Special Pre-Draft Los Angeles Rams Weekly!

Los Angeles Rams have the most pressure in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Los Angeles Rams have five picks in 2016 NFL draft, including No. 1 overall pick. The pressure to win is now…
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Todd Gurley (Georgia) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number 10th overall pick to the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Straight away after the 2015 season, the Rams needed the find a franchise quarterback that could lead their team for years to come, they might find him with the 1st overall pick. Los Angeles gave up a lot, and that may even be an understatement. The Rams acquire: First-, fourth- and sixth-round picks this year, Nos. 1, 113 and 177 overall. The Titans acquire: First-, second-, second- and third-round picks this year (Nos. 15, 43, 45 and 76), plus the Rams’ first- and third-round picks next year. With giving up a house and a leg for the 1st pick, the Rams now only have five total picks in the NFL Draft.

With five picks in the Draft, the Rams must use them wisely, and not take any chances. Let’s begin with the 1st pick, The Rams will find their franchise quarterback in either QB Carson Wentz or Jared Goff. Multiple sources have gone back and forth on this topic, but Goff seems to be the choice at number 1.

Los Angeles will be taking a break from the 2nd and 3rd rounds which may hurt them in the long run. Hopefully the choice at number 1 will perform so well in 2016, that the low draft picks was just a blur. The Rams next pick is in the 4th round Pick 110, with current team needs of WR, CB, LB, TE and K. Some Mock Drafts have the Rams selecting Jerell Adams, Tight End, South Carolina or Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame with the 110th pick. With their new QB, the Rams are going to need a new weapon, but then again the team must have a plan B if Mark Barron or Alec Ogletree under perform.
Nov 29, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles kicker Roberto Aguayo (19) kicks the ball during the game against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
If the Rams make a mistake with the 110th pick, they can always redeem themselves a couple of picks later with the 113th pick. This would be a good time for the Rams to pick up a solid WR or CB. A couple of names that pop up near this pick are  Artie Burns, Cornerback, Miami and Kenny Lawler, WR, California. Los Angeles does have a young secondary, might as well add another to the mix and have them battle it out in Training Camp. Lawler may not have the size, but he is very consistent, which the Rams are clearly not good at. Lawler will make those catches.

The last two picks are going to be crucial for the Rams which come in Round 6, Picks 177 and 190. In the latest Mock Drafts, names of Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State, Nick Kwiatkoski, ILB, West Virginia, Ryan Smith, CB, North Carolina Central and Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor. The Rams current kicker, Greg “The Leg” had a below average last season, Los Angeles may use the draft to find a replacement if he continues to struggle. An interesting name that comes up is the defensive end from Baylor Shawn Oakman. Now the Rams already have a stacked defensive line, but the 6’8″ player seems like a Fisher pick here.

There is no room to screw up here for the Rams, The 2016 NFL Draft will be a key stepping stone into their new season in Los Angeles. 

Report: Los Angeles Rams To Take Jared Goff, Decision Is Final. Los Angeles Rams “Expected” To Draft Jared Goff.
Oct 22, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) passes against the UCLA Bruins during the first quarter at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Rams have betrayed nothing as to their preferences going into the 2016 draft regarding the quarterbacks.  The rest of the NFL feels differently.

According to Jordan Raanan, a beat writer for NJ.com and who covers the New York Giants, believes the Rams have all but made their choice already.
Heard Goff is 99.9% the pick at No. 1. The entire league knows it

This falls in line with the initial predicts made last week.  Jared Goff is widely considered the most pro-ready quarterback in the class.  His mix of size, arm strength, pocket poise and toughness are what teams look for in a starter.  Having lived through years of mediocrity at the position, the Rams are committed to finally solving their problem and to get their team over the hump to the playoffs.  They have a solid, young roster in place featuring a Pro Bowl running back in Todd Gurley and a strong defense.  It’s the ideal environment for a rookie quarterback.

