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With the Los Angeles Rams agreeing to a trade for Kansas City Chiefs CB Marcus Peters before agreeing to a trade with the Miami Dolphins to move OLB Robert Quinn and today’s news that the Rams are tagging S Lamarcus Joyner allowing WR Sammy Watkins to explore free agency, I haven’t been able to get to this week’s mock drafts quite yet.
So like last week, I’m just gonna toss em all in this roundup because ever since the Peters trade news went down there’s been one clear outcome in terms of mock drafts and what they’re telling us: aint nobody have any clue what we’re doing with #23 anymore. Prior to the Peters deal, there was plenty of consensus around using a cornerback. Now? Blind darts. Which is pretty great.
Mocking the Draft - Dan Kadar
The one thing prior to the Rams at 23 here is the conundrum for the Arizona Cardinals at #15. Kadar has USC QB Sam Darnold, UCLA QB Josh Rosen, Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield and Louisville QB Lamar Jackson all gone by #11 with the Dolphins. I wonder if Arizona jumps the Dolphins to come up to #10 or if they’re comfortable with Wyoming QB Josh Allen. I know as a Rams fan, I’d rather they take Allen out of the whole quintet.
As for the Rams, Kadar goes with:
23. Los Angeles Rams: Harold Landry, DE, Boston College
After trading for Marcus Peters and dropping Robert Quinn in two separate deals, the Rams have been the NFL’s most interesting team this offseason. If the Rams want to replace Quinn, Landry is fairly similar. He’s a long, athletic edge player who excels when he can use speed to get around the corner.
Given how much I complained about the lack of pass rush on Turf Show Radio last season, you’d probably guess that I love this pick. Shocker: I love this pick.
NFL Network - Daniel Jeremiah
Here’s a cornerback-heavy mock. Ohio St. CB Denzel Ward goes at #8 to the Chicago Bears. Louisville CB Jaire Alexander is next at #10 to the Oakland Raiders. And UCF CB Mike Hughes heads to the Green Bay Packers at #14.
Jeremiah has the Rams getting in on the action too:
23. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
Jackson will probably slide a little bit after a so-so combine performance, but his ball skills are outstanding on tape.
FWIW, Jeremiah has Colorado CB Isaiah Oliver going 32nd to the Philadelphia Eagles one pick after the New England Patriots grab Landry.
CBS Sports - Chris Trapasso
Haha, here’s a nice little mock being all conventional and boring and doing the obvious thing and then WAIT WHAT:
18. Los Angeles Rams (via mock trade): Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
The Rams stay aggressive and trade up with the Seahawks to nab a prospect similar to J.J. Watt in Bryan. While he’s not exactly the physical freak that Watt is, their games and combine efforts are comparable. He gives Wade Phillips plenty of versatility.
That’s a heater, folks! Moving up to take a DL?! Not sure I’d feel great about moving up for anyone having just one pick in the first 86 selections after the trades (assuming the reporting on compensation for both holds).
What say you, Rams fans? Any of these three excite you more than the other options? Enthralled at the shattered conventional wisdom? Obviously, we’ll have to see what free agency holds and how the roster shakes out once it opens on March 14 to really get our roster needs settled.
One week...