Report: Rams meet with stud NT Vita Vea at Washington pro day
Cameron DaSilva
[
theramswire.usatoday.com]
The 2018 NFL Draft is still more than a month away, but all 32 teams are hard at work studying the top prospects in the class. They’re also busy meeting with those same players, doing their due diligence when it comes to learning all they can about them.
Every team meets with players at the combine, but formal meetings outside of Indianapolis are more telling of who each front office and coaching staff is interested in. The Los Angeles Rams met with one big prospect at Washington’s pro day this weekend in defensive tackle Vita Vea.
Vea is the top player at his position on most analysts boards, checking in at 6-foot-4, 347 pounds. He’s a massive presence inside, which is exactly what the Rams need next to Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers.
In order to land Vea, the Rams will absolutely need to take him with the 23rd overall pick. However, there are two problems with that.
He might not make it there
Are nose tackles valuable enough to take that high?
The Browns traded away Danny Shelton this weekend, and it seems like teams don’t value 0- and 1-technique tackles anymore. With the game so pass-happy, you need players who can stay on the field for all three downs, adding some pass-rushing ability, as well.
Vea can pressure the quarterback, but will he have the same impact as someone like Harold Landry or Rashaan Evans. That remains to be seen, but the Rams are clearly interested in the former Washington nose tackle.
