It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Rams defense struggled due to a lack of pressure from the edge position. Regardless of how they address the position in the draft, whether it’s at 19 or 218, there is value in drafting in every round of this year’s draft.
Los Angeles Rams Draft: 3 Must-See Centers At NFL Scouting Combine
Los Angeles Rams Draft: 4 Cornerbacks To Watch At NFL Combine
Edge Rushers To Watch At The NFL Combine For The Los Angeles Rams
Laiatu Latu, UCLA, 6’4″ 261 LBS
If the Rams want Laiatu Latu, they will have to take him with their first overall pick, #19. Some don’t even think he will last that long in the first round. There is no consensus top-edge rusher in this class. And that isn’t because they are all Micah Parsons, it’s because none are ‘the complete package.’
Laiatu is a technician with his hand and footwork. He also has a relentless motor and an incredible work ethic. Those things along with his football IQ make him a first-round prospect.
There are two things that keep him from complete package status. 1.) He isn’t an elite athlete. At the collegiate level, Latu could outsmart linemen, but that won’t be as effective in the NFL. An example was his struggles at the Senior Bowl 2.) Latu has a checkered medical past, to put it mildly. He was medically retired from football due to a neck injury.
What to watch for at the NFL Combine: Everything. He needs to pop from a purely athletic standpoint. Watch for medical reports trickling out. He could drop if docs red flag him.
Adisa Isaac, Penn State, 6’4″ 254 LBS
Everyone is excited about Penn State’s other pass rusher, Chop Robinson, but Adisa Isaac was the one with the production. He led the team in sacks and pressures last season and had 16 tackles for loss in 13 games, 27 in the last two seasons. He was also solid in coverage, allowing just three catches on 20 snaps.
Isaac is similar to the Rams recent outside linebacker draftee, Byron Young. A bit undersized, but quick and explosive. Their drawbacks are the same as well. Isaac and Young are unrefined in their technique. Isaac had mixed results at the Senior Bowl based on Zebra Technologies RFID tracking. He had the 5th most explosive efforts (43), but his top speed was clocked at only 15.83 mph. Young topped out at 18.28 mph.
Isaac should be around when the Los Angeles Rams pick in the second round at pick 52.
What to watch for at the NFL Combine: Vertical and Broad Jump. 10-yard split of 40-yard sprint. This will show just how explosive he is. The Rams are more interested in top-game speed, so the 40 time won’t help him there.
Austin Booker, Kansas, 6’6″ 245 LBS
Tall long and twitched up is how Dane Brugler of The Athletic, describes Austin Booker. Lighter weight than your average edge rusher? Definitely in the bottom 3 percentile. But that’s not all. He has only played 505 snaps in college football.
You take Booker not for what he has on tape, but for what he could be. Although the tape/production ain’t bad, eight sacks, 56 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles in 12 games. He also had some of his best games against the Big 12’s best. But, ultimately, with his frame, he can carry much more good weight.
Zebra Technologies tracked his top speed at 17.4 mph, but he posted the second most explosive efforts (73) at the Senior Bowl.
The Los Angeles Rams should be able to snag him at pick 100 in the back half of the 3rd round.
What to watch for at the NFL Combine: Official weigh-in. Has he been able to pack on any weight since the end of the season?