Rams sit out first round of NFL draft, but feel good about remaining prospects

Rams sit out first round of NFL draft, but feel good about remaining prospects

By Rich Hammond


THOUSAND OAKS – Now the Rams can get to work.

Amid of flurry of trades during the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday, the Rams resisted any possible temptation to join the crowd. They remain on the board with the fifth pick of Friday’s second round, No. 37 overall.

“Early in the round, I was like a fan who didn’t know who would go where,” General Manager Les Snead said. “When it got to pick 25, 26, 27, you think, ‘OK, it’s getting closer.’”

Snead and Coach Sean McVay indicated that their prime target at No. 37, the top player they considered most likely to be available, has not yet been picked. Of course, that player went unnamed Thursday night.

“Players,” McVay said as he emphasized the final letter. “Les leans over at No. 30, and he has eight guys on his list, and you feel good about that. We’re on the same page.”

Snead said the Rams, who gave up their 2017 first-round pick to Tennessee last year, weren’t tempted to trade back into the first round Thursday. The first round went fairly well for the Rams, in terms of what remains available at their positions of need.

An early run on receivers didn’t sustain itself and, as expected, plenty of strong defensive backs remain available. The Rams also could look to an edge rusher, an offensive lineman or a tight end.

The worst news for the Rams probably came at No. 23, which is where the New York Giants took Mississippi tight end Evan Engram, who had been presumed to be a Rams target.

Offensive line was the surprise position of the first round, as no lineman went before No. 20 and only two linemen went in the first round. The Rams retooled their line in the offseason a bit, with the additions of tackle Andrew Whitworth and center John Sullivan, but the option to upgrade in the second round remains.

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