2016 NFL Draft: Los Angeles Rams Team Needs

By Vincent Frank on Thursday, March 24th 2016
2016 NFL Draft: Los Angeles Rams Team Needs

In continuing with this 32 article series, here's a look at the top needs for the Los Angeles Rams as well as a seven-round mock draft we ran through the FanSpeak mock draft simulator. We manually picked for Los Angeles while the picks for all other 31 teams were selected by the simulator.

 

1. Quarterback 

There's simply no way the Rams can go into the 2016 season with Nick Foles and Case Keenum competing for the starting job and expect to contend for a playoff spot. That time surely has passed. And while the playoffs are a long-shot anyway in their first season back in Los Angeles, getting that franchise quarterback has to be a priority for the team. With three picks in the first two rounds, the Rams could be in position to do just that. 

 

2.  Offensive Tackle

It remains to be seen if Greg Robinson is every going to live up to his status as a top-five pick. What we do know is that Los Angeles is going to rely on him to play left tackle moving forward. The bigger issue here is on the right side where Rob Havenstein is slated to start. He shouldn't be anywhere near a starting lineup in the NFL, an indication that the Rams are going to have to find an eventual replacement. That could come when the second tier options receive attention on Day 2. 

 

3. Wide Receiver

The combination of Brian Quick, Kenny Britt and Tavon Austin don't necessarily inspire fear in opposing defenses. Equally as important as lackluster quarterback play, this has played a major role in the Rams' lack of success through the air. After all, not a single receiver put up as much as 700 yards for a Rams' passing attack that ranked dead last in the NFL in 2015. If the team doesn't go quarterback in Round 1, I can easily envision a Laquon Treadwell or Josh Doctson being the pick there. 

 

4. Middle Linebacker

Los Angeles boasts three solid outside linebackers in Akeem Ayers, Mark Barron and Alec Ogletree. Short of one moving inside (Ogletree?), the team will have to find an inside linebacker to replace the departed James Laurinaitis. Simply put, Bryce Hager is not the answer. 

 

5. Cornerback

Deciding not to get into a bidding war for Janoris Jenkins made a ton of sense for the Rams. It however, does leave a hole opposite Trumaine Johnson at corner. Can E.J. Gaines be that guy on the outside? That has yet to be decided. Meanwhile, the addition of a substandard veteran in the form of Coty Sensabaugh in free agency doesn't do much. With Lamarcus Joyner best suited to play inside, getting an outside cover guy has to be of importance for the Rams here. 

 

Mock Draft
Round Player Position School
1 Jared Goff Quarterback California
2 Reggie Ragland Linebacker Alabama
2 Josh Doctson Wide Receiver Texas Christian
3 Nick Martin Offensive Line Notre Dame
4 Lloyd Carrington Cornerback Arizona State
6 Brandon Shell Offensive Tackle South Carolina

 

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