Rounds 4-7

The Last Day of the NFL Draft resumes at 12 p.m. ET on April 28 for the final Rounds 4-7. (UPDATED)





2018 NFL DRAFT SELECTION ORDER Rounds 4-7.


Fourth Round
101. Carolina
102. Minnesota
103. Houston
104. Indianapolis
105. New England
106. Denver
107. N.Y. Jets
108. N.Y. Giants
109. Washington
110. Oakland
111. L.A. Rams
112. Cincinnati
113. Denver
114. Cleveland
115. Chicago
116. Dallas
117. Tampa Bay
118. Baltimore
119. L.A. Chargers
120. Seattle
121. Buffalo
122. Baltimore
123. Miami
124. Kansas City
125. Philadelphia
126. Atlanta
127. New Orleans
128. San Francisco
129. Jacksonville
130. Philadelphia
131. Miami
132. Baltimore
133. Green Bay
134. Arizona
135. L.A. Rams
136. L.A. Rams
137. Dallas

Fifth Round
138. Green Bay
139. N.Y. Giants
140. Indianapolis
141. Seattle
142. San Francisco
143. New England
144. Tampa Bay
145. Chicago
146. Seattle
147. Carolina
148. Pittsburgh
149. Denver
150. Cleveland
151. Cincinnati
152. Baltimore
153. Detroit
154. Buffalo
155. L.A. Chargers
156. Seattle
157. N.Y. Jets
158. Cincinnati
159. Oakland
160. Denver
161. Carolina
162. Tennessee
163. Washington
164. New Orleans
165. Pittsburgh
166. Buffalo
167. Minnesota
168. Seattle
169. Indianapolis
170. Cincinnati
171. Dallas
172. Green Bay
173 Oakland
174. Green Bay

Sixth Round
175. Cleveland
176. L.A. Rams
177. Houston
178. Cleveland
179. N.Y. Jets
180. Minnesota
181. Chicago
182. Arizona
183. L.A. Rams
184. San Francisco
185. Oakland
186. Seattle
187. Buffalo
188. Cleveland
189. New Orleans
190. Baltimore
191. L.A. Chargers
192. Dallas
193. Dallas
194. L.A. Rams
195. L.A. Rams
196. Kansas City
197. Carolina
198. New England
199. Tennessee
200. Atlanta
201. New Orleans
202. Tampa Bay
203. Jacksonville
204. Minnesota
205. Washington
206. Philadelphia
207. Green Bay
208. Dallas
209. Miami (
210. New England
211. Houston
212. Baltimore
213. Minnesota
214. Houston
215. Tennessee
216. Oakland
217. L.A. Rams trade from Oakland for the #187 pick
218. Minnesota

Seventh Round ( I didn't list the 7th round because the Rams don't have a pick. )


NFL Draft: Best players available for day 3 Rounds 4-7

EDGE
Josh Sweat - Florida State
Jeff Holland - Auburn
Jaylen Holmes - Ohio State
Duke Ejiofor - Wake Forest
Leon Jacobs - Wisconsin
Ade Aruna - Tulane
Marcell Frazier - Missouri

Cornerback:
Anthony Averrett - Alabama
JC Jackson - Maryland
Tremon Smith - UCA
Tony Brown - Alabama
Parry Nickerson - Tulane
Kevin Toliver II - LSU
Nick Nelson - Wisconsin
Offensive Interior Linemen:

Guards:
Wyatt Teller - Virginia Tech
Jaryd Jones - Pittsburgh
Matt Pryor - TCU
Skyller Phillips - Idaho State
Tony Adams - NC State

Centers:
William Clapp - LSU
Brian Allen - Michigan State
Bradley Bozeman - Alabama
Dejon Allen - Hawaii

Wide Receiver:
Deon Cain - Clemson
DaeSean Hamilton - Penn State
Simmie Cobbs Jr. - Indiana
Marcell Ateman - Oklahoma State
Russell Gage - LSU
Antonio Callaway - Florida

Running Back:
Mark Walton - Miami
John Kelly - Tennessee
Nyheim Hines - NC State
Akrum Wadley - Missouri
Kalen Ballage - Arizona State
Bo Scarbrough - Alabama
Jordan Wilkins - Ole Miss

