In my first Los Angeles Rams perfect draft last season, I had them using their full complement of picks (this was before the trade with the Tennessee Titans) and getting their franchise quarterback, one Dak Prescott, in the third round. Well, that didn’t happen and the Rams made the blockbuster trade with Tennessee for the rights to draft Jared Goff. The rest is history and let that history show that Prescott was the most pro-ready QB in that draft, as I asserted all along, and the Rams were fools to make that trade.
But they did and something good actually came out of it. Jeff Fisher was fired. Now the Rams have a new, seemingly competent, head coach in Sean McVay. If Goff really is the prospect that the pundits and scouts thought he was, McVay is the guy that can bring it out. In the meantime, the Rams are without a first round pick, barring any last-minute Trumaine Johnson trade. The would have picked fifth, which is why I’m doing their perfect draft in this spot.
To see all 32 perfect NFL drafts, click here.
Round 2, Pick 37: T. J. Watt, OLB, Wisconsin
2016: 63 tackles, 15.5 for a loss, 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception, one defensive touchdown
New Rams defensive coordinator has added pass-rushing outside linebacker Connor Barwin to the Rams’ roster already, but the opportunity to add his own DeMarcus Ware-style player right of college will be too tempting to pass up for a Rams converting to a 3-4 defense. The only way the Rams don’t take Watt here is if he’s already off the board, in which case that means David Njoku or Evan Engram are still on the board. McVay would probably turn that pick in himself.
Round 3, Pick 69: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC
2016: 70 catches, 914 yards, 10 touchdowns, five rushes, 27 yards
Smith-Schuster is a steal in the third round and, just like Michael Thomas last season, will show all season long why he should have been a first round pick. As it is, his draft stock has dropped just in time for him to become the premier wideout on the team practically based in his hometown.
Round 4, Pick 112: Kendell Beckwith, ILB, LSU
2016: 91 tackles, six for a loss, one sack, four passes defended, one fumble recovery
Regardless of what Phillips does with linebacker-safety hybrid Mark Barron this season, the Rams need an upgrade at that position with a more natural inside linebacker to play alongside Alec Ogletree. Beckwith could be a day-one starter, especially if Phillips moves Barron back to strong safety after losing T.J. McDonald in free agency.
Round 4, Pick 141: Kyle Fuller, Center, Baylor
The Rams recently added a center in free agency in former Washington Redskins reserve John Sullivan, but they can’t be finished with that position. Fuller is a natural pass blocker who could develop into a legitimate NFL talent in a year.
Round 5, Pick 149: Corn Elder, CB, Miami
2016: 76 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, three sacks, one interception, 12 passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery
Johnson is an elite corner, but unless the Rams can work a long-term deal before July 15, it’s unlikely he’ll be back in Los Angeles. And there’s always the chance they’ll trade him before then anyway. The Rams signed Kayvon Webster, but after him there’s a huge dropoff, especially with Lamarcus Joyner likely moving to free safety. Elder could be the Rams’ third corner in the opening game.
Round 6, Pick 189: Josh Malone, WR, Tennessee
2016: 50 catches, 972 yards, 11 touchdowns
Malone just came off his best season and, frankly, it really wasn’t good enough to come out in the draft as a junior. He should have stayed in school and worked on his hands. As it is, Malone will add legit NFL speed and depth to a Rams receiving corps that is weak at best, and with Smith-Schuster, will give the Rams two big red zone targets to go along with speedsters Tavon Austin and Robert Woods.
Round 6, Pick 206: Channing Stribling, CB, Michigan
2016: 29 tackles, three for a loss, one sack, four interceptions, one defensive touchdown, 12 passes defended
Stribling is a big defensive back, 6-2 and 175, and coming from a professionally coached Michigan program he should be NFL ready and help McVay shed some of Fisher’s defensive back dead weight like Troy Hill, Mike Jordan and Blake Countess.
Round 7, Pick 234: Bug Howard, WR, North Carolina
2016: 53 catches, 827 yards, eight touchdowns
Another receiver? Why the hell not? The Rams have produced nothing at that position of any real value in years. McVay is an offensive coach and he needs weapons. This is one of the deepest drafts at the wideout position in years and there’s no reason to let the opportunity to add these guys to the roster go to waste. Howard is a 6-5 end zone terror that could probably even play a little tight end in plays. The Rams need that kind of player since they presently only have two tight ends on the roster and one, Tyler Higbee, that is any real offensive threat.
To make a wager on any sport, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.
