Tag: rams draft

Instant analysis of Rams picking RB Cam Akers at No. 52 overall

The Rams went outside the box and took Cam Akers at No. 52 overall.

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There was always a chance the Los Angeles Rams would take a running back on Day 2 of the draft. It’s just that no one expected it to be Cam Akers at No. 52 overall. Yet, with J.K. Dobbins still on the board, that’s exactly who the Rams selected.

It was a stunner, but with the unpredictability that always comes with the Rams, it should’ve been somewhat expected. Les Snead and Sean McVay often prioritize value over positional need, and that’s what they did here.

They could’ve taken an offensive lineman or pass rusher, or even wide receiver Denzel Mims. But they passed up those options in favor of Akers, who analysts projected to go in the late second or early third round.

Akers is a good player, even if his stats don’t show it. He never had a season at Florida State with more than 1,200 yards rushing and averaged 4.9 yards per carry in three seasons. But he was running behind a terrible offensive line with absolutely no help around him on offense.

What Akers does well is run through contact despite being on the smaller side. According to Pro Football Focus, he averaged 3.91 yards after contact per attempt, which was among the best of all running backs in this draft class.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared him to Duke Johnson and had a second-round projection on Akers. Here’s what Zierlein wrote about Akers in his scouting report.

He runs with tempo and flow but alters his rush track at a moment’s notice when needed. He is elusive but lacking the instant burst of a slasher capable of stacking long runs in a single game. Akers has above-average open-field vision once he’s into the second level and looks to run through the tackler’s pads as a finisher.

The issue with this selection isn’t necessarily the player, but the position. The Rams already have Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown on the roster, and they appeared ready to handle the workload left behind by Todd Gurley.

They’ll still get their share of carries, but Akers will undoubtedly eat into their touches, too. That’s part of the problem with this pick, though. Akers won’t be a full-time player, which the Rams could’ve had at No. 52 overall with someone such as Josh Uche, Lloyd Cushenberry or Willie Gay Jr.

Look: Draft broadcast appeared to leak the Rams’ new helmets

ESPN’s draft broadcast appeared to leak the Rams’ new helmet.

We still don’t know when the Los Angeles Rams will release their new uniforms, but we may know what their redesigned helmets will look like. During the draft broadcast on Thursday night, ESPN appeared to show a sneak peek at the new helmets – whether intentional or not.

Here’s a look at the graphic, which featured a different helmet in the lower right corner than the one the Rams have been wearing in recent years. It has a matte blue color with glossy yellow horns, matching the team’s new colors.

It’s hard to imagine the Rams weren’t aware of this inclusion in ESPN’s graphic package, but it’s possible this was intentional. It could be a way to drum up interest after it was noticed by some eagle-eyed fans.

Here’s another look at it:

The Rams are supposed to unveil their new uniforms sometime after the draft, though an exact date hasn’t been announced. They’re the last team to release their new uniforms this offseason after six others did in the last month or so.

Rams select WR Van Jefferson with 57th pick in 2020 NFL Draft

The Rams doubled-up on offense with their first two picks.

After shocking everyone and taking running back Cam Akers with their first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams came back and selected Florida wide receiver Van Jefferson five picks later.

This is another surprise for the Rams, who badly need offensive line and pass-rush help. They passed up both of those positions, as well as inside linebacker, to take two offensive skill players in the second round.

Jefferson had a call with the Rams leading up to the draft and was a target for them all along. He’s one of the best route runners in this class and can play any of the three wide receiver positions.

In his last two seasons at Florida, after transferring from Ole Miss, Jefferson caught 84 passes for 1,160 yards and 12 touchdowns.

He’s not a flashy receiver, but he is a technician, even getting compared to Cooper Kupp by NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah.

Rams fans baffled by Cam Akers pick at No. 52 overall

Rams fans can’t believe the Rams took a running back at No. 52 overall.

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With several positions to address and a host of talented players on the board, the Los Angeles Rams stunned everyone by selecting running back Cam Akers out of Florida State.

That pick came with J.K. Dobbins still on the board, as well as pass rushers Josh Uche, Terrell Lewis and Zack Baun. Akers is a dynamic athlete out of the backfield, but the Rams just spent a third-rounder on Darrell Henderson last season.