Linebacker:
Josey Jewell - Iowa
Tegray Scales - Indiana
Shaquem Griffin - UCF
Micah Kiser - Virginia
Mike McCray - Michigan

Safety
Kyzir White - West Virginia
Armani Watts - Texas A&M
Marcus Allen - Penn State
Godwin Lgwebuike - Northwestern
DeShon Elliot - Texas

Tight End:
Dalton Schultz - Stanford
Ian Thomas - Indiana
Christopher Herndon - Miami (FL)
Ryan Izzo - Florida State
Durham Smythe - Notre Dame

Other Notable Best Players Available:
Maurice Hurst, DL - Michigan
Tyrell Crosby Jr., OT - Oregon
Tim Settle, DL - Virginia Tech
Luke Falk, QB - Washington State
DeShawn Hand, DL - Alabama
Kyle Lauletta Jr., QB - Richmond
Michael Dickson, Punter - Texas
Dimitri Flowers, FB - Oklahoma
Stephen Roberts, Safety - Auburn
J’Mon Moore - Missouri
Quinn Blanding, Safety - Virginia
Cedric Wilson, WR - Boise State
RJ Mclntosh, DL - Miami
DJ Reed, CB - Kansas State
Cole Madison, OT - Washington State
Jordan Lasley, WR - UCLA
[www.ninersnation.com]

Rams Targets

RAMS Defensive Position Needs OLB-EDGE-ILB

Rank #6 Dorance Armstrong Jr.*, 3-4OLB, Kansas
Height: 6-4. Weight: 257. Arm: 34.75.
40 Time: 4.87.

Armstrong has an excellent skill set, but it was hard for him to illustrate in 2017 because the team around him was so bad. Opponents were able neutralize him with double teams and plays going away from him while taking advantage of the lack of talent elsewhere on the Kansas defense. As a result, Armstrong may be more of a second-day talent for the 2018 NFL Draft. In 2017, Armstrong totaled 63 tackles with 9.5 for a loss, two sacks, four forced fumbles and four passes batted. He is a fast edge defender with very good athleticism. At the combine, Armstrong looked smooth and athletic in the field drills.

In 2016 as a sophomore, Armstrong had some serious production with 10 sacks, 20 tackles for a loss, 56 tackles and three forced fumbles while being a First-Team All-Big XII selection. One general manager told me that they think Armstrong is a stud and can't see him staying for his senior year in 2018. They said that Armstrong could be on a par or better than Boston College senior edge rusher Harold Landry. That general manager thought Landry would have been a late first- or second-round pick if he had entered the 2017 NFL Draft.

Rank #8 Jeff Holland*, 3-4OLB, Auburn
Height: 6-2. Weight: 249.
40 Time 4.79

Holland impressed team sources in 2017 with a strong season as an edge rusher for Auburn. He doesn't have good size for the NFL, but he has some speed and athleticism on the edge with a nose for the quarterback. On the year, Holland collected 45 tackles with 13 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, four forced fumbles and a pass batted. He made some clutch sacks for Auburn. For the NFL, Holland could fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker. In a 4-3 defense, his role might be limited to being a situational pass-rusher, given his size.

Rank #9 Josh Sweat, 3-4OLB, Florida State
Height: 6-5. Weight: 251. Arm: 34.64.
40 Time: 4.53.

Sweat was solid in 2017 with some good performances and some quiet games. He had 56 tackles with 12.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and three passes batted on the year. One positive for Sweat was staying on the field and avoiding injury. Sweat decided to skip his senior year to enter the 2018 NFL Draft. He had a good combine workout with an excellent time in the 40-yard dash. Sweat has a lot of talent and was starting to flash as a sophomore in 2016. He had seven sacks, 11.5 tackles for a loss, 41 tackles and one forced fumble on the year. Sources say that Sweat has a first-round skill set and could explode as a junior.

Sweat comes with major durability concerns, however. He still has instability in a few locations in his knee from an injury he suffered early in his senior year of high school. Sources say Florida State has tried a variety of methods to rehab the knee, which hasn't responded. Because he could have his NFL career limited to one contract, sources say they hear that Sweat is going to skip his senior year and enter the 2018 NFL Draft. The knee injury could cause him to slide even though he has Thursday-night edge-rushing talent.

Rank #11 Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, 3-4OLB, Oklahoma
Height: 6-1. Weight: 243. Arm: 34.5. Hand: 9.25.
40 Time: 4.77.

