Rams prepare for DL shuffle in Kiper’s latest mock...

Rams prepare for D-line shuffle in Mel Kiper's latest 2019 NFL mock draft

Cameron DaSilva2 hours ago

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

The Los Angeles Rams defense could be in for a mini-makeover this offseason with several starters set to hit free agency, others potentially being cap casualties and some questions to answer at cornerback with Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib.

Some of the biggest changes could come on the defensive line. Ndamukong Suh is hitting free agency in March and Michael Brockers is a candidate to be cut, allowing the Rams to save $10 million.

As a result, Mel Kiper has Los Angeles addressing the D-line in his second mock draft of 2019. He projected Lousiana Tech defensive end Jaylon Ferguson to the Rams at No. 31 overall in the first round.

Ferguson was in the news last week after his combine invite was rescinded when it was revealed he was convicted of simple battery his freshman year. That shouldn’t hurt his draft stock, and he’s expected to be able to undergo medical evaluations for teams. Ferguson (6-5, 260) had 45 sacks in his four-year career — including 17.5 last season — and set the FBS record for most sacks. He could add some weight and play end in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense.

Ferguson does come with minor character concerns stemming from that incident his freshman year, especially because he won’t be able to participate in drills at the combine, only medical evaluations. However, as Kiper points out, it shouldn’t impact his draft stock.

His on-field production speaks for itself, too. He was a four-year starter at Louisiana Tech, racking up 45 sacks and 67.5 tackles for loss with seven forced fumbles and 187 total tackles. At 6-feet-5, 262 pounds, he has the size to play defensive end in a 3-4 defense, though he could afford to add a few pounds.

With Suh and possibly Brockers moving on, the Rams could slot Ferguson in at defensive end opposite Aaron Donald and either sign or draft a true nose tackle to play between them. Or if they get Brockers to take a pay cut – or simply keep him on his current contract – he could potentially move back to nose tackle with Ferguson at DE.

No matter what happens, the Rams are almost certain to have at least one new starter on the defensive line. Keeping Donald, Suh and Brockers together is near-impossible with their projected and current price tags.