What do the Rams and Les Snead need to do to ace the draft?
The Los Angeles Rams have crushed the last two drafts, finding building block caliber players in Puka Nacua, Jared Verse, Kobie Turner, and others. While those things tend to even out over time, another very good draft could set the Rams up for success over the next decade. While this isn’t as deep of a draft as recent years, the Rams should still be able to have a successful draft with the right approach. Here are five things that the Rams need to do to ace the draft.
1. Don’t take a Quarterback in the First Round
At some point the Rams will need to find an heir at quarterback behind Matthew Stafford. The fact of the matter is, Stafford is 37 and likely only has two years left. With that said, the Rams also don’t need to force a quarterback. It would be one thing if there was a Jordan Love or Patrick Mahomes type of quarterback with traits that would be worth betting on. Unfortunately, the quarterbacks after Cam Ward all have significant issues with Shedeur Sanders being the most polished in that group.
This is a Rams team that was 14 yards away from hosting the NFC Championship game. While the draft should be executed in a way that lines up with the team build 2-3 years down the line, it is still possible to find an immediate contributor. The Rams are much better off trying to add a contributor in the first round than forcing an issue at the quarterback position.
2. Avoid Falling in Love With an Idea
Somewhat similar to the first point is to avoid falling in love with an idea. When a player is drafted, it’s important to have a plan for that player. When these players are selected, in a sense all they are is an idea up to that point. It’s up to the team to get the most out of that idea and execute the plan for the player.
However, some players are more ideas than others. Jalen Milroe for example has the upside to potentially be the next Lamar Jackson. Still, Milroe is much more of a project as a thrower than Jackson was. Savion Williams is an exciting player, but he lacks a true role whether that’s at running back or receiver. Those are just two examples and they exist in every draft. The Rams fell in love with a player who was more of an idea than a finished product when they drafted Tutu Atwell. Sometimes the idea is much better than the reality. In the cases of Milroe and Williams, at the end of the day quarterbacks have to be able to win from the pocket and wide receivers still have to be able to run a developed route tree.
3. Let the Draft Come to You
The worst thing that the Rams can do in this draft is force an issue at any position. They set up the roster well after free agency to give them options. The Rams don’t have a glaring need at tackle because they re-signed Alaric Jackson. In a similar sense, they could get by at cornerback after bringing back Ahkello Witherspoon.
Following free agency, the Rams are in a position where they can sit back and let the draft come to them. This isn’t to say that they shouldn’t trade up in any situation. However, they have the ability to let the board take shape before making any decision one way or the other. The best thing that the Rams can do in this draft and something they’ve done well and been disciplined at over the last two years is being patient with the board.
4. Find a Future at Cornerback and Right Tackle
There should be two primary goals for the Rams in this draft and that’s finding a future at cornerback and right tackle. While the defense is set up in a way that puts less pressure on cornerbacks with off-coverage, the Rams have consistently put a band-aid on the position since trading away Jalen Ramsey. At some point, they need a young talent that can play in the secondary. This was a group that ranked near the bottom of the league last year.
Additionally, while this isn’t a great tackle class, the Rams should look for a player with starting potential that can play at right tackle. It’s very possible that 2025 is Rob Havenstein’s last season on the Rams, if not the NFL. At the very least, the Rams should attempt to have a succession plan in place. Players like Charles Grant, Jalen Travis, and Ozzy Trapilo fit this mold.
5. Take a Linebacker Before the Sixth Round
It’s been very clear in the Sean McVay era that the Rams don’t value the linebacker position. They’ve invested in the position once and it was more of a happy coincidence with Bobby Wagner wanting to stay home than the Rams actively pursuing him. This isn’t to say that the Rams should spend a first round pick on a linebacker, but can we find a happy medium?
The Rams added a big body up front on the defensive line in Poona Ford in free agency. That in itself will help the run defense. However, they still need a player that can hold their own in coverage and not get thrown around against the run. There are several value linebackers that can be had in rounds three and four. This is where the Rams should be looking to address the position.
HM: Build Up Roster Depth
One thing that the Rams roster has lacked over the last few years is depth. That was always going to be one of the downsides of the ‘F them picks’ era as the Rams sacrificed draft capital where that depth is found for stars. The approach worked as the Rams got a Super Bowl out of it.
Since then, the Rams have moved on from those stars and replenished them with players in the draft. In a draft class that lacks depth and six selections outside the top-100, the Rams should be able to fill out the backend of the roster. Injuries have hurt the Rams over the last two years in the early portion of the season. Adding reliable, young depth can help counteract that.
