The NFL Draft begins on Thursday! For the Rams, however, the draft begins late Friday as they don’t have a pick until late in the third round. Les Snead has made a slew of trades that gave them star players and late round picks. Despite building a super team the Rams have two main areas of need, on the edge and at linebacker. Doing a Rams mock draft is difficult because, on one hand, they’ll probably load up on pass rushers. On the other, they might take the best player available or even make yet another trade.
Los Angeles Rams 7-Round Mock Draft
3rd Round, 87th Overall Pick- Austin Corbett, C/G, Nevada
Despite trading linebackers Robert Quinn and Alec Ogletree to the Dolphins and Giants respectively the Rams could use some help on the offensive line. John Sullivan played well last year but is going on 33. He has a history of back issues and the Rams need to find a replacement. In the meantime, Corbett is versatile enough to play guard where the Rams need more help especially against teams like the Vikings or Eagles.
4th Round, 111th Overall Pick (Via Dolphins)- Josh Sweat, DE/OLB, Florida State:
After the aforementioned trades of Quinn and Ogletree, the Rams have a gaping hole at linebacker. The Rams also need help with their pass rush. Ndamukong Suh and Aaron Donald will be playing the interior and presumably, Michael Brockers would rotate on the outside along with Dominique Easley. Wade Phillips loves his pass rushers and Sweat can play the edge or at linebacker.
4th Round, 135th Overall Pick (Via Giants)- Hercules Mata’afa, DE/OLB Washington State:
Phillips gets another edge rusher. Mata’afa is another injection of youth and athleticism. The extreme makeover of the Rams front seven continues.
4th Round, 136th Overall Pick (Via Patriots)- Oren Burks, LB, Vanderbilt:
The Rams not only need to load up on versatile pass rushers but they need more true linebackers. Burks could be what Ogletree never quite turned out to be.
6th Round, 176th Overall (Via Giants)- Matinas Rankin, OT, Mississippi State:
The Rams need to find a successor for Andrew Whitworth. Whitworth will be 36 and while he played well last season he’s not a long-term answer. Rankin would have a chance to develop while Whitworth finishes up his career.
6th Round,183rd Overall Pick (Via Dolphins)- Jordan Lasley, WR, UCLA:
Yes, the Rams traded their first-round pick for Brandin Cooks. They also have Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, and Josh Reynolds. That said beyond them the Rams have Pharaoh Cooper so they could stand to add some depth.
6th Round, 194th Overall Pick (Via Lions)- Justin Jackson, RB, Northwestern:
The Rams need some depth behind Todd Gurley.
6th Round, 195th Overall Pick (Via Bills)- Matthew Thomas, ILB, Florida State:
The Rams still need help at linebacker.
The Rams are in the enviable position of needing just a few pieces. They can laser focus themselves and since all of these picks are late they won’t be expensive pieces for quite some time. There is the possibility Snead will want to wheel-and-deal given how he’s rolled the dice all offseason. Last season was all about revamping the offense and this season the Rams revamp the defense.