The interest in somebody like Goff goes deeper than that though.  The Rams have just made the move from St. Louis to Los Angeles.  This presents significant challenges, most notably finding a way to ignite interest from the local fans.  Sure, there are still old groups of faithful back during the first incarnations of the L.A. Rams but they are few.  In order to get over and help the organization thrive, the team needed to find a way to get attention.  Positive attention.  Their first step was making a blockbuster trade up to the #1 overall pick, and next would be to take a quarterback.

Not just any quarterback though.  Goff is a California kid to the bone.  He was born in Novato, took Kentfield High School to a state title game and has helped resuscitate Cal University from an afterthought to a resurgent power in the Pac-12.  What better way to get California fans invested in their football agenda than by scooping up one of their own to make it happen?

It’s a smart PR move by the Rams that should yield results on Sundays.
Nov 14, 2015; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff (16) passes the ball against the Oregon State Beavers during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
When the Los Angeles Rams traded up to the number one overall pick, it was assumed that they knew who they were going to take. Les Snead and Jeff Fisher even said that they were 97% sure they knew they were choosing first overall when they traded up.

While there have been reports saying that the Rams will take Carson Wentz and others that have suggested Goff, over the last week, the quarterback from California has dominated the rumors. Snead and Fisher said Tuesday at their press conference that they wouldnt disclose the pick until Thursday when they turn in the card.

However, according to Jordan Schultz of the Huffington Post, the Rams have already made their decision, and their decision is to take Goff with the first overall pick. Schultz goes on to say that the decision is final.

While it isn’t official yet, it is probably pretty safe to assume that the Rams will be taking Goff with the first overall pick as Schultz is not the first reporter over the last week that has been pretty confident in saying that Goff to the Rams is going to happen.

Mike Silver of nfl.com as well as Vinny Bonsignore of the LA Times, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, and Ben Allbright have all reported Goff to the Rams. Schultz’s report just adds that the decision is final and the Rams know who they are taking.

By the looks of it, we know who will be the future franchise quarterback of the Los Angeles Rams and his name is Jared Goff. The NFL Draft will take place this Thursday in Chicago beginning at 8PM ET and can been seen on ESPN and the NFL Network. The Rams will be first on the clock and will by the looks of it be taking Jared Goff, quarterback, University of California.

NFL Draft: Rams won’t tip their first overall pick until card is in. The Rams have the first overall pick but they won’t be showing their hand until they make their pick. 

Ever since the Los Angeles Rams traded for the first overall pick, it has been assumed that they will be drafting either Jared Goff or Carson Wentz. The duo is considered the top two quarterbacks available in the draft.

Considering how quickly they will need a star and a face of the franchise to survive in Los Angeles, it is a move that might not be popular, but extremely justifiable. Which one of the two will they draft? Los Angeles will not be showing their hand until they turn in their pick on Thursday evening.

“We’ll get in touch with the player just before putting the card in,” Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said, via Pro Football Talk. “There’s only a few things better in life than this phone call, these phone calls that are going to take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It’s a great opportunity and we don’t want to deny our pick the opportunity to experience that.”

That’s probably the right thing to do. The NFL Draft is a once in a lifetime experience for draftees. Fisher and his team are being very professional by allowing draftees to soak in the moment and enjoy themselves. Whoever Los Angeles chooses with the first overall pick, they face lofty expectations in a city that demands success.
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the number ninth overall pick to the New York Giants in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Former Number One Overall Pick Has Advice For Future Los Angeles Rams Quarterback.

There is a lot of pressure when it comes to being the number one overall pick, let alone being the new franchise quarterback of a team that just moved to Los Angeles. Whether the Rams draft Carson Wentz or Jared Goff, there is going to be a lot of pressure for either quarterback when they arrive to Rams camp.

