The shrinking salary cap greatly limited the Los Angeles Rams’ ability to make any truly impactful additions in free agency. Their most notable moves were retaining Leonard Floyd and signing DeSean Jackson, but outside of those, Los Angeles was quiet on the free-agent front.
As a result, they have some roster holes to fill in the draft that they weren’t able to fill in free agency. Among their biggest needs are cornerback, center, defensive line and linebacker, all of which could be addressed at No. 57 overall when the Rams go on the clock for the first time.
In Dane Brugler’s new seven-round mock draft for The Athletic, he has Los Angeles filling its need at cornerback first and then addressing the offensive line in the third round.
Here’s the haul he has the Rams coming away with in the seven-round mock.
- 57. Elijah Molden, CB, Washington
- 88. Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State
- 103. James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati
- 141. Cameron Sample, edge, Tulane
- 209. Frank Darby, WR, Arizona State
- 252. K.J. Britt, LB, Auburn
Molden is a versatile defender who can play either the slot or safety, bringing outstanding instincts, tackling and coverage skills to whichever defense he lands in. The Rams need a new slot corner after Troy Hill left and Molden should be one of their top targets in the draft.
Davis isn’t the center the Rams need, but he could allow Austin Corbett to move from guard to center. He can be a Day 1 starter in the NFL at right guard as a powerful run blocker who still needs to improve in pass protection.
Hudson has been linked to the Rams often in mock drafts, typically in the second round, though. The Rams obviously wouldn’t need him to start right away with Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein penciled in at tackle, but he could have a future as Whitworth’s heir.
With the last three picks, Brugler addresses the Rams remaining needs. Sample is an intriguing prospect who doesn’t have great athleticism or speed, but he plays with a high motor and good power on the edge. Darby isn’t a burner (4.59 in the 40) but he plays bigger than his size (6-foot) and averaged 19.7 yards per catch with 13 touchdowns in 39 games. And finally, Britt brings some much-needed linebacker help, but he fits the mold of what the Rams already have at the position: a physical run-defender who loves to hit but struggles in coverage.
This draft hits on all of the Rams’ primary needs, but finding a true starting center and a wide receiver with either better size or speed would be ideal.