Rams had pre-draft meeting with Oregon CB Thomas Graham Jr.

[theramswire.usatoday.com]

Cameron DaSilva

Cornerback is viewed as a position of need for just about every team, given how often defenses use nickel and dime packages where there are at least three corners on the field. It’s certainly up there on the Rams’ priority list this offseason, seeing as both Darious Williams and Troy Hill are pending free agents.

To prepare for potential losses, and seeking depth at the position, the Rams have begun looking at cornerback prospects in the draft. According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, the Rams recently held a pre-draft meeting with Oregon cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. over videoconference.

Graham didn’t play in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, opting out after the Pac 12 initially canceled the season. But in each of the previous three seasons, he played at least 13 games and was a ball hawk.

In 2017, he picked off three passes and made 62 tackles, breaking up four total passes. The following year, he once again picked off three passes (including one pick-six) and had a whopping 18 pass breakups. In 2019, he pulled in two interceptions, broke up 10 passes and made a career-high 64 tackles.

Graham improved his stock at the Senior Bowl, standing out in practice in Mobile. He’s great in man coverage, mirroring the routes of opposing wide receivers.

Graham probably won’t be a first-round pick and is more likely to land sometime on Day 2 or 3. If the Rams can’t come to terms on a deal with Hill or somehow can’t keep Williams as a restricted free agent, Graham could be a mid-round target for them.