The 2020 NFL draft is still more than three months away, but with the Rams in full offseason mode, attention has been turned to the incoming class of prospects. While there’s still a lot to be determined before the Rams go on the clock in late April – like the hiring of a new defensive coordinator, the combine, and free agency – it’s easy to get a sense already of which positions they’ll be looking at.
The defensive front will be a focal point for the Rams this offseason, as will the offensive line. They need help in both areas and depending on what they do in free agency with their limited spending money, it’s likely that their first pick or two will be utilized on the offensive line or front seven.
We cooked up a seven-round mock draft for the Rams to get a feel for which prospects might be available when they go on the clock, beginning with the 52nd overall pick, which is the team’s first selection.
Here’s how the picks shook out, using The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator.
52. Trey Adams, OT, Washington
84. Alton Robinson, EDGE, Syracuse
116. Paddy Fisher, ILB, Northwestern
159. Tommy Kraemer, OG, Notre Dame
179. Jason Strowbridge, DE, North Carolina
211. Jordon Scott, NT, Oregon
Right off the bat, the Rams grab a potential replacement for Andrew Whitworth. Adams has major injury concerns, missing significant time at Washington, but that could benefit the Rams by having him pushed down draft boards. He’s a massive prospect at 6-foot-8, and when healthy, he’s a starting-caliber left tackle.
In the third round, Robinson fills a need at outside linebacker with Dante Fowler Jr. possibly leaving in free agency. He’s an explosive pass rusher who needs refining with his technique, but the potential is there. While in high school, he faced a second-degree robbery charge, which caused Texas A&M to rescind its offer, but he landed with Syracuse and has had a clean record since then. It is a red flag that teams will take into consideration, of course.
In Round 4, the Rams add a physical linebacker who can help either replace Cory Littleton or play alongside him. He’s not the fastest linebacker, but at 6-foot-4 and nearly 250 pounds, he’s able to take on blocks and defend the run. That’s something the Rams need next to Littleton, if he returns.
In the later rounds, the Rams return to the trenches. They add a guard in Kraemer and two defensive linemen with Strowbridge and Scott, bolstering the offensive and defensive line. Kraemer would compete at either guard spot, while Strowbridge could help replace Michael Brockers at defensive end if he departs.
Scott has high upside as a nose tackle, even though the position isn’t a pressing need. Sebastian Joseph-Day and Greg Gaines were fine in 2019, but it never hurts to add some competition.
It might be surprising that we didn’t mock any skill position players to the Rams in this simulation, but the wide receiving corps is deep, the running back room is sufficient if Todd Gurley is back and the tight end room is one of the best in the NFL. Cornerback is also a strength in the short term, as is safety.
Depending on what happens in free agency, the upcoming draft will be mostly about the trenches.