Rams Mock Draft Roundup 5.0

Rams Mock Draft Roundup 5.0

By Mark Bodenrader


[www.therams.com]

We’ve hit the home stretch. This week the 2017 NFL Draft will finally commence. The first round gets underway Thursday, but since the Rams don’t have a first-round pick this year it won’t get interesting for them until Friday when they make their first selection at No. 37 overall. Although, you can be sure the Rams and their fans will be keeping a close eye on what transpires in the first round to see who might drop and fall into their lap in the second round in what has been deemed a deep Draft.

As we count down the final days it’s time to do one last mock draft check-in and find out what the sports media landscape is thinking when it comes to the Rams and their selections.

We start with the two well-known Draft Insiders over at ESPN -- Mel Kiper and Todd McShay. Recently, Kiper and McShay did a three-round mock, alternating the picks between them. Kiper ended up having to make both of the Rams’ selections in the three rounds.

Mel Kiper Todd McShay, ESPN Insider (subscription required)

Kiper's pick: Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina

"The Rams have a bunch of needs and no first-round pick. I'm sticking to my board. Jones has No. 1 wideout potential."

Kiper's pick: Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA

"Moreau tore a pectoral muscle at his pro day, but he should be OK for the season. The Rams have needs across the roster, and so I'm sticking to my board."

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Kiper separately did his “Grade: A” mock draft for each team. For his “Grade: A” mock draft he’s not necessarily concerned with projecting who the Rams will draft, but noting what picks he would make if he was the club in order to assure an “A” grade for the Draft.

Round 2 (37): Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy


Round 3 (69): ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama

"With no first-round pick (traded to the Titans in last year's Jared Goff deal), a new coach and several holes on their roster, the Rams must hit on their first pick. Adding to the offensive line could be the safest bet here. Los Angeles brought in Andrew Whitworth and John Sullivan as short-term solutions at left tackle and center, respectively, after giving up the second-most sacks in the league (49) last season, but this is still a need. Garcia started 42 games on the left side in college, and I think he could start at tackle immediately in the NFL. Stewart, my eighth-ranked receiver, is undersized (5-foot-11, 204 pounds), but he's an all-around player and willing blocker."

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McShay also did his own three-round mock draft for readers. In this case he was attempting to project who the Rams are zeroing in on.

Round 2 (37): Adoree' Jackson, CB/RS, USC


Round 3 (69): Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky

"Jackson has a chance to have an immediate impact as a returner. His technique in coverage still needs polishing, but he has elite ball skills and the versatility to make an impact in a number of ways (including on offense). The Rams' starting wide receivers right now are Robert Woods and Tavon Austin. In other words, it's a position Los Angeles should be looking at on Day 2. Taylor led all FBS players with 3,197 receiving yards and 34 touchdown catches the past two seasons. He's tough to bring down after the catch."



Going back to the Kiper/McShay combo draft, Kiper ended up slotting East Carolina’s Zay Jones to the Rams at No. 37. Jones to the Rams ended up being a popular selection in the latest roundup of mocks. That’s not surprising since he’s one of the top wide receiver prospects available.

Adam States, SB Nation

37. Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina

"The Rams sought to provide Jared Goff with some help in the offseason, but Robert Woods alone isn’t going to cut it. Jones is FBS’s all-time leader in receptions after racking up huge stats at East Carolina and should be able to immediately contribute for the Rams, which is a must for an offense that can’t afford to slowly groom any additional young talent."

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Connor Riley, SEC Country

37. Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina

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Eddie Brown, San Diego Tribune

37. Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina

"Jones produced at a big-time level — he set a NCAA record for most receptions in a career (399) — and has excellent hands. Scouts rave about his character. His father, Robert, won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys in the 1990s. Top needs: OL, S, WR"

69. Fabian Moreau, CB, UCLA

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Matt Miller, Bleacher Report

37. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC

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The close proximity to the Draft has some of the experts going a little deeper in their projections. Over at CBSSports.com, R.J. White mapped out all eight picks for the Rams in 2017, while NFL.com’s Chad Reuter also came through with a full seven-round assessment.

RJ White, CBS Sports

2/37. Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan

3/69. Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova

4/112. Jessamen Dunker, OG, Tennessee State

4/141. Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU

5/149. Shelton Gibson, WR, West Virginia

6/189. Storm Norton, OT, Toledo

6/206. Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas

7/234. JoJo Mathis, OLB, Washington

"The Rams underwent plenty of change this offseason, and the need to bring new personnel in to fill spots up and down the roster should preclude any thought of a trade up into Day 1. They need all these picks. The team still lands a Day 1 talent in Peppers, a playmaker in the secondary whose questionable NFL fit could see him slide. The Rams will have faith that Wade Phillips will put him to good use, likely at strong safety next to Lamarcus Joyner.

"Kpassagnon has drawn plenty of interest in the predraft process, and he could be a great fit at defensive end with the team switching to the 3-4. That would give them Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers and Kpassagnon on the line in base sets, with Robert Quinn and Connor Barwin out wide at linebacker. The Rams then turn their attention to Sean McVay's offense, adding a potential starter in Dunker who could kick Rob Havenstein out to tackle if Greg Robinson flops there. Williams helps address the lack of depth behind Todd Gurley.

"Gibson could be a steal this late if the depth at receiver this year pushes potential Day 2 picks further than expected. Norton provided more line depth, while Sprinkle gives the team a nice option behind Tyler Higbee and in two-tight end sets. Mathis could turn into a steal for Phillips' defense if his talent can be developed."

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Chad Reuter, NFL.com

Los Angeles Rams

Round 2 (37) Dan Feeney, C, Indiana


Round 3 (69) KD Cannon, WR, Baylor


Round 4 (112) Vince Biegel, OLB, Wisconsin


Round 4 (141) Brendan Langley, CB, Lamar


Round 5 (149) Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma


Round 6 (189) D.J. Jones, DT, Ole Miss


Round 6 (206) Ben Braden, G, Michigan

Round 7 (234) David Jones, S, Richmond

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Over at Turf Show Times they take it one step further, not only attempting to project all of the Rams’ selections, but also envisioning what deals they might make as the events unfold in order to stockpile picks and target their needs. That’s why their board doesn’t exactly match those above. Ultimately though they see the Rams going after some receiver help with their first selection.

Misone Adiasor, Turf Show Times

Rams Rd 2-7

2/15. Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma
3/5. Anthony Walker, ILB, Northwestern
3/14. Marlon Mack, RB, South Florida
4/5. Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova
4/34, Howard Wilson, CB, Houston
5/15. Lorenzo Jerome, S, Saint Francis
5/38. Jon Toth, C, Kentucky
6/5. Darreus Rogers, WR, USC

"The Rams get the ball rolling with the selection of Oklahoma WR Dede Westbrook. Westbrook has the deep speed and ball skills to really flourish as a deep threat. His entire skill set is eerily similar to that of Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Desean Jackson. Both players lack body mass but are tough and fast and display game speed that appears to be the fastest on the field every week. Westbrook is one of the most explosive players in this years draft and can force teams to loosen up the box."