The Los Angeles Rams are in a unique position this season in which they are competing, but also have a good chance at a top-10 pick thanks to the Atlanta Falcons. Every week throughout the college football season, I’ve been looking at each draft-eligible quarterback and grading their performances. On Saturday, it was no surprise that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman. While Dante Moore may be the better overall fit for the Rams at quarterback, they could certainly make a move for Mendoza. Given that Mendoza just won the Heisman and he’s the topic of discussion, that is the scenario explored here. At this point in the draft process, it’s more important look at the positions here rather than the players themselves.
1st Overall: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
As it stands, the New York Giants have the number one overall pick. It’s hard to see them moving off of Jaxon Dart after one year. The Rams have the picks to fund another rebuild while getting their quarterback of the future. Mendoza has the ability to unlock all areas of the field and can pull out the funky arm angles and create out of structure in similar ways as Matthew Stafford.
Trading up from 10th overall to first overall wouldn’t be cheap. However, Les Snead traded up from No. 15 in 2016. McVay has never had a non-first overall pick at quarterback since joining the Rams. It’s very possible that the Rams opt to not take a quarterback. However, in a quarterback class that is weaker than originally thought, there may be more opportunity here than in other years.
Trevor Sikkema of PFF recently mocked this exact scenario. Said Sikkema,
“The Rams got a gift last year when they traded back with Atlanta and picked up a future first that now sits in the top 10, and there may be no better use of it than going all-in to secure their quarterback of the future. They’d likely need to part with at least their two first-round picks to move up to No. 1.”
*Note: Traded Picks 10, 31, and 2027 1st for No. 1 overall
63rd Overall: WR Ja’Kobi Lane, USC
The Rams are going to need a wide receiver in next year’s draft and it wouldn’t be surprising if they take one in the first round. Standing pat at 10th overall and taking Jordyn Tyson will certainly be an option. However, there will be options later on as well. Given how much McVay’s scheme can benefit the wide receivers, it makes sense to wait until day two to address the position.
With some questions about Davante Adams’ future, the Rams could look to find a young, true ‘X’ receiver on the outside. Lane is 6’4 and would give the Rams some size outside the numbers. He excels in contested catch situations and has some alignment versatility. He does struggle with separation, but his ability to bully defensive backs at the catch point makes up for it.
95th Overall: CB Will Lee III, Texas A&M
Much like wide receiver, cornerback will be another option for the Rams in the first round. A serious argument can be made that cornerback is a position that the Rams need to address early on in April. However, given how much the Rams have invested in the defensive line, they can get away with some talent disparity at cornerback.
The Rams seemed to find something in Emmanuel Forbes, but need to replace Darious Williams and Ahkello Witherspoon. Will Lee brings good size and length on the outside and shows good ball skills. He also plays physically in the run game which the Rams need opposite Forbes and have lacked with Witherspoon. This may only be a third-round pick, but Lee has the upside of a quality starter.
171st Overall: OT Drew Shelton, Penn State
Given how Warren McClendon has played in place of Rob Havenstein, it’s hard to see the Rams taking a tackle early in the draft. However, that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t take one. It still makes sense to backfill the depth at tackle with someone on Day 2 or with one of their first picks on Day 3. Shelton is a developmental prospect, but that’s what the Rams need right now. Said Brandon Thorn of Bleacher Report,
“Drew Shelton is a lean, quick-twitch tackle prospect, who gets to his spots on time with pop in his hands and an effective snatch technique to steal leverage. However, the left tackle prospect struggles sustaining blocks and needs his footwork revamped to play with a more consistent base and posture, which indicates long-term development prospect.”
201st Overall: DL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
Last year, the Rams traded up for Ty Hamilton to add some depth on the defensive line as a run-stopper. Hamilton could still develop, but the early showings weren’t positive. Hamilton had been in the rotation and then got benched last week as a healthy scratch. The Texas Tech defense has been one of the best units in college football and Hunter is an underrated piece of that defensive line. He’s extremely quick off the line and does some of the dirty work. As a player who could rotate with Ty Davis in the run game, Hunter would be a fantastic fit.
211th Overall: iOL Kade Pieper, Iowa
It’s important that the Rams continue adding depth to the offensive line. I had them taking a tackle earlier and here I have them going with a guard in Kade Pieper. Pieper is a freak athlete for the position and excels in the run game. It’s possible that he returns to school, but either way, the Rams could look to add interior depth late in the draft.
230th Overall: S Bud Clark, TCU
The Rams tend to take a safety late in the draft and they’ve had success with it over the past decade. Clark is a hard-hitting safety with excellent ball skills. He may start on special teams, but that’s not a bad thing. The TCU safety has the upside to be that next safety that the Rams draft late and develop into a plus starter.
248th Overall: LB Austin Romaine
An argument can be made that the Rams don’t need a linebacker. They have Nate Landman and Omar Speights with Shaun Dolac behind them. Adding a depth piece and another special teams player wouldn’t hurt. Romaine fits what the Rams have looked for at linebacker, especially in the run game. He could be a Troy Reeder replacement.
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