Mock drafts are getting more dialed in. In many ways the level of difficulty for the Los Angeles Rams to fill their current needs is rising as their apparent targets are climbing in the order.
What if we were to build a worst-case scenario through the first 12 picks in order to gauge LA’s options? This scenario would likely minimize their ability to trade back, as it takes a partner to trade up and they need an intriguing target worth additional draft capital.
#1 Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB
#2 Jets – Arvell Reese, ILB/EDGE
#3 Cardinals – Francis Maulgoa, OT
#4 Titans – David Bailey, EDGE
#5 Giants – Sonny Styles, LB
#6 Browns – Carnell Tate, WR
#7 Commanders – Jeremiyah Love, RB
#8 Saints – Rueben Bain, EDGE
#9 Chiefs – Jordyn Tyson, WR
#10 Bengals – Caleb Downs, DB
#11 Dolphins – Makai Lemon, WR
#12 Cowboys – Jermod McCoy, CB
What are Rams left with?
- Kenyon Sadiq, TE
- Mansoor Delane, CB
- Spencer Fano, OT
- Monroe Freeling, OT
- Olavavega Ioane, iOL
- Omar Cooper, WR
- Dillon Thieneman, DB
- Ty Simpson, QB
There are attractive options in this group, of course. Sadiq and Delane are consistently ranked towards the top of their respective positions. Ioane is considered the best interior offensive lineman of the class, but 13th overall is a steep price to pay at what is historically considered a lower value position. It would be completely out of character for the Rams to contemplate drafting a safety.
With Tate, Tyson, and Lemon off the board, would the Rams reach for what is considered the fourth-best receiver in the class?
And while tackle is not an immediate need, Los Angeles must add depth at some point. Warren McClendon enters a contract year at right tackle and could be an extension candidate. The Rams could also penny pinch by drafting his replacement between Fano or Freeling. Fano is a versatile player that in theory could play any of the five spots along the offensive line. Freeling is more of a developmental player and a year behind Alaric Jackson and McClendon could suit him best.
To add complexity to the mix, Sadiq is lasting in recent mock drafts until the Carolina Panthers are on the clock at 19th overall. 13 may simply be too early. Sadiq is a unique talent at the tight end position but lacks the height of recent top 15 picks at the position like Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland.
And then there’s Delane. Is he an outside corner at the professional level? Some will view his tweener status as a positive and others in a negative light. The Rams already have multiple defensive backs with inside flexibility in Trent McDuffie, Quentin Lake, and Josh Wallace. At what point do you have too many in-betweens and not enough specialists? McDuffie and Delane also share slight frames and that could pose problems against larger and more physical receiving corps. Would this be overcorrecting a weakness for the Rams and too many resources poured into the corner position?
Let’s be honest with ourselves. If you were a team with a pick in the 15-20 range, would you be willing to part with additional draft capital in order to acquire one of these single players? With multiple tackles on the board you may be willing to wait until more picks tick off the board. Sadiq is a talented player but he surely isn’t on the same level as Warren and Loveland a year ago.
Who would you pick if you were in the Rams’ shoes? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
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