Rams fans were predictably furious about the selection, while others on Twitter were stunned by the pick.

As outraged as the majority of Rams fans were, there were a few members of the media who like Akers as a prospect. There’s no denying his athleticism and explosiveness, but at the same time, the Rams had far greater needs.

Akers will share the backfield with Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown, giving the Rams three players they can hand the ball off to.

Rams select RB Cam Akers with 52nd pick in 2020 NFL Draft

The Rams bolstered their offense with Cam Akers out of Florida State.

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After a fairly long wait into the second day of the draft, the Los Angeles Rams finally made their first pick at No. 52 overall. And with it, they took running back Cam Akers out of Florida State.

The Rams cut Todd Gurley this offseason and showed interest in the incoming class of running backs, but they also have Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown already on the roster.

Akers is undeniably a talented player, but there were some even better players at positions of greater need available. Even J.K. Dobbins out of Ohio State was available.

Last season at Florida State, Akers rushed for 1,144 yards and 14 touchdowns behind a bad offensive line. In his college career, he had 2,875 yards and 28 touchdowns on the ground.

Why Rams should pass on even the top RBs in Round 2

The Rams shouldn’t take a running back with one of their second-round picks, and here’s why.

This time last year, there were rumors swirling about the Los Angeles Rams taking a running back early in the draft. Those whispers turned out to be true, as the team traded up to select Darrell Henderson Jr. out of Memphis in the third round.

Why on earth would the Rams take a running back that early with Todd Gurley and Malcolm Brown already on the roster? That was a question many folks asked, and I was among those who questioned the Rams’ decision to take Henderson at that point.

Yet, here we are again with Los Angeles seemingly poised to use a Day 2 pick on a running back. This year, it’d be more reasonable for the Rams to use one of their four second- and third-round picks on a running back, since Gurley is gone and Henderson isn’t a proven starter.

You could argue that if someone such as J.K. Dobbins, D’Andre Swift or Jonathan Taylor is there at No. 52, the Rams should take him. After all, running back is a secondary need for L.A. They should not bite on one of those players, though.

In fact, they shouldn’t take any running backs in the second round.

Henderson may not be a proven player yet, but the Rams drafted him to be an Alvin Kamara-type player, as Les Snead put it last year. He spent his rookie season as Gurley’s backup, but now he’s ready to be unleashed as a starter.

It’s hard to doubt his ability after he got just 39 carries in 13 games. That’s a tiny sample size in the grand scheme of things, and not enough proof that he can’t be a workhorse.

When you compare him to the incoming class of running backs, you’d have trouble making a strong case that any of them are noticeably better than Henderson. None of them averaged 8.2 yards per carry in their college careers like Henderson. None of them fit an outside zone scheme as well as Henderson does.

And last season with the Rams, Henderson led all NFL players (with at least 35 carries) with an average of 5.6 rush attempts per broken tackle. For comparison, Gurley averaged 10.6 attempts per broken tackle in 2019 (13th in the NFL).

Taylor’s 4.39 40-yard dash time was impressive, and better than Henderson’s 4.49, but Swift barely edged out Henderson at 4.48. From an athleticism and speed standpoint, Dobbins and Swift don’t offer much more than Henderson does.

Taylor would bring an element of size and power to the backfield that the Rams might lack, but that doesn’t make him worth taking at No. 52 overall. The Rams can find that in free agency with someone such as Isaiah Crowell or Carlos Hyde.

Which brings me to my next point: running back isn’t a premier position and can be filled with cheap talent. Remember when the Rams signed C.J. Anderson off the street in 2018 and he went on to carry the offense into the playoffs? I’m not saying the Rams can do that again with a current free agent, but that signing proved running backs don’t matter much.

Devonta Freeman, Hyde, C.J. Prosise and Chris Thompson are all still available and offer a variety of skill sets. Freeman is a slasher, Hyde can do just about everything, and Thompson and Prosise are good receiving backs.

A backfield consisting of Henderson, Brown and one of those four free agents is more than capable of working in L.A.

If the Rams would prefer not to leave the draft without a running back, there are good players who can be had later on. Zack Moss and Darrynton Evans could be options in the third or fourth rounds. Joshua Kelley in the sixth is also an option. The Rams don’t need to take a running back in the second.

