBOGEN
Joined
Jun 26, 2016
Messages
1,745
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9
Interesting ideas. Don't like a RB early and we just drafted a FS in the 3rd seriously doubt they give up on that one and take a 6th rounder the following year to replace him, maybe a SS there if anything. We also just drafted 2 OLB this year so while they're possible to draft 2 more that would be what 5 OLB drafted in 3 years? Seems excessive. Ah wait one of those is likely an ILB inside so drop the number one. Anything is possible but as the title says it's way too early to worry about this when we don't know how the players on the roster now will adjust to McVay.
Exactly, I wrote this for fun and to give you ideas of who you should keep an eye out for. I decided I am going to do all-year draft research instead of starting november like usual.
 

OldSchool

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
ROD Credit | 2022 TOP Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2013
Messages
38,390
Exactly, I wrote this for fun and to give you ideas of who you should keep an eye out for. I decided I am going to do all-year draft research instead of starting november like usual.
One impression I get is that McVay is going to be like Shanahan going forward and use later round RB. Once Gurley is done I have a feeling it's 4-7th round RB's for the Rams with McVay.
 

JKBOGEN

JAKE OLIVER ELLENBOGEN
Joined
Jun 26, 2016
Messages
1,745
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11
One impression I get is that McVay is going to be like Shanahan going forward and use later round RB. Once Gurley is done I have a feeling it's 4-7th round RB's for the Rams with McVay.
I would love that kid from Penn State if he wasn't so far out of reach. If Gurley falters though the Rams should probably draft Scarborough from Alabama.
 

Loyal

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Jul 27, 2010
Messages
29,455
JAKE....so you are considering a Gurley replacement (a former OROY), but nothing about whether Sullivan will last a full season in 2017 and that Rhaney is good enough at Center as his replacement.?THIS IS CENTER DISCRIMINATION!

*finds safe space.
 

wolfdogg

Hall of Fame
Joined
Jun 19, 2014
Messages
2,965
Name
wolfdogg
Way too early is one way of putting it. Id say its more like everyone on this thread needs some help. Haha
 

Riverumbbq

Angry Progressive
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
May 26, 2013
Messages
11,962
Name
River
Whether free agency or draft, for now, this is how I see 2018 playing out. Some of the new guys may be one and done, others we are fairly certain to re-sign. I suspect there may be some CAP casualties with guys like Saffold, Austin, Barron & perhaps Joyner on the edge. Re-signing Greg Robinson will be all about his 2017 performance. Freeing up CAP for extending Aaron Donald is job #1, Ogletree & Easley will also be needing extensions. jmo.

1) WR - true #1 (draft)

2) CB - resign TruJo prior to free agency & find a quality sidekick for him (free agency or draft)

3) C - Sullivan is only signed for 2017 (free agency or draft)

4) OT/OG - replacement depth for Saffold or Robinson if necessary. (free agency or draft) I look for starting grade LT with 1'st round pick in 2019.

5) DE - starter or rotational depth competition (free agency or draft)

6) ILB - replaces Barron's ridiculous contract, either starter or depth (free agency or draft)

7) OLB - Depends a lot on Barwin's game, he's only signed thru 2017, same applies to Quinn's health. (free agency or draft)

8) NT - late round or free agent rotational player specializing in run defense, we are already loaded with pass rush types.

9) RB - late round competition for the #2 or #3 spot. (draft)

jmo.
 

ReddingRam

Hall of Fame
Joined
Sep 7, 2011
Messages
2,459
I would love that kid from Penn State if he wasn't so far out of reach. If Gurley falters though the Rams should probably draft Scarborough from Alabama.
Got a kid I know and my son coached at one point. Not sure if he will come out next year or not, but Izzy Matthews - Colo St. Keep an eye on him.
 

JKBOGEN

JAKE OLIVER ELLENBOGEN
Joined
Jun 26, 2016
Messages
1,745
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #18
Got a kid I know and my son coached at one point. Not sure if he will come out next year or not, but Izzy Matthews - Colo St. Keep an eye on him.
I will put that in my notes! Thanks for the heads up
 

JKBOGEN

JAKE OLIVER ELLENBOGEN
Joined
Jun 26, 2016
Messages
1,745
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #19
I like this list, but seeing as how I'm already worried about ILB for this season I would bump it up a few slots.
Hey thanks man! I totally understand that haha