Rams NFL Draft: Workout with 'Explosive' Florida A&M WR
The Los Angeles Rams are set to have 11 selections in the 2023 NFL Draft, eight of which will come between rounds four through seven.
Under general manager Les Snead, Los Angeles has hit on several Day 3 picks - and will look to continue that trend this April.
The Rams' pursuit to do exactly that recently brought them to Tallahassee, Florida, for Florida A&M's pro day ... with a keen eye towards one standout player.
According to Pro Football Network, the Rams took receiver and returner Xavier Smith through special teams drills following his workout.
The Chicago Bears and Tennessee Titans did the same, with PFN noting that the Bears and Los Angeles Chargers have shown "a ton of interest" in Smith.
The 5-9, 194-pound Smith had 87 receptions for 1,021 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Rattlers this past season, including an impressive 10-catch, 78-yard performance against North Carolina early in the season ... and posted several notable numbers in pre-draft testing.
"Xavier Smith, one of the most underrated slot receiver/return specialists in the draft, had a terrific day," PFN writes. "Smith previously took part in the HBCU Combine and timed as fast as 4.38 seconds in the 40. He touched 36.5″ in the vertical jump and clocked in at 4.1 seconds in the short shuttle and 7.13 seconds in the three-cone.
"He’s a true downfield threat and an explosive return specialist and was very productive for Florida A&M over the past three seasons."
Smith returned seven kickoffs for 141 yards (20.1 yards per return) and four punts for eight yards this past season.
In Los Angeles, Smith could play a role similar to the one Brandon Powell, now with the Minnesota Vikings, had last year - handling return duties while occasionally getting manufactured touches on offense.
Viewed as a Day 3 prospect, Smith appears to have quite a few fans around the league ... with the Rams certainly amongst them.
Will Los Angeles ultimately add Smith?
That answer will be in soon enough, with the NFL Draft set to run from Apr. 27-29 in Kansas City, Mo.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Rams? Click Here
Want to join in on the discussion? Click here to become a member of the Ram Digest message board community today!
Follow Ram Digest on Twitter and Facebook.
Want even more L.A. Rams news? Check out the SI.com team page here.
