The Rams top 2018 draft picks were already spent acquiring key players via trade. That does not mean Los Angeles can not find impact rookie throughout the 2018 NFL Draft.
Who will the Rams select? Head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead will need to find some help for the offensive line and linebackers as those are the few groups that weren’t impacted in free agency and trades. Luckily, the interior offensive line and linebacker corps are deep in this draft. The Rams will literally make their living in the fourth and six rounds this year.
Third Round (87): Edge Uchenna Nwosu, USC
Best player available, fills a need, great upside and he played his college ball in the same city? Uchenna Nwosu has been slated as high as the first round but now the hometown kid becomes an instant fan favorite. This is an ideal scenario for the Rams and Nwosu.
Here, the Rams get a player capable of rushing the passer with his athleticism. Los Angeles has a talented defensive line but they need speed off the edge. Nwosu brings that and he doesn’t have to worry about being anything but a one-on-one pass rusher with the defensive line he is playing. Nwosu also has the speed and athleticism to become solid in coverage too.
Fourth Round (111): S Terrell Edmunds, Virginia Tech
Terrell Edmunds is not getting as much hype as his younger brother Tremaine Edmunds who is expected to go in the first round. However, Terrell is also a physical and gifted athlete with the same NFL bloodlines. This is a great value selection in the fourth round too.
Edmunds can play either safety position but he probably fits best at strong safety. He will come in and compete for playing time at that position as well as contribute on special teams. This gives Wade Phillips another versatile, instinctive and relentless weapon for the Rams defense.
Fourth Round (135): LB Micah Kiser, Virginia
The Rams needed to improve their run defense before they made a bunch of changes this offseason. They still need linebackers to help stop the run and this is a good spot to find one. Micah Kiser is the best one on the board and he makes a lot of sense.
Kiser has the size, speed and production to be a run stuffing inside linebacker in the NFL. Luckily, he falls to a place where he can roam free thanks to the defensive line. Mark Barron is also the coverage linebacker to hide Kiser’s speed and coverage inefficiencies. He could develop into a starter for Los Angeles
Fourth Round (136): OL Alex Cappa, Humboldt St.
L.A. wll look for some depth and competition on the offensive line. Alex Cappa made a name for himself at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine after dominating at Humboldt. He’s relatively new to the offensive line but he has the size, physicality and athleticism to play offensive tackle or guard.
For the Rams, Cappa makes sense as a swing tackle and guard competition. He could develop into a starter if he proves that his strength and physicality translates to the NFL. This is another good value pick considering the Rams don’t select again til the sixth round.
Sixth Round (176): EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma
Again, the Rams need some pass rushers. Okoronkwo is another raw prospect but he has the length, speed and explosiveness to be a starter on the edge. In fact, he is a nice compliment to Nwosu as the other standup end/linebacker because of his length.
Not to mention, Okoronkwo will find himself in one-on-one situations where he can use his speed and motor to finish the quarterback due to the Rams strength on the defensive line.
Sixth Round (183): RB Jordan Wilkins, Ole Miss
Finding Todd Gurley a legit compliment should be a priority for the Rams in the NFL Draft. Gurley proved he could do everything last year but that doesn’t mean he has to throughout the entire season. They will need to find a back to spell him because Tavon Austin is in that role but he’s a receiver.
Jordan Wilkins is flying under the radar but he is a balanced back who can catch, run and block. He should compete for reps on passing downs but he will surprise teams with his ability to run in-between the tackles. Wilkins was productive in college and had solid athletic tests so this is a good spot to take him.
Sixth Round (194): TE Tyler Conklin, Central Michigan
Tyler Conklin is a former basketball player and he brings that athleticism to the tight end position. His speed, explosiveness and catch radius should give the Rams another mismatch in the passing game.
Conklin is capable blocker but he will probably serve as a HB or bounce outside. Either way, Conklin is another sneaky weapon the Rams would be lucky to grab this late.
Sixth Round (195): WR Deontay Burnett, USC
Once again, the Rams are taking the best player available and it happens to be another offensive weapon and USC player. Burnett brings the speed and route running to compete on the inside or outside receiver positions. He is a deep threat that can also do intermediate work.
Burnett could compete for some playing time from Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. Regardless, he’s a nice fourth or fifth receiver to have and he could develop into something more.