In 2017, Okoronkwo racked up eight sacks with 76 tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss, two passes batted and three forced fumbles. He was a leading defender for the Sooners and received a lot of media hype. In speaking with a director of college scouting, they say they think that Okoronkwo is fast and explosive to rush the passer, but is tight.

He gets covered by length and mass on the edge with offensive tackles, and that will be a bigger issue in the NFL. They think that Okoronkwo could be a hybrid inside and outside linebacker for the NFL. They gave him a fourth- to fifth-round grade for the 2018 NFL Draft. 9/1/17: Okoronkwo was a dangerous edge defender for the Sooners in 2016. The juniot totaled 71 tackles with 12 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, three passes batted and two forced fumbles. It was a breakout season after serving as a backup in the previous seasons.

Rank #12 James Hearns*, 3-4OLB, Louisville
Height: 6-2. Weight: 239. Arm: 32.5.
40 Time: 4.89.

Hearns totaled 42 tackles with 13.5 for a loss, seven sacks, four forced fumbles and three passes batted for 2017. He played well against Clemson after underwhelming against North Carolina. Hearns was very streaky and inconsistent in 2017. 4/24/17: Sources say that Hearns is a bigger version of Devonte Fields. They say that Hearns is loose, limber, quick and fast to close. He needs to be more consistent, but his pass rush talent is developed. In 2016, Hearns totaled 42 tackles with 10 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, two passes batted and five forced fumbles. Hearns could produce a big 2017 season.

Rank #13 Hercules Mata'afa, DE, Washington State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 254. Arm: 31.5.
40 Time: 4.76.

Mata'afa played defensive tackle for the Cougars, but he will have to move to defensive end or outside linebacker in the NFL. Mata'afa does have a nose for the quarterback with pass-rush ability. In 2017, he totaled 43 tackles with 21.5 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Mata'afa had 47 tackles with 13.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks in 2016. He notched seven sacks in 2015. Mata'afa could get consideration for a DPR - designated pass-rusher - role in the NFL.

Rank #13b Marcell Frazier, 3-4OLB, Missouri
Height: 6-5. Weight: 260.
Projected 40 Time: 4.74.

Frazier put together 40 tackles with seven sacks, 15.5 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and five passes broken up in 2017. He had a slow start to the year before playing better midway through the year and closing out the season well. Sources say that Frazier's development was hurt by Missouri losing star defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski to Miami.

Frazier had a solid week at the East-West Shrine. He did well as a speed rusher, but showed that he struggles in the run game. Frazier needs to get stronger and improve his run defense. He didn't participate in the combine. 9/1/17: Missouri has been a factory for NFL defensive line talent in recent years. With Charles Harris on the other side, Frazier was able to do some damage in 2016. The junior came on strong at the end of the season. On the year, Frazier notched 7.5 sacks with 33 tackles. He had two sacks as a backup in 2015. Frazier could be poised for a big 2017 season as it looked like the light came on for him late in the 2016 season.

Rank #14 Marquis Haynes, 3-4OLB, Ole Miss
Height: 6-2. Weight: 233. Arm: 33. Hand: 9.88.
40 Time: 4.67.

Haynes totaled 45 tackles with 11 for a loss, 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2017. The senior is a limited role player for the NFL as a designated pass-rusher - DPR. Sources say that Haynes isn't the fastest of learners, so switching to traditional outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense is not being projected for him. Additionally, they note that he is extremely thin. Scouts like Haynes' natural edge-rush ability and think he could be a contributor as a DPR. Teams were disappointed in his effort at times during 2017, and there was talk around Ole Miss that an agent got to Haynes and pushed on him not to get hurt. Thus, Haynes took his foot off the pedal in a lot of games, which resulted in him not looking good.

Sources are valuing Haynes for the third day of the 2018 NFL Draft. 9/1/17: As a junior, Haynes played well and illustrated that he can be a difference-maker as a situational defender. In 2016, Haynes had 53 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, three passes batted, one interception and seven sacks. His sophomore season was even better with 43 tackles, 16.5 for a loss, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles and two passes batted. He recorded 31 tackles with nine tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks as a freshman.

