The draft is just hours away and soon enough, we’ll know exactly what the Los Angeles Rams do with the 31st pick in the first round. They could trade down, select the best player on their board or move up for a falling blue-chip talent, but as of now, no one’s truly sure what’s in the cards for L.A.
In the spirit of the unpredictability of the draft, here are six bold predictions for the Rams, including which position they’ll address first.
Rams won’t make a first-round pick
Based on reports, this probably isn’t considered a “bold” prediction. However, it’s the most likely one to come true. By the end of the first round, the Rams will not have made a selection. They’re going to trade out of the No. 31 pick, likely landing somewhere between 36 and 46 in the second round.
There’s just too much value in the second, third and fourth rounds for the Rams to go 63 picks between their first and second selections. Trading back to acquire additional pick on Day 2 would be ideal, potentially giving the Rams four picks in the top 100.
They will draft a running back and wide receiver
Two positions that don’t seem to need much help will be addressed in the draft at some point. The Rams didn’t show any interest in wide receivers during the pre-draft process, but Les Snead said they’d consider taking a big-bodied receiver in the later rounds. As for the running backs, there’s no lack of interest from L.A.
The team hosted several tailbacks for visits, including Darrell Henderson – someone who could go as early as Round 1. I don’t think the Rams will take a running back in the first three rounds, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them select one on Day 3.
Jalen Hurd is a running back-turned-wide receiver and could be an intriguing target for the Rams thanks to his versatility.
A safety will be L.A.’s first pick
Whether it’s in the first round or after a trade back, the Rams’ first pick will be used on a safety. The sweet spot for safeties in this draft class is between No. 25 and 60, which makes trading down all the more enticing. The Rams can likely move back 10 or so spots and still land someone such as Juan Thornhill, Johnathan Abram, Darnell Savage or Taylor Rapp, all of whom were pre-draft visitors of the Rams.
It’s highly unlikely any of them will be available at No. 94, and if the Rams truly covet them, taking one in the first or second round is a must. Don’t be surprised when Eric Weddle’s eventual successor is the Rams’ first pick in the draft.
Tyler Higbee will be traded
The boldest of the bold predictions involves the Rams’ starting tight end. Higbee will be traded by the end of the weekend, netting the Rams a late-round pick. They did the same thing with Tavon Austin last year, sending him to the Cowboys for a sixth-rounder. This time, it’ll be Higbee shipped out of town.
If Los Angeles takes a tight end in the first three rounds, this will become even more likely. The Rams can save $2 million by trading Higbee and while a late-round pick won’t be able to replace his production, they already have someone who can: Gerald Everett.
Everett was the first pick of the Sean McVay era and with McVay being a former tight ends coach, you know he wants to get Everett more involved. The Rams tried to trade Higbee for a sixth-rounder last year, but the Vikings only offered a seventh so L.A. held onto him.
Les Snead will make at least one trade each day
I already predicted he’ll trade out of the first round, but that won’t be Snead’s only deal. Last year, the Rams didn’t use a single one of their original draft picks, trading all of them at some point in time. That won’t happen this weekend, but Snead will make a deal on each of the three days.
On Day 2, it could be a move up in Round 3, or possibly moving back from No. 99. On the third day, they might package a 2020 late-round pick in order to move up this year. No matter what it is, the Rams are going to make at least one trade each day.
Rams will take a guard, not a tackle or center
The Rams could use help at all three O-line positions, but they’ll only draft one this weekend. It’ll be a guard instead of a center or tackle, and here’s why. Taking a guard will allow the Rams to keep Joseph Noteboom at his best position: left tackle. The drafted rookie could compete to start at left guard in an attempt to replace Rodger Saffold, allowing Noteboom to remain as Andrew Whitworth’s successor.
Drafting a guard would also give the Rams the option of playing Noteboom at left guard, Austin Blythe at center – his original position – and the rookie at right guard. Either way, selecting a guard gives the Rams the most flexibility.
Center is certainly an option, especially if Garrett Bradbury falls to them, but Brian Allen has the intelligence and power to be a starter despite being undersized. I’d be more concerned about Noteboom at left guard, since his strength is his footwork and hand usage, not run blocking.
