The Los Angeles Rams spent the weekend adding playmakers on offense and versatile players on defense, selecting players such as Cam Akers, Van Jefferson and Terrell Burgess. What they didn’t do is make their inside linebacker and offensive line spots a huge priority.
It was an interesting draft haul, to say the least, but one with immediate implications and signs of changes coming in the future.
Here are seven takeaways from their 2020 draft class.
Inside linebacker isn’t a premier position in Rams’ eyes
Under Wade Phillips, inside linebacker wasn’t a position of much priority. That’s partly because they had Cory Littleton, but the Rams never made it a point to add top talent to the inside linebacker spot.
That remains true under Brandon Staley, assuming he had a say in the team’s draft plans. The Rams didn’t draft a linebacker until No. 234 overall when they selected Clay Johnston, who tore his ACL in October.
The coaches and front office feel good about the team’s linebacker unit as it is, which is a huge risk considering how little proven talent there is on the roster. Micah Kiser will probably be one of the starters, with Travin Howard and Kenny Young competing for the other spot.
It’s one of the most inexperienced linebacker groups in the NFL, but one with some potential, too.