The Los Angeles Rams couldn’t have asked for Round 1 to go much better than it did – with the exception of a late run on pass rushers. There were some surprising picks that helped push players at positions of need down the board for the Rams, leaving them with a lot of quality options on Day 2.
Even with Nolan Smith coming off the board six picks before the Rams were slated to go on the clock, the board fell pretty well for Los Angeles. Joey Porter Jr. is still shockingly available after he was widely projected to go in the first round. Brian Branch, the versatile defensive back out of Alabama, is on the board, too.
Arguably the top tight end in the draft, Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer, lasted through the first 31 picks and is still out there with the Rams lurking. Luke Musgrave, another talented tight end with impressive athleticism, could be there for the Rams at 36, as well.
Along the offensive line, Florida guard O’Cyrus Torrence didn’t get picked in the first round despite looking like the best player at his position in this class. He would be a fantastic pick for the Rams in Round 2.
In terms of pass rushers, Keion White, B.J. Ojulari and Adetomiwa Adebawore are all available, though only Ojulari is a pure edge rusher in the Rams’ scheme. Things were looking great at this position before Myles Murphy, Smith and Felix Anudike-Uzomah all came off the board in the final four picks.
If the Rams are keying on one of those pass rushers, they might need to trade up for one because the position is starting to dry up a bit.
Tight end, the O-line and the secondary could all yield some strong picks for the Rams at No. 36.
