The Los Angeles Rams finally have a top-50 selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, and plenty more. They reload the roster in this 7-round mock.
Like it or not, there’s a bit of a rebuild going on in Los Angeles. The Rams feel long removed from a Super Bowl title. Odell Beckham Jr. hasn’t yet returned to play football. Andrew Whitworth retired. Leonard Floyd departed this offseason. Nick Scott left for Cincinnati. Jalen Ramsey was also traded to Miami. Darrell Henderson, their best running back, got released.
Los Angeles Rams 7-Round Mock Draft: Best Player Available
The roster is very barren right now. There’s a lot of unproven talent in the secondary and at linebacker. The offensive line isn’t settled either. Matthew Stafford still has weapons to throw to, but it’s a team that is starving for draft picks and high capital to finally build back up what’s fallen apart.
This Los Angeles Rams mock draft does its best to add talent across the board, from the running back room, to the offensive line, defensive line, and secondary. Let’s dive in and look at how the Rams could begin to steer the ship back towards contention.
Round 2, Pick 36: Brian Branch, SAF, Alabama
For a long while, Brian Branch has been the class of the safety position in the 2023 NFL Draft. Mock drafts have seen him go as high as Atlanta at eight, and he’s been a first-round mainstay. But, after a weaker combine than expected, it’s possible NFL teams have had him as a fringe guy in the first for a while. He’s begun to fall out of the first as media catches up.
That’s great news for the Los Angeles Rams. The safety room needs a playmaker like Branch. Branch lined up in the slot for the Crimson Tide in 2022, showing off impressive transitional quicks and closing speed to disrupt the catch point. He’s a phenomenal box defender, with the closing speed to create tackles for loss and the processing speed to match. In zone coverage, Branch either has eyes on the quarterback or to a potential assignment in his area. He played true safety in high school, and his processing speed should indicate he can play there. Wherever Branch plays, he’ll be an impact player for the Rams defense.
Round 3, Pick 69: Andre Carter II, EDGE, Army
For a team in the Los Angeles Rams that has Aaron Donald, I find the lack of pass rush disturbing. Losing Floyd on the edge hurts. There is legitimately no one who can make an impact right now on the roster. If the Rams want to triple or quadruple down at the position, it makes sense. Here though, they’re looking at a high upside pass rusher in Andre Carter.
Carter’s got the first step explosiveness to threaten the outside arc and generate pressure. He can work out of a two-point stance and a three-point stance, generating good explosion with limited false steps. He can dip and rip to flatten this path to the quarterback, and has the change of direction skill set to win with inside moves. His spin move is improving, he’s got a strong ghost move, and has the cross-chop and speed to power to boot. When he drops in coverage, he has the fluid hips to change direction and looks comfortable doing so.
Carter lacks power at the point of attack, which limits his rookie usage to passing downs only. He can definitely add to his frame, but he has to improve his anchor and his hand placement to be a successful every down player.
Round 3, Pick 77: Blake Freeland, OT, BYU
Tackle is another area of need for the Los Angeles Rams, and it’s a class that features some potential starters in the middle rounds. BYU’s Blake Freeland is one of those players. Freeland is a taller player with impressive athleticism and footwork as a pass protector. He can hang in the zone run game as well. Freeland’s issues stem from bad stance and positioning at the snap, and a tendency to get stuck when he sets too wide. He dips at contact a lot as well. There’s projection, but the upside is quite high.
Round 5, Pick 167: Eric Gray, RB, Oklahoma
The Los Angeles Rams will currently trot out Cam Akers and Kyren Williams at running back in 2023. That isn’t good enough for this offense, so there’s no reason to completely pass on this deeper running back class. Eric Gray would be an excellent add to the running back room. Gray isn’t a true burner, but his processing speed between the tackles is very good. He’s also generates a ton of lateral displacement when he cuts, and will force plenty of missed tackles. Gray can hold his own as a pass catcher as well.
Round 5, Pick 171: Moro Ojomo, DL, Texas
More pass rush for Los Angeles in this Rams mock draft, this time on the interior. Greg Gaines went off to Tampa, but Moro Ojomo would be a nice replacement. Ojomo has the ability to attack gaps as a pass rusher, and plays with impressive explosiveness and functional athleticism. His ability to play the run is understated right now. He needs to work on leveraging his 34.5-inch arms into more wins with hand usage as a pass rusher, but he’s got an exciting skill set to play immediately.
Round 5, Pick 177: Jakorian Bennett, CB, Maryland
The corner room is also barren in Los Angeles after the Ramsey trade. Betting on huge jumps from Robert Rochell, Decobie Durant, and Derion Kendrick isn’t enough. Jakorian Bennett has plenty of speed at the corner position and he plays aggressive at the catch point.
Round 6, Pick 182: Bryce Ford-Wheaton, WR, West Virginia
The Los Angeles Rams have Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson and can sprinkle in Tutu Atwell as a deep threat. Bryce Ford-Wheaton’s size and speed combination is worth a swing on day three of the 2023 NFL Draft. Ford-Wheaton can win downfield and give Stafford another target in the vertical passing game.
Round 6, Pick 189: Chandler Zavala, OG, North Carolina State
More help along the offensive line is the move in this Los Angeles Rams mock draft. The plan the Rams have for Logan Bruss (tackle or guard) will determine a lot of the plan at offensive line, but here we mix it up and look towards the interior. Chandler Zavala is one of the gems on day three of the 2023 NFL Draft at guard. He’s a true mauler at the point of attack who can open holes in the run game and help protect Matthew Stafford. His ability to reach block will fit in the zone scheme.
Round 6, Pick 191: Eku Leota, EDGE, Auburn
Another pick on the edge for the Rams here to round out the sixth round. Eku Leota has the speed to help contain against the run on the edge and work in backside pursuit. He can convert explosion to power and counter well in the contact phase.
Round 7, Pick 223: Rejzohn Wright, CB, Oregon State
More size and speed at corner? Why not! Rejzohn Wright has the ability to play in press man and in zone coverage. He can challenge receivers and be disruptive throughout the stem, and has great leaping ability to convert opportunities into interceptions at the catch point.
Round 7, Pick 251: Noah Gindorff, TE, North Dakota State
How about a fun swing to end this Rams mock draft? There isn’t much juice at tight end right now, so why not get a stud blocker in Noah Gindorff who can also threaten up the seam? Gindorff has the power post-catch to run over defenders and bounce off would-be tacklers for extra gains.