And just like that, the Los Angeles Rams have made the biggest splash in the offseason in support of their return to the City of Angels.
The Rams went all-in by trading up for Tennessee’s first-overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, immediately giving the team a huge boost entering its first season in Southern California. Los Angeles is now left with just five picks, but what really matters most anyway is that the team is now in prime position to nab a franchise cornerstone with the No. 1 overall pick. Plus, L.A. also got the Titans’ first- and third-overall picks in next year’s draft, so the future looks extremely bright for the boys formerly from The Lou.
Let’s take a crack at what the Rams may be up to in the upcoming draft with their groundbreaking deal in mind. And to know how the Tennessee Titans’ draft strategy is panning out in the aftermath of the blockbuster trade, check out our draft preview for them here.
Round 1: Pick #1 (1st overall) – QB Jared Goff – California
NEEDS at QB: More so than the Browns in the No. 2 spot of the draft, the Rams are in even bigger need for a new quarterback at the helm. Los Angeles finished last season with the worst passing yardage and touchdown totals in the league, with Nick Foles proving to be virtually worthless outside of his stint under Chip Kelly’s guidance. No wonder they went for broke in trading up for the first-overall pick to ensure that they get somebody, anybody else under center this season.
STRENGTHS: The Rams can’t go wrong with either Carson Wentz or Jared Goff as their prized QB pick, yet we’re inclined to say that they’ll go with a California born-and-raised gunslinger to lead their club from now on. Goff will not only bring his exemplary wisdom and skill on the gridiron as a passer, he’ll also ignite a huge home-state hero sort of draw from a Los Angeles fan base that needs to be rekindled.
Round 4: Pick #2 (110th overall) – TE – Jerell Adams – South Carolina
NEEDS at TE: One reason why the Rams offense last season was such a stinker was that starting tight end Jared Cook became a total bust. Cook’s no longer with the team, so Los Angeles needs to give Goff a dependable midfield weapon should he experience rookie jitters in connecting with streakier wideouts running more complex NFL routes.
STRENGTHS: Slim pickings in tight end pool of the NFL draft this year, but the Rams still have a good shot at picking up a solid player in the fourth round. South Carolina’s Jerell Adams, who’s projected to go in the third or fourth round indeed, comes to mind. Adams has the speed and size found in dominant tight ends in the league today. He also played five different positions in high school (including punter, believe it or not), so his football IQ sets him apart from the others at his position.
Round 4: Pick #3 (113th overall) – CB Jonathan Jones – Auburn
NEEDS at CB: Los Angeles isn’t just known to have tough luck with its offensive acquisitions, it also made a blunder by drafting bust of a cornerback in Janoris Jenkins back in the second round of the 2012 draft. By drafting another corner with their third pick of this year’s draft, the Rams can finally ship Jenkins and grab a more viable contributor in the secondary to complement their already intimidating front seven.
STRENGTHS: Auburn’s Jonathan Jones had some injury scares threaten his football career, but he did bounce back with two solid final seasons in Death Valley. Jones loves to engage in man-to-man press coverage, which is befitting of the Rams’ in-your-face style of defense that made them a borderline playoff contender last season.
NEEDS at QB: For their final pick in the fourth round, the Rams would be wise to invest in a lineman than will not just protect their No. 1 overall pick, but also improve their rushing attack. Hey, breakout star Todd Gurley can’t do everything all on his own anymore, right?
STRENGTHS: Many scouts pegged Baylor’s Spencer Drango as a guard in the NFL rather than as a tackle like in college, yet that shouldn’t stop Los Angeles from picking up the 6-foot-6, 315-pound mammoth. Drango will have his time to develop in the NFL to move back to the tackle position if he so desires, yet his timing and awareness at guard already looks promising in and of its own.
NEEDS at WR: The Rams best not stop their overhaul on offense, so they should at least get another young wideout in the draft even if they already have a pair of emerging, electric receivers in Tavon Austin and Brian Quick.
STRENGTHS: Austin and Quick bring the speed to the passing game, so L.A. needs a possession receiver likely in the slot for short and easy gains. Geronimo Allison of Illinois has reliable hands and great control after the catch, and he could be the Rams’ outright x-factor in the short passing game, leaving their other receivers more free to stretch the field.
The Rams have five picks in the 2016 NFL Draft:
Round One – #1 overall
Round Four – #110 overall
Round Four – #113 overall
Round Six – #177 overall
Round Six – # 190 overall
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