Rams 7-Round Mock Draft
- Updated: April 1, 2017
The Rams need help.
Despite being an early winner in first few weeks of free agency, the Los Angeles Rams have several holes yet to fill. They have no starting center. The wide receiver corps, despite adding Robert Woods, lacks a true #1 target for Jared Goff. The secondary is in flux, even with the suggested move of Lamarcus Joyner from slot CB to hybrid-FS. The Rams still need help.
Trading up to take QB Jared Goff with the #1 overall pick in the 2016 draft left another gaping hole for the Rams: they have no 1st-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft. This means they will have to start filling those roster holes in the 2nd round. Luckily this is a deep draft and the Rams may yet find a prospect or two who could start on their roster on day one.
Let’s look at how it might unfold in a Rams 7-round mock draft:
R1: No pick.
R2, Pick #37: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC
The Rams lack size at the wide receiver position, and the USC alum brings imposing size. Except for the lack of top-end speed, there are no weaknesses in his game. He has great football character, too. He would team immediately with Robert Woods and Tavon Austin to complete the starting WR trio for the Los Angeles Rams offense.
R3, Pick #69: C Pat Elflein, Ohio State
Another player with great football character. Elflein has the strength, ability, size, and smarts to start immediately in the middle. He is also versatile enough to play anywhere in the interior. The Rams might even grab him in the 2nd round and look for a wide receiver here.
R4, Pick #112: DE Daeshon Hall, Texas A&M
Converted from standup linebacker to down lineman with good effectiveness. Has the ability to play inside as a 3-4 end with the potential to move to the rush spot. A raw tool for Wade Phillips to mold.
R4, Pick #141: TE Jeremy Sprinkle, Arkansas
Sean McVay will be looking for weapons to integrate into his offense in LA, and he loves his two-TE sets. Tyler Higbee is the primary target now at tight end, but Sprinkle will add another dimension. He’s a strong blocker with the ability to fight for catches in the red zone.
R5, Pick #149: CB Brian Allen, Utah
Another raw tool for Wade Phillips to develop. Allen possesses uncanny size and elite speed. His lack of NFL readiness could slip him well into the end of day three, but his measurables will be too much to pass up for some teams. The Rams should take a chance.
R6, #189: OT Levon Myers, Northern Illinois
Myers size and athleticism allows him to play inside or outside, and the Rams need depth prospects everywhere. With the proper development he could ultimately start.
R6, #206: S Jadar Johnson, Clemson
Looks the part and has the speed and ball skills, but not the experience. Johnson will have to learn to be more aggressive at the NFL level, but has a chance to provide quality depth at the FS position.
R7, #234: OL Corey Levin, Tennessee-Chattanooga
Running back and linebacker depth might also be targets here. Levin could develop into good depth at guard and perhaps even center.
Landing Smith-Schuster and Elflein on day two and three, in whichever order they are taken, would be an ideal draft for the Rams. Smith-Schuster steps in immediately opposite Woods, and Elflein becomes the day one starting center. Beyond that, the Rams get a bevy of talented prospects to develop around Jared Goff, and maybe even some prize gems.
After the Rams 7-round mock draft, the opening day 53-man roster could look like this:
QB Jared Goff, Sean Mannion, Aaron Murray
RB Toddy Gurley, Lance Dunbar, Malcolm Brown
WR Robert Woods, Pharoh Cooper
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mike Thomas
WR Tavon Austin, Bradley Marquez
TE Tyler Higbee, Temarrick Hemingway, Jeremy Sprinkle
LT Andrew Whitworth, Levon Myers
LG Rodger Saffold, Jamon Brown
C Pat Elflein, Demetrius Rhaney
RG Greg Robinson, Cody Wichmann
RT Rob Havenstein, Andrew Donnal
DE Dominique Easley, Daeshon Hall
DT Michael Brockers, Tyrunn Walker
DE Aaron Donald, Ethan Westbrooks, Matt Longacre
OLB Robert Quinn, Morgan Fox
ILB Alec Ogletree, Bryce Hager, Nic Grigsby
ILB Mark Barron, Cory Littleton
OLB Connor Barwin, Josh Forrest
CB Trumaine Johnson, Troy Hill, Brian Allen
CB Kayvon Webster, E.J. Gaines
FS Lamarcus Joyner, Cody Davis
SS Maurice Alexander, Jadar Johnson
K Greg Zuerlein
P Johnny Hekker
LS Jake McQuade
A roster like that just might be ready for prime-time.