The Rams sat out the first round of the draft last night, but the top 32 picks fell just about as well as they could have for Los Angeles. Sure, there was a run on wide receivers and offensive tackles, but that was to be expected.
There was only one interior lineman taken, two edge rushers and no safeties. Four inside linebackers came off the board, but Jordyn Brooks was the only surprise of the bunch.
That leaves the Rams in a great position heading into the second round.
They still have to wait 20 picks until they go on the clock – barring a trade up from No. 52 – but the Rams have many of their top targets still available. And in this mock draft simulation, they get a dream prospect with their first pick in the second round.
52. OLB Zack Baun, Wisconsin
It may seem highly unlikely for Baun to fall to the Rams at No. 52, but it’s not completely out of the question. Dane Brugler of The Athletic has him falling to No. 49 in his Day 2 mock draft, and in multiple simulations on PFF’s mock draft machine, he was there for the Rams.
It’s still somewhat of a long shot, but with a run on wide receivers and running backs expected – and with so much talent in the secondary still available – early in the second round, the large group of pass rushers could slide.
57. OL Robert Hunt, Louisiana-Lafayette
Hunt would compete right away at either guard spot for the Rams, allowing Austin Blythe to stay at center. The Rams could also hope for Lloyd Cushenberry to fall to them at this spot, or wait to take Tyler Biadasz in the third round or so, but Hunt is one of the best guard prospects in the class.
The Rams do have depth on the interior of the offensive line, but they don’t have a player like Hunt, he’d be an upgrade over their current crop of players competing for starting spots.
84. LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, Appalachian State
Davis-Gaither would be a perfect complement to Micah Kiser, the presumed starter at inside linebacker, thanks to his range and coverage ability. Malik Harrison, Willie Gay Jr. and Logan Wilson could also be options at linebacker, but Davis-Gaither is a player the Rams met with and fits best in their scheme.
His speed and range would be a big boost to the linebacker unit, which is not only lacking depth, but also talent.
104. OT Ben Bartch, St. John’s
Bartch isn’t a sure thing as an NFL starter, but he’s a developmental prospect with a very high ceiling and deserving of the 104th overall pick – especially for the Rams, who don’t need immediate help at tackle.
While somewhat raw, Bartch has the tools and traits teams look for in left tackles. He just needs time to develop after making the jump from Division II.
It would be hard for the Rams to do much better than this on Day 2. Baun, Hunt and Davis-Gaither would all fill immediate needs and likely be starters in Week 1, while Bartch would be a pick that’s more about the future at left tackle. If they came away with this haul, Les Snead would probably be doing cartwheels.