Haynes is fast off the edge and has some natural pass-rushing skills to him. He is a heat-seeking missile off the edge who is a natural pass-rusher. Haynes also has functional strength that was illustrated by bull rush sacks through Alabama's Cam Robinson and Florida State's Roderick Johnson in 2016. However, Haynes is extremely undersized and will have to move to outside linebacker in the NFL. Even for that position, he will need to get stronger, but he has a real knack for producing sacks in the clutch and had an impact in Ole Miss beating Alabama in 2015. Haynes has to get better in run defense or he will just be a situational rusher in the NFL.

Rank #15 Olasunkanmi Adeniyi*, 3-4OLB, Toledo
Height: 6-1. Weight: 248. Arm: 31.75.
40 Time: 4.83.

Adeniyi was a surprise early-entry into the 2018 NFL Draft. In his final season for the MAC champion Rockets, Adeniyi totaled 66 tackles with 20 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. As a sophomore, he had 49 tackles with four sacks. Adeniyi is likely going to have to move to outside linebacker in the NFL.

Rank #16 Anthony Winbush, 3-4OLB, Ball State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 249. Arm: 32.13.
Projected 40 Time: 4.90.

Winbush is an undersized defensive end who will have to move to outside linebacker in the NFL. In 2017, he totaled 51 tackles with 16.5 tackles for a loss, 11.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. Winbush had 8.5 sacks as a junior and five sacks as a sophomore, totaling three forced fumbles and 39 tackles over those two years. Winbush should move to outside linebacker for a 3-4 defense and try to make a team as a designated pass-rusher - DPR. He will have to get stronger and improve his run defense for the NFL.

Rank #17 Ade Aruna, 3-4OLB, Tulane
Height: 6-5. Weight: 262. Arm: 34.
40 Time: 4.60.

Aruna put together 25 tackles with three tackles for a loss and three sacks in 2017. 9/1/17: Scouts going to fall camps during the preseason told me that Aruna is a sleeper prospect who could end up being a steal. Aruna is said to run the 40-yard dash in the 4.65-4.75-second range, which is very fast for a defensive end. He is only in his fifth year of organized football, however, and is considered to be super raw. Sources label him as a fast, explosive athlete who is still harnessing his talent and learning the game. In 2016 as a junior, Aruna totaled 43 tackles with 10 for a loss, five sacks and one forced fumble for the Green Wave. Sources say that the senior has the frame to hold 280 pounds and could be a 4-3 open-edge defensive end.

Rank #18 Davin Bellamy, 3-4OLB, Georgia
Height: 6-5. Weight: 240. Arm: 33.25.
Projected 40 Time: 4.78.

Bellamy really picked up his play as a senior and was very impressive against Notre Dame. He beat Fighting Irish left tackle Mike McGlinchey on a speed rush to get a strip-sack to close out Georgia's one-score victory late in the fourth quarter. In 2017, Bellamy had 34 tackles with 7.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, three passes batted and two forced fumbles.

Sources say they're projecting Bellamy to Day 3 of the 2018 NFL Draft. They think Bellamy is a bit of a tweener and wonder if he can add weight to play defensive end in NFL. They also believe Bellamy is not all that impressive as pass-rusher. 9/1/17: Bellamy recorded 51 tackles with nine for a loss, five sacks and one pass batted as a junior. He had 33 tackles with three sacks, 5.5 tackles for a loss and one pass broken up in 2015.

Rank #19 Trevon Young, 3-4OLB, Louisville
Height: 6-4. Weight: 258. Arm: 33.75.
40 Time: 4.78.

In 2017, Young totaled 62 tackles with 12 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks and five passes broken up. He had 8.5 sacks with 10 tackles for a loss, 32 tackles and two forced fumbles as a junior. Young will need to add weight and get stronger if he is to remain in a 4-3 defense. Moving to 3-4 outside linebacker could be his best fit.

Rank #20 Mike Love, 3-4OLB, South Florida
Height: 6-4. Weight: 260.
Projected 40 Time: 4.67.

Love and defensive tackle Bruce Hector were Bulls players who sources mentioned as sleeper prospects on the rise. They say that Love is going to ignite some third-day interest in the 2018 NFL Draft because he has enough size, a great motor and some quickness. Sources say that Love showed disruptive spurts and has some experience standing up, so he has some scheme flexibility. In 2017, Love totaled 28 tackles with 11 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and three passes broken up.

