Trade winds leading to the Draft! The Rams have been one of the busiest organizations during the off season, acquiring at least four new 2018 starters by trade or free agency. They have also lost at least four starters from 2017 via trades and free agency. For the second year in a row, Los Angeles does not have a first round pick but this year they also don’t have a second round pick either! Los Angeles has eight total picks and all but one of those picks are in the fourth and six rounds. The Rams main need after all their moves is at linebacker, inside and outside (edge rusher), as they traded away former captains Alec Ogletree and Robert Quinn. After linebacker, Los Angeles should be looking at offensive linemen. Two of the starters (Whitworth and Sullivan) are in their thirties and the other three have contracts expiring after the 2017 season. This pre-draft report will look at the Ram’s picks and whom they might select with those picks. The number in parenthesis is the overall pick number. My picks are players I would like to see the Rams select if they are available when they pick and not necessarily who I think they will pick.

ROUND 3, PICK 23 (87): With the 87^th pick, the premium edge rushers will be gone but there should be several players available with the potential to develop into solid outside linebackers with pass rush skills. There will also be a good number of inside linebackers as that is not considered a premium position in draft circles. LB Kemoko Turray (Rutgers), LB Dorance Armstrong (Kansas State), and LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Oklahoma) are three edge rushers who could help the Rams. LB Tegray Scales (Indiana), LB Micah Kiser (Virginia), and LB Josey Jewell (Iowa) are inside linebackers that would challenge to start their rookie seasons. My pick: LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo might not have the measurables that scouts want but he makes up for that with passion and production. I would love to see him on one side and 2017 draft pick LB Samson Ebukam on the other.

ROUND 4, PICK 11 (111): If Los Angeles takes an edge rusher with their first pick and any of the three inside linebackers noted above (Scales, Kiser, or Jewell) are available in the fourth, the Rams should definitely take one. My pick: LB Tegray Scales is one of my favorite players in this draft similar to Ebukam last year. If the Rams can get Scales with this pick, that would be a great selection. Tegray is a bit undersized (6’-0", 230 lbs) but he is an instinctive player who is good against the run and the pass. Like Okoronkwo, Scales is a high character guy who always gives maximum effort.

ROUND 4, PICK 35 (135): If the Rams got Okoronkwo and Scales I would be so happy that the rest of the Draft picks would be gravy to me. Since we have two potential starters for the defense, let’s look for some offensive help. Los Angeles hosted OL Tyrell Crosby (Oregon) for one of their thirty pre-draft visits. Other linemen to meet with the Rams are OL James Daniels (Iowa), OL Jamil Demby (Maine), OL Cole Madison (Washington State), Alex Cappa (Humboldt State), and OL Dejon Allen (Hawaii). Daniels is a first round pick and Crosby is projected to go in the top three rounds. If Crosby slips to the end of the fourth, he would be a great pick for the Rams. Demby and Madison are projected to go anywhere from the fourth to sixth rounds while Cappa and Allen should be there in the sixth round. My pick: OL Jamil Demby started four years in college at tackle but might be better suited for the Guard position. He is an intelligent player with line versatility and he reminds me of current starting RG Roger Saffold.

ROUND 4, PICK 36 (136): The Rams address their three biggest needs with their first three picks so now it’s time to look for upside and talent. GM Les Snead likes to take skill position players and if one of the talented running backs should slip, the Rams might be tempted to take one. The running back class is deep so it would have to be someone whose draft grade was much higher than the ending of the fourth round. If RB Kerryon Johnson (Auburn) were to slip to the end of the fourth that would be great value even if running back is not a position of need. I think the Rams will pick a running back in this draft but later. With this pick I think they take another edge rusher as Los Angeles has not resigned 2017 starter Conner Barwin so that position is thin. It might come down to two players who visited Los Angeles on pre-draft visits LB Kylie Fitts (Utah) or LB Joe Ostman (Central Michigan). My pick: LB Kylie Fitts is the bigger and better athlete but has not been able to stay healthy. I think Los Angeles takes a chance on his upside.

ROUND 6, PICK 2 (176): At this stage of the Draft, most teams are looking for depth players who could contribute on special teams. DB Dane Cruikshank (Arizona) is the perfect example but his size and athleticism should get him picked much earlier. The Rams added three cornerbacks in the off-season and resigned DB Nickell Robey-Coleman; however, they could still look for youth considering Talib and Shields are older and Peters’ contract will be up in two years. My pick: CB Tremon Smith (Central Arkansas) has good size and great speed (4.38 forty) with the potential to develop into a starting caliber corner.

ROUND 6, PICK 9 (183): The Rams go back to offensive line for depth and potential. My pick: OL Alex Cappa has height (6’-7") and potential and can hopefully develop into a starter and future replacement for OT Andrew Whitworth. Cappa might not be available after a solid combine showing.

ROUND 6, PICK 20 (194): As mentioned previously, I think the Rams take a running back at some point and this is a good time to do it. I am looking at two smaller backs that play bigger than their size and can also contribute in the passing game and return game if need be. RB Chase Edmunds (Fordham) and RB Ito Smith (Southern Mississippi) were both very productive for their colleges and have the skill set to help an NFL team. My pick: RB Chase Edmunds (Fordham) gets the nod as I believe he is a little more polished, plus he has already played for the Rams (Fordham Rams).

ROUND 6, PICK 21 (195): With their final pick, the Rams could go in several directions. They could look for defensive line depth since Suh and Easely are only signed through 2018. GM Les Snead has taken a receiver in each of his Drafts (starting in 2012) with the exception of 2014 so you know he likes to take flyers on that position. My pick: DT Justin Jones (North Carolina State) is a shorter (6’-2") player with decent strength and explosion who could learn from the current starters.

Here is a recap of my wishful picks for the Rams.

Round 3: LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Oklahoma)

Round 4: LB Tegray Scales (Indiana)

Round 4: OL Jamil Demby (Maine),

Round 4: LB Kylie Fitts (Utah)

Round 6: CB Tremon Smith (Central Arkansas)

Round 6: OT Alex Cappa (Humboldt State)

Round 6: RB Chase Edmunds (Fordham)

Round 6: DT Justin Jones (North Carolina State)

Most of my picks are based on the Rams needs and their pre-draft visits and I am hoping for at least one of my picks to come through. We will review the Rams Draft next month and talk about the fantasy impact. Happy Birthday to the Skyler, looking forward to your graduation! Love and blessings to my family. Miss you Pops! Aloha.

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