Here's how the Rams dig deeper on NFL Draft prospects without hosting them for visits
The Los Angeles Rams have proven to be one of the best scouting teams in the NFL. How else could you explain their young core of Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Byron Young and Kobie Turner? Only one of those players is a first-round pick, while most of them were picked in the third round or later.
According to The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue, the Rams do their pre-draft scouting a little differently.
For one, Les Snead's crew doesn't conduct the allowed 30 in-person visits or private workouts, which are allowed by the NFL. Instead, Snead sends scouts to a visit a player at his college or high school, which doesn't need to be reported to the league as an official visit. This is why the Rams' interest rarely leaks, per Rodrigue.
The other big difference is the Rams don't send top decision-makers to big events but instead gather answers on player personality surveys they use for their internal scouting system, JAARS (Joint After-Action Review System). This is why you'll never see Snead or head coach Sean McVay at the NFL combine or the Senior Bowl.
Finally, Snead has a "call sheet" on draft night (Rodrigue describes it similarly to how a coach uses a call sheet during a game to call plays) that "split players by position into four overall tiers and nine different buckets." Snead uses this digital sheet to determine when to take which players.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
17 minutes ago
- USA Today
5 position battles to watch at Steelers training camp
With just a few days until the Steelers report to training camp on July 23, fans have several positional battles across offense, defense, and special teams to look forward to. Here are the five biggest starting roles up for grabs in Latrobe this summer. Long snapper Although not the flashiest position in the NFL, Steelers starting LS Christian Kuntz will attempt to fend off journeyman LS Tucker Addington — who signed with Pittsburgh in June. Free safety While all signs point to FS Juan Thornhill as the go-to replacement for ex-Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, an undrafted rookie could push the two-time Super Bowl champion for the starting role — none other than standout Iowa Hawkeye DB Sebastian Castro. Fullback Hybrid player Connor Heyward may have hinted at a full-time switch to fullback this offseason — but he first needs to beat out undrafted rookie FB DJ Thomas-Jones, a sleeper to make the 53-man roster. Punter After Steelers starting punter Cameron Johnston suffered a season-ending knee injury last season, Corliss Waitman stepped up in a big way for Pittsburgh. Only one punter will remain in the Steel City — but whether it's the now-healthy Johnston or the talented Waitman who takes the role remains to be seen. Running back Jaylen Warren's time to shine as the Steelers' lead rusher could be in jeopardy — as Pittsburgh drafted one of 2024's best college running backs in Kaleb Johnson. Training camp will serve as the first of many battles to decide whether or not Warren can fend off the rookie third-rounder — and a strong outing in Latrobe could decide the fate of the starting running back position. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
USA Today
17 minutes ago
- USA Today
Countdown to Kickoff: Zach Wood is the Saints Player of Day 49
Wood is one of the NFL's most consistent players at his position We have less than 50 days before the New Orleans Saints embark on their 59th NFL season with a regular season opener at home against the Arizona Cardinals. Wearing No. 49 for new coach Kellen Moore's crew is an underappreciated member of the roster, long snapper Zach Wood. Entering his ninth season with New Orleans, Wood is one of the longest-tenured Saints and longest-tenured long snappers in the NFL. Our Saints Player of the Day, here's a deeper dive into his background. At Rowlett High School, Wood was an honorable mention all-state defensive tackle before committing to Southern Methodist University. As a defensive end in a 3-4 front for the Mustangs, Wood started 33 contests over his last three seasons. He gathered 8.5 sacks and forced 2 fumbles while also blocking 4 kicks and serving as the team's long snapper. After not being selected in the 2016 NFL draft, Wood was signed to an undrafted deal by the Dallas Cowboys. He didn't make the Dallas roster as a defensive lineman, but was brought back the following offseason on a reserve/future contract as a long snapper. Wood was again cut by the Cowboys at the conclusion of the preseason. This time, he was picked up by Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints. Wood won the long snapper job with New Orleans after a tryout. He'd remain in that role for the last 132 consecutive games. Wood has been one of the league's most consistent players at his often overlooked position. In 2022, he earned 2nd Team All-Pro recognition from Pro Football Focus. After a series of one-year contracts, New Orleans awarded him for his consistently with a four-year deal in 2023. There are a lot of questions surrounding the Saints roster heading into this season. However, long snapper is not one of those positions, thanks to the capabilities of Zach Wood.
USA Today
17 minutes ago
- USA Today
Broncos roster: OL Quinn Meinerz (No. 77) seeking first Pro Bowl nod in 2025
Broncos Wire's 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at fifth-year offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz, No. 77. Before the Broncos: Meinerz (6-3, 320 pounds) played college football at Wisconsin-Whitewater, a Division III collegiate program. Despite playing at a small school, Meinerz caught the attention of NFL teams with his impressive film. A two-time All-WIAC guard, Meinerz stood out at the Senior Bowl ahead of the 2021 NFL draft. He also went viral after posting videos of his unique outdoor workouts on his Instagram page. Broncos tenure: Despite his small-school film, Meinerz caught the eye of the Denver Broncos, who selected him in the third round (98th overall) of the 2021 NFL draft. Fans quickly endeared themselves to Meinerz, who quickly gained the nickname "The Belly." In 2021, Meinerz played in 15 games, starting nine of them, playing both at left guard and right guard, quickly becoming an integral part of the Denver offensive line. In 2022, Meinerz played in 13 games, starting all of them. According to the Broncos, Meinerz only allowed three sacks on 479 pass-blocking snaps that season. In 2023, Meinerz started all 17 games, playing 96.7 percent of offensive snaps. In 2024, Meinerz was voted an offensive captain for the Broncos. Meinerz rewarded his teammates' faith in him, starting all 17 regular season games, as well as the Broncos' lone playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. Meinerz became the fifth Broncos offensive lineman--and first offensive lineman since guard Louis Vasquez in 2013 -- to be named first-team All-Pro by the AP, according to the team. Prior to the 2024 season beginning, Meinerz was given a four-year extension worth $80 million, which locks him with the team until 2028. Chances to make the 53-man roster: 100 percent. Meinerz is one of five starting offensive linemen returning in 2025, joining Luke Wattenberg, Garett Bolles, Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers. Meinerz was recently ranked as the eighth-best among NFL interior linemen, and he was named a first-team All-Pro in 2024. His first career Pro Bowl nod should follow in 2025. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
