The Los Angeles Rams will go on the clock Friday night with their first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft coming at No. 52 overall. But as always, there’s a chance Les Snead and the Rams will make a bold move up to get a player they covet.
Snead said Thursday night that the team will consider trading up, but it’ll come down to “a simple math formula” of whether the team wants to sacrifice later picks to go get one player.
“We all know that every now and then there’s a player that’s definitely worth it,” he said. “So, we will certainly monitor it and try to determine whether it’s best to attack or sit back and wait and take who’s there.”
If the Rams do trade up in the second round, these four players should be targets early on Day 2.
OT Josh Jones, Houston
Jones slipping this far is one of the biggest surprises of the draft. He may need work with his technique, but Jones has all the makings of an elite left tackle. He’s long, athletic and has played a ton of snaps in his career.
Just take a look at these numbers from Pro Football Focus, which put his ability into perspective.
The Rams don’t need immediate help at tackle with Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein on the roster, but Jones would help solidify the offensive line for years to come after Whitworth retires. Going up and getting Jones might just be worth it to secure the future at one of the most important positions.
OLB Zack Baun, Wisconsin
Baun was penciled in as a first-rounder in many mock drafts, potentially landing with the Seahawks or Ravens toward the end of Day 1. He’s still on the board entering Round 2, and he’d be a seamless fit with the Rams.
He can rush the passer off the edge, but he can also play off-ball linebacker and drop into coverage with ease. In a 3-4 scheme, he would thrive with that sort of versatility.
The Rams need help at inside and outside linebacker, and Baun would go a long way toward solving those problems. There are still good pass rushers out there, like Terrell Lewis and Josh Uche, but Baun is above them all right now.
OT Ezra Cleveland, Boise State
Cleveland is another surprising player who’s still available in the second round. He tested well at the combine and is a high-character prospect, and like Jones, he would shore up the Rams’ left tackle spot for years after Whitworth retires.
Those players are simply worth going up and getting if possible. I wouldn’t trade up as far for Cleveland as I would for Jones, but the two are close on the board. They both play premium positions at a high level, making them valuable prospects.
CB Kristian Fulton, LSU
A.J. Terrell, Noah Igbinoghene, Jeff Gladney and Damon Arnette all came off the board before Fulton, which was a big surprise. Fulton was projected to go in the first round for a while, but he’s still sitting there on Day 2.
The Rams don’t have an immediate need at cornerback with Jalen Ramsey and Troy Hill as the starters, but they’ll both be free agents in 2021 and Nickell Robey-Coleman is no longer on the team.
Fulton would give the Rams a great No. 3 cornerback to compete with David Long Jr., and also help solidify the secondary in 2021 and beyond if Hill doesn’t return.
