3 Players the Rams could have drafted at #23 but for the Cooks trade...

3 players the Rams could have drafted at No. 23 if not for Brandin Cooks trade

Cameron DaSilva

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

The Los Angeles Rams traded the 23rd overall pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for Brandin Cooks earlier this month, effectively replacing Sammy Watkins at wide receiver. It was a shocking deal that left the Rams without a pick in the top 50, but it’s clear Sean McVay and Les Snead feel good about the trade.

But what could the Rams have had at No. 23 if not for the move? Well, we found out on Thursday night.

Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College

Landry likely would’ve been very high on the Rams’ draft board, and he would’ve been sitting there for the taking at No. 23. Whether he turns out to be a better player than Cooks remains to be seen, but there’s no denying how he would have fit in Los Angeles: perfectly.

Arguably the second-best pass rusher in the draft, Landry somehow experienced a draft-day slide that no one could have seen coming. We’ll never know if the Rams would’ve rather stayed put and drafted Landry, but it certainly doesn’t feel good to see a top pass rusher on the board at the Rams’ previous slot.

Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia

Wynn is one of the best guards in the draft, but he wouldn’t have filled an immediate need for the Rams. Although he would’ve come in and competed right away with Jamon Brown, he may not have been a Day 1 starter. Cooks, on the other hand, is.

Wynn would’ve been one of the Rams’ top targets, as well, but given how stacked their offensive line currently is, spending a first-rounder on a guard may not have been the best move.

Ironically enough, the Patriots wound up taking Wynn at No. 23.

Lorenzo Carter, EDGE, Georgia

Carter was a pre-draft visitor for the Rams, so clearly they have some interest in him. He’s a potential trade-up target for Los Angeles in the second or third round if he makes it there, so perhaps taking him in the first round would’ve been a reach.

Still, he’s a perfect fit in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense. As an outside linebacker with almost identical size to Von Miller, he’d be a welcomed addition to the Rams’ defense. If Los Angeles can still find a way to grab Carter in a move up in the draft, it’ll be a huge win.