Rank #21 Justin Lawler, 3-4OLB, SMU
Height: 6-4. Weight: 265.
Projected 40 Time: 4.97.

Lawler didn't get a lot of media attention previously, but he had a solid week of practice at the East-West Shrine to help his draft stock. He found a way with quickness, technique and effort to achieve wins in the pass-rushing one-on-ones, plus made his presence felt in the team scrimmage. In 2017, Lawler totaled 74 tackles with 15.5 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks, two passes batted and two forced fumbles. He had 65 tackles as a junior and sophomore with six sacks in 2016 and five in 2015. Lawler could be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent who ends up exceeding expectations.

Rank #22 Kylie Fitts, 3-4OLB, Utah
Height: 6-3. Weight: 259. Arm: 32.38. Hand: 9.38.
40 Time: 4.69.

As a senior, Fitts collected 23 tackles with three sacks and a forced fumble. He missed the majority of the 2016 season with an injury. His best season came in 2015 when he had seven sacks with 41 tackles and 10 passes batted. Fitts had a strong showing at the combine with a fast 40-yard dash, including a fast 10-yard split.

INSIDE LINEBACKERS

Rank #6 Oren Burks, ILB, Vanderbilt
Height: 6-2. Weight: 228. Arm: 32.75. Hand: 9.
40 Time: 4.59.

Sources from multiple teams have told me that Burks impressed them during 2017. They like his combination of size, quickness and instincts. He could be a nice mid-round value pick. Burks totaled 82 tackles with seven tackles for a loss, one interception and three passes broken up in 2017. In 2016, he formed a potent linebacking tandem with Zach Cunningham. That season, Burks notched 59 tackles with 3.5 sacks and six passes broken up. He displayed some coverage and ball skills over his whole career, making six more breakups as a sophomore and seven as a freshman.

Rank #7 Josey Jewell, ILB/OLB, Iowa
Height: 6-1. Weight: 234. Arm: 32.
40 Time: 4.82.

Jewell totaled 136 tackles with 4.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble, two interceptions and 11 passes batted in 2017. He missed some time with injuries, but still produced well for Iowa. 9/1/17: Jewell recorded 124 tackles with six tackles for a loss, nine passes broken up and one forced fumble in 2016. He is a good run defender who will need to get stronger for the NFL and show more pass-coverage skills as senior.

The NFL draft advisory board told Jewell he should return for his senior year rather than enter the 2017 NFL Draft. In 2015, Jewell was a tough defender for Iowa as he racked up 126 tackles with 7.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, six passes broken up, one forced fumble and four interceptions. It was an impressive season from the Hawkeyes defender. If he stays consistent to his play-making production as a senior, his stock could really rise.

Rank #8 Tegray Scales, ILB/OLB, Indiana
Height: 6-0. Weight: 230. Arm: 30.75.
40 Time: 4.77.

In 2017, Scales totaled 89 tackles with six sacks, two interceptions, one pass batted and 12.5 tackles for a loss. He was a solid defender for Indiana.
9/1/17: Scales was a contributing defender for the Hoosiers with 46 tackles as a freshman and 64 as a sophomore before a massive jump as a junior when he notched 126 tackles on the season. He also had 23.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, two passes batted, one interception, and one forced fumble in 2016. Sources have said that Scales is a solid defender who is unspectacular for the NFL, similar to Clemson's Kendall Joseph or Ohio State's Jerome Baker.

Rank #9 Tre' Williams, ILB/OLB, Auburn
Height: 6-2. Weight: 238. Arm: 32.5. Hand: 9.25.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.

Williams was solid for the Tigers in 2017 with 50 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He impressed at the Senior Bowl, flying around the field and delivering a lot of hard hits. Williams had 67 tackles with 3.5 for a loss, one sack and two passes broken up in 2016. He had 55 tackles as a rotational player in 2015. Following Auburn losing some fellow linebackers to the NFL after 2015, more was expected out of Williams in 2016.

Rank # 10 Shaun Dion Hamilton, ILB, Alabama
Height: 6-0. Weight: 228. Arm: 31.
Projected 40 Time: 4.63.

