After questionable start to Day 2, Rams redeem themselves in Round 3

The Rams did well in the third round, selecting a pair of high-ceiling defenders.

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The Los Angeles Rams began their 2020 draft haul in a confusing and questionable way. With their first pick at No. 52, they took Florida State running back Cam Akers – seemingly a luxury pick with running back not nearly as dire of a need as offensive line, linebacker, or edge rusher.

Five picks later, the Rams followed it up by taking a wide receiver with the selection acquired in the Brandin Cooks trade. They took Van Jefferson out of Florida, who’s one of the best route runners in this class.

Both are good players, but the spots at which the Rams drafted them left fans befuddled. There were a lot of confused and outraged folks on Twitter after the Rams passed on players such as J.K. Dobbins and Denzel Mims, and ignored the offensive line that set the entire team back in 2019.

But after a puzzling start to the night, the Rams redeemed themselves in Round 3 with a pair of Terrells. At No. 84, they selected Alabama pass rusher Terrell Lewis, who has a high ceiling but a low floor due to significant injury concerns and a lot of missed time in college.

Lewis is a first-round talent who dropped because of injuries, which limited his production and tape at Alabama. Still, if he’s healthy, Lewis could wind up being the steal of the draft.

Then with their other third-round pick, the Rams drafted Terrell Burgess out of Utah, a versatile defensive back who can play safety or nickel corner. Safety may not have seemed like a pressing need with Taylor Rapp and John Johnson as the starters, but the Rams lacked depth behind them.

Burgess not only provides that depth, but he can also compete at nickel corner, a spot vacated by Nickell Robey-Coleman. His coverage skills, particularly in man, are exceptional and will allow him to have an impact right away – even if it’s not as a starter.

The Rams proved once again that they don’t draft for need, they prioritize value by taking the best players available. They really only addressed one of their top needs at outside linebacker, but they got four total players who should carve out roles as rookies – specifically those two third-rounders.