As Les Snead has said this offseason,

“I think [at] No. 1, you need to have a special skill set that’s going to allow that skill to translate into production on the field,” Snead said. “But there’s an off-the-field element to it — how that player is going to represent the franchise. Because, guess what, if you get picked No. 1, that’s going to stay with you forever. No matter how old you are, [if] you got picked No. 1, you come in the locker room, everybody’s looking at you,” Snead said. “So you’ve got to be able to handle yourself there and, I call it, be a team-blender and not a team-divider. Because he’s the No. 1 pick, he’s been individualized to a certain extent, been put on a pedestal to a certain extent. So when he walks into that locker room, guess what — he comes off that pedestal. No. 1, it really means nothing. ‘I’m a part of the group.’ And there’s qualities in humans that can get us all marching in the same direction. That’s the chemistry we’re looking for.”

A lot of pressure comes with being the number one overall pick, and because they are picked so high, there is a lot of pressure for that player to be a difference maker and turn the franchise around.

Monday on NFL.com, former number one overall pick, David Carr, who was a bust for the Houston Texans when they first selected the number one overall pick, wrote an open letter to the future quarterback of the Los Angeles Rams who will be chosen number one overall. Here’s what Carr had to say:

“Dear future Rams QB,

Your life is about to go through enormous change, if it hasn’t already. There are many things that come with being not only the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft, but the likely starting quarterback of a team dealing with a huge transition in moving from St. Louis to Los Angeles. There are many differences between my journey 14 years ago in Houston and the one you’ll have soon in L.A., but I’d like to share some insight to help you adjust to your new role as a rookie quarterback in the National Football League.

My first piece of advice: Seek out veteran players and pick their brains. There’s a reason those guys stick in the league for 10-plus years, and it’s not just because they’re more talented than others. I didn’t immerse myself into in-depth football talk with the vets in Houston as much as I would’ve liked. It wasn’t until I was with the New York Giants late in my career that I understood the importance of this. Alongside learning how your team and the NFL operates, you’ll feel like one of the guys, rather than a separate piece, the untouchable new guy the draft builds you up to be. Having a good relationship with the guys in the locker room is absolutely essential to having success on the field, and it’s something you can start working on Day 1.

Second, stay committed to your preparation, because there will be a lot of struggles early on.When I was going through the draft process, three-time Super Bowl champion Troy Aikman gave me some great advice. He said, “You’re being picked first because your team isn’t that good. But be sure you are ready when your team is ready.” Although the Rams are better than the teams Troy and I were drafted to at the time, you must continue to stay focused and learn from the negatives. It will help you make great strides and prepare you to lead your team when making a playoff push.

Whether or not you start from Day 1, which is very likely, just know that everyone in the Rams facilities wants you to succeed. They all want what’s best for you, so don’t be afraid to speak up. If you aren’t confident in what you’re doing, no one else in the locker room will be. Remember, YOU need to be comfortable with what you’re running from Mondays to Sundays.

And here’s the cold, hard truth: Becoming a superstar overnight is a hard thing to deal with. You are going to be praised and criticized — ignore both. Soaking in the praise will only lead to a possible slip in your mental or physical preparation. In the same breath, focusing on negative criticism will hinder your play and ability to lead your team. Make a conscious effort to stay focused, especially in Los Angeles — the city where countless celebrities hit rock bottom, no matter how much money or fame they had. There are a lot of distractions, and a ton of people will suddenly pull at you. It’s OK to say no. Frankly, you’ll have to in this profession if you want a shot at having a successful career. Keep your inner circle tight and spend your time and energy on the things that are the most important to you.

OK, enough with the lecture. The biggest thing that I can share with you is this: Being a quarterback in the NFL is the best job in the world, but it’s also probably the hardest thing you’ll ever do. When I tell stories to my kids or friends, they look at me as if it’s the most interesting thing they’ve ever heard. And when I think about it, it is pretty cool. That’s about to be your everyday, man. You get to make the memories you fantasized about as a kid — celebrating the big win, playing in front of tens of thousands of fans, being down in the fourth quarter with two minutes left on the clock, meeting and playing against your football idols.

This is your time to live your dream, and it doesn’t last forever. Enjoy the journey and work hard so there won’t be any regrets when you walk off the field.

