The Los Angeles Rams opted to sit out the first round again on Thursday night, trading the 31st overall pick to the Falcons. They move back to No. 45, while also picking up an extra third-rounder at No. 79 overall, giving the Rams four picks in the top 100.
There are a number of ways they can go on Day 2 with so many quality players still available, but here’s our best guess at what the Rams will come away with in Rounds 2 and 3.
Round 2, No. 45: SS Taylor Rapp, Washington
There’s going to be a run on defensive backs early in the second round with Nasir Adderley, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Byron Murphy and Greedy Williams all likely to be selected. The Rams would probably love to have any of those four, but they’ll “settle” for the next-best in Rapp.
He’s a very safe pick with a high floor, even if his ceiling isn’t as high as Adderley or Gardner-Johnson. Rapp isn’t the best athlete, but he’s certainly capable of shadowing tight ends and being an impact player in the box early on.
Round 3, No. 79: EDGE Jachai Polite, Florida
Between Polite saying the Rams were his favorite NFL combine meeting and the Rams bringing him in for an official visit, it just seems like the perfect match. Taking him at No. 45 is definitely an option, but if the Rams are able to pick him up in the third, it’d be even better. Joining a team coached by Sean McVay and Wade Phillips might be the best-case scenario for Polite, who’s work ethic was questioned during the pre-draft process.
Polite’s tape is very good and doesn’t match what we saw at the combine and his pro day, but there’s no question those two workouts sunk his stock from being a likely first-round pick. It’s difficult to project where Polite will land, but No. 79 feels like the sweet spot.
Round 3, No. 94: OL Nate Davis, Charlotte
Davis visited the Rams before the draft and is a great fit at guard in L.A. His best asset is his power as a blocker, which was what made Rodger Saffold so dominant in the running game. The Rams would be best suited to take a guard instead of a tackle, allowing Joseph Noteboom to remain the heir apparent to Andrew Whitworth.
Davis is a third-round prospect so getting him at No. 94 would be a nice value selection, not only filling a need but also finding a quality player.
Round 3, No. 99: CB David Long, Michigan
Long is one of the more underrated cornerbacks in this draft class, boasting rare short-area quickness. Despite being undersized, he still plays with good physicality and is excellent in press coverage. The Rams have their eye on Long after bringing him in for a visit, so they feel he fits their scheme, even if it was more zone-heavy last season.
He’d contribute on special teams and as a dime cornerback next season before getting the chance to replace Aqib Talib or Marcus Peters in 2020. Long has the potential to be very good in the NFL with the best short shuttle and three-cone drill of anyone at the combine.
