5 scenarios Rams hope don’t play out in 2019 NFL draft
Cameron DaSilva
5 scenarios Rams hope don't play out in 2019 NFL draft
The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2019 NFL draft without many pressing needs, if any. As their current roster is constructed, they’re very capable of once again reaching the Super Bowl without adding a single other piece.
Fortunately, they do still have the draft at their disposal and could add a starter or two in the big event next week. Things could also go awry and they might not be able to grab any of their top targets at No. 31 overall.
Here are five worst-case scenarios that would be disappointing developments for the Rams in the draft.
Early run on pass rushers
Top pass rushers don’t often slide in the draft unless there are serious concerns. It’s a premium position and teams aren’t afraid to spend top-10 picks on guys who can rush the quarterback. That’ll be the case again this year with guys like Nick Bosa, Josh Allen and Montez Sweat all potentially landing in the top 10.
If there’s another run on edge rushers like Brian Burns, Rashan Gary and Clelin Ferrell early in the draft, that’ll spell bad news for the Rams. That scenario will push other pass rushers into the first round, making it more difficult for the Rams to land one at No. 31 or in a trade back in the second round.
The longer pass rushers remain on the board, the better it’ll be for the Rams.
Interior offensive linemen fly off the board
This isn’t a top-heavy draft on the offensive line, especially with regards to interior players. There isn’t a center or guard deserving of being taken in the first 10 picks, which would seem to make it likely the Rams could get one at No. 31. Not if they fly off the board in the middle of the first round.
Garrett Bradbury, Chris Lindstrom and Erik McCoy could all be first-round picks and might be selected before the Rams go on the clock. Not having a quality interior O-lineman on the board at No. 31 would be disappointing, leaving the Rams to focus primarily on the defense.
If tackles like Andre Dillard, Cody Ford and Jonah Williams start coming off the board earlier than expected, there could be a run on interior linemen, too.
Unable to trade out of 31st pick
The Rams would probably love to trade back from No. 31 overall, but there’s no guarantee they’ll be able to do so. In order to move down, someone has to be willing to come up. If the top quarterbacks are already off the board by the time the Rams go on the clock, there may not be a team willing to trade up.
Trading back would allow the Rams to land additional mid-round picks, somewhere in the range of Round 3-4. That would be one of the best-case scenarios for them, but if no one wants to trade up, they could be forced to stay put and pick the best available player – one that hopefully fits their needs.
No top safeties fall to No. 94
The Rams could very well pick a safety in the first round, having done extensive work on many of the top prospects. However, if they don’t, they’ll be anxiously hoping one falls to them in the third round. With a 63-pick wait between their first and second selections, there’s a good chance most of the starting-caliber safeties will be gone by No. 94 overall.
Juan Thornhill, Johnathan Abram, Darnell Savage, Deionte Thompson and Sheldrick Redwine are among the safeties they’ve hosted for visits, but it’s far from certain that any of them will be available in Round 3. The Rams clearly want to select a safety early, but they may not get the chance to grab an impact player if they pass in Round 1.
Wide receivers, running backs tumble
If there are two positions the Rams almost certainly won’t address in the first round, it’s running back and wide receiver. Quarterback is also in that group, but for the sake of this argument, we’re focusing on RB and WR. If players at those two spots slide down draft boards, it’ll spell bad news for the Rams. That would mean teams ahead of L.A. are taking players at other positions, which are of greater need to the Rams.
If only one or two wideouts and no running backs go in the first round – which is a real possibility – the Rams might miss out on some of the best safeties, edge rushers and defensive linemen in the draft. They have to hope three or four wide receivers go ahead of them, and maybe a running back or two.
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Agamemnon
