The Los Angeles Rams will surely have their eyes on a handful of prospects in Round 1, hoping one of them falls to No. 31 overall. Last year, we saw Derwin James slide to the Chargers at 17th overall after he was projected to go in the top 10, so there’s no such thing as a guarantee in the draft.
There are a few ways things can go for Los Angeles on April 25, both good and bad. Here are four dream scenarios for the Rams in the first round.
Jerry Tillery or Dexter Lawrence fall to No. 31
Tillery and Lawrence are projected to be drafted right around where the Rams pick in Round 1, but neither is certain to fall to Los Angeles. Tillery seems to be going somewhat overlooked throughout the pre-draft process, while Lawrence is the best pure nose tackle in the class.
If either player drops to the Rams at No. 31, the Rams should have a fairly easy decision to make. Tillery and Lawrence would both drastically improve the Rams’ defensive line, which is arguably the team’s biggest weakness right now.
Tillery would move Michael Brockers from defensive end to nose tackle, which is an upgrade in terms of the pass rush goes. Lawrence, on the other hand, would slide right in to replace Ndamukong Suh, improving the run defense.
Rams trade back and still land Juan Thornhill
Trading back is a strong possibility for the Rams this year. They don’t have a second-round pick and the strength of this draft is in the middle rounds. Moving back 10 or 15 spots would net the Rams an additional selection late in the third round or early in the fourth, while still likely having the option to select an impact player in Round 2.
Trading back and landing a safety like Thornhill would be a dream scenario for Los Angeles because even at No. 31, Thornhill would be a solid pick. With so much uncertainty surrounding the safeties in this class and so much depth at the position, the Rams can get great value in Round 2 if they move back.
A top interior O-lineman is available
If the Rams are wiped out of defensive prospects, they’ll turn to the offensive line. Dalton Risner would be a nice pick, but the Rams would get more out of someone like Garrett Bradbury or Chris Lindstrom. Both have very few flaws as players and could be long-term starters at center and guard, respectively.
Los Angeles lost Rodger Saffold and moved on from John Sullivan this offseason, opening up holes at guard and center. Bradbury or Lindstrom would be home run selections at No. 31 if they were to fall, which is possible because of how much defensive talent there is in Round 1. The O-linemen could slide as a result.
Clelin Ferrell slips through the cracks
Ferrell is on that second tier of pass rushers, slotting in behind guys like Josh Allen, Montez Sweat, Brian Burns and of course Nick Bosa. However, he’s projected to go somewhere between No. 15 and 25 with Oakland at 24 potentially being his floor. It’s possible he’ll slip through the cracks with as much depth as there is at OLB/DE in this class, and if he were to fall to the Rams, he’d likely be near the top of their board at No. 31.
Ferrell would step in right away as a contributor at outside linebacker, keeping Clay Matthews inside more often. The signing of Matthews shouldn’t prevent the Rams from taking an edge rusher in Round 1 and Ferrell would be among the top realistic options for Los Angeles.
