Just as they have for the last five years, the Los Angeles Rams will once again be without a first-round pick in 2023. That’s the result of the Matthew Stafford trade, which has paid off to perfection with a Super Bowl ring.
The lack of a top-32 pick won’t prevent the Rams from finding a potential starter in next year’s draft, however. Pro Football Focus’ Mike Renner picked one prospect each team should keep an eye on in the 2023 class, and for the Rams, he targeted the secondary.
Renner says the Rams should be watching Utah cornerback Clark Phillips III.
Without a first-round pick yet again, the Rams won’t have the pick to try and find a competent CB2 across from Jalen Ramsey. That may mean they take advantage of the size cutoffs that others have at the corner position to get a much more talented player. At only 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, Phillips will be off some teams’ boards entirely because of his size. On the field, though, he still earned a 76.4 coverage grade as a true sophomore last season.
The Rams already have one Utah defensive back on their roster with Terrell Burgess, but Phillips would be a solid addition at cornerback, which is likely to be a position of need in 2023 with David Long Jr. and Troy Hill set to hit free agency.
That would leave Jalen Ramsey as the only surefire starter, with Decobie Durant, Robert Rochell and Derion Kendrick potentially competing for starting reps opposite him.
Last season at Utah, Phillips played 14 games, made 61 tackles, had two interceptions and broke up 13 passes. He should be among the top cornerback prospects in next year’s class with another strong season.