Meet The Newest Rams: Evaluating Los Angeles’s Draft

The Rams had no shortage of holes to fill on both sides of the ball with quarterback, punter, defensive tackle and tight end being the only positions that arguably did not qualify as either immediate or foreseeable needs. Entering the draft, they had 58 players under contract, the second-fewest in the N.F.L.

With limited participation in free agency, they also needed some players who could step in sooner than later, despite not having a first-rounder for the fourth straight year. After a minor trade during the draft, they ended up with nine selections over all. General manager Les Snead managed to add some seasoned players that could complete for significant roles within a short period of time.

There may not be a massive impact player here, but several of these selections could fill holes for the Rams sooner than their draft position might indicate. Still, their positional priorities were questionable given that they selected just two front-seven players (they lost four), one offensive lineman (their only star up front is entering his 15th season) and no true cornerbacks, while they overstocked the tight end and safety positions.

Overall Grade: B-

Round 2, Pick 52: Cam Akers, RB, Florida State. Pick Grade: B-

Akers was productive last season in Tallahassee, rushing for over a thousand yards and 14 touchdowns on five yards per carry, despite playing for a team not known for its blocking, to phrase it politely. Though many did not anticipate the Rams taking a running back this high, Forbes’ draft preview entertained the possibility at length. Akers was the last remaining of the four potential backfield targets Forbes identified with this pick. He is a stocky back with powerful legs and a knack for running between the tackles. That could mean carries as a rookie, and possibly some important ones deep inside the red zone. He was also a superb high-school quarterback, offering some trick-play potential. Some have argued that there were players with stronger upside or who filled more urgent needs, but the Rams clearly felt Akers was their best option here.

Round 2, Pick 57: Van Jefferson, WR, Florida. Pick Grade: B-

Jefferson was another player singled out in Forbes’ draft preview as a target for the Rams, albeit as a potential third-round selection. But Jefferson became increasingly attractive to a bevy of teams seeking a possession receiver and it became apparent he would not be available at No. 84 over all, the Rams’ next pick. Though he was taken with the pick acquired for Brandin Cooks, he is not a one-for-one replacement given their different styles of play. Jefferson does not possess Cooks’ speed, but is a very polished product who runs immaculate routes. A player who can get open quickly and provide a safe option underneath could help the Rams, who have not consistently protected quarterback Jared Goff outside of their 2018 conference title season. Some thought Baylor’s Denzel Mims might be the Rams’ guy as a Day 2 wideout, but Jefferson looks to be more of an immediate contributor.

Round 3, Pick 84: Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama. B+

With an exodus of sacks and pass rushing this offseason, it was clear the Rams would pursue at least one edge rusher. Lewis’s potential relative to his draft position would earn them a solid A if he were not saddled with injury concerns. He sustained an arm injury in 2017 that caused him to miss 10 games and tore his anterior cruciate ligament in 2018. Teams seemed focused on the knee injury despite his healthy, productive 2019. For now, the Rams are seeking to replace the departed Dante Fowler by committee, and Lewis could factor into that effort immediately.

Round 3, Pick 104: Terrell Burgess, S, Utah. B+

While a physical corner who could cover both slot receivers and tight ends was an anticipated emphasis for the Rams, both their needs and their system opened up the possibility of a safety filling that role instead. That’s exactly what the Rams get in Burgess, a player who can line up at either position, cover a wide variety of targets underneath and also protect against the deep ball. Though they have a new defensive coordinator, the Rams will likely to continue to favor three-safety dime packages, something that likely factored into their selecting two safeties. Burgess is versatile, rangy and possibly the most bankable pick the Rams made.

Round 4, Pick 136: Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue. C

The Rams are strong at both defensive tackle and tight end, so few if any projected them to select either in this draft. They were enamored with Hopkins here, one of the most productive tight ends in the country last season. But Hopkins’ college production seems unlikely to transfer seamlessly to the pros. He has pro-level athleticism, but his hands are not tremendously reliable—he has 22 career drops at Purdue—and his blocking will need some time to reach N.F.L. standards.

Round 6, Pick 199: Jordan Fuller, S, Ohio State. C-

Fuller is an East Coast prospect who played in the Midwest, but his brother Devin attended the University of California-Los Angeles and their uncle, the comedian Sinbad, lives in the San Fernando Valley. Fuller is an experienced player who provided leadership to some highly competitive teams in Columbus. As a pro, his lack of foot speed might limit his potential, but he is a gritty player with solid instincts that can play the run effectively, match up with tight ends and contribute to special teams coverage.

Round 7, Pick 234: Clay Johnston, LB, Baylor. B

While the Rams certainly needed help on the outside to generate pressure, they were thin at inside linebacker coming into last season and only got thinner thanks to injuries and personnel changes. Johnston is a run-stopper who plays his position with serious intensity. Both his style of play and the Rams’ pass defense packages indicate he won’t be an every-snap player for the Rams—now or in the future—but there’s decent value to this pick. Like Burgess, a serious knee injury likely caused Johnston to fall in the draft, and a legit roster player in the seventh round would have to be considered a successful pick.

Round 7, Pick 248: Sam Sloman, K, Miami of Ohio. C+

The Rams chose Sloman over Georgia’s Rodrigo Blankenship, who ended up going undrafted before getting a look from the Indianapolis Colts. Sloman now becomes one of three kickers vying for the Rams’ placekicking job. He showed range last season, connecting on 11 of 14 field-goal attempts from 40 yards or more. If he wins the job, the grade of this pick might need revision. But given the slim pickings elsewhere on the depth chart, even a late-round pick cannot go to waste for the Rams.

Round 7, Pick 250: Tremayne Anchrum, OL, Clemson. B+

Anchrum played for a top program and contributed as a tackle, though his relative lack of size and strength suggest he will become a guard at the pro level. Still, the Rams need to be looking ahead with their offensive line and they do just that here by getting a player with a respectable ceiling very late in the draft. Anchrum is mobile enough to play guard and should fit nicely into a zone-blocking scheme. For now, he’s a versatile reserve, but he could develop into a useful interior lineman down the road, which would make him a steal this late in the draft.