Good luck, kid. I’m pulling for you.”-David Carr

One thing that Carr referred to as a key to having NFL success is the importance of having that veteran guy there to help out and “picking their brains”. For Goff or Wentz, that’s one thing that they are going to be without as the Rams dont have a veteran quarterback on offense. The Rams are the youngest team in the NFL, therefore, while guys like Kenny Britt and Case Keenum will be able to help, it’s not going to be like having another veteran quarterback in the locker room.

Carr’s second point makes a lot of sense. A lot of rookies that fail in the NFL get lazy with their preparation. Goff and Wentz both seem like they are hard workers and put in all the extra work to succeed, hopefully that continues at the NFL level.

Both players are going to have to deal with adversity and failure early one, it’s that simple. Both players have dealt with adversity in the past and used that to succeed. Wentz had to come back from a broken wrist, and Goff had to overcome a 1-11 season as well as a separated shoulder.

The last point Carr makes is probably the most important, and a lot of it has to do with the move to LA. The Rams are no longer in St. Louis, there is going to be a lot of pressure for one of these players to succeed in the big market. There are going to be a lot of eyes on him to be this team’s franchise quarterback. It’s going to be important for Goff and Wentz to block all of the outside criticism out and focus on their respective games.
Dec 6, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams quarterback Nick Foles (5) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 27-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Multiple teams are interested in Los Angeles Rams QB Nick Foles. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that “several” teams have interest in Rams QB Nick Foles,

With the Los Angeles Rams trading up to the 1st pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, there is no doubt the Rams will select a quarterback which means that Nick Foles will either be riding the bench or could be traded in the next couple of days. ESPN’s Adam Schefter believes this could be something to watch in the coming days.

With the Rams only having five picks in the upcoming draft, Peter King adds that the Rams could get a 2016 draft pick for Foles. A lot of pressure will be on the Rams draft selections, so adding a couple of picks thanks to Foles could ease the pressure. Peter King also added that the Broncos will not be interested in Foles. Lawrence Pereira of the Ramblin Fan staff, talked about why the Rams must trade Nick Foles a couple of weeks ago as well.

Given Foles’ performance last year, the Rams are certainly not going to get back into the first round and maybe not even the second by trading him away. In my opinion, getting a late round pick plus another towards the end of the second round or the top end of the third would be well worth it. Nick Foles will very soon be surplus to the Rams’ requirements. While his brief time with the Rams was certainly forgettable his 2013 season was anything but, and there may be others out there who may feel they can get more out of Foles than the Rams did. But that comes with a price.
Los Angeles still need help in the offense, and with some more draft picks, they can surely get some more help. A few weeks ago, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk spoke with a source with knowledge of the dynamics who predicted that Foles will likely will be gone by the start of training camp. Maybe even if the Rams don’t trade Foles in the upcoming days, they might even take the lowest of the low to just get rid of him. Sorry buddy.

Los Angeles looks to draft with the No. 1 overall pick on QB Jared Goff which he will join a team of Case Keenum, Nick Foles and Sean Mannion. Too many quarterbacks on the roster, somebody has to go. Many assumed that Foles’ contract would leave him as a less appealing trade option, even though there are a few teams in need of a quarterback. However, Jason Fitzgerald points out that it would only cost a team $1.75 million to trade for Foles.

Remember when the Rams traded away Sam Bradford to Philadelphia, and return got Nick Foles and both teams looked to have solved their quarterback problem? With the Rams at number 1 and the Eagles at number 2, you can say that trade was just stupid now.

In 2015, Foles completed 56.4 percent of his passes for 2,052 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 36 quarterback out of 37 qualifying players. Sorry Foles, the Los Angeles spotlight just does not fit you well.

A satirical look at more than 75 years of Football's Rams history, combined with discussions of American Exceptionalism and almost 50 years of personal experience in the life of a Rams Fan. The history parallels and intertwines life to form a humorous, yet serious look at American HistoryWorld History, an American Footballteam, and Political Science.