NFL draft: Whom might the Rams select in the second round?
A review of 12 mock drafts offers an idea of what some experts believe the team will do with the 36th overall pick Friday.
What will the Rams do with their first pick of Day Two of the NFL draft Friday?
What might they not do, what with all the holes on their roster?
Two years ago, Rams GM Les Snead celebrated at the team’s Super Bowl victory parade with a profane T-shirt that read “[Blank] Them Picks” after building a championship team by jettisoning future picks for star players. No one could question the philosophy based on the results.
Yet now, mere months following the Rams’ forgettable 5-12 season, the more appropriate attire this week might read “Hoard Them Picks.” The Rams have 11 of them going into this year’s draft, albeit not their first-rounder. That belongs to the Detroit Lions, the final chip in the January 2021 blockbuster deal to acquire quarterback Matthew Stafford, and it sits at a lofty No. 6 overall.
The Rams didn’t make any splashy moves in the offseason, discounting all the players to whom they said goodbye largely as a result of the salary cap – both to get under it for the 2023 season and to clear space for 2024.
Traded away was star cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Cut was edge rusher Leonard Floyd. Also gone are linebacker Bobby Wagner, defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson, nose tackle Greg Gaines and safeties Nick Scott and Taylor Rapp. The Rams also lost key pieces on offense in quarterback Baker Mayfield, recently traded wide receiver Allen Robinson, guard David Edwards and kicker Matt Gay.
According to Snead, this is not a rebuild as much as it is a remodel. Barring a trade, that starts in earnest early in the second round Friday.
In reviewing 12 mock drafts, here are some players – many on the defensive side of the ball – whose names are coming up as potential fits for the Rams with their 36th overall pick … and stay tuned for a fascinating proposal at the end:
Keion White, DE, Georgia Tech
The Rams are in search of someone who can contribute right away, especially after letting Floyd and his team-high nine sacks go in order to reduce payroll.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: “At 6-5, 285 pounds, White is a nice fit as an end in L.A.’s 3-4 defense. He played both tackle and end in college, putting up 7.5 sacks last season.”
Matt Miller, ESPN: “The Rams currently have two street free agents projected to start at defensive end and must add multiple pass-rushers in this draft. White is game-ready and could move throughout the defensive line in Raheem Morris’ scheme.”
Cam Mellor, Pro Football Network: “The Los Angeles Rams need more than just a handful of players in the 2023 NFL Draft, and with Keion White, they get a versatile defensive lineman with the ability to line up from inside to out.”
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Edge, Kansas State
The 6-3, 255-pound Anudike-Uzomah could be the answer on the edge after his eight sacks and 11 tackles for loss earned him Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Jordan Reid, ESPN: “Anudike-Uzomah is a scheme-versatile prospect with a quick first step. He also has enough hand power to be a consistent edge setter against the run.”
Gilbert Manzano, Sports Illustrated: “Anudike-Uzomah doesn’t have a quick get-off at the line of scrimmage, but he makes up for that with his polished pass-rush moves and relentless motor for reaching the quarterback.”
Will McDonald IV, Edge, Iowa State
The three-time first-team All-Big 12 selection, at 6-3 and 239 pounds, recorded an athletically freakish 11-foot broad jump at the NFL draft combine.
Dane Brugler, The Athletic: “McDonald is more toolsy than seasoned and might never become the sum of his parts, but his natural length, flexibility and explosiveness are an enticing combination.”
BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU
This one comes with a twist, as a trade down 10 spots with the New England Patriots allows the Rams to still nab a dynamic and versatile 6-2, 248-pound pass rusher.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: “He ascended to first-team All-SEC status in 2022, starting 11 games (58 tackles, 8.5 for loss with 5.5 sacks) and missing two early-season games with a knee injury.”
Drew Sanders, Edge/LB, Arkansas
The 6-4, 235-pound All-American showed he can be a force off the edge, where he racked up five sacks and 14 QB pressures.
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire: “If Sanders can get the hang of the nuances of the linebacker position over the next couple of seasons to add to all his existing attributes, he could be a true one-of-one player in the league.”
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
The defensive standout for the two-time national champion Georgia Bulldogs offers size (6-2, 207) and athleticism after running a blistering 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL draft combine.
Todd McShay, ESPN: “The Rams are on the board here for the first time, and after they dealt away Jalen Ramsey, there’s a gaping hole at cornerback. Ringo has speed for days, but he still has to work on his recognition skills in coverage.”
Clark Phillips III, CB, Utah
Some knock this La Habra High product for his size (5-9, 184) and moderate speed (4.51 in the 40), but he was a unanimous All-American and the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 for a reason.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: “Phillips was very productive in college and fits Raheem Morris’ scheme well for a smaller cover man.”
Tyler Steen, OT/G, Alabama
Hark, an offensive player! Maybe not a bad idea if the Rams wish to keep QB Matthew Stafford upright and healthy. The 6-6, 321-pounder started his college career as a defensive tackle at Vanderbilt and ended it as a left tackle for the Crimson Tide
Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com: “Tyler Steen did a great job on Bryce Young’s blind side after transferring from Vanderbilt.”
Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Last but definitely not least is this doozy. The Rams could get younger at quarterback by trading up, in this instance moving up eight spots for Cincinnati’s 28th overall pick by using one of their extra third-round picks. Already 25, the 6-foot-3, 217-pound Hooker, who has been sneaking into the first round of some mock drafts, is recovering from a torn ACL and would have a season to absorb knowledge.
Cody Benjamin, CBS Sports: “After trying but failing to shop Matthew Stafford as part of their veteran purge, what if the Rams get a head start on their inevitable QB reset by moving up with the Bengals (and ahead of the Saints) to swipe Hooker, who could sit and learn behind Stafford – and under Sean McVay – in 2023?”