Author: Shaun P Kernahan

Homer Corner: An LA Rams Draft Recap

The LA Rams had one of the more interesting drafts in recent NFL memory. And since half of The Stain avidly supports the franchise as a fan, it’s only right that we try to make some sense of it. I’ve been told that I’m prone to negative overreaction and hyperbole when it comes to evaluating the operations of the teams I support, but I promise to be objective.

Even for the impartial observer, the whirlwind of roster turnover from the Rams’ Super Bowl runner up squad has been a thing of interest. While the offensive acumen of head coach Sean McVay and the boldness of GM Les Snead are beyond dispute, it is fair to wonder if they have a plan. I for one was curious how they would approach this draft, both as a fan and as someone who has difficulty looking away from train wrecks. Perhaps I’m still scarred from the Jeff Fisher era’s brutal ineptness. Who knows?

Summary: Welp, I predicted exactly zero of these picks correctly. Let me be clear, this draft is in no way an abject failure, as so many of their drafts have been in my nearly four decades of fandom. The team added a considerable amount of quality football players, which in itself is a nice accomplishment considering they didn’t have a first rounder. The oddity here is, the team had some pressing needs and one is left to wonder if they addressed any of them. Let’s take a look at the picks.

Cam Akers, RB, Florida State – Round 2, 52 Overall: In terms of player quality, it’s not really debatable. Akers is better than the 52^nd player in this draft. But, in the new analytics-driven NFL, there’s a market inefficiency at running back.

What I like about the pick: Akers is really a terrific player. A true three-down back, he put up remarkable numbers behind a flimsy offensive line in college. The tape indicates he’s willing and able in pass protection, and he’s a load to bring down. He’ll play significant snaps immediately.

What I don’t like about it: They didn’t need him. Last season they spent a pick on Darrel Henderson, whose analytics in a small sample size showed reasons for optimism. Malcom Brown has shown himself to be a capable deputy to the since departed Todd Gurley for several seasons now. There were quality running backs on the board as late as the 7^th round, Arizona State’s Eno Benjamin for example.

Grade: B-. It’s certainly not a terrible choice. I was initially a bit more sour on Akers’ selection here but it’s not fair to be too harsh in grading a pick that figures to be productive for a long time, even if he doesn’t fill a direct need.

Van Jefferson, WR, Florida – Round 2, 57 Overall: Again, not a bad player here. Just… why though? The value is here. But not really the need.

What I like about the pick: Jefferson is considered an elite route runner – which is probably the most important skill a receiver can have. Think Cooper Kupp. In the absence of any dominating physical trait, an elite route runner can still put up borderline dominant numbers and be a terror on opposing secondaries.

What I don’t like about it: If running back wasn’t a need, then wide receiver definitely wasn’t. Even after shipping Brandin Cooks to the Texans, the team still has Robert Woods, Kupp, the underrated Josh Reynolds, and tight end Tyler Higbee as weapons for Jared Goff. And if wide receiver WAS in fact the pressing need, wouldn’t waiting around and taking a deep threat like Devin Duvernay rather than a Kupp facsimile have made more sense?

Grade: C. There’s a lot to like about Jefferson as a player. I just wonder how much he’ll see the field his rookie year. If the team doesn’t lock up Kupp long term, this grade may get a bump. If they do, and he’s not getting significant snaps by 2021, well then it may take a hit. Not a terrible pick here. But not a very good one either.

Terrell Lewis, OLB, Alabama – Round 3, 84 Overall: There’s no arguing it, Lewis is a monster… when he’s on the field. Had he not missed two seasons with injuries, his name would be mentioned alongside Chase Young’s.

What I like about the pick: Lewis is a first round talent who fell to the third. Plus, pass rushers are in short supply and high demand. I can’t imagine the front office was expecting Lewis to be here so you have to give them immense credit for pouncing.

What I don’t like about it: Not a damn thing. Even with the considerable injury risk, Lewis is a tremendous get here. If I had to quibble and choose SOMETHING negative, I would say it makes the already idiotic signing of A’Shawn Robinson that much more stupid. Oh well.

Grade: A+. Even if Lewis gets hurt over and over and never plays meaningful downs for the team, you make this pick 100 out of 100 times. Well done.

Terrell Burgess, S, Utah – Round 3, 104 Overall: Burgess was a key member of a Utah defense that was one of the best in college football last season. He’s a bit small for safety and a bit slow for corner, so it remains to be seen where he fits.

What I like about the pick: At the risk of being repetitive, he was a quality player on an exceptional unit. If the goal is to add good players irrespective of position, you can’t do much better than Burgess.

What I don’t like about it: Where is he going to play? John Johnson and Taylor Rapp are the safeties. He can’t play outside. You could slot him in at the nickle, but the team is high on David Long already. Plus, another round is gone and with it an opportunity to address the squad’s biggest weakness – offensive line.

Grade: C+. I was going to be a bit harsher here, and then I remembered how Green Bay’s draft was going at this point. Burgess is a fine player. They can figure out what to do with him later.

Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue – Round 4, 136 Overall: Purdue is a physical handful without any real indicator that he can catch well enough to be a primary target, run routes well enough to get open, or block well enough to open running lanes.

What I like about the pick: Very little. With Hopkins’ physical traits, you can always hope to catch lightning in a bottle. And if that happens, I will happily admit I was wrong here.

What I don’t like about the pick: The team has Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett and Johnny Mundt already. It’s not inconceivable that Hopkins doesn’t even make the team, and that’s very poor for a fourth round pick.

Grade: D-. Thaddeus Moss went undrafted, and is a better player. *shrugs*

Jordan Fuller, S, Ohio State – Round 6, 199 Overall: It’s hard to quibble with nabbing a three year starter from an elite program at this stage in the draft. Fuller is better against the run, according to the experts, than he is against the pass.

What I like about the pick: See Burgess, Terrell. Good player. Good unit. Keep in mind, nearly 200 players have gone at this point and if you’re getting an NFL-ready player here, you’re ahead of the curve.

What I don’t like about it: There’s no path to playing time for Fuller. He should make the team if he does well enough on special teams in the preseason, but if he doesn’t kill it there, and there aren’t any injuries, how does he work his way onto the team?