There’s always an element of taking the best player available in the conversation, but drafting a running back would be more of a luxury pick at a position that doesn’t need to be addressed this early.

2020 NFL Draft, Rounds 2-3: Start time, channel, streaming info

What time does the second round of the draft start?

The 2020 NFL Draft continues on Friday night with the second and third rounds, including four picks by the Los Angeles Rams. The first round went about as many expected with the exception of a few surprises, leaving the Rams with an abundance of defensive talent still on the board.

Fans who may not have watched the action on Thursday night will surely want to tune in tonight for Day 2, and don’t be surprised if there are some trades made by GM Les Snead. So here’s how you can watch the second and third rounds of the draft.

What time does Day 2 start?

Rounds 2-3 of the 2020 NFL Draft begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday night.

TV channels

  • ABC
  • ESPN
  • NFL Network

Streaming options

Pick order

Round 2

33. Cincinnati
34. Indianapolis (from Washington)
35. Detroit
36. N.Y. Giants
37. New England (from L.A. Chargers)
38. Carolina
39. Miami
40. Houston (from Arizona)
41. Cleveland
42. Jacksonville
43. Chicago (from Las Vegas)
44. Indianapolis
45. Tampa Bay
46. Denver
47. Atlanta
48. N.Y. Jets
49. Pittsburgh
50. Chicago
51. Dallas
52. L.A. Rams
53. Philadelphia
54. Buffalo
55. Baltimore (from New England via Atlanta)
56. Miami (from New Orleans)
57. L.A. Rams (from Houston)
58. Minnesota
59. Seattle
60. Baltimore
61. Tennessee
62. Green Bay
63. Kansas City (from San Francisco)
64. Seattle (from Kansas City)

Round 3

65. Cincinnati
66. Washington
67. Detroit
68. N.Y. Jets (from New York Giants)
69. Carolina
70. Miami
71. New England (from L.A. Chargers)
72. Arizona
73. Jacksonville
74. Cleveland
75. Indianapolis
76. Tampa Bay
77. Denver
78. Atlanta
79. N.Y. Jets
80. Las Vegas
81. Las Vegas (from Chicago)
82. Dallas
83. Denver (from Pittsburgh)
84. L.A. Rams
85. Detroit (from Philadelphia)
86. Buffalo
87. New England
88. New Orleans
89. Minnesota
90. Houston
91. Las Vegas (from Seattle via Houston)
92. Baltimore
93. Tennessee
94. Green Bay
95. Denver (from San Francisco)
96. Kansas City
97. Cleveland* (from Houston)
98. New England*
99. N.Y. Giants*
100. New England*
101. Seattle*
102. Pittsburgh*
103. Philadelphia*
104. L.A. Rams*
105. Minnesota*
106. Baltimore*

*compensatory picks

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NFL Draft: Which position will the Los Angeles Rams draft first?

Assessing the 2020 NFL Draft odds and looking at which position the Los Angeles Rams will look to draft with their first pick.

The 2020 NFL Draft began Thursday night with the first round. The Los Angeles Rams did not have a pick in the first round and will make their first player selection in the second round Friday, April 24. They currently hold the 52nd overall pick in the draft. Here, we give you the odds and the best bet for the Rams and their first draft pick based on the odds at BetMGM.

Place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM, or play in their online casino. Bet now!

NFL Draft: Position of LA Rams first drafted player

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Odds last updated Friday, April 24 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Offense: -110

Defense: -110

The Rams have many needs. Some of their biggest needs entering the 2020 NFL Draft are on the offensive line, linebacker, wide receiver and running back.

Based on the best players available for the second round of the draft, the positions that appear to have the best talent are at receiver, running back and the defensive line.

Only one running back has been selected so far in the whole draft and with the Rams cutting ties with Todd Gurley this offseason, it might be their main focus on Day 2 of the draft.

The best bet for the Rams is to pick OFFENSE (-110).

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6 trade scenarios for the Rams on Day 2 of the draft

The Rams have a lot of options when it comes to trades in the second and third rounds.

