The defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams enter an offseason where they want to defend their title. We all know how much this team does not invest in the draft. On Monday, it was announced that Sean McVay and Les Snead won’t even be attending the combine. However, they do find a high amount of their role players through the draft. The Rams will start their draft in the third round this year, but it heats up in the later rounds with six day three selections.
To help with this mock draft, I used The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Team Mock Drafts.
Make sure to also check out all of our NFL Draft Scouting Reports.
Round 3, Pick 103: Matt Waletzko, OT, North Dakota
Waletzko is a small school standout that is growing on people as of late. With 40-year-old Andrew Whitworth considering retirement options, youth is needed on the line. Waletzko comes in at 6-foot-7, and if Whitworth returns, Waletzko has the opportunity to learn from the best. Hopefully, Waletzko gets a chance to learn from Whitworth, if not, the rookie might see live-action sooner than expected.
Round 4, Pick 141: Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State
With all of the talent still on the Rams roster, they can take a shot at a developmental player here. Smith will be 21 by the time the NFL season starts, and he’s a freak athlete. There are several inconsistencies in his play, though. This is a near-perfect spot for Smith to land as he can take his time to develop and eventually make an impact in Los Angeles.
For more on Smith, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 5, Pick 174: Cade Mays, iOL, Tennessee
Mays is a player a lot of players around draft circles like. He has excellent hand placement and a very high floor for a day two guard. There is a need for development, but they have time like the rest of the players getting drafted. David Edwards and Austin Corbett aren’t bad players, but the upside with Mays is there, and he can be a very nice piece in the Rams’ future.
Round 6, Pick 209: Big Kat Bryant, EDGE, UCF
We’ve known of Bryant for quite some time because of the awesome name, but his play seriously improved last season. At 6-foot-5, Bryant is a high-energy player specializing in stopping the run and bringing some nice value to the pass-rush game. This is a player who can get early rotational snaps with the Rams and perhaps grow into a bigger role down the road.
For more on Bryant, check out our scouting report on him.
Round 6, Pick 210: Leon O’Neal Jr., SAF, Texas A&M
O’Neal is the definition of a true strong safety. There are several plays on film that we’ve seen O’Neal do the little things right while possessing a very balanced game. He will most likely get the most reps out of any of these rookies here, with the secondary in Los Angeles needing some depth, which O’Neal can provide.
Round 6, Pick 212: Christopher Hinton, DL, Michigan
The Rams double up on the big bodies in the front seven with Hinton. He is more of a pass-rush specialist from his defensive tackle spot but is an all-around solid player. Los Angeles has a lot of young guys sitting behind their starters at defensive tackle. However, these players haven’t amounted to much, so there’s no reason not to invest in Hinton.
Round 7, Pick 235: Zakoby McClain, LB, Auburn
A production monster at Auburn, McClain could be a good body to have on the roster because of his motor. He won’t be a lock by any means to make the roster but will be an awesome camp body at a minimum. Still, McClain can have a future in this league. Is it’s worth the Rams picking him to wait behind some talented guys for a few years? We’ll see.
Round 7, Pick 250: Samori Toure, WR, Nebraska
Entering a wide receiver room with Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, Robert Woods, Tutu Atwell, and possibly Odell Beckham Jr. and winning a spot in the said room is pretty difficult. Toure is a very underrated player because of his route running and catching ability. He’d be the most likely player on this mock to get cut, but he’d make the most of his early opportunities.
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