LOS ANGELES _ Without a first-round pick to generate splash, or a major trade to acquire a star player or a higher pick, the Los Angeles Rams' 2020 draft progressed in low-key businesslike fashion.
That changed Saturday after the Rams selected Baylor linebacker Clay Johnston in the seventh round.
"I was starting to fade a little bit in the seventh round," coach Sean McVay said, recounting his phone call with the pumped-up prospect, "and this guy gave me a shot of adrenaline that felt like I was going to put my head through a wall."
Johnston's excitement virtually came through the screen during a video conference with reporters.
"I'm hyperventilating," he said. "I wanted to get under the squat rack, wanted to get some pads on.
"I'm freaking stoked!"
McVay and general manager Les Snead sounded happy _ if less colorful _ assessing their nine-player draft class, a group that must help fill some needs for a team attempting to return to the postseason.
On Friday, the Rams chose Florida State running back Cam Akers and Florida receiver Van Jefferson in the second round, and Alabama outside linebacker Terrell Lewis and Utah safety Terrell Burgess in the third.
On Saturday, they added Purdue tight end Brycen Hawkins in the fourth round and Ohio State safety Jordan Fuller in the sixth. They finished by selecting Johnston, Miami-Ohio kicker Sam Sloman and Clemson offensive lineman Tremayne Anchrum in the seventh round.
"Just the ability to address a bunch of different needs with players we loved," McVay said. "Each of these picks demonstrates value to us."
Since the end of their 9-7 season, the Rams parted ways with running back Todd Gurley, receiver Brandin Cooks, kicker Greg Zuerlein, edge rusher Dante Fowler and linebackers Cory Littleton and Clay Matthews among others. They re-signed offensive linemen Andrew Whitworth and Austin Blythe and defensive lineman Michael Brockers.
When asked Saturday, neither Snead nor McVay would say definitively that the Rams roster was better now than it was at the same time last year.
"You always want to go into every year and try and be slightly better than you were," Snead said. "It's going to be different. There's going to be times when some positions have less experience and some don't.
Said McVay: "The goal is, 'All right, how can we refill and reestablish ourselves with players we identify as appropriate targets to fill some of those voids that are left by great players we've lost. And then, let's continue to draft, develop and onboard the right kind of guys.' And I think that draft class demonstrates that."
The Rams began Saturday by trading down in the fourth round to add two seventh-round picks.
The roster already featured ascending tight end Tyler Higbee, who signed an extension before last season, and Gerald Everett, who is in the final year of his rookie contract. But the Rams used their first pick Saturday to choose Hopkins, the son of former NFL offensive lineman Brad Hopkins.
Purdue coach Jeff Brohm coached Higbee at Western Kentucky.
"A lot of the film that we watched was WKU film and Tyler Higbee," Hopkins said.
Fuller was a member of a talented Ohio State secondary that produced three draft picks. He is the brother of former UCLA receiver Devin Fuller, so he is familiar with Southern California.
"I'm so excited to be an L.A. Ram, and being in L.A.," Jordan Fuller said.
Johnston suffered a season-ending knee injury six games into his 2019 college season. He joins a largely inexperienced inside linebacker corps that includes Micah Kiser, Troy Reeder, Travin Howard and Kenny Young.
"I'm running max speed," Johnston said when asked about his recovery from injury. "I'm cutting at about 90-95% speed, being smart about it."
Sloman said he was looking forward to competing for the opportunity to replace Zuerlein. This month, the Rams also signed free agent kickers Lirim Hajrullahu and Austin MacGinnis.
"Greg Zuerlein was a lot of fun to watch _ I love watching him kick the ball," Sloman said. "So, I think it's pretty cool to get the opportunity to try follow in his footsteps."
Anchrum was the lone offensive lineman selected by a Rams team that suffered multiple injuries along the line in 2019, and remains without an obvious successor to veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth.
"I have played both tackles and I have practiced both guards," Anchrum said. "I'm comfortable on the right side of the line, mostly, right tackle, right guard. But again, I am open to playing any spot on the line."
