Rams 7-round mock: Mixing offense, defense and special teams for LA

[theramswire.usatoday.com] Rams 7-round mock: Mixing offense, defense and special teams for LA


Cameron DaSilva
April 21, 2022 10:11 am PT

The 2022 NFL draft is just a week away, which is the perfect time for us to put together our latest seven-round mock draft for the Rams. As you may have heard, they’ll be waiting until No. 104 overall to make their first pick, the result of trades made for Matthew Stafford and Von Miller last year.

The Rams won’t complain because those trades won them a Super Bowl, so it’s the cost of doing business.

In this new seven-round mock, we blended offense, defense and … special teams. Yes, we drafted a punter for the Rams, though not as early as some think they might take one.

Here’s our seven-round haul, which was put together using The Draft Network’s mock draft machine.

Round 3, Pick 104: CB Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston State

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McCollum is a bigger cornerback at 6-foot-4, so he’ll be lining up outside instead of in the slot. That’s fine for the Rams, who have Jalen Ramsey and David Long Jr.; both are capable of playing the slot when needed.

Even at 6-4, McCollum ran a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash and had a 39.5-inch vertical, showing off his rare athleticism. In his career, he picked off 13 passes and forced six fumbles, fitting nicely in the Rams’ zone defense where he’d be afforded the chance to make plays on the ball in coverage.


Round 4, Pick 142: OLB Amare Barno, Virginia Tech

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Barno is a wild card in this class because he could go 30 picks earlier than this, or he could slip to the end of the fifth round. That’s because he’s a raw prospect who still needs to develop much more as a pass rusher.

But, the skill set is there, as is the athleticism; he ran a 4.36 in the 40 at 6-5, 246 pounds. Barno fits the mold of the Rams’ desire to add pass rushers with good length, which Barno certainly has. He can also comfortably drop into coverage thanks to his past experience as an off-ball linebacker, which only improves his stock.


Round 5, Pick 175: G Thayer Munford, Ohio State

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Right now, we can pencil in Coleman Shelton, Bobby Evans or Tremayne Anchrum Jr. as the Rams’ starting right guard in place of Austin Corbett. They have options, but adding someone who could be the long-term option would be a good idea in this year’s draft, considering the Rams have eight picks.

Munford has the size of a tackle but the strength of a guard, moving from the outside to guard while at Ohio State. The Rams do like position flexibility in offensive linemen.


Round 6, Pick 211: P Jordan Stout, Penn State

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Matt Araiza would be an ideal punter pick for the Rams but he’s probably going to get drafted much earlier than this. With Stout, the Rams still get an immediate upgrade at punter, bringing in a guy with a powerful leg who also worked as the Nittany Lions’ kicker.

Stout is viewed as the second-best prospect in an unusually good punter class this year, so the Rams should be happy to get him in the sixth. Last season, he averaged 46.0 yards per punt and also completed one of his two pass attempts for 18 yards.

Round 6, Pick 212: WR Tyquan Thornton, Baylor

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If the Rams want length and speed alongside Cooper Kupp, Allen Robinson and Van Jefferson, Thornton could be a late-round option. He’s 6-foot-2 and ran a 4.28 40-yard dash, which is likely to improve his stock ahead of the draft. A true deep threat, he averaged 15.3 yards per catch and scored 10 touchdowns last season after averaging 17.7 yards per catch and 17.4 in 2018 and 2019.

Despite being 6-2, he’s not very big (only 181 pounds), but can bulk up at the next level – just not to the point where his speed will drop off. That’s his best asset.

Round 6, Pick 218: S Smoke Monday, Auburn

Monday is a blend of safety and linebacker, doing his best work around the line of scrimmage. The Rams use Taylor Rapp in a similar way, but he hasn’t exactly thrived in that role. Monday is a powerful hitter and aggressive player on the back end, making 171 tackles in four years at Auburn and picking off five passes – three of which he returned for touchdowns.

He’s a limited player in the secondary but if utilized properly, he can be effective as a run defender and box safety.

Round 7, Pick 238: CB Damarion Williams, Houston

(AP Photo/Michael Wyke).

Unlike McCollum, Williams projects as a slot corner or safety in the NFL due to his smaller stature (5-10) and quickness. The Rams could use him in a hybrid role in nickel and dime packages, either at safety or in the slot, which is valuable in passing situations on third down.

He could go earlier than this, given how high of a priority teams make the cornerback position, but if he does fall all the way to the seventh round, the Rams shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to take him – even if they draft a cornerback earlier.

Round 7, Pick 253: RB D’vonte Price, FIU

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Is Sean McVay really going to resist the urge to take a running back again this year? I’m betting no. The Rams don’t need another back, even with Sony Michel being a free agent, but McVay likes to have a full stable of runners at his disposal.

Price is a downhill runner who could help along the goal line, but not much as a receiver. That’s fine because the Rams already have Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr., who are both capable pass catchers.