The Rams received fairly high marks from the experts for their draft haul.
The Los Angeles Rams pulled off a handful of surprises over the course of their two-day draft haul, including the decision to draft a running back with their first pick and making only one trade all weekend. They strengthened their offense with Cam Akers, Van Jefferson and Brycen Hopkins, though they shockingly waited until their very last pick to add an offensive lineman.
The defense was also bolstered with OLB Terrell Lewis and DB Terrell Burgess, while S Jordan Fuller will contribute on special teams and as a backup safety.
It came as no surprise that the Rams drafted a kicker in Round 7, even after signing two before the draft.
Overall, it’s hard to hate the team’s haul across Days 2 and 3, considering the talent Los Angeles got at key positions – even if they weren’t at the weakest spots on the roster.
We handed out our grades for each pick the Rams made, but here’s how the experts graded the team’s draft:
A: 2
B+: 1
B: 2
B-: 2
C: 2
Another team not far removed from a playoff run, the Rams put together a solid start to their draft, despite not having a first-rounder. There were bigger needs to address, but taking Florida State running back Cam Akers late in the second round to replace Todd Gurley was a solid pick.
Without a first-round pick this year, the Rams had to make the most of their picks. They got a couple of interesting developmental players who could succeed wildly in the NFL on a “what-if” basis. Second-round running back Cam Akers managed to be productive in a garbage-fire offense at Florida State, but some of Akers’ college issues (like a sub-par offensive line) will follow him to the NFL. And third-round edge-rusher Terrell Lewis from Alabama has all the traits you want in a high-performance disruptor — he only fell that far because of his lengthy injury history. Safety Terrell Burgess from Utah, another third-round pick, is the surest thing in the Rams’ 2020 class with his ability to cover in both the deep third and the slot. It’s a good haul if everything goes right.
They haven’t picked in the first round since 2016, when QB Jared Goff was the No. 1 overall pick. But surrendering this year’s first-rounder brought CB Jalen Ramsey, and GM Les Snead appeared to pick up four players Friday – RB Cam Akers (Round 2), WR Van Jefferson (Round 2), OLB Terrell Lewis (Round 3) and S Terrell Burgess (Round 3) – who could contribute early to a squad little more than a year removed from the Super Bowl.
On the back end don’t be at all surprised if Terrell Burgess plays significant snaps right away. The Rams are very thin at linebacker and, in recent years, have preferred to play a three-safety dime package, keeping just one LB on the field. With Taylor Rapp being a dynamic box player, John Johnson being better down near that area as well and no proven depth behind those two, the runway is clear for Burgess to slide in as the centerfielder on passing downs.
Day 1 grade: A-
Day 2 grade: A
Day 3 grade: A
Overall grade: A
Draft analysis: For the fourth straight draft, GM Les Snead didn’t have a first-round pick. But the savvy decision-maker was able to make the most out of the four Day 2 picks (two second-rounders, two third-rounders) he did have in his arsenal. He added future contributors at running back (Akers) and receiver (Jefferson) while getting excellent value at edge (Lewis) and nickel (Burgess). Finding Hopkins in the fourth was an excellent value, while Fuller could be another Kurt Coleman-type pickup at safety. The loss of Cory Littleton in free agency, might make room inside for Johnston to fit in. Although it makes sense for the Rams to want competition at kicker, it is interesting that they opted over Georgia’s Rodrigo Blankenship. Anchrum excelled at tackle for Clemson but will transition inside for the Rams.
The Rams got their replacements for Todd Gurley, Brandin Cooks and Dante Fowler Jr. right off the bat. Lewis was the best pick of the three, but Akers and Jefferson have good opportunities to improve on their college production. Hopkins was a steal later for some depth. There was no early linebacker to help replace Cory LIttleton, but Burgess can be useful in coverage. Les Snead and Sean McVay finish right in the middle.
This grade would be better if the Rams targeted a guard at some point before the seventh round.
I didn’t have high grades on any of L.A.’s Day 3 picks, and I’m pretty surprised the Rams took only one offensive lineman, late, particularly with a 38-year-old starting left tackle. That seems like a clear miss here, even if I’m a fan of the first three picks.
A quiet Day 1 turned into a busy Day 2, as the Rams had multiple selections in both Rounds 2 and 3. Cam Akers is used to running behind shaky offensive lines at Florida State, and he’s had some success doing so, as evidenced by his 82.8 rushing grade in 2019. Unfortunately, he’ll be running behind another poor offensive line in Los Angeles. The tools are there for him to be a good runner at the NFL level but we still gave him a fourth-round label, which means the value wasn’t there in the second round with some of the other needs on the Rams’ roster.
