Rams VP of Player Personnel Billy Devaney joined Bernie Miklasz and Randy Karraker on The Roll Home on Team 1380 Thursday afternoon.
Billy said that it isn't unrealistic for one of the other draft picks (besides Chris Long) to make the team as a starter. He said they try not to get too high or low on a player because so much can happen between mini-camps and training camp and the preseason. Some guys have different learning curves.
The expectation is high for Chris Long because he is such a smart player, and Billy doesn't think the learning curve will be very long for him. He said the sackmaster is on the right side in a normal defense, and he thinks Chris can be that guy. Devaney thinks that Long could be very good playing either side, and he is very good against the run.
"(Long) better get some sacks or that 'rock star' status will go away quick," he said.
Devaney said he can't stress enough how hard it is to start in the NFL. There are a lot of different aspects that you have to put together. The Rams don't expect any of the draft picks to come in right away and play like they did in college because there is a learning curve for everyone.
Devaney said Alex Barron is a big guy with athletic ability, and he is getting better every year. Barron's a smart guy and these guys take care of themselves these days. All these guys are professionals and know what is at stake so they do a good job preparing for the season.
"If (Barron) keeps working, he can be as good as he wants to be," he said.
The Rams are curious to see what Donnie Avery's learning curve will be. The plan is to put him in as soon as possible. Scott Linehan said the only knock on Avery is that he works too hard in the classroom and in the weightroom.
Orlando Pace, Leonard Little, Adam Carriker, and Tye Hill probably won't be taking part in drills this weekend. However, they are all on schedule and barring any setbacks, they will be ready for training camp. They may not do two-a-days right away, and they will be monitored closely. There aren't any guys where the Rams might have to bring in someone else because they are afraid they won't be ready.
Justin King is going to need a little bit of time, and that is why he lasted into the 4th round. Penn State didn't use him in man to man so it will take him time to adjust. The Rams are projecting him as a slot corner right away because he is so smart. With his size and speed he should contribute on all special teams. He's a height, weight, and speed prospect, and it is up to him on how fast he can adjust.
All the wide receivers are going to have to fight it out, and it will come down to if a guy can play more than one position or if a guy is a return guy for special teams.
It is possible that the Rams could pick up a veteran free agent. They are evaluating some candidates, and they are constantly looking at the roster for any weak spots.
The Rams were shooting for an announcement tomorrow about training camp, but Billy said he's not sure if they have it completely worked out yet or not.
Billy said that the Rams will have a 4th quarterback going into training camp, and they will be looking for someone who has been in a camp or that has some NFL experience.
Billy said that it isn't unrealistic for one of the other draft picks (besides Chris Long) to make the team as a starter. He said they try not to get too high or low on a player because so much can happen between mini-camps and training camp and the preseason. Some guys have different learning curves.
The expectation is high for Chris Long because he is such a smart player, and Billy doesn't think the learning curve will be very long for him. He said the sackmaster is on the right side in a normal defense, and he thinks Chris can be that guy. Devaney thinks that Long could be very good playing either side, and he is very good against the run.
"(Long) better get some sacks or that 'rock star' status will go away quick," he said.
Devaney said he can't stress enough how hard it is to start in the NFL. There are a lot of different aspects that you have to put together. The Rams don't expect any of the draft picks to come in right away and play like they did in college because there is a learning curve for everyone.
Devaney said Alex Barron is a big guy with athletic ability, and he is getting better every year. Barron's a smart guy and these guys take care of themselves these days. All these guys are professionals and know what is at stake so they do a good job preparing for the season.
"If (Barron) keeps working, he can be as good as he wants to be," he said.
The Rams are curious to see what Donnie Avery's learning curve will be. The plan is to put him in as soon as possible. Scott Linehan said the only knock on Avery is that he works too hard in the classroom and in the weightroom.
Orlando Pace, Leonard Little, Adam Carriker, and Tye Hill probably won't be taking part in drills this weekend. However, they are all on schedule and barring any setbacks, they will be ready for training camp. They may not do two-a-days right away, and they will be monitored closely. There aren't any guys where the Rams might have to bring in someone else because they are afraid they won't be ready.
Justin King is going to need a little bit of time, and that is why he lasted into the 4th round. Penn State didn't use him in man to man so it will take him time to adjust. The Rams are projecting him as a slot corner right away because he is so smart. With his size and speed he should contribute on all special teams. He's a height, weight, and speed prospect, and it is up to him on how fast he can adjust.
All the wide receivers are going to have to fight it out, and it will come down to if a guy can play more than one position or if a guy is a return guy for special teams.
It is possible that the Rams could pick up a veteran free agent. They are evaluating some candidates, and they are constantly looking at the roster for any weak spots.
The Rams were shooting for an announcement tomorrow about training camp, but Billy said he's not sure if they have it completely worked out yet or not.
Billy said that the Rams will have a 4th quarterback going into training camp, and they will be looking for someone who has been in a camp or that has some NFL experience.