The Los Angeles Rams came away with some great value in the 2019 NFL draft, adding players who will contribute as rookies and eventually become starters in 2020. They did so by moving up and down the board, striking six trades in Nashville.
Taylor Rapp, who they took with the 61st overall pick, looks like a steal, considering the Rams would have been “comfortable” taking him at No. 31. David Long seems like a great value at No. 79 overall, bolstering the secondary with a future starter at cornerback.
However, Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling doesn’t see either player as the team’s biggest steal. Instead, that honor goes to offensive tackle David Edwards, who they drafted with the 169th overall pick in the fifth round.
Edwards only played right tackle in college, but the Rams will try him there, as well as left guard, right guard and left tackle. He’ll be cross-trained by offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, as just about every young O-lineman is with the Rams.
Edwards, like the Rams’ other rookies, isn’t guaranteed to play in 2019. In fact, it’d somewhat surprising if he did earn a starting job as a rookie, considering his best position (right tackle) is occupied by Rob Havenstein.
However, he’ll have a chance to replace Andrew Whitworth at left tackle in 2020 and possibly even slide in at one of the two guard positions. Rodger Saffold needs to be replaced on the left side, while Austin Blythe could move back to center.
Drafting Edwards was with an eye toward the future and he could prove to be a steal in Round 5 if he turns into a starter down the line.
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