State of the Rams roster: Pre-draft edition

Will L.A. find a playmaker or fill out their supporting cast?

Los Angeles Rams fans are on pins and needles, awaiting tomorrow’s NFL Draft Round 1 action to get started from Lambeau Field and it’s Titletown District in Green Bay, Wisconsin, home of the Green Bay Packers. Rounds 2 and 3 follow on Friday and finalizes on Saturday with Rounds 4 through 7.

Where will the Rams spend their draft capital?

Reviewing the current roster could help prognosticate which way the Rams will go. Currently L.A. has 64 players on the roster and will supplement that with eight scheduled draft picks and likely twice that many from the undrafted ranks.

Quarterback (3)

Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garappolo, Stetson Bennett

No mysteries here, becoming relevant as an offense again depends on keeping Stafford upright. Garappolo can still be useful as a game manager, but his career unevenness outweighs optimism for a long-term situation. Bennett’s career appears stagnant after only two seasons.

Possibilities: L.A. will certainly need a fourth camp arm, Staff and JimmyG only need enough work to get sharp. Camp body or draft pick? The best case scenario would be to grab one of the mid-grade prospects and let him battle for QB#3. On my Top 300, there are a handful grouped together. Decide on one that fits and use, maybe #127, to bring him in the fold.

Running back (4)

Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Cody Schrader, Ronnie Rivers

“It’s a small world, after all,” The RB room returns intact and as such, there is not reason to expect the Rams to suddenly bring in more than two more bodies to account for injuries and preseason games. Will they be draft picks or UDFAs?

Possibilities: This is a strong running back class, plenty of size, speed, and style variance. I wouldn’t expect the Rams to consider a back until the late tranche of picks. That will preclude most of the talent, but three, Jarquez Hunter, Kyle Monangai, and Tahj Brooks fit the Rame size/speed mold and are a ready-fit for the Rams inside zone and duo scheme. All are physical between the tackles, can catch out of the backfield, and are strong pass blockers.

Wide receiver (7)

Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington, Xavier Smith, Quintez Cephus, Drake Stoops

Nacua wants to retire when he’s 30, Adams is turning 33, and Atwell is on a one-year deal. While Whittington appears to be a fit into the Rams offense and having a four-deep core is fine starting point, forward thinking is called for.

Possibilities: Whisperings of Emeka Egbuka dropping to the Rams position would make a sweet addition. With four proven wideouts, developmental receivers with explosive traits could be the ticket. 2025 is a very fast draft class, plenty to be had. Savion Williams is a dynamic open-field runner at #90. Issac TeSlaa, Dont’e Thornton, and Keandre Smith descend from there. A sleeper I really like late is Andrew Armstrong in the later rounds.

Tight end (3)

Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen

HIgbee and Parkinson are a serviceable 1-2 punch, while Allen played more, but seemingly lost relevancy last season. The Rams will certainly add 2-3 for camp. How serious are they about spending draft capital on the position? Since Snead took over in 2012, tight ends have been procured at #110, #177, #44, #136, and #175.

Possibilities: I really like Terrance Ferguson at #90, maybe even #101. Jackson Hawes would be a good late choice, he’s a plus blocker with good hands. Fact is, the SEC players, CJ Dippre and Ben Yurosek are big, strong and can catch. Thomas Fidone had a meeting with L.A.

Offensive line (11)

Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, Rob Havenstein, Beaux Limmer, Warren McClendon, Dylan McMahon, Justin Dedich, KT Leveston, AJ Arcuri

With the starters set, it’s about an eye towards the future and backup depth. Havenstein turns 33 and had both his shoulders cleaned out after the season. Do the Rams think Limmer is the pivot of the future? L.A. will likely add 3-4 more bodies for camp. Tackle looks a little thin numbers-wise.

Possibilities: If Josh Conerly or Josh Simmons are there at #26, I don’t think you can pas it up. In the mid-grouping of picks, right tackles Anthony Belton and/or Cameron Williams should be around. Later, maybe guard/tackle swing players, Caleb Rogers or Bryce Cabeldue.

Defensive line (8)

Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Poona Ford, Tyler Davis, Desjuan Johnson, Larrell Murchison, Jack Heflin, David Olajiga

Turner, Fiske, and Ford are a strong starting three to build around. The key becomes the rotation. Davis should improve in Year 2, after that, the unit is a bit iffy. I’m of the school that a strong middle, NT in the Rams case, is the cornerstone of a good run defense. A gap-hogger that eats double teams makes the linebackers and safeties better tacklers.

