The Los Angeles Rams still have two-plus months to evaluate the incoming draft class as they prepare to make their first pick in Round 1 since 2016 and there are a lot of different prospects to consider at No. 19 overall. With so many holes to fill across the roster, the Rams could look at a few positions with their first pick.
One is certainly cornerback, which was a weakness last season and with Ahkello Witherspoon set to hit free agency, it’s possible they’ll need two new starters at the position. In Field Yates’ mock draft for ESPN, he has the Rams selecting Senior Bowl standout Quinyon Mitchell, a cornerback from Toledo, in the first round.
Mitchell was one of the best players at the Senior Bowl this year and has just about locked himself in as a first-round prospect, putting him in the range of the Rams’ pick at No. 19.
Mitchell was a dominant player at Toledo, and he confirmed at the Senior Bowl what most in the scouting world had suspected: He can flat-out fly, has outstanding ball skills and is extremely disciplined in man-to-man coverage. The Rams are thin in the secondary, and veteran Ahkello Witherspoon — who played a pivotal role this past season — is scheduled to become a free agent. Mitchell could come to L.A. and immediately start breaking up passes, which he did 32 times over the past two seasons at Toledo.
As Yates notes, Mitchell could be a Day 1 starter for the Rams by either replacing Ahkello Witherspoon or pushing Derion Kendrick to the bench. The transition from college to the pros can be tough for a cornerback so expecting a rookie to play at a high level right away can be risky, but Mitchell has excellent ball skills and instincts, which should make him an early contributor.
In this mock, the Rams pass on Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu, who were the next two picks. Iowa corner Cooper DeJean went a few picks later at No. 25 and would also be a great selection for the Rams, especially given his return skills – something Los Angeles has been lacking in recent years.