The first night of the NFL draft only featured four trades, including none in the top 10 for the first time since 2015. It was a relatively quiet first round on the trade front, but with a day to take a breather and regroup, the deals could come in bunches on Friday night.

The Rams have a general manager who’s always willing to make trades during the draft, especially when it comes to moving back and stockpiling picks. Les Snead will be active on the phone lines during the second and third rounds, owning four picks on Day 2.

Here are six potential trade scenarios for the Rams that add up on the trade value chart – three moves up and three trade-downs.

Trade up to No. 35

Rams trade: 52 + 84
Lions trade: 35

If the Rams are looking to make a splash right off the bat on Friday night, they can do so by jumping 17 spots to select a player they likely deem a first-round talent. Might that be Zack Baun? Or offensive tackle Josh Jones? Both would make sense for the Rams, but the price of trading an extra third-round pick may be too steep.

Trade up to No. 44

Rams trade: 52 + 104
Colts trade: 44

This one is a little easier to swallow. It’s only a jump of eight spots, but if a top prospect such as Curtis Weaver or Yetur Gross-Matos slips, the Rams might pounce. This trade would also cost the Rams a third-round pick, but it’d be their compensatory pick that’s 20 slots lower than the 84th selection.

Trade up to No. 68 from 84

Rams trade: 84 + 104
Jets trade: 68 + 211

The Rams traded up twice in the third round last year, so here’s a scenario for them to make a similar move. They swap their third-round compensatory pick for the Jets’ sixth-rounder, moving up 16 spots in the third round. Again, not a huge move, but one that could be the difference between getting their guy and missing out on him.

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2020 NFL Draft: Day 2 pick order for Rounds 2 and 3

Where do the Rams pick on Day 2 of the draft?

The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft was fun, but the excitement will really begin on Friday night for those in Los Angeles. After sitting out the first round for the fourth year in a row, the Rams will pick four times on Friday night.

They have two picks in the second round and two in the third, giving them a golden opportunity to bolster their roster and build for the future. There are a number of players who are still surprisingly available at the start of the second round, but the Rams won’t have a chance to draft many of them.

If they don’t trade up, the Rams will have to wait 20 picks before making their initial selection at No. 52 overall. It’s a long time to keep sitting, but the Rams are in a great spot on Day 2.

Here’s the complete order of picks in the second and third rounds.

Round 2

33. Cincinnati
34. Indianapolis (from Washington)
35. Detroit
36. N.Y. Giants
37. New England (from L.A. Chargers)
38. Carolina
39. Miami
40. Houston (from Arizona)
41. Cleveland
42. Jacksonville
43. Chicago (from Las Vegas)
44. Indianapolis
45. Tampa Bay
46. Denver
47. Atlanta
48. N.Y. Jets
49. Pittsburgh
50. Chicago
51. Dallas
52. L.A. Rams
53. Philadelphia
54. Buffalo
55. Baltimore (from New England via Atlanta)
56. Miami (from New Orleans)
57. L.A. Rams (from Houston)
58. Minnesota
59. Seattle
60. Baltimore
61. Tennessee
62. Green Bay
63. Kansas City (from San Francisco)
64. Seattle (from Kansas City)

Round 3

65. Cincinnati
66. Washington
67. Detroit
68. N.Y. Jets (from New York Giants)
69. Carolina
70. Miami
71. New England (from L.A. Chargers)
72. Arizona
73. Jacksonville
74. Cleveland
75. Indianapolis
76. Tampa Bay
77. Denver
78. Atlanta
79. N.Y. Jets
80. Las Vegas
81. Las Vegas (from Chicago)
82. Dallas
83. Denver (from Pittsburgh)
84. L.A. Rams
85. Detroit (from Philadelphia)
86. Buffalo
87. New England
88. New Orleans
89. Minnesota
90. Houston
91. Las Vegas (from Seattle via Houston)
92. Baltimore
93. Tennessee
94. Green Bay
95. Denver (from San Francisco)
96. Kansas City
97. Cleveland* (from Houston)
98. New England*
99. N.Y. Giants*
100. New England*
101. Seattle*
102. Pittsburgh*
103. Philadelphia*
104. L.A. Rams*
105. Minnesota*
106. Baltimore*

*compensatory pick

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