The Los Angeles Rams came away with an impressive haul of draft picks over the weekend, making eight selections in Nashville on Friday and Saturday. They traded out of the first round yet again, but that didn’t stop them from adding impact players in Rounds 3-7.
We’ve picked out one stat to know about each of the Rams’ eight draft picks, be it from the combine or their collegiate careers. These numbers should make fans feel even more excited about the incoming rookie class.
SS Taylor Rapp, Washington
Allowed lowest passer rating in Pac-12
Rapp has a knack for making plays around the line of scrimmage and is known more for his big hits and tackling skills, but he’s also very capable in coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed the lowest passer rating in coverage of any player in the Pac-12.
Last season, he picked off two passes and broke up four others, looking good in coverage at Washington. As a true freshman, he has two two-interception games for the Huskies, which is rare, to say the least.
RB Darrell Henderson, Memphis
NCAA’s all-time leader in yards per carry
Henderson leaves Memphis having left a mark on not only the program, but on the college football record books, too. In his career, he averaged 8.22 yards per carry. That’s the highest mark in NCAA history, barely edging out Chuck Weatherspoon. In the last two seasons, he averaged an even more impressive 8.9 yards per carry each year.
Henderson may not have been an overwhelmingly smart pick for the Rams, but there’s no denying his ability. He’s a 70-yard touchdown waiting to happen.
CB David Long, Michigan
Lowest completion percentage allowed in coverage
Targeting Long last season was an unwise move by opposing quarterbacks. On passes thrown his way, Long allowed a passer rating of just 29 percent. On 525 coverage snaps in his career, Long surrendered just 18 catches.
He only started for two years, but he picked off three passes, returned them 120 yards and had 12 pass breakups. Long was sticky in coverage at Michigan.
OL Bobby Evans, Oklahoma
Allowed 20 pressures on 441 pass-blocking snaps
Evans was tasked with protecting Kyler Murray’s blindside last season and he did a great job at left tackle. He allowed only 20 pressures on 441 pass-blocking snaps after switching over from right tackle.
His pass blocking grade in 2018 was an impressive 78.2, according to PFF.
NT Greg Gaines, Washington
4th-best pressure percentage among interior defenders in draft
Gaines may not be viewed as a pass rusher for the Rams, but he showed the ability to get to the quarterback last season at Washington. He ranked fourth among interior defenders in this year’s draft class with a pressure rate of 12.2 percent, according to PFF. That was tied with Jerry Tillery, while No. 3 overall pick Quinnen Williams’ pressure percentage was 16.7 percent to lead all interior defenders.
OL David Edwards, Wisconsin
8th-highest run-blocking grade among OT prospects
Edwards is a comparable prospect to Rob Havenstein, who’s one of the best run-blocking offensive tackles in the NFL. That’s also Edwards’ strength, using his huge 6-foot-6 frame to blow defenders off their spots. He went into the draft with the eighth-highest run-blocking grade among all offensive tackle prospects.
FS Nick Scott, Penn State
Allowed passer rating of 39.2 last season
Scott was only a starter for one year at safety, but he performed well in coverage. He picked off three passes last season and allowed a passer rating of just 39.2 in coverage. That was among the best marks in college football for a safety, so he has shown the ability to be more than just a special teams contributor.
LB Dakota Allen, Texas Tech
Allen is known for starring on Netflix’s “Last Chance U,” reviving his football career after being dismissed from Texas Tech for off-field issues. He performed well in agility drills at the combine, posting the second-best times in the three-cone drill (6.88) and short shuttle (4.04) among linebackers.
2nd-best 3-cone, short-shuttle times at combine
