some good, some bad

Round 3, Pick 103: Ed Ingram (IOL, LSU)

Rams fans should be used to waiting a while for the team to make a selection in the draft in recent years. In this year’s draft, Los Angeles won’t be on the clock until the third round, which is a compensatory pick for the Rams due to Brad Holmes becoming the general manager of the Detroit Lions.

Seeing that the Rams are likely going to need to address their interior offensive line with Brian Allen and Austin Corbett set to hit free agency, Ed Ingram made a ton of sense in this spot. Ingram, a redshirt senior out of LSU, played both guard spots during his collegiate career with the Tigers.

Throughout his time at LSU, Ingram flashed the ability to play in almost any scheme and his athleticism allows him to play multiple positions. If Corbett ends up commanding a nice contract with another team, Ingram is capable of becoming an immediate starter for the Rams.

He doesn't make sense from a position standpoint. Yes, the Rams need IOL, but they like to draft OTs and move them inside. Edwards, Evans and even Corbett was a OT that moved inside prior to joining the Rams. I just don't see a OG here. Now a guy like Cordell Volson from NDSU, who played both OT spots in college, and showed he can play well inside at OG at the Shrine bowl (where he dominated) He makes sense if he lasts.

Round 4, Pick 141: Max Mitchell (OT, Louisiana)

Ahead of the Rams’ Super Bowl win, there were rumors that Sean McVay and Aaron Donald could retire. While it seems unlikely that either of them retires, it’s been expected that Andrew Whitworth will be hanging up his cleats after an illustrious 16-year career in the NFL.

Joseph Noteboom, who is a free agent, is someone that the Rams could replace Whitworth with at the left tackle position. Even if Noteboom and Rob Havenstein are the starting tackles in 2022, Los Angeles could still use another tackle that can replace Noteboom in his role as the swing tackle — whether he leaves or not.

Max Mitchell out of Louisiana would be a solid fit for the Rams in the fourth round. Mitchell might benefit from having a year or two to develop his strength, so there wouldn’t be a rush for him to start. His athleticism is something that could interest the Rams, though.

I don't mind this pick as long as they don't go with a OT/OG combo player in the 3rd. He has plenty of upside, mainly because he needs to add weight at 6'-6" and only 300 lbs. He could easily carry 15 to 20 more good pounds.

Round 5, Pick 174: Joshua Ross (LB, Michigan)

The Rams haven’t shown much of an interest in bolstering their inside linebacker group, but after seeing how the inside linebackers performed in 2021, they need to address the position. Ernest Jones performed well as a rookie and should remain a starter next season, however, Troy Reeder shouldn’t be a starter again in 2022.

Reeder was a liability in coverage and he had lapses in the run game that were costly for the Rams. Given the need for an inside linebacker to pair with Jones, Joshua Ross out of Michigan would be an ideal choice.

Ross was a captain for the Wolverines in the past two seasons and if he can improve a bit more in coverage, he could become a steal for whoever takes him in the later rounds. At the very least, he’d give the Rams a stout run-stopper at inside linebacker to pair with an athletic guy like Jones.

Sneaky pick here, he is a tone setter, plays tough and with a good motor, But, he is...not great dropping into coverage. I think he can improve. But I think he made the D calls this year, and he can blitz. A punishing tackler that actually finishes tackles, he upgrades Reeders spot.

Round 6, Pick 209: Damarion Williams (CB, Houston)

Entering the offseason, the Rams will need to make decisions on Darious Williams and Dont’e Deayon. Of the two, I’d guess that it’s more likely we see Deayon return. Regardless of how their situations shake out, Los Angeles could be in the market for adding depth at the cornerback position.

Robert Rochell was taken in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and the Rams could have plans for him to start alongside Jalen Ramsey in 2022. But after losing Troy Hill ahead of this past season, it’s evident that Los Angeles could use a long-term option at the nickel position.

Damarion Williams is someone that fits the mold of a nickel cornerback that could potentially thrive in Raheem Morris’ defense. Williams is a quick and agile cornerback that excels in man-coverage. And even at his size, Williams is a willing tackler that isn’t afraid to get involved in stopping the run.

Too high I think. LOL, its too early, but seems high. Plus, I thought Long did a nice job inside this year. I'd look long and hard at a guy like Josh Thompson from Texas. 5'-11' 200 plus, I think can play outside, inside and I actually think he could make a nice S. In the John Johnson mode of moving from outside to the backend. Another CB/S prospect that feels like a day 3 guy is Damarcus Fields Texas Tech, 6' and 200 played in a zone defense and played S and outside CB.

Round 6, Pick 210: Luke Fortner (IOL, Kentucky)

You can never have enough depth on the offensive line. Teams around the NFL have learned that having a deep group of offensive linemen is crucial to having a successful season.