Possibilities: Wait until #90 or #101 to start considering prospects. Before the season, behemoth Deone Waker was on the cusp of Round 1, but has tumbled. He’s now projected around #100. There are a grip of space eaters available from Round 6 on through UDFAs. Ty Hamilton and Vernon Broughton would be stellar later picks.

Edge (5)

Jared Verse, Byron Young, Brennan Jackson, Nick Hampton, Keir Thomas

Fans could see changes to how this unit is used. Verse and Young are still the bookends and should have strong seasons, but with E#3 Michael Hoecht now gone, will we see the three-edge formations go with him? Jackson fought injuries as a rookie and didn’t give much to extrapolate. Hampton hasn’t played much (76 snaps) over two years. Thomas has held his own when used, 204 defensive reps over three season, but it’s been mostly mop up duty.

Possibilities: In such a deep class there are many Nic Scourton at #26, Kyle Kennard at #90, David Walker at #127, and in that group of Round 6 picks Kaimon Rucker, Collin Oliver, and Jalen McLeod cam all create havoc.

Inside linebacker (5)

Omar Speights, Troy Reeder, Nate Landman, Elias Neal, Tony Fields

We won’t have Rozeboom and Reeder to kick around anymore. Oh wait, Reeder’s back for more and Landman can slip into Rozeboom’s spot on the whipping post. I’ve always maintained that whoever the Rams put a LB#1 will get his tackles, now it looks like Speights turn. Neal and Fields likely return to the practice squad.

Possibilities: I’m hard-pressed to think L.A, goes for ILB at #26, but Danny Stutsman and Chris Paul would fine choices between #90 and #127. Later on in the 6th, Shemar James and Nick Martin are both on the small side, but explode to the ball and are good tacklers.

Safety (5)

Kam Curl, Quentin Lake, Kamren Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough, Tanner Ingle

I don’t think negatively about the Rams safety unit, it’s just that they’re all similar. No explosive traits or a true free safety. Curl and Lake are chase/drag tacklers, best suited for work underneath. Kinchens is more aggressive and should make strides in Year 2, but is not athletically gifted. McCollough was used like another linebacker in dime packages.

Possibilities: Malaki Starks or more likely Nick Emmanwori would be solid at #26. If Andrew Mukuba lasts until #90, he would be a solid free safety prospect. If not, Caleb Ransaw might be worth the small reach. He played a lot of slot, but has the physicality and zone sense to be a high safety. Two late prospects are RJ Mickens and Craig Woodson. Both offer versatility, athleticism, and physical play.

Cornerback (10)

Darious Williams, Cobie Durant, Ahkello Witherspoon, Emmanuel Forbes, Derion Kendrick, Josh Wallace, Shaun Jolly, Cam Lampkin, Charles Woods, AJ Green

Featuring a cast of thousands. That’s full plate for camp, but am I the only one hungry for more? Hmm. A couple of journeymen in Williams and Witherspoon, Durant is in the final year of his rookie contract, Forbes is fighting the “bust” label, Kendrick is Kendrick, and five UDFAs with 154 defensive snaps between them.

Possibilities: So many. I really like Trey Amos at #26, good zone game and press skills. In those late 3rd/early4th picks, three more zone ballhawks, Nohl Williams is smooth and well-rounded. Cobee Bryant is long and physical, and Zy Alexander is a sticky cover man and stellar tackler. Corner/safety hybrids Jordan Hancock and Tommi Hill can do double duty.

Special teams (3)

Josh Karty, Ethan Evans, Alex Ward

Unless the injury bug bites, this is a young trio that should only get better. No need for upgrades here.

Possibilities: If the Rams want to bring in camp bodies to keep the three fresh for the season, sure, but in actuality, the roster spots could be better used.

Which Rams units need the most support?

The Rams are in good shape, Les Snead has filled some holes with free agents and now the Rams are in flexible shape to grab the best layer available at many positions. The braintrust doesn’t need to press, it looks like there’s going to be some fine candidates at #26. After that, I would like to see the defense get a rotational nose tackle and some speed/athleticism in coverage. That could be in the form of linebacker, corner, or safety. On offense I would like to see an eye to the future at tight end, offensive line, and wide receiver.

Where do you think the Rams should apply their draft capital?