What is the Rams' perfect prospect pair in Round 2?
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theramswire.usatoday.com]
Cameron DaSilva
After trading Brandin Cooks to the Houston Texans, the Los Angeles Rams are in a great position to add two impact rookies in the draft. They own the 52nd and 57th overall picks, the latter of which they acquired in the Cooks trade.
With holes on the offensive line, at linebacker and possibly even running back, there are a number of ways the Rams can go in the second round. But what would be the ideal scenario for Los Angeles with its first two picks?
According to Chad Reuter of NFL.com, a double-dip of Michigan prospects would be the best-case scenario for the Rams. In this exercise where he and Lance Zierlein lay out the ideal situation for each team’s top two picks, Reuter went with center Cesar Ruiz and edge rusher Josh Uche at No. 52 and 57, respectively.
The Rams have not had a first-round pick since they selected quarterback Jared Goff No. 1 overall in 2016. But with two picks in the mid-second round this year, including the one recently gained from Houston for Brandin Cooks, GM Les Snead can make some hay. Fortifying the interior of the team’s offensive line is a must, so grabbing Ruiz (one of LSU’s starters, such as center Lloyd Cushenberry or guard Damien Lewis, would also work if Ruiz is gone) would be a smart plan with their first pick. Although they’ll miss out on the draft’s elite edge prospects, they could land players like Uche or Notre Dame’s Julian Okwara at 57th overall to help improve the team’s pass rush. As for one team grabbing two players from the same college in the same round? It happens more often than you might think. For example, the Saints selected two Ohio State players in the second round in 2016 — receiver Michael Thomas and safety Vonn Bell.
Both players have been projected to the Rams in several mock drafts, and for good reason. Ruiz is arguably the best center prospect in the draft, and Uche is a player who fits the mold of a 3-4 outside linebacker. It’s very likely that they’d both be Day 1 starters for Los Angeles, though Uche would have to beat out Samson Ebukam and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo first.
The Rams could also take a wide receiver with their first pick if someone like Denzel Mims, Jalen Reagor or Brandon Aiyuk fall to No. 52, or they may prepare for the future at left tackle in advance of Andrew Whitworth’s retirement.
The Rams will have options in the second round, but it’s hard to argue with Reuter’s picks of Ruiz and Uche as one of the best scenarios.
