Rams 7 Round Mock Draft: Locking in on potential targets

With three weeks to go until the draft, it’s time to lock in on potential Rams targets

With a little over three weeks to go until the NFL Draft, it’s at this point where teams are starting to finalize their initial boards with only slight tweaks to come. Teams are locking in on potential targets and beginning to come up with draft strategies. The Los Angeles Rams sit at 26th overall and are in a position to let the draft come to them. By addressing many of their needs in free agency, they have the ability to take the ‘best player available’ route.

26th Overall – S Malaki Starks, Georgia

Before we get into whether or not the Rams need a safety or that a safety doesn’t help the Rams issues on defense, hear me out. It’s going to be important to understand that this is a depth-building draft. That’s not to say that the Rams can’t find immediate impact starters, but this isn’t a strong draft class, especially outside the top-20. It’s a fill-out-the-roster type of draft. With that said, while the Rams may seem deep at the safety position, Quentin Lake and Kam Curl are both on the final years of their contracts. The Rams typically haven’t paid safeties in the past.

As far as Starks helping the Rams issues on defense, there may not be a prospect that changes the math on this defense more than the Georgia safety. Starks is my number one Rams fit in this draft class with the ability to play inside as a nickel or at the star position and has the range and ball skills to play deep. The Rams pass defense ranked 28th in EPA per pass and 26th in yards per pass allowed. This is a secondary that needs a playmaker with Starks’ versatility. Against the run, Starks ranked seventh via PFF with a missed tackle percentage of 2.6 percent. Both Kam Curl and Kam Kinchens has missed tackle percentage of 14 percent last year.

Starks provides the benefit of a playmaker against the pass, but with his ability to play in the box and down as the nickel and star, he becomes an extension of the linebackers. This isn’t a typical safety that does just one thing. He does a lot of things and he does them very well. Starks doesn’t take away from Lake or others as the Rams had one of the highest 3+ safety rates on defense last season. Starks allows Shula to continue to build on that identity.

90th Overall – TE Gunnar Helm, Texas

The Rams are going to need a replacement for Tyler Higbee in this draft and a player like Gunnar Helm makes the most sense to achieve that. Helm is a good route runner and uses his size to box-out defenders in contested catch situations. He has a strong understanding of zone coverages to find the soft spot in the middle of the field and is slippery after the catch. Primarily a blocker prior to last season, Helm has no issues as an in-line player and making an impact in the run game.

101st Overall – LB Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

While the Rams add a safety in the first round that becomes an extension of the linebackers, they still need to add at that position. Stutsman has a high motor and has the ability to be a leader on the defense. The Rams like to utilize simulated pressures and Stutsman brings upside as a blitzer.

Overall, Stutsman is the perfect modern linebacker that does enough against the run while having the speed to carry with tight ends and running backs in space. The Rams lacked a linebacker with true sideline-to-sideline ability and that’s exactly what Stutsman brings to the table. There will be a lot of value at the linebacker position at this spot with several to choose from despite it being outside the top-100. Stutsman provides exactly what the Rams need and is an upgrade over Christian Rozeboom.

127th Overall – CB Nohl Williams, Cal

The Rams like cornerbacks who compete and have ball skills. That defines Cal cornerback Nohl Williams to near perfection. Williams is a tough competitor on the outside, playing physical in press and in the run game. He also led the nation in interceptions with seven last season. After re-signing Ahkello Witherspoon, the Rams don’t need to bring in an immediate starter at cornerback. Williams brings good depth and special teams ability as a rookie with the potential to start in year two.

190th Overall – OL Caleb Rogers, Texas Tech

Even if the Rams are high on Warren McClendon as a potential Rob Havenstein replacement, they still need depth on the offensive line. That’s especially the case when it comes to adding a sixth man or swing tackle to the group. The team rightfully opted to not bring back Joe Noteboom. However, they need a player that can play guard or tackle in a pinch.

Rogers was primarily a right tackle at Texas Tech, but has starts at every position outside of center. Out of his 55 career starts, 52 of them came at left and right tackle. The Rams like experienced offensive linemen with good lateral quickness, especially in the run game. Rogers has the ability to get up field to the second level and is sturdy in pass protection.

195th Overall – Jarquez Hunter, Auburn

Hunter may not have the home-run speed to creativity in the open-field that the Rams need, but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t explosive. He has good burst and a career explosive run rate of 18.9 percent and 33 percent of his runs between the tackles went for 10 or more yards. That ranks second in the class behind RJ Harvey and slightly above Cam Skattebo and Bhayshul Tuten. Hunter doesn’t provide a lot as a receiver and needs to improve in pass protection. However, he’s good depth at the running back spot.

201st Overall – WR Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech

While not the most prototypical Rams receiver, Jaylin Lane is an intriguing late-round option. He may not be the most refined route runner, but as a potential Tutu Atwell replacement in 2026, he makes sense. He’s only 5’9, but 196 pounds and is fantastic after the catch and with the ball in his hands. Lane has the deep speed to win vertically and adds value as a punt returner.

202nd Overall – LB Kobe King, Penn State

With the final pick of the draft, it makes sense to continue adding to the linebacker depth. The Rams opted not to bring back Troy Reeder or Rozeboom who both started last season as the starters. While Omar Speights brought upside, this is a room that needs to be rebuilt. King is an old school linebacker and thumper in the run game that should be able to provide value on special teams early.