Grade: B-. Judging purely on the quality of player, he’d get a higher grade. It’s hard to ignore the truth at this point though, that the team had needs at linebacker, offensive line, and backup quarterback and still haven’t addressed them.

Clay Johnston, LB, Baylor – Round 7, 234 Overall: A popular and emotional leader for the Baylor defense, Johnston was injured for half of 2019.

What I like about the pick: Los Angeles Lakers fans from the 90s will get this reference. There’s some Mark Madsen to Johnston. And if you get beyond the novelty of it, there’s enough quality to his game to justify being employed. If he’s healthy, he’ll make the team, which in itself makes this a good pick at this point.

What I don’t like about the pick: Yo! Where’s my offensive linemen at!?

Grade: B+. There’s a path to playing time for him almost immediately, which speaks both to the quality of this pick as well as the absence of any depth to the team’s linebacking corp.

Sam Sloman, K, Miami of Ohio – Round 7, 248 Overall: A place kicker… for the love of God.

What I like about the pick: Very little. Sloman’s kick percentage in his college career is pretty good, culminating with an impressive 87% last season. But at MoH, how many real pressure kicks did he take?

What I don’t like about it: You’ve already signed quality CFL veteran Lirim Hajrullahu. There’s ALWAYS quality veterans like Kai Forbath looking for work. Reclamation projects like Brett Maher. Veterans who for some reason seem to start every season unemployed before getting picked up by a contender… Nick Folk comes to mind. Why? Why do this?

Grade: F+. It’s a stupid pick. But at least if they took a kicker, they took one who has a chance to be decent.

Tremayne Anchrum, OL, Clemson – Round 7, 250 Overall: Finally. A lineman. Anchrum was named All-ACC last season as a senior.

What I like about the pick: Did I mention he’s a lineman? He’s also a pretty good one from a pretty good team. The Rams needed Guard help badly, and finally got it.

What I don’t like about it: Nothing. Anchrum won’t be Orlando Pace, but he was also chosen 249 picks later.

Grade: A+. Anchrum should play significant snaps as a rookie, and despite being a big small for an NFL guard, he can eat a few sandwiches and play well. I’d have given this pick an A even if they took him two rounds earlier.

Agree with me? Let me know on Twitter at @thestainsports. Disagree? Think I’m a moron? Let @shaunkernahan know. Thanks for reading.

2020 NFL Draft Recap: AFC West

Denver Broncos

Favorite Pick: Round 1, Pick 15 Overall – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama – You can easily argue Jeudy was the best receiver in the draft and I had both the Raiders and 49ers taking receivers in my mock so I was shocked to see Jeudy slide to the Broncos. Courtland Sutton is a very good receiver, but he may be demoted to WR2 by week one, Jeudy is that talented. You can look at Alabama draft picks in the Nick Saban era and find plenty of inconsistency at the NFL level, but WR has been one position that has translated well, and Jeudy should continue that trend.

Least Favorite Pick: Round 3, Pick 77 Overall – Michael Ojemudia, CB, Iowa – Not a terrible selection and definitely a need given Chris Harris moved on to the Chargers, but there were better options here. I had Troy Pride, Josiah Scott, Bryce Hall, Cameron Dantzler, and Amik Robertson ahead of Ojemudia on my board and all guys I feel could have stepped in better than him. Ojemudia struggles in man coverage, and may be best suited to be a free safety in the long term, not exactly something the Broncos with Justin Simmons already there.

Day Three Sleeper: Round 4, Pick 118 Overall, Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri – Tight End was far from a need for the Broncos, but the fact Albert O was still on the board in day three was a luxury too good to pass up. He is not much of a blocker, but his big body allows him to win contested balls and he ran a sub-4.50 40-yard dash, so he can stretch the field. Adding him to Noah Fant, Jeff Heuerman, Troy Fumagali, Jake Butt, and Nick Vannett gives the Broncos as deep and competitive a TE room as any in the league.

Undrafted Free Agent to Watch: Kendall Hinton, WR, Wake Forest – The Broncos loaded up the offense with weapons in the draft, and they continued it in UDFA. Considered by many as one of the big snubs not invited to the NFL combine, Hinton likely would have truly raised his stock to a sure-fire draft pick had he gone. He is a slot receiver who should make the back end of the roster but could be in competition as one of the slot options in four and five wide sets by year two.

Kansas City Chiefs

Favorite Pick: Round 1, Pick 32 Overall – Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU – The Broncos may have loaded up on offensive weapons in an attempt to keep up with the Chiefs, but the Chiefs went ahead and drafted one of the better all-around RBs in the draft and that offense just gets better. There is a real chance Edwards-Helaire is the go to back ahead of Damien Williams on Week 1. He is short, but sturdy, so he can run inside, but won’t be much of a goal line threat (hint to fantasy owners out there) so he will be more of a guy who is effective between the 20s.

Least Favorite Pick: Round 2, Pick 63 Overall – Willie Gay Jr., ILB, Mississippi State – I don’t necessarily dislike this pick, I just don’t love it. I liked Gay in the third round, so round two was a bit rich for me, plus there were other inside backers I liked btter. Zack Baun and Troy Dye are both guys I would have preferred, that said, Gay should be a quality player and this being my least favorite pick for the Chiefs is actually a complement to their draft.

Day Three Sleeper: Round 4, Pick 138 – L’Jarius Sneed, S, Louisiana Tech – I don’t like Sneed as a safety, but the Chiefs believe he can transition to corner where he played in 2018, and could bring good value there. He can fly once he gets going and will slide right in as a package defender for the team. Look for him to be a situational player in year one with a shot to be a starter by year two.

Undrafted Free Agent to Watch: Kalija Lipscomb, WR, Vanderbilt – Lipscomb plays like a big receiver but is only 6’ tall. He is no burner, so different from most Chiefs players, however he has long arms and very good hands that allow him to keep moving for the catch and run. He is likely a fifth or sixth option as receiver, but could offer Patrick Mahomes yet another weapon as his game speed is better than his 4.57 40-yard dash would suggest.

