Mocking the Draft’s new 2019 NFL mock draft has Los Angeles Rams adding to edge

While the Los Angeles Rams are getting set for the playoffs, the majority of the NFL is in offseason mode. Which means mock draft season is a full go.

Mocking the Draft’s Dan Kadar has a new mock this week, his first since Oregon Ducks QB Justin Herbert announced he will return for his senior year. That decision didn’t prompt Kadar to include any new quarterbacks in his mock (Ohio State Buckeyes QB Dwayne Haskins and Missouri Tigers QB Drew Lock remain his only other first-rounders), but it’s interesting nonetheless.

In his last mock, Kadar had Herbert going to the Miami Dolphins at 15. This week with the top 20 order set, the Dolphins are at 13 and take Auburn Tigers DT Derrick Brown who Kadar mocked to the Rams two weeks ago. See how the ripples spread outward? Speaking of ripples, the 15th pick now goes to the Washington 15th Pick Havers who, as Kadar notes, sure could use a QB themselves. Kadar has them taking Washington Huskies CB Byron Murphy for now.

In his mock last week (which I missed), Kadar had the Rams taking:

Florida Gators EDGE Jachai Polite

The Rams should take whomever is the best pass rusher available when they pick in the first round. Polite would be a replacement, and upgrade, over Dante Fowler.

This week though, Polite goes at #12 to the Green Bay Packers. So he’s out of play. One inspiring note? LSU Tigers ILB Devin White goes at #20 to the Pittsburgh Steelers...SO YOU’RE TELLIN ME THERE’S A CHANCE!

As for those edge rushers Kadar alluded to, he takes a bunch of them off the board before the Rams who he has at #30. Kentucky Wildcats EDGE Josh Allen goes at #2 to the San Francisco 49ers. Clemson Tigers EDGE Clelin Ferrell is next at #8 to the Detroit Lions. Polite goes at #12. Mississippi St. Bulldogs EDGE Montez Sweat comes off at #22 to the Indianapolis Colts and Florida State Seminoles EDGE Brian Burns is at #28 to the Oakland Raiders via the trade with the Chicago Bears for Khalil Mack. One other edge rusher factors in Boston College Eagles EDGE Zach Allen at #27 to the New England Patriots. So Kadar takes a ton of edge rushers off the board before the Rams are even on the clock.

Still, he’s got the Rams pegged to the need:

#30.) Louisiana Tech Bulldogs EDGE Jaylon Ferguson

If the Rams actually hold onto this pick instead of trading it for a veteran, they need a player on defense who can make an impact immediately. Ferguson, the NCAA career sack leader, is that type of prospect. He plays with great hand technique, and can set the edge against the run.

I don’t know that I’d endorse holding hard to the need at the edge over taking any other prospect, but you could do worse than Ferguson. He was a production machine at Tech who, as Kadar noted, has the career sack record with 45 after notching 17.5 of them this year.

So while we’re getting ready for the playoffs, we’re going to have to multitask for the next few weeks as mock draft season is a go.