The Los Angeles Rams came into the 2020 NFL Draft with some pressing needs on the offensive line and at linebacker. They had four picks on Day 2, but only one of their top needs was addressed in the second and third rounds.
That doesn’t mean they whiffed on their Day 2 selections, though, even if two of them were somewhat questionable. They came away with four players who can compete for playing time right away, while also playing positions that could lose key players in 2021.
Here are our grades for the Rams’ haul on Day 2 of the draft, beginning with their decision to draft a running back with their first pick.
Round 2, 52nd overall: RB Cam Akers, Florida State
Akers is a fine player. He should have plenty of success in the NFL and has all the athleticism to have an impact right away. However, the biggest issue with this pick is the position value, or lack thereof. There’s nothing wrong with putting value over need in the draft, but running back was somewhat of a luxury spot for the Rams, who already had Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown.
It’s been proved time and time again that quality running backs can be found later in the draft and even in free agency with low-cost veterans. Just look at C.J. Anderson from two years ago when he joined the Rams.
Akers will still help the offense in 2020 and for the next few years, but he’s going to be a part-time player unless he blows away the competition at RB. The Rams could’ve gotten a starter on the offensive line or an inside linebacker instead.
Grade: D
Round 2, 57th overall: WR Van Jefferson, Florida
Jefferson has been praised repeatedly for his route running and awareness as a receiver. He’s been compared to Cooper Kupp by Daniel Jeremiah and is more of a technician than an explosive playmaker at wideout.
The Rams could’ve used a guy who can stretch the field and win jump-ball opportunities, but Jefferson isn’t that type of player. And for that, this pick gets dinged a bit because Denzel Mims – a raw but rare talent – was still available at No. 57.
Jefferson is an insurance policy in case Kupp gets hurt or leaves in free agency next year, and will also compete with Josh Reynolds for the WR3 job. It wasn’t a bad pick, but Jefferson will probably be limited to becoming a WR2 someday.
Grade: C+
Round 3, 84th overall: OLB Terrell Lewis, Alabama
Lewis was a player mocked to the Rams by a lot of draft analysts, but many of them put him in the second round. To get him at No. 84 is a steal. Drafting Lewis in the third round lessens the risk that comes with his injury history – because it is lengthy.
He missed significant time in college, both with an arm injury and a torn ACL, but Sean McVay said he thinks those were freak instances. When healthy, Lewis is an impactful player and he had a tackle for loss in every game last season except for two of Alabama’s blowout wins.
Lewis still needs work as a pass rusher and his skill set isn’t completely developed yet, but his potential is sky-high. The Rams got a steal at No. 84, potentially landing Chandler Jones Jr.
Landing Lewis in the third round makes up for the Rams reaching for a running back at No. 52. It’s just hard not to worry about the injuries.
Grade: A-
Round 3, 104th overall: DB Terrell Burgess, Utah
Burgess wasn’t a player the Rams were connected to leading up to the draft, but he was another home run pick by the Rams and continues the team’s trend of finding quality defensive backs in the draft. Obviously, he hasn’t proved anything yet, but his tape from last season at Utah is outstanding and he has the athleticism to match.
He can play safety, nickel corner, dime linebacker and just about anywhere else you put him. He’ll back Taylor Rapp and John Johnson up, but also compete at nickel cornerback with David Long Jr. He can do it all, similar to the way Tyrann Mathieu does it for the Chiefs and Jimmie Ward with the 49ers.
The Rams weren’t desperate for defensive back help, but Burgess was too good a talent to pass up, especially with Brandon Staley deploying a more scheme-divers defense in 2020.
Grade: A
