Rams Target Defense in Latest PFF Two-Round NFL Mock Draft
The 2024 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, meaning that mock draft season is in full swing.
And according to Pro Football Focus, the Los Angeles Rams are looking to improve their defense.
In their latest two-round mock draft, PFF sees the Rams opting for a defensive player with each of their first two picks, beginning with linebacker Laiatu Latu from UCLA.
Standing at an imposing 6'5" and weighing 265 pounds, Latu brings a formidable edge to the pass rush. His impressive performance in 2023 included tallying 49 total tackles, 13 sacks, and 2 interceptions with the Bruins. These numbers complement a successful 2022 campaign where he recorded 36 total tackles and 10.5 sacks.
Latu's accolades further solidify his draft stock. He clinched the prestigious Lombardi Award, cementing his status as the nation's top defensive lineman, and earned the title of Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally,
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper has ranked him an impressive No. 10 overall on his Big Board, positioning Latu as the premier talent among outside linebackers in the draft class.
In the second round, Sikkema and Rogers project the Rams to select safety Tyler Nubin from Minnesota. The 6'2, 210-pound defensive back spent the last 5 seasons with the Gophers recording 53 total tackles, 1 sack, and 5 interceptions in the 2023 season.
Nubins, a standout defensive back from the University of Minnesota, has received notable accolades for his exceptional performance on the football field.
Recognized as a First Team All-American by The Sporting News and earning Second Team honors from prestigious institutions like the AP, FWAA, and Walter Camp Foundation, Nubins has cemented his reputation as one of the premier defensive talents in collegiate football.
His stellar play throughout the season has garnered attention and admiration from fans and analysts alike.
Delving into Nubins' game-by-game contributions reveals the depth of his impact on the field. Against Nebraska, he set the tone for his season with a remarkable display of playmaking ability, tallying two interceptions and three tackles.
Whether it was notching seven tackles against North Carolina or recording a crucial interception coupled with five tackles against Louisiana, Nubins consistently proved himself as a defensive stalwart capable of rising to the occasion.
