2022 NFL DRAFT DEEP DIVE: LOS ANGELES RAMS
By Chase Petersen
The NFL Draft is over, and we cannot head into the three-month abyss that is the offseason without looking at what all 262 selections mean for each franchise. Whilst too early to judge just how successful a draft class each team’s was, we can look at how rookies fit within schemes, where they stand on depth charts, and who we can expect to make an impact in 2022. We continue our team by team series with the Los Angeles Rams:
Draft Haul
| RND | PICK | PROSPECT | POS | SCHOOL |
| 3 | 104 | Logan Bruss | IOL | Wisconsin |
| 4 | 142 | Decobie Durant | CB | South Carolina State |
| 5 | 164 | Kyren Williams | RB | Notre Dame |
| 6 | 211 | Quentin Lake | S | UCLA |
| 6 | 212 | Derion Kendrick | CB | Georgia |
| 7 | 235 | Daniel Hardy | EDGE | Montana State |
| 7 | 253 | Russ Yeast | S | Kansas State |
| 7 | 261 | AJ Arcuri | OT | Michigan State |
Day One
Well, it’s the Rams… They never draft on day one. This time I guess you can justify it – the move to go get Matthew Stafford resulted in a Lombardi. Les Snead and Sean McVay proved that there is more than one way to build a roster, if you’re willing to stretch your salary cap to its absolute limit.
Day Two
On day two the Rams kicked it off with Logan Bruss, the OL from Wisconsin. Bruss played both tackle and guard in college, so he has the versatility to play all over the OL. He has the size to stick at tackle, but his athletic testing numbers say he will probably end up at guard. In college he allowed just one sack on about 600 snaps.
Their second selection was CB Decobie Durant from South Carolina State. His ball production is elite, and he showed it off against Clemson, the biggest game of his young career, with two interceptions. His size translates to the slot, but he has the speed to play on the outside. He is already 24 years old, so age is a bit of an issue. However, for a win-now team, an older prospect who is more advanced in their development could be the correct decision.
Day Three
The Rams started off day three with ND RB Kyren Williams. Williams bombed the combine, so I was a bit surprised to see him drafted. He projects as just a 3rd down back as he is fantastic in pass pro, and solid as a pass catcher as well. In a backfield with Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson, I don’t see a path to the field, assuming health.
In the sixth round the Rams fell onto Quentin Lake, a safety out of UCLA. Another player with great ball skills, so it’s clear to see that the Rams value that a lot in their secondary. Lake has good size for the position, but lacks elite range and speed. He will have the ability to play in the split safety scheme quite well.
Later in the sixth the Rams picked UGA CB Derion Kendrick. Kendrick is another guy that, even with his accolades, I’m a bit surprised he was picked. At the Georgia pro day he logged a 4.77 and 4.80 40 yard dash. Yes, the athletic testing isn’t everything, but a CB isn’t allowed to be slower than a 340 pound DT on his own team. Kendrick was able to start at both Clemson and Georgia, so the talent is there. I’m just not sure the athleticism is there to stick in the league.
In the seventh round the Rams picked Montana St. OLB Daniel Hardy, Kansas St. S Russ Yeast, and Michigan St. OT AJ Arcuri. Yeast has more secondary versatility as he played both safety and corner in his career. He also offers a bit as a return man, so I really liked that selection that late in the draft.
One To Watch: Quentin Lake
Lake as mentioned above isn’t a super elite athlete. He won’t ever turn into a prime Earl Thomas being able to cover the entire deep center field by himself. However, the Rams play a lot of two-high safety, and he has more than enough ability to do that. He showed that he can play the ball like a WR with good ball tracking and hands to match. He won’t ever be elite in man coverage, but I’m sure they can avoid asking him to do it.
UDFA Tracker
| Jack Snyder | IOL | San Jose State |
| Jamal Pettigrew | TE | McNeese State |
| Lance McCutcheon | WR | Montana State |
| Brayden Thomas | LB | North Dakota State |
| Benton Whitley | LB | Holy Cross |
| Dion Novil | IDL | North Texas |
| Jairon McVea | S | Baylor |
| Dan Isom | S | Washington State |
| TJ Carter | CB | TCU |
| Caesar Dancy-Williams | CB | Wisconsin |
| Duon Lowe | CB | Liberty |
| Elijah Garcia | IDL | Rice |
| Andrzej Hughes-Murray | LB | Oregon State |
| Roger Carter | TE | Georgia State |
| Jake Hummel | LB | Iowa State |
| Keir Thomas | LB | Florida State |
| Cameron Dicker | P | Texas |
If there is any UDFA that will make this roster, it will be Texas kicker Cameron Dicker. “Dicker the Kicker” is best known for being a true freshman, winking into the camera, then nailing a game winning kick to win the golden hat by beating OU. Such swagger and grace from the next “special teams university” great. Dicker wasn’t able to focus on just kicking or punting his last year in college, but he has a huge leg, and just may end up the punter for the Los Angeles Rams this season and beyond.
Conclusion
In conclusion the Rams gave us a look into what they value in their secondary prospects. They want guys who can track the ball like a WR, and those who have the hands to create takeaways. We also know that this franchise has a history of developing good later round picks along the OL, so I won’t be surprised if Logan Bruss is the next one. Obviously the Rams just won the Super Bowl, so they know what they’re doing. I think that with the capital they had, they didn’t do a bad job at all.
CHASE PETERSEN
NFL DRAFT ANALYST
FROM JUST OUTSIDE KANSAS CITY MISSOURI, CHASE HAS BEEN OBSESSED WITH THE NFL DRAFT FOR AS LONG AS HE CAN REMEMBER. AN AVID MINNESOTA VIKINGS AND TEXAS LONGHORNS FAN, CONNECT WITH CHASE ON TWITTER @SPORTSTALKCENTER