Kiper’s First ‘19 mock draft: Rams select potential Suh replacement...

2019 NFL mock draft: Rams select potential Ndamukong Suh replacement

Cameron DaSilva

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

While the 2019 NFL draft is hardly the top priority for the Los Angeles Rams or their fans, the big event is rapidly approaching. Scouts and teams have been doing their homework on this year’s crop of prospects, as has ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.

He released his first mock draft of the year on Thursday, which includes the Rams’ selection in Round 1. Though their draft slot has yet to be determined, it’ll be between No. 29 and 32. In this projection, Kiper has them selecting 30th overall.

With the pick, he has the Rams taking Ohio State defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones.

You can’t discount the Rams trading out of this spot — they didn’t pick until No. 89 last year. But since there are no trades allowed here, let’s give Wade Phillips a piece with which to work. Ndamukong Suh will likely move on in free agency, which means there’s an open spot next to all-world interior pass-rusher Aaron Donald. Jones, who had 8.5 sacks in 2018, is an athlete. He could even play end for L.A.

Ndamukong Suh is a free agent and after earning $14 million this year, the Rams are unlikely to re-up his contract and give him a long-term extension after signing Aaron Donald to a megadeal. That being said, the Rams will need to find a replacement at nose tackle, which is where Jones comes into play.

Although he’s smaller than the 6-foot-4, 307-pound Suh, he does have good size at 6-3, 295. And like Suh, Jones can also line up at defensive end in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme. That’s a huge plus, given how often Phillips moved Suh around the line.

Another possibility for Los Angeles is Alabama safety Deionte Thompson, who Kiper has going one pick after the Rams to the Chiefs. Lamarcus Joyner could also leave in free agency, creating a hole at safety that Los Angeles will need to fill.