Just about every mock draft on the internet is an attempt at predicting what each team will do. It’s an exercise that doesn’t yield positive results, given the unpredictable nature of the draft, but it’s useful in the fact that it helps project where prospects might land.
For this seven-round mock draft, I went in a different direction. Instead of predicting what the Rams will do at No. 52 or 84, I went with the prospects I would select if I were GM Les Snead.
The Rams have so many needs entering the draft that they could go in countless directions with their first four picks, all depending on which players fall to them at each draft slot.
In order to come up with this mock draft, I used Pro Football Focus’ simulator and attempted to keep it as realistic as possible. (Sorry, but I refused to take Kenneth Murray at No. 84 overall). This simulator allowed for trades, too, so I made one in the fourth round.
Let’s get to the picks.
52. EDGE Josh Uche, Michigan
Uche is exactly the type of player the Rams need. He can rush the passer, play off-ball linebacker and he simply makes plays all over the field. Linebacker is their weakest position on the roster right now, and Uche offers position versatility and provides a spark as a pass rusher off the edge.
While he wouldn’t be a lock to start, he would add competition to the pass-rush unit that currently features Samson Ebukam and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo battling to start opposite Leonard Floyd. Uche would be a home run selection for the Rams anywhere in Round 2.
57. G/C Lloyd Cushenberry, LSU
Cushenberry could go much earlier than this, but with how loaded this draft is at other positions such as wide receiver and tackle, Cushenberry and other interior linemen could fall. For the Rams, this would be a dream scenario.
He can play center or guard, and depending on where the Rams decide he fits best, he’d most likely be an immediate starter at either position. His 2019 season left something to be desired, but Cushenberry is a stud and should have success early in his career.
84. LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State
Davis-Gaither is a perfect complement to Micah Kiser, who figures to be one of the starters at inside linebacker. He’s more of a rangy linebacker who’s better in coverage than Kiser, giving the Rams an encouraging duo in the middle of their defense.
Davis-Gaither’s sweet spot in the draft is the third round, so this would be a good value for the Rams. He would upgrade the defense right away and solve one of L.A.’s biggest concerns heading into the season.
104. WR Bryan Edwards, South Carolina
As badly as I would’ve liked to grab Michael Pittman or Brandon Aiyuk in the second round, they just weren’t available. So I “settled” for Edwards in the third round. He’s a highlight-reel machine with injury concerns, which will certainly hurt his draft stock. Will it be enough to push him all the way down to No. 104? Who knows, but the Rams would be crazy to pass him up at this spot.
Edwards would be an upgrade over Josh Reynolds as the No. 3 receiver and fits perfectly in the Rams’ scheme thanks to his ability to play multiple positions on offense. Wideout isn’t a pressing need, but one the Rams should address in the middle rounds with Cooper Kupp and Reynolds set for free agency in 2021.
TRADE: Rams send No. 126 to Dolphins for Nos. 141 and 154
141. FS Kenny Robinson Jr., West Virginia/XFL
The Rams don’t have a true free safety right now, though John Johnson can fill that role easily. He and Taylor Rapp are best around the line of scrimmage and matched up on TEs, which is where Robinson comes into play.
Los Angeles played a lot of three-safety sets last season with Marqui Christian, and with Robinson in the mix, the defense can continue those sub-packages. He’s a rangy ballhawk who had seven interceptions in two seasons at West Virginia and picked off two more passes in a shortened XFL season this year.
154. CB Reggie Robinson II, Tulsa
Back-to-back picks in the secondary? On paper, it looks like the Rams’ strongest position units, but Troy Hill is a free agent in 2021 and the Rams don’t have a surefire starter in the slot. Robinson is a player they’ve shown interested in this offseason and he has the potential to be a No. 2 cornerback in a year or two.
This was too good a value to pass up when considering his ceiling and skill set.
199. OT Trey Adams, Washington
I took a chance on Adams in the sixth round, minimizing the risk with a player who has significant durability concerns. He was once viewed as a potential Day 2 pick, but injury concerns and a terrible showing at the combine will drop him precipitously. As a sixth-rounder, the Rams can give him a chance to develop for a year and compete at left tackle in 2021.
234. WR Joe Reed, Virginia
Reed is the best return specialist in the class and the Rams don’t currently have one they can count on. I could’ve gone with a running back like Joshua Kelley here, but I’m confident in Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown as replacements for Todd Gurley, and Devonta Freeman is still available in free agency, too.
Reed wouldn’t do much on offense in Year 1, but he still has potential as a wide receiver and is dynamic in the return game.
