NFL Draft Analyst: Rams Need 'Every Position'
The Los Angeles Rams are in the midst of a critical offseason, fresh off a disappointing 5-12 campaign but only 14 months removed from winning the Super Bowl.
Rams general manager Les Snead dubbed the start of the offseason "boring" as he's battled the salary cap and been forced to part ways with key contributors, most notably cornerback Jalen Ramsey, inside linebacker Bobby Wagner and outside linebacker Leonard Floyd.
Due to its cap-related inability to be aggressive in pursuit of players, Los Angeles will be dependent on the 2023 NFL Draft to improve its roster.
The Rams are set to have 11 picks in the draft, the first of which comes at No. 37 overall. According to ESPN, they will need every last one of them.
Los Angeles' biggest "draft needs" were listed as cornerback, defensive end, defensive tackle, receiver and quarterback - but ESPN writes that "we could have listed every position and been fine."
Here's why ...
"The Rams went all-in to win Super Bowl LVI and paid the price in 2022. They also just traded away Jalen Ramsey. Now the roster needs an influx of youth and depth in a hurry. With 11 selections in the draft -- albeit none in Round 1 -- the Rams can at least add a lot of contributors.
"That should start on defense, where the roster has been gutted by trades and departures in free agency. Long, mobile cornerbacks and quick defensive ends are hard to find on Day 2 of the draft, but with three selections Friday night, that's what the Rams need to find. And I listed QB here because Los Angeles really needs some backup options for 35-year-old Matthew Stafford." - ESPN's Matt Miller
The Rams were recently connected to Georgia cornerback Kelee Ringo with their second-round pick, while coach Sean McVay acknowledged at the owners meeting that they "have to address" backup quarterback, though he didn't specify whether that would be in the draft or free agency.
Regardless, Los Angeles certainly has plenty of avenues it can take during the draft, and its number of picks provides an opportunity to significantly improve a roster in need.
But, in ESPN's eyes, that "need" is rather substantial.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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