Rams winners and losers from 2020 NFL draft...

Rams' winners and losers from 2020 NFL Draft

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Cameron DaSilva

The Los Angeles Rams added some big-time talent during the draft this weekend, selecting nine players between Rounds 2 and 7. They didn’t have a first- or fifth-round pick, but they still managed to add playmakers on both sides of the ball.

Surprisingly, they waited until the seventh round to address their two biggest needs, linebacker and offensive line.

As is the case every year, the incoming draft class will have a big impact on some of the Rams’ current players. Some players received votes of confidence from the front office after their positions weren’t made a priority, while others will lose out on playing time to rookies.

Here are the winners and losers for the Rams coming out of the draft.

Winners

Rams’ current inside linebackers

The linebacker group got a huge vote of confidence from the front office and coaching staff this weekend. The Rams passed on inside linebackers time and time again in the draft, even trading away from Troy Dye in the fourth round when he was on the board.

They finally addressed the position on Day 3, but that was in the seventh round and the pick was used on Clay Johnston, who tore his ACL in October.

The Rams’ reluctance to draft a linebacker is good news for Kiser and Howard, who figure to be the top players on the depth chart this season. Troy Reeder and Kenny Young will also compete for playing time and starting roles, too.

Everyone figured the Rams would draft a linebacker early, but that turned out to be wrong.

Every interior offensive lineman

For as much as the Rams seem to love their inside linebackers, they’re equally confident in their current offensive line group. Just as they did with the linebackers, the Rams passed on top offensive linemen such as Tyler Biadasz, Lloyd Cushenberry, Josh Jones and Matt Hennessy.

The Rams finally took a lineman in the seventh round, selecting Tremayne Anchrum out of Clemson, who projects at guard.

Currently, the interior of the offensive line is a mishmash of fringe starters. Austin Corbett, Brian Allen, Austin Blythe, David Edwards and Joseph Noteboom will all compete for starting jobs at guard and center, and the fact that the Rams didn’t prioritize the offensive line is a great sign for these players.

QB Jared Goff

Goff is a big winner not because the Rams didn’t draft a quarterback early, but because they added a number of weapons on offense for him. Cam Akers will take pressure off of him in the backfield, while Van Jefferson is yet another reliable target at wide receiver.

Even Brycen Hopkins can contribute as a rookie and the third tight end in heavy packages. He’s a talented receiver and a downfield threat in the middle of the field, but his hands are inconsistent.

The offensive line didn’t improve, but Goff’s pass-catchers and offensive weapons certainly did.

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Losers

RBs Darrell Henderson, Malcolm Brown

So much for the Rams’ confidence in this tandem, huh? They spent their first pick on Akers and after the second day of the draft, Les Snead made it clear that running back was a priority.

“We had a game plan to start today and the good thing is our first two picks were the first two picks that we wanted to get done. That doesn’t happen all the time, but as we prepare for this draft, plan for it, I felt like that those two players were realistic targets for us. Felt like they would definitely help Sean (McVay) and his offense. I always say, ‘Get yards, first downs, explosives and touchdowns, score points.’ We all know when you have more points at the end of the game, you’ve got a good chance of winning.”

Akers probably isn’t going to be a workhorse for the Rams, and the team has said recently that it wants to utilize a committee backfield, but Akers will undoubtedly take touches away from Henderson and Brown.

Their stocks are trending down after the draft, specifically Brown. He could be on the chopping block this summer if he doesn’t stand out in camp.

WR Josh Reynolds

McVay said before the draft that trading Brandin Cooks was “a big vote of confidence” for Reynolds. Well, it turns out that didn’t hold true for very long. The Rams drafted Jefferson in Round 2, who’s a savvy route runner and someone who can work the middle of the field.

Reynolds will still get playing time next season, but the 2020 campaign could be his last in a Rams uniform. He’ll be a free agent next year and if Cooper Kupp is re-signed, Reynolds will be on his way out.

CB David Long Jr.

It’s possible that Long, a third-round pick in 2019, will be replaced by a third-round pick in this year’s draft, Terrell Burgess. Burgess was listed as a safety out of Utah, but he can play safety, nickel and outside cornerback. His best spot will be in the slot, though, which is where Long was expected to start.

“I think that’s an ideal situation,” McVay said of Burgess playing the slot. “I think when you look at some of these versatile safeties, you think even just in our division, you look at what (S) Jimmie Ward is able to do for the 49ers where he has great range playing in the post, but then in some of those known-passing situations, there’s a confidence to drop him down and cover on slots.”

Long isn’t in any danger of being cut, of course, but his role was reduced when the Rams selected Burgess 104th overall.

TE Gerald Everett

The Rams surprisingly spent a fourth-round pick on tight end Brycen Hopkins, who’s a similar receiving threat as Everett. With Everett’s contract expiring after the upcoming season, he’s in serious danger of not being on the roster in 2021.

In fact, the Rams might even trade him at some point to make room for Hopkins as the No. 2 tight end. Nothing is in the works, but don’t be surprised if the Rams shop Everett this offseason.

Kickers Austin MacGinnis and Lirim Hajrullahu

The Rams traded down in the fourth round and picked up two seventh-round picks, with a clear eye toward the draft’s kickers. They used their second-to-last pick on Sam Sloman from Miami (Ohio), adding even more competition at kicker.

Sloman will join MacGinnis and Hajrullahu in a battle this summer, assuming training camps are held. The best kicker will win the job to replace Greg Zuerlein.