Las Vegas Raiders

Favorite Pick: Round 1, Pick 12 Overall – Henry Rugs III, WR, Alabama – Both first round Alabama receivers go to the AFC West with Ruggs being the surprise first WR off the board. At least, somewhat of a surprise, as this pick screams late owner Al Davis if anything. Ruggs ran a combine best 4.27 40-yard dash and was disappointed by it. Considering his biggest competition for targets is likely the TE duo of Darren Waller and Jason Witten (Tyrell Williams was the Raider number one receiver before this) Ruggs should have every chance to shine in Vegas.

Least Favorite Pick: Round 1, Pick 19 Overall – Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State – A guy I had as my eighth corner going late in round two, Arnette was a shocker going pick 19 overall, fourth among corners. Then again, this is the Raiders who picked Clelin Ferrell fourth overall a season ago. Don’t get me wrong, Arnette will be a starting corner Week One, I am just not sure he was the best option here.

Day Three Sleeper: Round 4, Pick 139 Overall – Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech – Robertson will be given every opportunity to earn a spot as a nickel corner, but likely more of a dime back in season one. He is only 5’8” otherwise he would have been a day two selection and he packs a punch despite his smaller stature. I expect him to line up over the slot receiver for the entirety of his career, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him become a quality blitzer from that position.

Undrafted Free Agent to Watch: Javin White, S, UNLV – Considering the Raiders didn’t have a ton of selections in the draft, and none after round four, it is a bit baffling to see their UDFA list at just seven as of my writing, and two of those are a kicker and long snapper. White is the best fit for the Raiders as he can play a downhill strong safety or linebacker. In order to be safety, he needs a lot of work on technique, while he probably needs to add 20 lbs. if he wants to be linebacker. Despite this, he is a hometown kid two times, growing up in Oakland (where the Raiders were) and going to school in Vegas (where the Raiders are) so he is as easy an UDFA to root for as there is in Raiders camp.

Los Angeles Chargers

Favorite Pick: Round 1, Pick 23 Overall – Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma – The Chargers moved back into the first round when they saw Murray still on the board late into round one, and got a guy who fits a need perfectly. They lost Thomas Davis, the team’s leading tackler a year ago, and Murray will slide right into that spot. He could battle for the team lead in tackles himself this season and will improve a run defense that was about league average a season ago.

Least Favorite Pick: Round 1, Pick 6 Overall – Justin Herbert , QB, Oregon – The fact the Chargers had two picks in round one and none on day two didn’t give a ton of options to choose from for least favorite, but I would have considered Herbert to be the selection to any team in the top half of round one. He has all the tools and has the look of a QB in LA, but the inconsistencies are a real concern as is his accuracy. The fact the Chargers have Tyrod Taylor may be the best part of this selection, as they can truly let Herbert work as the backup and soak in the speed of the NFL, but then again what team is really patient enough to let that happen these days?

Day Three Sleeper: Round 5, Pick 151 Overall – Joe Reed, WR, Virginia – This is one of those picks that only die-hard Chargers fans will truly appreciate this season. Reed averaged better than 28.5 yards per return during his time at Virginia and he amassed 17 tackles, meaning he can make an impact returning and covering kicks. As a receiver, he is a well-built slot receiver who was a HS running back so he will be a threat on shovel passes and coming around in jet sweeps. There might not be team that would have suited Reed better, so an excellent fit all around.

Undrafted Free Agent to Watch: Joe Graziano, DE, Northwestern – The UDFA class for the Chargers isn’t great, but there may not have been a more productive player in the class than Graziano. He was a very effective edge rusher in the Big Ten with Northwestern, and that alone is worthy of note. He saw plenty of future NFL offensive lineman and still managed to get to the QB, although his short arm and lack of burst doesn’t suggest he will have the same success at the next level. Overall, I doubt he makes the team, but he may be a practice squad guy asked to put on 20 lbs. or so and work as a hybrid lineman who can attack guards rather than tackles.

2020 NFL Draft Recap: AFC South

Houston Texans

Favorite Pick: Round 2, Pick 40 Overall – Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU – One could easily argue Blacklock should have gone in the first round, so always good to see a team without a first-round pick get first round value. Blacklock will not be a run-stuffing plugger like they once had in Vince Wilfork, instead he will more often line up over a guard and work to get after the QB, and interior pass rush is becoming more and more important in today’s NFL.

Least Favorite Pick: Round 3, Pick 90 Overall – Jonathan Greenard, Edge, Florida – The value here isn’t poor and there really wasn’t a better edge rusher available at the time, but seeing guys like Bradlee Anae, Curtis Weaver, and Khalid Kareem fall to round five, the Texans would have been off going corner in this spot as I feel there was better value there at the time.

Day Three Sleeper: Round 4, Pick 126 Overall – Charlie Heck, OT, North Carolina – A Heck of a pick here (see what I did there?) The Texans have had plenty of trouble keeping Deshaun Watson upright in recent years, so adding depth to the O-line was definitely a need. Heck will likely never be a starter, but he can fill in at either tackle as a backup and be serviceable in the role.

Undrafted Free Agent to Watch: Scottie Phillips, RB, Ole Miss – David Johnson is not the RB he once was, and Duke Johnson is purely a third down back and the RB depth chart is pretty barren after that for the Texans. This should open up a real opportunity for Phillips to earn a spot on the roster, and potentially as the primary backup to David Johnson. He was not a main target in the passing game in Oxford, but he has good enough hands to catch the ball and he is a big play back if he can get the edge.

Indianapolis Colts

Favorite Pick: Round 2, Pick 34 Overall – Michael Pittman, WR, USC – Watching the draft I immediately gained a soft spot for Pittman as they flashed him in his youth football jersey for the SCVAA Warriors, which happened to be the same organization I played for when I was a kid. After that, I looked at the player and the Colts may finally have a valid option opposite T.Y. Hilton. He was incredibly productive at USC, a Biletnikoff Award finalist, and the bloodlines that come from his father having played 11 seasons in the NFL. Another receiver who would garner first round consideration in another draft, but the depth this year assured he fell to round two.

Least Favorite Pick: Round 2, Pick 41 Overall – Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin – Looking at the highlights and numbers there is little doubt Taylor would be a favorite pick for the Colts, but the fumbles are too big a concern. He touched the ball more than 300 times in three consecutive seasons and averaged 5 fumbles a season. This means he is a turnover risk every time he touches the ball and he has as much wear and tear as any RB to enter the draft in recent memory, a recipe for disaster.

