The NFL draft is critical to the future success of each franchise, given the difficulty that comes with trying to select players who will blossom into starters at the next level. The Los Angeles Rams already have a strong base on their roster and only have a few holes to fill, allowing them some flexibility when they go on the clock.
Their draft board is just about set and they’ve got their eyes on a handful of prospects who could be available in the first round, but there are a few do’s and don’ts the Rams should follow this week.
Do: Try to trade out of Round 1
This is the ideal scenario for the Rams. The best-case scenario is trading down five or 10 spots, picking up an extra third- or fourth-round pick and selecting the best player available in Round 2. They might be able to get Dexter Lawrence, Erik McCoy or a quality safety at No. 35 or 40, which would be a greater value than drafting them at No. 31.
Trading back and adding mid-round picks, where starters can still be had, would be a wise move for the Rams.
Don’t: Reach for a certain need
Whether it’s trading up or simply passing on a better talent to fill a position of need, the Rams can’t get short-sighted. For example, if cornerbacks Byron Murphy or Greedy Williams fall to No. 31, the Rams should consider drafting them instead of addressing a more immediate need like nose tackle or inside linebacker with a player lower on their board.
Trading up for a nose tackle or even an offensive lineman would be difficult to swallow, too, given the fact that the Rams don’t have a second-round pick. They’d be better off standing pat and seeing who falls to them.
Do: Draft a safety in the first 5 rounds
This is a very strong safety class and even though the Rams have Eric Weddle, they need to think about the future. Any safety drafted in the first five rounds could easily become a starter in 2020, whether it’s a first-rounder like Chauncey Gardner-Johnson or a fourth-rounder like Sheldrick Redwine.
That’s not to say the Rams should reach for a safety, but not selecting one in such a talented class would be a mistake.
Don’t: Draft a running back before Day 3
The Rams have shown interest in running backs this year, but that doesn’t mean they will or should draft one early. Last year, they hosted Rashaad Penny for a visit, and he wound up going in the first round. Los Angeles absolutely should not draft a running back before Day 3 with Todd Gurley, Malcolm Brown and John Kelly on the roster.
Taking one before the sixth round would be foolish, unless there truly is something drastically wrong with Gurley’s knee. Any running back drafted will have a hard time getting on the field, so draft picks would be better spent on other positions.
Do: Find a future starter at CB
Barring a trade or shocking release, Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib will be the starting cornerbacks outside next season. Neither are under contract beyond 2019, though, which raises some concerns about the future of the secondary. The Rams don’t need an immediate starter at cornerback, but drafting a developmental player who could become a starter in a year would be smart.
Joejuan Williams or Isaiah Johnson would be intriguing picks on Day 2, possessing great size and athleticism with raw skill sets.
Don’t: Draft a quarterback before the 6th round
The Rams already have a cheap backup in Blake Bortles and Jared Goff is now under contract through 2020 after having his fifth-year option picked up. They have no need for a quarterback right now and drafting one before the sixth round would be a mistake. Sure, there’s the argument that they could develop a quarterback and flip him for picks like the Patriots and Jimmy Garoppolo, but more often than not, that doesn’t work out.
If Les Snead wants to take a chance on someone in Round 7, that’s fine, but spending a top-150 pick on one is completely and utterly unnecessary.
Do: Address the offensive line
There’s no doubt the Rams need help on the offensive line after the departures of Rodger Saffold and John Sullivan. But as Snead has said, they don’t exactly have to find Day 1 starters with Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen in line to start. The team’s flexibility on the offensive line allows the Rams to look a couple of directions at the position.
They can target a left tackle to replace Andrew Whitworth eventually, making Noteboom the starting left guard. They can take a guard and have him start, keeping Noteboom as Whitworth’s heir apparent. They can even take a center to compete with Allen, who’s hardly a sure bet to start.
No matter what, the Rams should draft at least one lineman to add depth to the unit, either as a starter or backup.
Don’t: Reach for an offensive lineman
Again, the Rams could use an offensive lineman or two, but it’s not their biggest need. Even if they come out of the draft without selecting one, they’ll be fine up front, having prepared for this situation by drafting Noteboom, Allen and even Jamil Demby last year.
They should not reach for an O-lineman out of fear that the offensive line will fall apart without Saffold and Sullivan. They can get good value with someone like Nate Davis in Round 3, or tackle Trey Pipkins later on.
