The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2023 season projected to do very little. Coming off a 5-12 campaign, their projected win total over/under was just 6.5. But with a resurgent Matthew Stafford and huge contributions from rookies and young players, the Rams blew past that total and ended the year 10-7 and in the playoffs. Can they add the same level of talent in this year’s NFL Draft?
Los Angeles Rams NFL Draft Needs
The 2024 NFL Draft is taking place April 25-27 in Detroit and the Los Angeles Rams hold a whopping 11 picks. Four of those selections are inside the Top 100 overall. They also added four compensatory picks and one special compensatory pick. Let’s explore how the Rams can best use all those draft picks.
Edge Rusher
The Los Angeles Rams’ biggest hole is at edge rusher. The two players who led the team in sacks last season, Kobie Turner and Aaron Donald, are interior defensive tackles. Second-year linebackers Byron Young and Michael Hoecht are currently the projected starters and no help has been added in free agency.
This is where the Rams should focus at least one of those four Top 100 picks. If they want to address it at No. 19 overall, there are a ton of great options projected to go in the late first round, from UCLA’s Laiatu Latu to Penn State’s Chop Robinson.
Defensive Tackle
The Los Angeles Rams lost one of the greatest players of his generation this offseason when defensive tackle Aaron Donald retired. After relying on Donald to wreak havoc on opposing lines for a decade, the team will have to find a way to fill that hole.
A defensive tackle may be a reach in Round 1 with this year’s class. But players like Texas’ Byron Murphy, Florida State’s Braden Fiske, and LSU’s Maason Smith could come into play with one of the Rams’ three Day 2 picks.
Wide Receiver
I know what you’re thinking: how can a team with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua need more receiving talent? While the Los Angeles Rams do have two dynamic, top-tier pass catchers, depth is a crucial concern. Cooper Kupp has missed 13 games over the past two seasons. That injury history, combined with the insane amount of talented receivers in this year’s draft class, make this a great opportunity to uncover another contributor in the later rounds.
Get More Great Sports Content
Daniel Willon is a sportswriter based in Southern California. A lifelong Chargers, Lakers, and UCLA fan, he’s covered everything from football to surfing. Follow him on X @dwillsports.
Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.