Day Three Sleeper: Round 4, Pick 122 Overall – Jacob Eason, QB, Washington – With the addition of Eason, the Colts may have the deepest QB room in all of the NFL as they now have Philip Rivers as the starter and Jacoby Brissett as the backup. I fully expected Eason to go on day two of the draft and was shocked to see him still on the board here for the Colts. He is big, potentially too big given recent history at the position, standing 6’6” and with a massive arm. His big problems are inconsistency, but the Colts should have a well above average backup QB and potentially someone who develops in to a quality starter.

Undrafted Free Agent to Watch: Rodrigo Blankenship, K, Georgia – The Colts had trouble at kicker a season ago as Adam Vinatieri finally started to look his age. Enter the goggle wearing star from Georgia, Rodrigo Blankenship. He may be remembered mostly for his miss against South Carolina, and he had three kicks blocked, but he was 6/9 from 50+ and made 92.7% of his kicks inside 40.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Favorite Pick: Round 2, Pick 42 Overall – Lavishka Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado – I really liked the first three selections by the Jaguars, as C.J. Henderson could become a lock down corner, and K’Lavon Chaisson will slide in as an immediate starter as an edge backer opposite Myles Jack. With Shenault though, the Jags get a multi-faceted playmaker who can score anytime he touches the ball and get do just that via a deep route, bubble screen, or even carrying the ball. He is my early favorite to be my top rookie in fantasy leagues this season.

Least Favorite Pick: Round 3, Pick 73 Overall – DaVon Hamilton, DT, Ohio State – As big a body as there is at DT in the draft, there was little doubt a team would fall in love with Hamilton, but not sure he is worth a third rounder. He only started for Ohio State one season and is athletic for a guy weighing in at 320 lbs., but he isn’t really a run stuffer, and he isn’t really a pass rusher. Overall, he is a guy that is good at a lot, but great at nothing, so the upside is rather limited.

Day Three Sleeper: Round 4, Pick 137 Overall – Josiah Scott, CB, Michigan State – I nearly went with fifth round selection Collin Johnson here, but I feel Scott has the quicker path to impact. He ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the combine and came away with seven picks in 30 college games, including more than a pass defended a game. If he was a 6’ corner, he would have been day two pick if he had more prototypical size but being just 5’9” he is likely best suited as a slot corner in the NFL.

Undrafted Free Agent to Watch: J.R. Reed, S, Georgia – The Jaguars have actually had a very good UDFA class, but none are expected to shine brighter than Reed. Many had him as an early day three selection, instead he goes undrafted and the Jags were quick to sign him up. He is a smart safety and has the ball skills you expect as the son of former NFL receiver Jake Reed. He can go get the ball in the air and will be able to cover tight ends one-on-one.

Tennessee Titans

Favorite Pick: Round 2, Pick 61 Overall – Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU – I had Fulton as a first-round pick, but he goes near the end of round two. He has the perfect size at 6’ and 195 lbs. while running a 4.46 40-yard dash. There is some concern about the makeup as he was suspended all of 2017 after falsifying a specimen for a drug test, otherwise he would have more tape and likely been a sure fire round one selection.

Least Favorite Pick: None – The Titans didn’t have a phenomenal draft, but I don’t feel they missed with any pick. Darrynton Evans is going to be a really good change of pace option for Derrick Henry, and their first-round pick of Isaiah Wilson should slide right in at right tackle.

Day Three Sleeper: Round 7, Pick 224 Overall – Cole McDonald, QB, Hawaii – Good athleticism, quality touch, looks off defenders well equals a seventh round pick that should be able to earn a spot as a long term backup in the league. His deep ball needs plenty of work, but an athletic game manager isn’t the worst thing to have as QB depth.

Undrafted Free Agent to Watch: Kobe Smith, DT, South Carolina – Often overshadowed by teammate Javon Kinlaw, Smith was the less sexy run stuffer to Kinlaw’s pass rushing acumen. Smith won’t be a guy who gets after the passer but is a guy who can play on early down to help stuff the run. He will never be a stand out star, but he is just the kind of ancillary piece a team needs to stay competitive.

2020 NFL Draft Recap: AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

Favorite Pick: All from the first two days – Seriously, what the heck do the Ravens do to ensure the right players fall to them every draft? Patrick Queen was the best LB in the draft for me, LB was the biggest need for the Ravens, and he falls right in their lap. Next round they go ahead and grab J.K Dobbins to start working with Mark Ingram and should be the featured back by the end of the season. Then Justin Madubuike slips to them as a DT that fits the Ravens way perfectly. Devin Duvernay is easily a second-round talent but, due to the depth in WR this year, falls to the end of round three and will be able to be a quality second receiver across Hollywood Brown. Malik Harrison is a quality player and basically just gravy for the Ravens in round three.

Least Favorite Pick: None – Seriously, I could try and make a case for Malik Harrison, but I would just be blowing smoke, so I am gonna say I did not have a least favorite pick for the Ravens.

Day Three Sleeper: Round 7, Pick 219 Overall – Geno Stone, S, Iowa – James Proche in the end of round six is another guy to keep an eye on and he easily could have been a selection on day two, but I am going deeper sleeper than that. Nothing about him is prototypical, but he is an intelligent center fielding safety that the Ravens will almost certainly get the most out of.

Undrafted Free Agent to Watch: Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah – The Ravens brought in Trace McSorley a season ago as a sixth-round pick and, despite being inactive most regular season games, he balled out in the preseason. Now they bring in Tyler Huntley to add to the QB room, but he has the athleticism to potentially shift to WR. I thought he was a draftable guy based purely on athleticism, although the he is quite skinny which is a concern and the time it takes to let the ball loose may be what prevents him from sticking at QB.

Cincinnati Bengals

Favorite Pick: Round 1, Pick 1 Overall – Joe Burrow, QB, LSU – Burrow was set to go first overall for months and it came to fruition despite reports of the Dolphins making a real push to trade up. Burrow has possibly the greatest single season in college football history and pulled off the rare feat of Heisman Trophy winner, National Champion, and first overall pick all within the same year. If there is a knock it is the fact he was little more than average in seasons prior, but there is no arguing what he did in 2019.

