The 2023 NFL draft is right around the corner and teams are putting the final touches on their boards – if they haven’t already. The Los Angeles Rams can go into this draft targeting almost every position on the roster, including punter and kicker.
That frees them up to take the best player available when they do go on the clock, but some positions should get more attention than others simply because of the lack of talent at those spots. Edge rusher and cornerback are among them after the team parted with Leonard Floyd and Jalen Ramsey this offseason.
The Rams’ roster needs have changed throughout the offseason, even as recently as this week following the trade of Allen Robinson. But this latest ranking reflects the team’s top needs heading into the draft next week.
1
Edge rusher
The Rams have four edge rushers on the roster right now. Together, they own a grand total of 4.5 sacks between them. All of those were by Michael Hoecht, too. Los Angeles needs edge rushers worse than just about every other team in the NFL because the current group on the roster simply won’t get it done.
The best way to field a dominant defense is to have a relentless pass rush and the Rams are lacking that, even with Aaron Donald still on the roster. If there’s a good outside linebacker like Will McDonald V or Felix Anudike-Uzomah available at No. 36, the Rams should prioritize him over most other positions, even if it’s seen as reaching for a specific position out of need.
2
Cornerback
Cornerback has crept up this list throughout the offseason. There were no indications that the Rams would trade Jalen Ramsey early on, then rumors started to pop up about that very possibility. Now that they’ve traded him, cornerback is one of the Rams’ biggest positional needs.
Like edge rusher, the cornerback group is lacking past production and experience. Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick and Robert Rochell are the top three corners on the roster and none of them has been a full-time starter.
This is a strong draft class at corner, so the Rams shouldn’t have trouble finding an impact player, but they shouldn’t wait too long to address this spot.
3
Defensive line
The only remaining starter from last year’s defensive line is Donald. A’Shawn Robinson is a pending free agent with no signs of returning, while Greg Gaines left to join the Buccaneers in free agency. Marquise Copeland was re-signed, but he’s only been a backup throughout his career.
The Rams could use a stud nose tackle to line up next to Donald, as well as a pass-rushing defensive end to bookend the D-line. They got very little out of Robinson from a pass-rush perspective so they could look to add someone with a bit more juice off the edge.
4
Tight end
The Rams haven’t actually lost anyone at tight end this offseason, unlike most other positions. They even added Hunter Long, though he only has one career catch in two seasons. Fortunately, Tyler Higbee is still there, as is Brycen Hopkins, but Higbee will be a free agent after this season and Hopkins hasn’t exactly exuded confidence as a future starter.
This is an excellent tight end class in the draft and the Rams should take advantage of it, whether it’s by drafting one in the second round or the fifth; starting tight ends can be had into Day 3.
Tight ends can take a couple of years to develop and peak, so taking one now with the goal of contending again in 2024 or 2025 would be wise for Los Angeles.
5
Interior O-line
Many will have the offensive line as a bigger need for the Rams, which is perfectly fine. But even as bad as the line was last season, the Rams could field at least an average group in 2023 with its current collection of linemen.
They restructured Joe Noteboom and Brian Allen’s contracts, so they’re not leaving. They also re-signed Coleman Shelton and have Alaric Jackson, Tremayne Anchrum Jr. and Logan Bruss returning from injury.
What the Rams are lacking is a top-end guard or center, which will be tough to find in this draft class. What they don’t need to do is add more fifth- and sixth-round prospects for the sake of filling out the roster.
6
Safety
Taylor Rapp and Nick Scott both left in free agency, which means the Rams lost their two starting safeties from a season ago. Jordan Fuller, who started as a rookie in 2021, is still there, as are 2022 draftees Russ Yeast and Quentin Lake. In general, the Rams could use some additional safety depth, even if they’re not able to find a Day 1 starter in the draft.
This is a team that loves to use three-safety packages on defense and that could become even more common with the uncertainty at cornerback. Unfortunately, the safety class as a whole is relatively weak. But there are some good athletes with position flexibility in the secondary, which could help the Rams not only replace Rapp and Scott, but also help in the slot with Ramsey gone.
7
Wide receiver
Wide receiver jumps up the Rams’ list of roster needs now that Allen Robinson is gone. It’s not that he was a highly productive receiver for them, but he was at least a veteran with some experience. Now they need even more help behind Cooper Kupp, especially when looking ahead to 2024 when Van Jefferson will be a free agent.
Ben Skowronek isn’t a true wideout and Tutu Atwell hasn’t proved much in the NFL yet. The wide receivers in this draft class are somewhat underwhelming, particularly early on, but the Rams can find a big, physical outside receiver at some point on Day 2 or 3.
