The Los Angeles Rams are looking and are rumored to make moves on night one of the 2024 NFL Draft. Sean McVay and Les Snead haven’t had to make a draft selection in the first round since 2016.
Whether it is into the top ten in a big trade-up or if it’s down the board is speculation. Based on these latest rumors, it seems the Rams want to get into the top ten from pick 19, which would be a big jump.
If they can make the move up for an elite prospect, there are many options for a team that won ten games and made the playoffs in 2023. Here are a few positions of need the Rams could look at to improve the roster even further.
Rumor: Los Angeles Rams Could Trade Up for OT or Edge
The Rams, who haven't picked in the first round since 2016, are calling to get into the top 10, per sources.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 25, 2024
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Rams are fielding calls to attempt to move up in the draft, specifically into the top ten. The number of offensive tackles highlights this draft class, but there are tier gaps between the top five and top ten players in the position.
Although the Rams placed a second-round tender on second-year player Alaric Jackson at left tackle, Los Angeles could look to upgrade the position. The main two left tackles in this class at the top are Notre Dame’s Joe Alt and Penn State’s Olu Fashanu.
If they want a right tackle, however, the Rams could look to get younger from veteran Rob Havenstein.
Players like Alabama’s J.C. Latham and Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga are the top right tackle prospects that could be taken in the top fifteen of this draft.
Despite a weaker edge rushing class, it is coveted at the top with Alabama’s Dallas Turner, UCLA’s Laiatu Latu, and Florida State’s Jared Verse. One of those players would start opposite former rookie Byron Young as an outside linebacker.
All three bring something unique to the table and could boost their young defense. But I think an offensive pick would move the needle more in potential wins in 2024.
Rumor: Rams Could Trade Up for WR or TE
https://gty.im/1933691312
Although the Los Angeles Rams have breakout rookie Puka Nacua, All-Pro Cooper Kupp, and veteran Demarcus Robinson, who they re-signed, a receiver could still be on the table if they make a move up, according to the rumors.
Last season, the Los Angeles Rams used multiple wide receiver sets more than any offense in the NFL. A potential top-five draft prospect at receiver added to this offense would make it one of the top offenses.
They could target wide receivers Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, and another option is Brock Bowers at tight end, assuming Marvin Harrison Jr. is taken in the top five. I think the Washington wide receiver or the Georgia hybrid pass catcher are the more realistic options if the Rams can get into a late pick in the top ten.
The Ohio State and LSU wide receivers will likely both be gone after the top-five picks.
Odunze would be slotted in on the outside as their third receiver over Robinson and Tutu Atwell as a massive upgrade. If they go with Bowers, he would be their move tight end over veteran Tyler Higbee, who is coming off a late season-ending injury, and free agent tight end Colby Parkinson.
A potential trade-up spot could be the Atlanta Falcons with the 8th overall pick, depending on if other teams trade up for a quarterback to let good prospects at other positions fall.
With potentially one or two more seasons at most with Matthew Stafford, adding a top pass catcher could put their team over the top in the playoffs.
Rumor: Los Angeles Rams looking for Aaron Donald Replacement
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This is different from the position they normally look at this early, despite the rumors, since they have former breakout rookie Kobie Turner.
However, it is a potential scenario at the top of the draft. The Los Angeles Rams could look for an Aaron Donald replacement, as the legendary future Hall of Famer retired this offseason.
The top two defensive tackles that are considered first-round players are Byron Murphy and Johnny Newton.
Texas’ Murphy could be the guy that the Los Angeles Rams want to trade up for over Illinois’ Newton, as some consider him the top defensive player in this draft.
At nose tackle, Bobby Brown III is slated to start and Desjuan Johnson is their starting 3-4 defensive end. Michael Hoecht, at over 300+ pounds, is one of their edge rushers at outside linebacker so he could move back inside depending on what the Rams do in this draft.
Both players would give them a stout front on the defensive line that is sorely missing a key difference maker.
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