Perfect Picks: Los Angeles Rams
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Draft Network Mock machine and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.
The Rams found themselves in quarterback purgatory. Jared Goff ended the season battling the relatively unknown John Wolford for the starting job. The Rams acted decisively in trading for Matt Stafford. In the short term the aim has to be a Super Bowl. The Rams are officially all in and need draft picks to help.
Round 2 - Pick 57 - Quincy Roche, Edge, Miami
The best way to compliment the league’s premier defensive player is to give him some support. Aaron Donald has been a force from the interior but having a group of talented edge rushers to boot would help occupy opposing offensive lines. Leonard Floyd tallied 7 sacks this season but was only on a 1-year deal.
Quincy Roche’s size might be a stumbling block for his draft stock. You don’t get bags of explosion or power but his speed once out of his stance can catch tackles on their heels. Roche is fairly athletic and has been know to drop into coverage, making him a solid fit for the Rams defense.
Round 3 - Pick 101 - Brady Christensen, OT, BYU
Matt Stafford will be glad of the protection that Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth can offer. The worry is that at age 39 there is going to be a drop off. Even if Whit turns in another stellar year, he cannot continue forever. Finding some insurance who can offer a potential long-term option would be useful.
Brady Christensen isn’t going to wow you in comparison to some of the offensive lineman in this draft. However, he is about as solid as they come. He earned a 96.0 grade from PFF protecting QB Zach Wilson’s blindside in 2020. He isn’t the most physical or athletic but he gets the job done and should be able to at either tackle or guard in the NFL.
Mid Round Gem - Pick 103 - Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn
The Rams wide receiver group looks in fairly good health. Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods have been productive while Van Jefferson was highly rated in last year’s draft process. However, the likely departure of Josh Reynolds does free up space for the Rams to add another offensive piece.
Anthony Schwartz offers something completely different to the aforementioned trio. Schwartz is lacking in the more refined areas of being a wide receiver but there is one aspect of his game that sets him apart. That’s speed. Schwartz ran a 10.07 100m in 2018 and is uncatchable in open space. He is going to be a gadget player at the next level. Someone an offensive mind like Sean McVay could get the best out of.
Late Round Sleeper - Pick 210 - Garrett Wallow, LB, TCU
The Rams haven’t invested heavily in the inside linebacker spot but have had a good return from the likes of Micah Kiser and Troy Reeder. There is space to add depth in the later rounds. Particularly at a position where the player selected would have special teams value.
That is certainly the case for TCU linebacker Garret Wallow. The converted safety is a solid late round option. He is a strong tackler who is always in and around the ball. The drawback will be that despite his lack of size he isn’t ultra strong in coverage, surprising for someone with secondary experience. Wallow likely sticks as a special teamer but projects to be a reliable backup.
Draft In Full:
57. Quincy Roche, Miami (Edge)
101. Brady Christensen, BYU (OT)
103. Anthony Schwartz, Auburn (WR)
140. Thomas Graham Jr, Oregon (CB)
210. Garrett Wallow, TCU (LB)
247. Drew Dalman, Stanford (iOL)
