Ramblin’ Fans’ Monday Morning Links: Power Rankings, UDFA Grades, And Exclusive Interviews

With draft weekend over, we are entering a small “dead period” in the NFL, with little to anticipate now that the Combine, NFL Draft, and schedule releases have all passed. Now, the real work begins for the teams, as rookies and veterans alike come together to start formulating a plan for the upcoming season. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some juicy articles out there to be found. Here are some of those to fill your Monday morning Rams’ hungry…

Report Card Grades for St. Louis Rams Undrafted Free Agent Signings

In case you missed who the St. Louis Rams picked up AFTER the actual seven-round draft, here is a list of undrafted free agents (UDFA). Bleacher Report will give you a nice tidbit about each player. While some are receiving some high grades, there is likely on one name on the list that you will see suit up in a Rams uniform on Sundays. Need a hint? The “A+” student…

Playing catch-up not easy for Rams

Jim Thomas, of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, breaks down all of the teams in the NFC West, with the underlying message of gaining respect in the division. All four teams have made substantial improvements this offseason, including Arizona, who had, arguably, one of the better 2013 drafts… oh yea, and they finally got a quarterback.

Post-draft West ranks: Revisiting safeties

If you want to see how the media views the NFC West, look no further than Matt Williamson, who continues to power rank the division under the watchful eye of ESPN’s Mike Sando. The reining “Sack Title” defensive line that accounted for 75% of the Rams 52.0 sacks in 2012 is the 3rd best in the division? The only linebacker corps, aside from San Francisco, with a viable starter at every position is ranked 4th in the division? Get that noise out of here…

If you want some “genuine” rankings, supported by facts and not just biased West Coast  opinions based off limited knowledge of each team, check out our rankings:

Quarterback

Running Backs and Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Defensive Line

Linebackers (coming today at 11:30 AM CT)

NFC West draft grades: Another San Francisco 49ers gold rush

For the first time since the draft, Ramblin’ Fan has found an analysts that did not rank the St. Louis Rams as the “winners” of the division in April. Instead, the 49ers take the cake, apparently predicated on the sole  selections of Eric Reid and Marcus Lattimore, who will likely not see the field at any point this season. The Rams snag, at least, three players that will be starters on Day 1, and a couple more that will see significant playing time on the field and get an A-? … SMH

Under the Lights: Tavon Austin

If you haven’t already been over the official St. Louis Rams website, click over immediately and cycle through their bounty of videos from the draft. Included in those is their “Under the Lights” series, where they grant the fans access to an exclusive interview with both Tavon Austin and Alec Ogletree.