2018 NFL Mock Draft: Are the Los Angeles Rams locked in on the EDGE at #23?

Since the beginning of mock draft season, there have been three periods for the Los Angeles Rams.

First with the expected departure of CB Trumaine Johnson and the Achilles injury for CB Kayvon Webster, there was the Great CB Mock Era. Prior to the first of the wild pre-free agency activities, major mocks had the Rams taking a cornerback at a 75% clip.

Then came the madness. The trade for CB Marcus Peters. The trade for CB Aqib Talib. Trading away OLB Robert Quinn and trading away ILB Alec Ogletree. The immediate aftermath was the second period. Linebacker, center, defensive tackle, cornerback. Anything was possible.

But now we’re in a third era that lines up a bit with free agency, an era dominated by mocking the Rams to take edge rushers. Four of the last six major mocks have had the Rams taking an edge rusher led by Boston College EDGE Harold Landry. But a new Monday mock from Mocking the Draft’s Dan Kadar strengthens the EDGE stranglehold while offering a different prospect than Landry:

23. Los Angeles Rams: Marcus Davenport, EDGE, UTSA

After shipping out Robert Quinn the Rams are in need of an edge rusher or two. They could get one in Davenport, who specializes in using a bull rush, length and quickness. He’s not a finished product by any means, but he can do enough to at least be a specialist to start his career.

The real pressure point here is the position need. I suppose if you lean into drafting for need in general or specifically this year with the 23rd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, there’s no real reason to oppose this. Otherwise, it’s just about your board and whomever you think is the BPA here. There’s tons of alternatives once you get past the top X (in this mock, it’s a top 7).

With the news that the Rams are meeting with Oklahoma Sooners EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, it’s apparent the Rams will be adding at least one OLB through the draft. It’s more a question of when than if.