Hamilton totaled 40 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 2017. He went down with a knee injury in early November and didn't play the rest of the season. Alabama missed Hamilton in some big games, including its loss to Auburn. 9/1/17: In 2016, Hamilton started the majority of games next to Reuben Foster. Hamilton totaled 64 tackles with nine tackles for a loss, two sacks, one forced fumble and one pass broken up on the year before tearing an ACL in the SEC Championship Game against Florida. Alabama held him out of spring practice, but Nick Saban has stated the Crimson Tide believe Hamilton will not be restricted from practicing in fall camp.

Rank #11 Micah Kiser, ILB, Virginia
Height: 6-0. Weight: 236. Arm: 31.88. Hand: 9.25.
40 Time: 4.66.

Kiser amassed 145 tackles in 2017 and was dangerous as a blitzer, notching five sacks. He also had four passes batted and 9.5 tackles for a loss on the season. Over the past two seasons, Kiser has been a tackling machine for Virginia. He had a breakout 2015 season as a sophomore where he totaled 117 tackles with 7.5 sacks, 13 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and two passes broken up. In 2016, he managed to increase his tackle production with 134 stops, 10 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, seven passes broken up, five forced fumbles and an interception.

Kiser is a tough run defender who is strong, intelligent, instinctive, and physical in the tackle box. He is not a fast linebacker with sideline-to-sideline speed, however. He also isn't a great athlete and will need a lot of development in pass coverage to be a three-down defender in the NFL. At the next level, Kiser would fit best as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense with a fast run-and-chase linebacker next to him. He could be limited to being more of a run-stuffing linebacker for the pro game.

Rank #12 Nick DeLuca, ILB, North Dakota State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 243. Arm: 33.5. Hand: 10.13.
40 Time: 4.85.

DeLuca had a strong enough year to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl. He recorded 74 tackles with 10.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, two passes batted, three forced fumbles and an interception in 2017. DeLuca put together a big 2015 season with 135 tackles, six passes broken up, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. He received a medical redshirt in the 2016 due to a shoulder injury in the first month of that season.

Rank #13 Airius Moore, ILB/OLB, N.C. State
Height: 6-0. Weight: 237.
Projected 40 Time: 4.61.

In speaking with team sources, they say that Moore is getting mid-round grades. Moore had a good senior season, but went under the radar because so much attention was paid to Bradley Chubb and the Wolfpack defensive linemen. Moore totaled 67 tackles with three interceptions and four passes broken up in 2017. As a junior, he recorded 86 tackles with five passes broken up. Moore collected 78 tackles as a sophomore and 37 as a freshman. His pass-coverage skills could help him to rise in the months leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft.
[walterfootball.com]


DRAFT_TEK EDGE RUSHERS (Rams Targets)
Rank #7 Josh Sweat
Rank #8 Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Rank# 9 Dorance Armstrong
Rank#10 Trevon Young
Rank #11 Jeff Holland
Rank #12 Marcell Frazier
Rank #14 Kylie Fitts
Rank #15 Marquis Haynes
Rank #17 Duke Ejiofor
Rank #18 Ebenezer Ogundeko

DRAFT_TEK INSIDE LINEBACKERS (Rams Targets)
5 Josey Jewell
7 Micah Kiser
8 Mike McCray
9 Christian Sam
10 Tegray Scales
11 Jack Cichy
12 Matthew Thomas
13 Jason Cabinda
14 Azeem Victor
15 Andre Smith
17 Keishawn Bierria
18 Shaun Dion Hamilton
19 Chris Worley
20 Genard Avery
21 Joel Iyiegbuniwe
22 Nick DeLuca-
23 Joel Lanning
24 Frank Ginda
25 Kenny Young
26 Chad Whitener
[www.drafttek.com]


PFF OVERALL LINEBACKER RANKINGS (Rams Targets)

Overall Rank #5. SKAI MOORE, SOUTH CAROLINA
Moore has a lot of negatives working against him, but his play has been excellent in the SEC, which is no small order. His PFF coverage grade of 88.7 was one of the highest in the nation in 2017, one spot above Georgia’s Smith, and his instincts are clearly excellent. He will need to convince NFL teams that he can still produce with a step up in competition given he is both undersized and potentially less athletic than they would like. Missing the entire 2016 season with a herniated disc is also a major injury red flag and he will need to check out medically as well.

