There are very few positions that the Rams don’t need to address this offseason. Inside linebacker sure seems like one of them.
After drafting Ernest Jones in 2021 and signing Bobby Wagner to a five-year deal last offseason, the Rams are set at linebacker for at least the next two seasons – assuming they don’t suddenly and shockingly move on from Wagner beforehand.
But in Doug Farrar’s latest mock draft for Touchdown Wire, he has the Rams taking an off-ball linebacker. In the second round, he mocked Arkansas LB Drew Sanders to the Rams at No. 36 overall.
Sanders is a promising prospect, but one with just a season of starting experience. He racked up 103 tackles, 9.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for a loss last season, picking off one pass and breaking up five passes total.
Though he is an inside linebacker, he does have potential as a pass rusher, particularly in obvious passing situations on third down. That being said, the Rams need a true edge rusher who can play all three downs chasing the quarterback.
Sanders was a highly regarded recruit out of high school, originally committing to Alabama as a five-star pass rusher and spending two years there. When he transferred to Arkansas in 2022, he moved to an off-ball role and excelled, boosting his draft stock in a big way.
Even with as much upside as Sanders has, the Rams would probably be better off using their top pick on a true pass rusher or a player at a greater position of need.