Least Favorite Pick: Round 3, Pick 65 Overall – Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming – I didn’t dislike this pick, but I didn’t love it either and you can’t argue with Joe Burrow at the top of the draft and Tee Higgins at the top of round two. Zack Baun was still on the board when the Bengals selected Wilson and I don’t think there is much argument that Wilson is a better prospect. Given the new CBA rules, a diluted urine sample doesn’t have the same impact it once did, so that should not have prevented the Bengals from selecting Baun.

Day Three Sleeper: Round 5, Pick 147 Overall – Khalid Hareem, Edge, Notre Dame – Kareem was never a dominant pass rusher at Notre Dame and that won’t be what the Bengals are looking for from him despite his size being that of a traditional edge rusher. Instead, he will be the kind of guy who lines up on the right tackle and stuffs him in his place allowing the second level to come up and stop the run. He is first and second down depth, and quality value at this point in the draft.

Undrafted Free Agent to Watch: None – Again, I am not going to force a name I don’t believe in. The Bengals had a quality draft, but they haven’t brought in much talent thus far in UDFA. Not a knock, it is still somewhat early, just none that I see as worthy of calling out.

Cleveland Browns

Favorite Pick: Round 2, Pick 44 Overall – Grant Delpit, S, LSU – A throwback strong safety, Delpit is a downhill defender looking for the big hit to dislodge the football in the passing game and can stop a running back in the open field. His final season at LSU was hampered by injuries after a stellar 2018. Had he repeated what he did a season ago, he would have been a first-round pick, so grabbing him in round two is a great grab for Cleveland.

Least Favorite Pick: Round 1, Pick 10 Overall – Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama – Said it in regards to the Jets first round selection, I don’t dislike Jedrick Wills, I just love Tristan Wirfs. Wills’ size screams for a potential move down to guard at some point in the future but he will probably be the week one left tackle, something I just feel there were better plug and play options at this spot.

Day Three Sleeper: Round 4, Pick 115 Overall – Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic – The Browns have no shortage in pass catching TEs as they bring back David Njoku, signed Austin Hooper, and now draft Harrison Bryant. Bryant will be the clear cut third option at tight end this season but could have a breakout sophomore campaign if they cut ties with Njoku. Unlike Njoku, Bryant is a quality blocker and will bring a multi-dimensional skill set to the club.

Undrafted Free Agent to Watch: Kevin Davidson, QB, Princeton – Anytime there is an Ivy League QB added in UDFA it is worthy of keeping an eye on. Davidson did not see the field much his first three seasons but broke out in his senior year. He is an intelligent QB, not just because he is an Ivy Leaguer, with good touch and accuracy in short to intermediate throws. He does not have a big arm and struggles with the deep ball, so a trip to the practice squad is most likely for Davidson.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Favorite Pick: Round 2, Pick 49 Overall – Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame – it seems you could really highlight any team that took a WR in this draft and call it a favorite pick or a day three sleeper simply based on the depth at the position this year. Claypool fell right around where he should have been drafted, but you can make the argument to take him in round one, so the Steelers first pick coming in round two and getting Claypool is good value. He is a big body pass catcher that just missed a 4.40-flat 40-yard dash. Full package at receiver that should be a quality number two or three option.

Least Favorite Pick: Round 3, Pick 102 Overall – Alex Highsmith, Edge, Charlotte – Highsmith was productive in the Sun Belt, but he does not have great size or strength, making him primarily a third down edge rusher. Taking him on day three may have made him a sleeper, but on day two ahead of guys like Bradlee Anae and Curtis Weaver I just don’t like the pick.

Day Three Sleeper: Round 4, Pick 135 Overall – Kevin Dotson, G, Louisiana – Dotson was seen by more scouts than would typically be at a Rajin’ Cajun game thanks to fellow line-mate Robert Hunt, but Dotson made the most of the exposure. He is a punishing run blocker who regularly took care of the first level defenders and moved onto the second level. He will be a two position backup to start, but could easily be a starting guard by 2021.

Undrafted Free Agent to Watch: Josiah Coatney, DT, Ole Miss – It wasn’t much of a surprise to see Coatney go undrafted, but he has landed in a great spot for his game. He has ideal size for a DT but can get knocked back too easily and does not excel in pass rush. Overall, he will really have to battle to make the team and will likely start on a practice squad, but I anticipate enough development to stick around and see some playing time over the next few seasons.

2020 NFL Draft Recap: AFC East

I will be running through each team’s draft highighting my favorite and least favorite picks (typically from days one or two) and a day three sleeper to keep an eye on. I will also feature my favorite undrafted free agent signing for each team.

Buffalo Bills

Favorite Pick: Round 3, Pick 86 Overall – Zack Moss, RB, Utah – I really liked the selection of A.J. Epenesa in round two, but I think Moss will be the one we look back on as the best pick. As much as I like Devin Singletary, a fellow third round selection just a season ago, I believe Moss will become a true committee back along with him. The combo will give the Bills a very good two-headed monster in the backfield, while I believe Epenesa will open the season as a true backup.

Least Favorite Pick: Round 4, Pick 128 Overall – Gabriel Davis, WR, UCF – Typically my least favorite will be somebody from the first three rounds, but the Bills only had two picks in those rounds and I liked them both. I don’t have a real issue with Davis, I just didn’t feel he was the top WR on the board at the time, and he certainly was not a position of need given the fact they traded for Stefon Diggs. I feel they would have been better suited going after a position of need with Troy Dye or Bryce Hall.

Day Three Sleeper: Round 5, Pick 167 Overall – Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia – Fromm is certainly not an immediate need of the Bills, but Matt Barkley got starts when Josh Allen was out a season ago and another QB to battle for the backup gig is never a bad idea. Fromm’s biggest knock is a lack of arm strength and heading to the AFC East where three of the four teams are in environments that have adverse weather is not ideal, Fromm is exactly what you want from a backup. A smart QB with a winning pedigree, a solid selection.

Undrafted Free Agent to Watch: Trey Adams, OT, Washington – One of the best offensive lineman to go undrafted, Adams has a real shot to make the Bills team. He stands 6’8” and weighs in at 318 lbs., he has to prototypical size for a tackle, although he does not use his body ideally, often playing smaller than his size. He has plenty of athleticism, so he may be best suited to play guard despite his length.

