LA Rams see draft picks as bitcoins. Why don’t other NFL teams?

III – Rams focus on Day 3 prospects and coach ’em up in their system

Athletically gifted, raw, and inexperienced. That was the template used by the LA Rams for their 2021 draft selections and could be the template going forward. It is actually a pretty good system. Why? Well, as long as the majority of rookies are drafted on Day 3 of the NFL Draft, the team will not be getting a finished product.

So the question is, should the team focus on players with higher ceilings, but have a much longer way to go? Or should the team focus upon players with lower ceilings, but with a shorter development time?

Okay, I apologize. That was a trick question. You see, the LA Rams data analytics department believes that there are players with huge ceilings but who are capable of starting as a rookie. Defensive back Jordan Fuller is an ideal example. He was described as too slow, but analysis of his performance revealed that he plays much faster because he is so much better at reading plays and knowing where to be when the ball is thrown.

This points out the obvious flaw in the NFL draft process. One analyst’s opinion is considered the gospel truth about a player. Many players are never even investigated because there are just too many prospects to review in time. Other players are overestimated, mainly because little consideration is given to the support of their teammates in buoying their production. Likewise, players who struggle to perform in college are not graded on a curve due to poorly designed plays or below performances from teammates.