Overall LB Rank #6. JOSEY JEWELL, IOWA
Iowa’s Jewell is an all-around linebacker who has graded well in all areas. He doesn’t have the same eye-popping measurables as the players above him in this list, but he has some impressive tape that should get him deserved consideration regardless. He has been a quality coverage linebacker and allowed zero touchdowns in 2017 despite leading the draft class among linebackers with 55 targets on the season. He also had 61 defensive stops, the sixth-most among linebackers in this class, giving him three-down ability at the next level.

Overall LB Rank #7. SHAQUEM GRIFFIN, UCF
One of the most intriguing players in the entire draft, UCF’s Shaquem Griffin is missing one hand after having it amputated as a child. He has been an exceptional pass-rusher in college, but would be remarkably undersized for that role in the NFL and will likely need to prove his abilities as an off-the-ball-linebacker. However, Griffen did generate pressure at a greater per-snap rate than 2016 first-round pick Hasson Reddick. Griffin has overcome long odds throughout his football career, but his true prospects at linebacker are all a projection.

Overall LB Rank #9. DORIAN O’DANIEL, CLEMSON
O’Daniel graded positively in each of his four seasons in at Clemson, ending his career with his best season to date in 2017 with plus-grades in each facet. He recorded a total of 20 QB pressures on just 58 pass-rushes, saw a passer rating when targeted of 70.0 and recorded 36 defensive stops, third on the team behind two interior defensive linemen.

Overall LB Rank #11. AL-RASHEED BENTON, WEST VIRGINIA
There are few linebackers that have the kind of leadership qualities that Benton displayed at WVU. He has three seasons of solid play, but saw his college career end on an ugly note, with back-to-back struggles and a bowl defeat as his send off. He didn’t allow a touchdown in coverage over the past two seasons, albeit on just 33 targets, but did have two interceptions and three pass breakups in 2017 alone. Was a missed tackle machine in 2017, falling off 28 tackles, the most in the nation and three times as many as his 2016 total. He very well could prove to be a mid-round steal if he limits the missed tackles.

Overall LB Rank #12. GENARD AVERY, MEMPHIS
A player that split time between off-the-ball linebacker and true edge rusher, Avery presents NFL teams with a challenge in terms of identifying his best position. Avery had 128 total pressures over his college career.

Overall LB Rank #13. STACY THOMAS, LOUISVILLE
A year ago, Thomas posted one of the best single-season PFF grades we have seen from any linebacker in this class at Louisville (91.2). He took a major step back in 2017 and while he wasn’t bad, he was notably less impressive and flawed as a player. Thomas doesn’t wow athletically on tape and could potentially rejuvenate his prospects if he tests well before the draft, but otherwise, he hits the NFL coming off some weak tape.

Overall LB Rank #14. FOYE OLUOKUN, YALE
Oluokun was a rocked-up safety at Yale who projects to linebacker in the NFL. He played safety with a reckless streak and has the athleticism and physicality to play linebacker at the next level.

Overall LB Rank #15. JACK CICHY, WISCONSIN
Has played just 737 defensive snaps over the past three seasons, and 388 over the past two. Injuries kept him sidelined entirely during 2017, but Cichy has big talent and could prove to be a late round steal if he can get healthy.

Overall LB Rank #16. MICAH KISER, VIRGINIA
If this was a decade or more ago, Kiser would be a much better prospect, but his weakness is coverage – the most important aspect of linebacker play in 2017. He surrendered seven touchdowns in his college career in coverage.

Overall LB Rank #17. FRED WARNER, BYU
A darling of many in the draft community, Warner has athleticism to burn and extensive positive play in coverage, the most important trait for NFL linebackers in 2018. Warner played the walk-out/overhang linebacker role at BYU, so there will be a transition to the NFL where he will need to occupy a more traditional position.

Overall LB Rank #18. JA’WHAUN BENTLEY, PURDUE
Another downhill thumper at a time where that trait has never been less valuable, Bentley had exceptional PFF grades this past season at Purdue. He improved marginally in coverage in 2017, but will need a big leap to be more than a two-down player at the next level.

Overall LB Rank #19. SHAUN DION HAMILTON, ALABAMA
If injuries weren’t a concern, Hamilton would be one of the better linebacker prospects in this draft, but he was visibly hampered in 2017 and then suffered another injury on the top of that. Could be a late-round steal if a team can get him healthy.

