Rams’ draft: Recent history of the No. 52 pick

The Rams, of course, are sitting out the first round of the 2020 draft because they traded their top pick (No. 20) to the Jacksonville Jaguars as part of the Jalen Ramsey trade.

So, the Rams are currently focused on the No. 52 pick and — unless they trade — they won’t get into the draft action until the second half of the second round on Friday.

Can the Rams get a good player at No. 52? Sure, good players can be had anywhere, but the reality is, the lower the number, the lower the chances of getting an impact player.

Let’s look at the past 10 picks at No. 52 for reference:

2019 Cincinnati, Drew Sample, TE,

2018 Indianapolis, Kemoko Turey, LB

2017 Cleveland, DeShone Kizer, QB

2016 Atlanta, Deion Jones, LB

2015 Miami, Jordan Phillips, DT,

2014 Arizona, Troy Niklas, TE

2013 New England, Jamie Collins, LB

2012 Tennessee, Zach Brown, LB

2011 Giants, Marvin Austin, DT

2010 Pittsburgh, Jason Worilds, DE

Jones, Collins, Phillips, Brown and Worilds are/were the best players in this group. Jones and Collins are very good, in fact. It’s interesting the best players on this list play positions the Rams can use, particularly linebacker.

Perhaps that will be a sweet spot in this draft as well.

It may be smart to think the Rams will focus on defense here due to recent history. Only three of the past 10 picks at No. 52 played offense. With more needs on defense, that may bode well for the Rams.