Miami Dolphins

Favorite Pick: Round 1, Pick 5 Overall – Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama – The Dolphins came into the season “Tanking for Tua”, end up with a winning record over the final 9 games of the season, and still land Tua. The injuries are an obvious concern but, by all accounts, nobody throws a better ball that Tua and he does not have to start this season since they have Fitz-Magic on the roster. I loved the fact they added a trio of blockers to go ahead of him, and Raekwon Davis is a quality run stuffer, but the player this draft will be known for is Tua.

Least Favorite Pick: Round 1, Pick 30 Overall – Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn – Putting aside the fact few had Igbinoghene as the top corner on the board at the time, it was one of the few positions the Dolphins actually didn’t need help at. Xavien Howard and Byron Jones are well paid and top tier corners, while the safety position needs help as does the linebacking and receiving groups.

Day Three Sleeper: Round 5, Pick 164 Overall – Curtis Weaver, Edge, Boise State – I actually really liked the Dolphins draft as a whole, and I easily could have chosen Solomon Kindley as a bruising guard, or Malcolm Perry for the intrigue of the QB turned WR from Navy, but I wound up going Weaver here. I had Weaver as a day two selection and actually like him better than the end the Dolphins also selected ten spots ahead of him, Jason Stowbridge. Weaver got after the QB and was very productive for Boise who should be a situational pass rusher with success for the Dolphins.

Undrafted Free Agent to Watch: Kirk Merritt, WR, Arkansas State – An absolute physical freak, guy can jump out of the building and has great strength. He ran track at Oregon before transferring out to the JuCo levels and heading to Arkansas State. He is still raw but has a real shot to make the club as a special teamer who can return kicks and the speed/strength combo to be a quality gunner on kickoff and punt teams.

New England Patriots

Favorite Pick: Round 2, Pick 37 Overall – Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne – I would have loved to see the Patriots take Yetur Gross-Matos here, a player who went one spot later, but they wound up getting two quality edge rushers so that wound up working out for them. Dugger is a guy I struggled with ahead of the draft because, as a D-II player, I saw practically no tape on him. After the draft, having spoken with many about the pick, I am officially sold. He plays tough downhill like a strong safety but can go get the ball like a traditional free safety. Overall, the perfect fit for the Patriots defense.

Least Favorite Pick: Round 5, Pick 159 Overall – Justin Rohrwasser, K, Marshall – I never come away from the draft really liking what the Patriots did, and for the most part that is the case yet again. I did not get the two TEs they took at the end of Round 3 as I felt there were better available, I had a list 750 names deep with me at the draft and they Patriots managed to select someone not on that list in Cassh Malula in the sixth, but Rohrwasser was a special kind of miss. Not only was it the first kicker off the board, granted it was a need, it comes out after he has an anti-government tattoo with some, well, questionable ties.

Day Three Sleeper: Round 6, Pick 182 Overall – Mike Onwenu, G, Michigan – Standing 6’3” and weighing in at 344 lbs., there is no denying Onwenu is a massive human being. Add to that 26 reps on the bench and a knack for pancaking defenders in run blocking, the Patriots may have stolen a future league average starter in round 6.

Undrafted Free Agent to Watch: Brian Lewerke, QB, Michigan State – The Patriots surprised many by going through the entire draft without selecting a singe QB, so it is no surprise they landed on of the top undrafted guys at the position. The fact he never completed 60% of his passes and often missed hitting receivers in stride is a real concern, but there is plenty of arm strength and ability to slide around the pocket to buy time.

New York Jets

Favorite Pick: Round 2, Pick 59 Overall – Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor – Baylor got a lot of air time this season given their undefeated run before seeing Oklahoma twice, and every time you put on a Baylor ballgame, Mims was making plays. He has good size, a sub-4..40 40, and can block. In another draft he is a first-round receiver but depth at the position caused him to fall to the back end of round two in this draft.

Least Favorite Pick: Round 1, Pick 11 Overall – Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville – This is the start of what will be a trend for me, essentially marking any tackle not named Tristan Wirfs as a least favorite pick. I actually like Becton a lot and think he will be a quality player; I just don’t think he was anywhere close to the best available.

Day Three Sleeper: Round 5, Pick 158 Overall – Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia – Hall went back to Virginia for another year to try and become a first-round selection, but instead he slides to the fifth. This was undoubtedly one of the top needs for the Jets, and they get a guy who was once a no-brainer day two selection mid-way through day three, this decision was easy for me.

Undrafted Free Agent to Watch: Lamar Jackson, CB, Nebraska – Yes, there are now two Lamar Jackson’s in the NFL, although this one will never be the star the QB in Baltimore is. I was actually quite surprised Jackson did not get drafted, as there were some that saw him as a potential day two selection. He is a big corner, standing 6’2”, and may eventually have to move to safety as he is very good with the ball in the air but can be beat by quick receivers. If he moved to free safety, his size and ability to get after contestable balls could make him a multiple year contributor to the Jets secondary.

Introduce Yourself (Example Post)

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
Because it will help you focus your own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
What topics do you think you’ll write about?
Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.

Introduce Yourself (Example Post)

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

Why do this?

Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
Because it will help you focus your own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
What topics do you think you’ll write about?
Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

Introduce Yourself (Example Post)

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

Why do this?

Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
Because it will help you focus your own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

To help you get started, here are a few questions:

Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
What topics do you think you’ll write about?
Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

2020 3 Round NFL Mock Draft

Rnd.	Pick #	NFL team	Player	Pos.	College
1	1	Cincinnati Bengals	Joe Burrow	QB	LSU
1	2	Washington Redskins	Chase Young	Edge	Ohio State
1	3	Detroit Lions	Jeff Okudah	CB	Ohio State
1	4	New York Giants	Tristan Wirfs	OT	Iowa
1	5	Miami Dolphins	Tua Tagovailoa	QB	Alabama
1	6	Los Angeles Chargers	Justin Herbert	QB	Oregon
1	7	Carolina Panthers	Isaiah Simmons	LB	Clemson
1	8	Arizona Cardinals	Jedrick Wills Jr.	OT	Alabama
1	9	Jacksonville Jaguars	Javon Kinlaw	DT	South Carolina
1	10	Cleveland Browns	Derrick Brown	DT	Auburn
1	11	New York Jets	Andrew Thomas	OT	Georgia
1	12	Las Vegas Raiders	CeeDee Lamb	WR	Oklahoma
1	13	San Francisco 49ers	Jerry Jeudy	WR	Alabama
1	14	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Mekhi Becton	OT	Louisville
1	15	Denver Broncos	Henry Ruggs III	WR	Alabama
1	16	Atlanta Falcons	C.J. Henderson	CB	Florida
1	17	Dallas Cowboys	K’Lavon Chaisson	Edge	LSU
1	18	Miami Dolphins	Austin Jackson	OT	USC
1	19	Las Vegas Raiders	Jordan Love	QB	Utah State
1	20	Jacksonville Jaguars	Xavier McKinney	S	Alabama
1	21	Philadelphia Eagles	Justin Jefferson	WR	LSU
1	22	Minnesota Vikings	A.J. Terrell	CB	Clemson
1	23	New England Patriots	Yetur Gross-Matos	Edge	Penn State
1	24	New Orleans Saints	Patrick Queen	LB	LSU
1	25	Minnesota Vikings	Tee Higgins	WR	Clemson
1	26	Miami Dolphins	D’Andrew Swift	RB	Georgia
1	27	Seattle Seahawks	A.J. Epenesa	Edge	Iowa
1	28	Baltimore Ravens	Kenneth Murray	LB	Oklahoma
1	29	Tennessee Titans	Joshua Jones	OT	Houston
1	30	Green Bay Packers	Laviska Shenault Jr.	WR	Colorado
1	31	San Francisco 49ers	Ross Blalock	DT	TCU
1	32	Kansas City Chiefs	J.K. Dobbins	RB	Ohio State
2	33	Cincinnati Bengals	Zack Baun	LB	Wisconsin
2	34	Indianapolis Colts	Denzel Mims	WR	Baylor
2	35	Detroit Lions	Neville Gallimore	DT	Oklahoma
2	36	New York Giants	Grant Delpit	S	LSU
2	37	Los Angeles Chargers	Trevon Diggs	CB	Alabama
2	38	Carolina Panthers	Jalen Hurts	QB	Oklahoma
2	39	Miami Dolphins	Brandon Aiyuk	WR	Arizona State
2	40	Houston Texans	Justin Madubuike	DT	Texas A&M
2	41	Cleveland Browns	Antoine Winfield Jr.	S	Minnesota
2	42	Jacksonville Jaguars	Jacob Eason	QB	Washington
2	43	Chicago Bears	Kristian Fulton	CB	LSU
2	44	Indianapolis Colts	Cole Kmet	TE	Notre Dame
2	45	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Jonathan Taylor	RB	Wisconsin
2	46	Denver Broncos	Jeff Gladney	CB	TCU
2	47	Atlanta Falcons	Terrell Lewis	Edge	Alabama
2	48	New York Jets	Michael Pittman Jr.	WR	USC
2	49	Pittsburgh Steelers	Ezra Cleveland	OT	Boise State
2	50	Chicago Bears	Terrell Burgess	S	Utah
2	51	Dallas Cowboys	Jaylon Johnson	CB	Utah
2	52	Los Angeles Rams	Cesar Ruiz	C	Michigan
2	53	Philadelphia Eagles	Damon Arnette	CB	Ohio State
2	54	Buffalo Bills	Clyde Edwards-Helaire	RB	LSU
2	55	Baltimore Ravens	Jalen Reagnor	WR	TCU
2	56	Miami Dolphins	Ashtyn Davis	S	Cal
2	57	Houston Texans	Curtis Weaver	Edge	Boise State
2	58	Minnesota Vikings	Josh Uche	Edge	Michigan
2	59	Seattle Seahawks	Isaiah Wilson	OT	Georgia
2	60	Baltimore Ravens	Robert Hunt	OG	Louisiana
2	61	Tennessee Titans	Marlon Davidson	DE	Auburn
2	62	Green Bay Packers	Adam Trautman	TE	Dayton
2	63	Kansas City Chiefs	Noah Igbinoghene	CB	Auburn
2	64	Seattle Seahawks	Tyler Johnson	WR	Minnesota
3	65	Cincinnati Bengals	KJ Hamler	WR	Penn State
3	66	Washington Redskins	Lloyd Cusheberry III	C	LSU
3	67	Detroit Lions	Julian Okwara	Edge	Notre Dame
3	68	New York Jets	Nick Harris	C	Washington
3	69	Carolina Panthers	Jordan Elliot	DT	Missouri
3	70	Miami Dolphins	Lucas Niang	OT	TCU
3	71	Los Angeles Chargers	Cam Akers	RB	Florida State
3	72	Arizona Cardinals	Akeem Davis-Gaither	LB	Appalachian State
3	73	Jacksonville Jaguars	Cameron Dantzler	CB	Mississippi State
3	74	Cleveland Browns	Prince Tega Wanogho	OT	Auburn
3	75	Indianapolis Colts	Jake Fromm	QB	Georgia
3	76	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Bryce Hall	CB	Virginia
3	77	Denver Broncos	Tyler Biadasz	C	Wisconsin
3	78	Atlanta Falcons	Zack Moss	RB	Utah
3	79	New York Jets	Bradlee Anae	Edge	Utah
3	80	Las Vegas Raiders	Jeremy Chinn	S	Southern Illinois
3	81	Las Vegas Raiders	Devin Duvernay	WR	Texas
3	82	Dallas Cowboys	Jared Pickney	TE	Vanderbilt
3	83	Denver Broncos	Troy Dye	LB	Oregon
3	84	Los Angeles Rams	Jonathan Greenard	Edge	Florida
3	85	Detroit Lions	Jonah Jackson	OG	Ohio State
3	86	Buffalo Bills	Troy Pride Jr.	CB	Notre Dame
3	87	New England Patriots	Chase Claypool	WR	Notre Dame
3	88	New Orleans Saints	Donovan Peoples-Jones	WR	Michigan
3	89	Minnesota Vikings	Matt Hennessy	C	Temple
3	90	Houston Texans	Netane Muti	OG	Fresno State
3	91	Las Vegas Raiders	Amik Robertson	CB	Louisiana Tech
3	92	Baltimore Ravens	Lamical Perine	RB	Florida
3	93	Tennessee Titans	Hunter Bryant	TE	Washington
3	94	Green Bay Packers	Malik Harrison	LB	Ohio State
3	95	Denver Broncos	Matt Peart	OT	Connecticut
3	96	Kansas City Chiefs	Jack Driscoll	OG	Auburn
3	97	Cleveland Browns	Willie Gay Jr.	LB	Mississippi State
3	98	New England Patriots	Nate Stanley	QB	Iowa
3	99	New York Giants	Khalid Kareem	Edge	Notre Dame
3	100	New England Patriots	Albert Okwuegbunam	TE	Missouri
3	101	Seattle Seahawks	Raekwon Davis	DT	Alabama
3	102	Pittsburgh Steelers	Davon Hamilton	DT	Ohio State
3	103	Philadelphia Eagles	Anfernee Jennings	Edge	Alabama
3	104	Los Angeles Rams	Michael Ojemudia	CB	Iowa
3	105	Minnesota Vikings	Alex Taylor	OT	South Carolina State
3	106	Baltimore Ravens	Jabari Zuniga	Edge	Florida