Overall LB Rank #20. BEN NIEMANN, IOWA
‘The other Iowa linebacker,’ Niemann was very productive in his own right alongside Jewell in the Hawkeyes’ defense. In total, he missed just 13 tackles in his college career.

Overall LB Rank #21. QUENTON POLING, OHIO
Missed 18 tackles in each of the past two seasons, Poling has nevertheless been very productive at Ohio, grading well in all facets of the game over his college career.

Overall LB Rank #22. TEGRAY SCALES, INDIANA
Another player coming off a down year, Scales was outstanding in 2016, and could go higher if teams are convinced they can get that player instead of the 2017 version. Allowed just one touchdown in each of the past two seasons in coverage.

Overall LB Rank #23. MATTHEW THOMAS, FSU
A highly athletic linebacker whose on-field play has yet to match those measurables. His grade has improved each season, and he is coming off a solid year, but Thomas will be drafted based on what teams believe he can become.

Overall LB Rank #26. OREN BURKS, VANDERBILT
Played a different position virtually every season. He is a good athlete who could find a role as a box defender or tight end matchup weapon.


PFF EDGE RUSHER RANKINGS (Rams Targets)

Rank #4. OGBONNIA OKORONKWO, OKLAHOMA
A tad undersized, Okoronkwo has enough length and juice to make us think he can hold up on the edge. Unlike Davenport, Okoronkwo more than held his own at the Senior Bowl and flourished in the actual game with two sacks and four other hurries.

Rank #6. DUKE EJIFOR, WAKE FOREST
Ejiofor matches up with some of the top prospects in this class size-wise, but doesn’t have near the same juice. The encouraging thing is that he’s trended upwards as a pass-rusher every single year of his career.

Rank #7. HERCULES MATA’AFA, WASHINGTON STATE
Mata’afa played a grand total of seven snaps this season outside the tackles, but tipping the scales around 250-pounds, the Washington State defender will have to end up there in the NFL. It’s intriguing that he still racked up double-digit sacks from the interior – often blowing past guards and centers at the snap with his lightning quick first step.

Rank #9. TYQUAN LEWIS, OHIO STATE
Lewis may have been overshadowed by some bigger names on the Ohio State defensive front, but he’s a high-level prospect in his own right. Over the past two seasons, he’s generated 35 combined sacks and hits while displaying the ability to rush from anywhere along the defensive line of scrimmage. He was also one of the top performers at the Senior Bowl garnering six pressures in the game.

Rank #11. JOE OSTMAN, CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Ostman was the most productive pass-rusher in this draft class this past season, notching 54 total pressures. His length and athleticism are lacking, but his production is hard to ignore.

Rank #13. JOSH SWEAT, FSU
Sweat is as athletic as any pass-rusher in this class, but it’s yet to translate to the football field. He’ll need to develop a handful more pass-rushing moves to make an impact at the next level.

Rank #14. JUSTIN LAWLER, SMU
Lawler posted the top grade among edge defenders at 91.0 overall last season as he knows how to win with a variety of pass-rush moves and low pad level. His lack of athleticism may hinder his ability at the next level, but his production as a pass-rusher in the run game is worth a look.

Rank #17. JEFF HOLLAND, AUBURN
Holland came out of nowhere as he put up an, at-times dominant 2017 season. He notched at least six pressures in seven games for Auburn this past season.

Rank #18. KYLIE FITTS, UTAH
When Fitts was fully healthy, he was one of the few pass-rushers in this class that could win the edge as a pass-rusher. His career was plagued with injuries at Utah though.

Rank #19. LEON JACOBS, WISCONSIN
Jacobs is a special athlete who may end up having to be an off-ball in the NFL. Jacobs played all of 441 snaps his first four years at Wisconsin before a breakout season this past year.

Rank #20. OLASUNKANMI ADENIYI, TOLEDO
Adeniyi is undersized, yet productive off the edge and he’s worth a look to see if he can maintain those levels against NFL talent. He finished with 14 sacks, 38 hits and 51 hurries on 698 career rushes.

Rank #21. JA’VON ROLLAND-JONES, ARKANSAS STATE
Rolland-Jones disappointed in his athletic testing, but he had four years of 80.0-plus overall grades, capping his career with 55 sacks, 30 QB hits and 117 hurries on 1,301 rushes.
[www.profootballfocus.com]