What a Draft! For the second year in a row, the Rams did not have a first round pick and entered NFL Draft with eight picks. This year GM Les Snead made trades that included sending Tavon Austin to the Dallas Cowboys and the Rams ended up making eleven selections. Los Angeles had definitive needs going into the Draft and addressed those roles with multiple picks. Like last year, the Rams did not just focus on players from big name schools but took many players that performed in the Senior Bowl or had productive college careers from smaller schools. This post draft report will look at each pick and the potential contributions to the Rams and Fantasy teams in 2018. I am not going through all of the trades because they do not matter and have no impact on how the player selected performs for Los Angeles. The number in parenthesis is the overall pick number.

ROUND 3, PICK 25 (89): OT Joseph Noteboom (TCU) was a durable player for TCU starting forty straight games with experience at right and left tackle. He is an athletic offensive lineman with the size and skill to develop into a quality starter. I did not think he would be available when the Rams picked late in the third round but he was and Los Angeles found themselves a solid player who should provide immediate depth while learning from starting OT Andrew Whitworth.

ROUND 4, PICK 11 (111): OC Brian Allen (Michigan State) was a surprise pick for me. He was successful playing all three interior line positions in college but due to his limited size and athleticism, he was projected to go later in the Draft. The Rams liked his demeanor and potential as a center enough to take him early in the fourth round while other centers with higher grades were available. Like Noteboom, Allen should spend his rookie season learning from an experienced veteran (OC John Sullivan) while providing line depth for the offense.

ROUND 4, PICK 35 (135): DE John Franklin-Meyers (Stephen F. Austin) did well against sub-par competition in college and he has the size and skill set to be a productive professional. Franklin-Meyers was predicted to go in the 5^th to 6^th round of the draft so Los Angeles must believe in his upside. This is another pick for depth and the future.

ROUND 5, PICK 10 (147): LB Micah Kiser (Virginia) led the ACC in tackles three straight seasons. The only other player to accomplish that feat is former Boston College standout and current NFL star Luke Kuechly. It takes skill and determination for that kind of production and Kiser has both of those traits. Kiser lasted until the fifth round because he is not the biggest linebacker around and middle linebacker is not a high demand position when it comes to the Draft. The Rams needed a linebacker to replace Alec Ogletree and Kiser will get every opportunity to seize that role. I had Micah on my pre-draft report as a possible target in rounds three and four so he is a great value in the fifth round.

ROUND 5, PICK 23 (160): LB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Oklahoma) was the 2017 Big 12 co-defensive player of the year but for some reason fell all the way to the later stages of round five. I do not care why he fell but I am sure glad Los Angeles traded back up in the fifth round to get him. In my pre-draft report I had him going to the Rams with their first pick in the third round. Obo (as he is also known as) could possibly fill the spot of Robert Quinn and be a very productive player for DC Wade Phillips. Okoronkwo has been mentioned as one of the steals of the draft in the post draft internet world and hopefully he is considered the steal of the draft when the season is over!

ROUND 6, PICK 2 (176): RB John Kelly (Tennessee) is on the smaller side but he is a tough runner and plays bigger than his measurables. He had a fourth round grade going into the draft so getting him in the sixth is good value. Kelly was as dual threat for Tennessee and projects as the Ram’s change of pace back. Keep an eye on Kelly during pre-season because he has the potential to challenge for the back-up role behind All-Pro RB Todd Gurley.

ROUND 6, PICK 18 (192): OL Jamil Demby (Maine) is another player I listed on my pre-draft report and I had the Rams taking him in the fourth round. Demby might not be an elite athlete but he played 40 college games at left tackle, which makes him durable and dependable. Demby will probably move inside, and like I mentioned in last month’s report, he reminds me of OG Roger Saffold and he could be groomed similarly.

ROUND 6, PICK 21 (195): DT Sebastian Joseph (Rutgers) was a three year starter for Rutgers and will be learning behind two of the best defensive tackles in the NFL. Joseph might need to add a little bulk and strength before he is ready to action and the Rams will likely give him a red shirt rookie season.

ROUND 6, PICK 31 (205): DE Trevon Young (Louisville) suffered a serious hip injury in his 2015 bowl game and missed the 2016 season. He came back to play this season but just wasn’t the same player. Many severe injuries take two years to fully heal and hopefully Trevon’s healthy and capabilities will improve this season.

ROUND 7, PICK 13 (231): LB Travin Howard (TCU) led TCU in tackles three straight years which is impressive considering he is built more like a safety than a linebacker. Howard will need to show the versatility to play both linebacker and safety and contribute on special teams to make his mark with the Rams.

ROUND 7, PICK 26 (244): DE Justin Lawler (SMU) was a three year starter for the Mustangs but he will have a tough time seeing the field his rookie season. Justin is a hard worker who succeeds through effort more than talent. He could improve and make the squad or at least the practice squad his rookie year.

Los Angeles started the draft with eight picks and after their trades, selected eleven players. The Rams did a great job taking players based on their skill set and the team’s needs and I am very happy that they picked three players from my pre-draft report (Kiser, Okoronkwo, and Demby). Ironically, my favorite player that I wanted the Rams to take, LB Tegray Scales, was not even drafted. He had a productive college career but due to minor injuries was not able to participate fully at the NFL Combine or his Pro Day. Fortunately, Los Angeles signed him as an Undrafted Free Agent. I would not be surprised if Scales made the final roster and contributed on defense and special teams. One final note, best wishes to Tavon Austin. I am sorry he did not have more success with the Rams and I hope he is productive with Dallas. Congrats to Skyler on his college graduation! Love and blessings to my family. Miss you Pops! Aloha!

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