NFL
By George Lopez
The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2023 NFL draft looking to rebuild their roster for the upcoming season. The Rams did not have a pick in the first round, having traded the pick to Detroit in the deal to acquire Matthew Stafford. Starting in the 2nd round, the Rams were able to draft players to fill a need on their roster. Most of the picks will provide much-needed depth on the roster.
With the 36th pick, the Rams selected guard Steve Avila out of TCU. Avila is expected to compete for a starting job on the Rams offensive line. Avila will be looked to help improve the Rams pass protection, as he did not allow a sack last season. In the 3rd round, the Rams addressed needs on the defensive side of the ball, drafting edge rusher Bryon Young from Tennessee and Wake Forest DT Kobie Turner. Young will compete for the starting edge rusher position that opened with the release of Leonard Floyd. Turner has a great opportunity to learn under one of the best defensive lineman to play in the NFL in Aaron Donald.
In the 4th round, the Rams drafted Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett. Most “experts” have questioned this pick by the Rams. Bennett is a former walk-on in college, who helped lead Georgia to back-to-back national championships. Bennett comes into a great opportunity to learn the NFL quarterback position from Matthew Stafford and be under the tutelage of Coach Sean McVay. Like most rookie quarterbacks coming off a national championship, Bennett is not being thrust into the starting position. The Rams will be able to develop Bennett as he looks to be the heir apparent to replace Stafford at the end of his career.
In the 5th round, the Rams added depth to the passing game, selecting WR Puka Nacua out of BYU and TE Davis Allen out of Clemson. The Rams also added OT Warren McClendon from Georgia and edge rusher Nick Hampton from Appalachian State. Both Hampton and McClendon will be looking to add depth to their respective positions.
In the 6th round, the Rams selected defensive back and Jim Thorpe winner Tre’Vious Tomlinson out of TCU. Tomlinson will give the Rams depth in the secondary and is expected to compete for the starting nickel back position. The Rams added to the running back depth by selecting Zach Evens from Ole Miss. Nebraska LB Ochaun Mathis was selected with the 189th pick. Mathis will fight for a roster spot, possibly on the Rams special teams.
The Rams closed out their draft with 3 selections in the 7th round. With pick 223, the Rams selected Punter Ethan Evans from Wingate. At pick 234, the Rams selected safety Jason Taylor II from Oklahoma St. This season, the Rams had the last pick in the draft, better known as Mr. Irrelevant. The Rams used that pick to draft DE Desjuan Johnson from Toledo. Taylor is projected to be the backup to Russ Yeast and could see significant playing time in the Rams dime package. As of now, Allen is the only punter on the Rams roster and fans will have to wait to see if the Rams bring in another punter in training camp to compete for the punter position.
A couple of years ago, the Rams wore shirts that said “Screw Draft Picks” during the NFL draft. Following the 2022 season in which the Rams finished 5-12, the team was forced to make difficult personnel decisions to get the team under the salary cap. With players released and traded this offseason, the Rams entered this year’s draft looking for players who would provide depth as well as players who will be expected to crack the starting lineup. The Rams were successful in both endeavors as they look to bounce back and compete for a playoff spot in the 2023 season.
