The departures of Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks have created a couple of openings on the Rams’ roster that otherwise weren’t anticipated. Sure, they have Darrell Henderson, Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods at running back and wide receiver, but it’s very possible Los Angeles adds to those position groups in the draft.
With such great depth at both spots in the incoming draft class, it’ll be hard for the Rams to pass up playmakers in the early to middle rounds. In Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft for ESPN, he addresses running back and wide receiver right out of the gate in Round 2.
At No. 52 overall, he has the Rams taking LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Five picks later at No. 57, Kiper projects Texas wide receiver Devin Duvernay to the Rams. It’s an interesting combination, and as unlikely as it may seem, Les Snead and the Rams front office tend to take the best player available rather than addressing a need.
Here’s what Kiper wrote about the Edwards-Helaire pick:
With Todd Gurley gone, do the Rams really know what they have at running back? Veteran Malcolm Brown and 2019 third-round pick Darrell Henderson Jr. both averaged less than 4 yards per carry in limited opportunities last season. The 5-foot-7 Edwards-Helaire was tremendous for the national champs in 2019, becoming the first player in SEC history with 1,000 rushing yards and 50 receptions in a season. Give him some receiving reps in L.A. and he’d be a great option for Jared Goff. The Rams also have needs along the offensive line and the front seven.
All things considered, Edwards-Helaire wouldn’t be a bad pick at No. 52, depending on how the team views Malcolm Brown. They’re clearly high on Darrell Henderson after trading up to draft him in the third round last year, but Brown is in the final year of his contract and the team nearly let him go last offseason as a restricted free agent.
Duvernay at No. 57 is much more questionable. He’s a smaller slot receiver whose value would seem to be better in the fourth round, especially for the Rams. They already have Kupp to man the slot, and although their wideouts play all over the field, Duvernay isn’t suited to play outside extensively.
Even after trading away Brandin Cooks to get this pick, wide receiver isn’t among the Rams’ most pressing needs. But since I don’t have an edge rusher or guard with a second-round grade, I’m going to look to Duvernay, a dynamic wideout who ranked third in the FBS with 106 catches and fifth with 1,386 receiving yards while working mostly from the slot. Duvernay also ran a 4.39 40 at the combine.
In Kiper’s mock, Jalen Reagor and Michael Pittman – two players better suited for the Rams – go in the two picks right before Los Angeles, leaving them with Duvernay. But in that situation, the Rams would be more likely to take a center like Matt Hennessy or a tackle such as Ezra Cleveland, who were both on the board.