With how late the Los Angeles Rams’ picks were in the 2022 NFL draft, they didn’t have a chance to come away with blue-chip talents in the first and second round. Instead, they were forced to find value and steals on Day 3.
They may have done just that with Derion Kendrick in the sixth round, selecting the former Clemson and Georgia cornerback at No. 212 overall. He didn’t test well at his pro day, which undoubtedly caused his stock to plummet ahead of the draft, but the Rams see a quality defensive back with good ball skills and the ability to play inside and on the boundary.
Luke Easterling of Draft Wire picked each team’s biggest steal in the 2022 draft and Kendrick was his choice for the Rams. Kendrick still has plenty of work to do in order to earn playing time in a suddenly deep Rams secondary, slotting in below Jalen Ramsey, Troy Hill, David Long Jr., Robert Rochell and possibly even Decobie Durant on the depth chart.
Kendrick has decent size at 6-foot and 194 pounds with 31-inch arms, and his ball skills are apparent thanks to his previous experience as a receiver. He picked off four passes last season and three in the previous two years with Clemson, covering some of the best receivers in the ACC and SEC.