Rams Pick Pair of Physical Prospects in Two-Round Post Combine NFL Mock Draft
The Los Angeles Rams may have entered the NFL Scouting Combine split on whether to use the 19th pick on offense or difference. Elite units can take over conferences, and with Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua leading the charge, Los Angeles is close to breaking through. But the defense, however, is far behind, lagging in both the pass rush and secondary.
After the Combine’s festivities, though, offensive linemen have seemingly locked themselves into the first round in bunches.
Will general manager Les Snead join in on the hype and add a tackle in Round 1?
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According to the 33rd Team’s most recent mock draft, ensuring Stafford stays upright is of utmost importance. With their first-round pick, Los Angeles selected Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham.
“The Los Angeles Rams have one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses, but they need to add more quality offensive linemen,” Marcus Mosher wrote. “JC Latham could be a potential starter at right tackle but his best spot might be inside at guard. Regardless, Latham is a lock to be a top-20 pick and would be a massive upgrade for Los Angeles.”
Latham might be the strongest man in this year’s class. His ability to punish defensive linemen jumps off of the screen and some of his finishes are football’s closest brush with comedy.
Whether he is the heir to right tackle Rob Hevenstein’s throne or a replacement for Kevin Dotson at right guard, Latham should be able to make an impact from the jump.
In the second round, the Rams opt to address the defense. With the 51st pick, they take Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Rakestraw earned some early-round hype in recent weeks, but his stock took a bit of a hit after his weight and 40-yard dash both missed the mark. It’s hard to survive with a measurable lagging behind – doing so without the athletic profile to compensate stacks the odds against him.
However, Rakestraw would bring a brand of physicality to Los Angeles’ secondary that it lacked in recent years. His ability against the run stands out, even if he’s playing on the boundary. He’s not the most polished corner in this year’s class – but that’s why Los Angeles isn’t paying first-round draft capital for him.
Rakestraw’s feistiness may be more of an influence on the Rams’ culture than their effectiveness in coverage, but that shouldn’t take away from his talent. It’s easy to see an addition like him being a net positive for Los Angeles’ defense.
