NFL Draft Day 2 Recap: Rams Beef Up Trenches, Add More Picks
The Los Angeles Rams had to wait 24 hours before making their first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, but they were busy on Day 2, making three picks and executing two trades that saw them move down the board to gain more draft capital.
Starting with their first pick of the three-day extravaganza, the Rams went offensive line, selecting offensive guard Steve Avila out of TCU with the No. 36 overall pick. Avila will arrive in Los Angeles in the hope of helping better an offensive line unit that gave up 59 sacks in 2022. Protecting quarterback Matthew Stafford will be among the top priorities for the Rams this coming season after he missed eight games a year ago.
Then general manager Les Snead and co. turned their attention to the other side of the line of scrimmage, selecting defensive linemen with two straight picks. First being Tennessee's Byron Young, an edge rusher who could be a replacement for the formerly released Leonard Floyd. SI Draft Bible's description of Young makes it seem he certainly fits that bill.
"A speed rusher with measurables, if Young becomes a consistent three-down player, his name will be rousing up draft boards," Draft Bible wrote.
After transferring from Georgia Military College, the ex-Volunteer proved to be productive in two years playing against SEC competition. Young finished with 83 total career tackles, 23.5 for a loss, and 12.5 sacks.
Finally, with the No. 89 overall pick, the Rams added Wake Forest defensive Kobie Turner. Turner played up and down the defensive line for the Demon Deacons, giving the Rams some versatility for where they can line him up.
In one year playing at the Power-Five level after transferring from Richmond, Turner produced for Wake Forest recording 38 total tackles, 10 for a loss, and two sacks.
Add in the fact that the Rams added more picks to their cupboard, and they have to be satisfied with what they did in their first day of action.
The Rams traded the No. 69 and No. 191 picks to the Houston Texans for No. 73 and No. 161, which they turned around and sent to the New York Giants for No. 89 and 128. Trading down was something Snead mentioned in his pre-draft presser, which he did and still filled three needs in the process.
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