So here is the 3rd of 4 versions. The final one will be around draft week. Lots have changed since my 2.0. The Rams gained a WR, lost a 1st round pick, gained a later pick.
My top needs in order:
OLB
ILB
OT
OG/OC
TE
RB
S
The Rams have next to no need at QB, WR, DL, C, ST (p/k/ls )
We know the Rams like the Senior Bowl, and from the looks of who they have been meeting with, it looks like they want a position flexible interior lineman. We also know they almost certainly have a few targets and will move around accordingly to get those targets. So this mock is less about what pick in what round and more about who they are targeting.
3. 87 - Josey Jewell - ILB - Iowa - A tad undersized at 6'-1" 234 lbs. He is a perfect fit for what the Rams need on this defense. A leader that diagnoses quickly and plays the run very well. He steps in and wears the mic'd helmet from day 1. I know I said Edge is the #1 priority, but I think unless they trade up Nwosu, Carter, Turay are gone. Armstrong I cannot get a feel for draft wise. If he's there he would be the pick. And on top of that if Tyrell Crosby is anywhere near the Rams pick I think they go get him.
The only other option I see is Ogbonnia Okoronkwo in the 3rd followed by Micah Kiser in the 4th. But I think they have a plan for edge.
4.111 - Alex Cappa - OL - Humboldt State - The Rams are not scared of going after prospects from smaller schools and he was at the Senior Bowl, so he fits the mold. As he gets a year or 2 to adjust to NFL talent he can be a swing tackle, or even move inside where the Rams can capitalize on his nasty run blocking.
4.135 - Kylie Fitts - Edge - Utah - This is high for him, but I can see the Rams zeroing in on this guy. Senior Bowl participant, size, speed strength edge that fits well if he can stay healthy. Foot and ankle injuries have limited his play time severely.
4.136 - Mark Walton - RB - Miami - Injuries drop him into the 4th round, but he a perfect backup RB behind Gurley, an undersized HR hitter that runs tougher then his size suggests. Akrum Wadley is another choice here if Walton is gone (and he could go as early as round 2) I also think this pick or the previous one is gone in a trade up scenario. I do not see the Rams picking back to back at the end of the 4th round. Even trading back into the 5th makes some sense.
6.183 - Durham Smythe - TE - Notre Dame - A 6'-5" 255 lb. blocking TE the Rams don't have on their roster, plus he was under-used as a pass catcher so he has room to develop that. At his size he should be a redzone threat (also needed).
6.194 - Tony Adams - OG/OC - NCST - a fire hydrant type interior lineman that could play all 3 interior spots or slide into the OC position after a year. Sean Welsh also makes sense but I doubt he gets to the 6th.
6.195 - Ola Adeniyi - Edge - Toledo - a 6'-2" 250 lb high motor pass rusher that lacks some athleticism, but his production was hard to ignore. This is the one position Ithink they double dip in, esp the way Phillips likes to rotate his OLBers. I think if they double up on a postion this year its OLB.
6.198 - Trayvon Henderson - S -Hawaii - Really had himself a Senior Bowl and a very good junior season, his senior year was off so he is a bit of an enigma. The Rams need S depth, so this is the perfect spot to plug one in.
So using 8 picks I filled OL depth, OLB, a complement to Barron on the inside, safety depth, a blocking/redzone TE the Rams do not have on the roster and a homerun hitting backup RB.
What I didn't accomplish - No big body redzone WR to compete for the 6th WR spot. Right now its Cooks, Woods, Kupp, TA, Reynolds and Copper. with Thomas on the outside looking in. Cooper has taken over return duties and is a pro bowler on a cheap contract, he is going nowhere, TA is on the roster until he gets traded on draft day or for 1 year max. Thomas is redundant with Reynolds so really the Rams have 4 WRs.
I think a weaponized TE would be a nice get if one falls into the 4th round, but I have no idea which one. Maybe Schultz or Thomas.
A DT later for DL depth to replace Suh would be great, PJ Hall would be a perfect fit in this defense. I just cannot slot him anywhere.
Next years draft is top heavy on OTs so it would be pretty easy to go get their LT of the future.
Bonus 2019 draft:
1.32 - Greg Little - LT - Ole Miss - a tall, big athletic OT that slides right in to Whitworth's vacated LT spot.
3. 96 - Irv Smith Jr - TE - Alabama - poor QB play really didn't help him last year, but he should be a breakout TE this season.
3.99ish (comp. pick) - Alijah Holder - CB - Stanford - a 6'-2" CB that needs to add some strength, but could replace No Chainz for the 2020 season.
Don't waste your time looking back, you're not going that way. - Ragnar Lothbrok