After selecting Ingram in the third round, the Rams go back to the interior offensive linemen well to select Luke Fortner out of Kentucky in the sixth round. Fortner would reunite with Liam Coen, who was just named the offensive coordinator of the Rams following a year as the offensive coordinator at Kentucky in 2021.

During his time at Kentucky, Fortner played guard until making the transition to center this past season. Fortner will likely need time to develop before he becomes a starter, but his ability to play all the interior offensive line positions is something that could be valuable for the Rams.

This one makes a ton of sense considering Coen, I was going to mention him as a player to keep an eye on in the Liam as OC post, but I can do it here. He needs to get stronger and work on technique, but he makes a ton of sense. And he played OG up until this past season.

Round 6, Pick 212: Jeffrey Gunter (Edge, Coastal Carolina)

Along with offensive line depth, it never hurts to have a deep group of pass rushers, as well. Von Miller and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo are the two edge rushers that are pending free agents for the Rams this offseason.

While I expect Los Angeles to try and retain Miller, the Rams could use another edge rusher to add into the mix. Jeffrey Gunter out of Coastal Carolina is someone that recently improved his stock at the Senior Bowl, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s not available this late in the draft.

Gunter has recorded five-plus sacks in three consecutive years for the Chanticleers and he’s totaled 38.5 tackles for loss in his four seasons in college. While Gunter will need to improve in the pass-rushing department, he’s a strong run defender.

I like the player, not the fit. I think he is too stiff to be a 3-4, a base, run stuffing 3-4 end? yes. I think he projects as a 4-3 end. Lots of power, from what I have read on him, a family first guy, and a great motor. If he lasts to the end of the 6th, its due to his stiffness. I'd personally look at a Chris Allen from Alabama. A bit stiff as well, but more athletic than Gunter, with a great motor, can drop a bit and fits a 3-4 OLB mold. And he plays the run and pass.

Round 7, Pick 235: Jermaine Waller (CB, Virginia Tech)

Outside of Ramsey, the Rams may not have a proven commodity at the cornerback position in 2022. Both Williams and Deayon could be headed elsewhere in free agency, which would make taking a cornerback during the draft a priority.

After adding a slot option in Williams earlier in the draft, the Rams could take Jermaine Waller in the seventh round. The Virginia Tech product was able to record three interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 2019 before dealing with multiple injuries that limited him to two games in 2020.

Waller would bounce back in 2021 with four interceptions and five pass breakups, ending his collegiate career on a high note. His ability to pinpoint the ball and athletic ability make him a nice developmental cornerback near the end of the draft.

Fine pick, another guy I like is D'Jordan Strong from Coastal Carolina (same school as Gunter), gotta love those Chanticleers. Strong is a good zone fit with decent size. Needs to eat a sandwich, or 25.

Round 7, Pick 250: Charleston Rambo (WR, Miami)

Under McVay, the Rams have typically made a concerted effort to improve their skill position groups, whether it’s a major need or not. Just last offseason, Los Angeles surprised everyone when they took Tutu Atwell in the second round.

While I don’t believe the Rams take someone in the third round, Charleston Rambo is someone that could be an exciting addition late in the draft. Rambo was a semi-productive wideout at Oklahoma in his first three collegiate seasons before transferring to Miami in 2021.

His decision to transfer was a fantastic one as he finished the 2021 campaign with 79 receptions (a school record), 1,172 yards, and seven touchdowns. Given his skill set, I’d be slightly shocked if Rambo was available in the seventh round. But he was someone that I couldn’t afford to pass up this late in the draft to provide depth behind Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Van Jefferson, and potentially Odell Beckham Jr.

Won't be there after the year he had and after he blew up the Shrine bowl. Plus he isn't exactly a Rams WR...his hands are shaky at best and he isn't exactly a route technician. That said, he seemed better at Miami than the notes I had on him at Oklahoma. Now I'm gonna throw out a name I'm not sure you'll find on a draft website: Britain Covey, WR, Utah. He is undersized at 5'-8" and 170 and 24 years old. Now, if you are gonna come in here and say no more Tutu picks, save it. He's a 7th rounder, not a 2nd. He is an amazing returner on special teams. He has 15 lbs and at least an inch on Tutu and the ball doesn't eat him up. He will run plenty fast, he is fluid and athletic, and that allows him to change direction at advanced speeds (it what Kupp is so great at, change of direction moving full speed) soft hands. He destroyed Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. (and Marvin Harrisons boy (freshman) absolutely destroyed Utah. Take a chance on a smart, try hard, that can help immediately on STs and can actually catch a football. Or take Abram Smith, RB Baylor.

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