Finding a plug-and-play starter in the draft will be a challenge for the Los Angeles Rams this year, being without first- and second-round picks. Their first selection comes at No. 104 overall, which is in the third round.
Les Snead and Sean McVay have found great players on Day 2 and 3 before, but they typically take a year or two to develop into starters.
Looking ahead to next month’s draft, the Rams could opt to take an offensive lineman in Round 3. That’s the direction ESPN feels they should go, listing the O-line as the Rams’ biggest need entering the draft.
Jordan Reid of ESPN picked Chattanooga offensive lineman Cole Strange as the best fit for the Rams at No. 104 overall, highlighting his position flexibility at center and guard.
Best prospect fit at No. 104: Cole Strange, IOL, Chattanooga. In need of a new guard to replace Corbett, Cole is a candidate to cross-train as both a center and guard. Because of his strength and speed as a blocker, his skill set is best suited in a scheme that uses zone-blocking principles. The Rams will likely have to look elsewhere to replace Whitworth at left tackle. — Reid
Strange is considered one of the top interior offensive linemen in the draft and has experience playing tackle, guard and center. In the NFL, he’ll likely play guard and fits well in the Rams’ zone-heavy scheme.
Los Angeles re-signed Coleman Shelton and he could be the team’s starting right guard in place of Austin Corbett, but adding a talent like Cole is never a bad idea.