When Did Todd Gurley Start Orchestrating His Rams Exit?

It’s the subject that some members of the media keep tiptoeing around the edges of.

In his fairly brief but productive career, Todd Gurley established himself as one of the best players in Rams franchise history. That undeniable excellence led to him signing a massive, record-breaking $60 million contract extension. It was massive. It was indeed record-breaking. And it was also heavily criticized. “Never pay up like that for a running back,” they crowed!

In hindsight, they would appear correct. That said, when you pay someone big bucks, irrespective of position (or even sport for that matter), you’re hoping that they don’t get hurt or otherwise suffer a major drop in production. The thought process is, you wouldn’t make an investment like that in someone unless you were certain they were bought in.

Year one went fine. They probably shouldn’t have lost to the Falcons in the playoffs but multiple special teams turnovers is a hard thing to overcome. Year two was going swimmingly until what appeared to be a minor knee injury hit Gurley late in the season. Out of what seemed like an abundance of caution, the team rested Gurley for the end of the regular season, and leaned on late season addition CJ Anderson to lead the rushing attack.

Is this when it went wrong?

Anderson played well, and Gurley didn’t get significant playing time for much of the playoffs, including the Super Bowl loss to the Patriots. That Anderson played well shouldn’t have surprised anyone. He is a veteran, terrific in pass protection, and the Rams had one of the best offensive lines in the league. The surprise was that he basically Wally Pipped Gurley.

Gurley maintained from day one that his injury was minor, and nothing to worry about. The team played coy with his condition, of course, and that led to rampant speculation by internet pundits with the combined orthopedic experience of a garden gnome and stone moss. He needs another ACL repair! It’s chronic arthritis! They’re gonna amputate! It’s CTE of the KNEE!!! Ok, I just made that last one up because it rhymes, but you get the point.

And he was asked. A lot. Why aren’t you playing if the knee is ok? Are you hurt more than you’re letting on? Does it bother you that CJ is getting more reps? Verbally, Gurley always said the right thing. As long as the team wins, etc. etc. But his tone contained an edge.

Fast forward to the Super Bowl, we all know what happened.

Is THIS where it went wrong?

Gurley claimed to be healthy yet he was barely involved in the game plan. Overall, head coach Sean McVay’s game plan was criminally inept for someone who has the reputation of being an offensive genius, and backed that up by taking largely the same offensive roster that the brutally incompetent Jeff Fisher had, and putting up consistently gaudy point and yardage totals. But in the Super Bowl, by his own admission, he “overprepared,” got too complicated and let a very average Patriots defense shut the offense down almost completely. Was Gurley thinking, “they rode me like a horse the last two seasons to get here, and now they do me like this?”

Enter the offseason, the team still remains coy about Gurley’s medical status, offering tepid platitudes like “we’re just managing his offseason work,” and “he’s a big part of our plans.” Meanwhile, Gurley certainly appeared to exaggerate a kind of modified limp to keep the narrative going. Was he enjoying it, all the speculation?

He sat out the preseason, but that wasn’t weird – virtually all Rams veterans did. Then he split carries with Malcom Brown in week 1.

Is this where it went wrong? Was he now upset that he was basically being platooned? The injury narrative wouldn’t stop coming up. He also didn’t look as explosive as he had in the good old days, but one also couldn’t be blamed for wondering if Gurley was really trying. Field vision was never really Gurley’s strong suit, as he frequently ran right up his offensive lines’ backs as gaping holes were left unused mere feet to either side. But get him into the open field, he’s virtually impossible to bring down with his combination of size and speed. But middling effort to break the first level didn’t often result in that.

There were games like the shocking loss to Tampa Bay, where the unprepared Rams basically got boatraced by the Bucs, and Gurley got only six touches. There were games where Gurley was actually very effective, but underused, such as the shocking loss to a Steelers team led by Mason Rudolph, and without James Conner. Sure, an unconscionable fumble call and even more egregious upholding of said call by the replay booth on a Jared Goff pass that traveled nearly 15 yards down the field led to the Steelers’ only touchdown, but trailing in the fourth quarter Gurley wasn’t used once despite averaging nearly six yards a carry and not being hurt.

Was Sean McVay sending a message?

There were other games Gurley was good. He was a workhorse in a key win over the Bears. Dominated a hapless Seahawks defense in a crucial division matchup. But the season fizzled, the team missed the playoffs, and Gurley ended up with career worst numbers.

Did he care? The man had been paid, after all.

And here we are today, and we know what happened. The Rams decided to absorb a massive amount of dead money on their cap rather than pay an unmotivated malcontent to share time in their backfield. He’s now a motivated happy camper back in Atlanta in the state where he rose to college prominence at Georgia.

We may always wonder when it went wrong, and why it went wrong, but there’s little doubt who was captaining that ship. Still, Gurley gave Rams fans some of their best memories in recent times, and we should thank him for that. It’s probably a little nicer than his last message on social media to the team. “@Rams Thanks for the check.”