Rams take O-lineman first, pass rusher second in new 3-round mock draft

[theramswire.usatoday.com] Rams take O-lineman first, pass rusher second in new 3-round mock draft

Cameron DaSilva
March 5, 2023 5:30 am PT

The Los Angeles Rams are without a first-round pick again this year, but their earliest selection is close to Round 1. They’ll go on the clock at No. 36 overall in the second round, so they’ll have a chance to potentially add a player they view as a first-round talent.

Mock drafts so far have primarily projected that the Rams will take an offensive lineman, pass rusher or cornerback, which would all be logical picks in Round 2. Luke Easterling of Draft Wire has the Rams addressing two of those holes with their first two picks in his latest three-round mock, going with an offensive lineman first and a pass rusher second.

In Round 2, he has the Rams taking North Dakota State offensive lineman Cody Mauch, who’s become a popular pick for Los Angeles in mock drafts. He can play both guard and tackle and brings a lot to the table at each spot. In the Rams’ scheme, he’d fit best as a guard.

In the third round, Easterling mocked Kansas State edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah to the Rams at No. 69 overall. Anudike-Uzomah had 25.5 tackles for a loss in the last two seasons, totaling 19.5 sacks in that same span. He also forced eight fumbles in college, showing he has a knack for jarring the ball loose and creating turnovers.