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As you know by now, the Los Angeles Rams opted not to make a selection in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Instead they traded down (from 31) with the Atlanta Falcons, picking up the 45th and 79th spots. Assuming they stay put on Friday evening, the Rams have a chance to add four players inside the top 100.
And there’s a bevy of positions the Rams could be eyeing with those picks. The most glaring, or at least immediate, needs appear to be along their offensive and defensive fronts, where they lost three key starters from 2018.
But is there potential for the Rams to add a running back? The possibility is certainly there.
Worth noting heading into tonight’s rounds 2-3: Rams OC Shane Waldron flew to Oklahoma this week to workout Oklahoma St. RB Justice Hill. Rams scheduled to have 4 picks tonight. Rams, Browns, Texans, Titans, Broncos, Eagles, Cowboys amongst others attended Hill’s personal pro day
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 26, 2019
The initial reaction is that it seems an odd choice, considering that Todd Gurley is the highest-paid running back in the NFL. And Head Coach Sean McVay has also spoken very highly of backup RB Malcolm Brown, who the team re-signed this past offseason.
But it appears there’s still some concern about Gurley’s knee, and maybe Brown’s ability to carry the load should Gurley not be 100% — and so the Rams are being diligent.
Our very own 3k touched on the matter of the Rams eyeing a running back in the first three rounds just a few days ago. And Oklahoma State Cowboys RB Justice Hill was on the short list. Here was 3k’s take:
Hill’s pretty much the opposite of (Ryquell) Armstead. Shifty with great start-and-stop quickness, Hill is a tinier lightning-in-a-bottle type that could be a strong complement to Gurley. Wouldn’t be an option on third downs or short yardage though.