3k’s Los Angeles Rams-only Day 2 2019 NFL mock draft makes the most of four picks

So, here we are. Ready to head into Day 2 of the 2019 NFL Draft with four picks in our pockets and a bunch of roster gaps to possibly address.

Here’s a Los Angeles Rams-only mock of how I think things could shake out.

#45.) Washington Huskies S Taylor Rapp

A few weeks ago, I had the Rams at #42 taking Ole Miss Rebels OT Greg Little. And Mocking the Draft’s Dan Kadar’s new second-round mock had us taking Texas A&M Aggies C Erik McCoy at #45 who I had us taking at #31 in the 2019 SB Nation writers mock draft. Suffice to say, there’s a TON of options in play here who make all the sense in the world for the Rams.

So I’ll go with Rapp here. He’d be a fine long-term replacement for S Lamarcus Joyner. I’m not sure how much quality football new Rams S Eric Weddle has left, but I think we all know the Rams can’t discount an investment in the position simply because of Weddle’s arrival.

Rapp’s a great downhill hitter who was stellar at UW. Isn’t the best pass defender, but we likely don’t need more safety pass skills with S John Johnson III back there.

#79.) Vanderbilt Commodores CB Joejuan Williams

Williams had a breakout season in 2018 for Vandy. A big frame corner, he’s the kind of prospect who looks to develop into a better NFL player than he was in college. He’s also the kind of corner who looks capable of benefitting from coaching more than his peers. To that end, here’s hoping the Rams can keep Cornerbacks Coach Aubrey Pleasant around for a couple more seasons before he ultimately gets a promotion to defensive coordinator somewhere.

#94.) Oklahoma State Cowboys RB Justice Hill

I’ll bite.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this morning that the Rams sent Tight Ends Coach/Passing Game Coordinator/Co-Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron went down to Oklahoma this week to work Hill out. I’ll bite on the interest being real.

This of course just comes down to the status of RB Todd Gurley’s knee. Whether (a) he’s injured to the point that he can’t handle 18 carries per game or so along with his passing game contributions or (b) the front office and coaching staff is worried about (a) to the point of preventing him from doing so, it really doesn’t matter. If either are true, the Rams pretty much have to take a running back before Day 3. I went over this balance on Tuesday and threw out five prospects of which Hill was one. If on the other hand Gurley and the staff feel that by Week 1 he can be back to his normal, functional health? Malcolm Brown and John Kelly can pick up 10% of the carries just fine over the course of a season.

The bottom line though is either the Rams need to take a running back tonight because of Todd Gurley’s knee or the don’t need one at all this year because of Todd Gurley’s knee.

Rams Head Coach Sean McVay’s and Gurley’s misleading public comments might have tried to make this less of a story. Tonight’s decision of whether or not to take a running back will be a much, much, much more sincere reaction to Gurley’s knee health.

#99.) Wisconsin Badgers OL Beau Benzschawel

Is Benzschawel a replacement for departed LG Rodger Saffold III? Is he a potential upgrade at center over bygone C John Sullivan and IOL hopeful Brian Allen? Does he come in to supplant RG Austin Blythe?

Is it possible the answer is “yes” to all three?

Benzschawel is a bit of the opposite of Ole Miss Rebels WR D.K. Metcalf. He’s not going to impress physically. Taking off his shirt isn’t going to impress. He’s not going to go viral on the internet.

He is going to run you over like a big, beefy boyball. His career in Madison started at right tackle before kicking inside to right guard and having a great career. While he plays tenaciously, he does lack a bit of pure power. Maybe Rams Head Trainer Reggie Scott can get on that.

Benzschawel reminds me a bit of a smaller, more compact Rob Havenstein. Let the Badgers eat.

#45.) Washington Huskies S Taylor Rapp
#79.) Vanderbilt Commodores CB Joejuan Williams
#94.) Oklahoma State Cowboys RB Justice Hill
#99.) Wisconsin Badgers OL Beau Benzschawel

So defense early, offense late. I’m sure we’d all love to avoid taking another running back, but the condition of JTG’s knee may render that impossible.

Otherwise, we hit three roster gaps with quality and plenty of potential at the NFL level.

Tonight should be fun!