Rams NFL Draft 2020 results: Winners and losers

This Rams’ draft ended up being a lot better than it looked like it would be back in January when the team had just five picks.

The Rams ended up taking nine players thanks to trades. For a team that needed to fill a lot of holes, the Rams did excellent work in this draft. It may not be an elite class, but it could have been much worse.

Let’s look at our Rams’ draft winners and losers.

WINNERS:

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Sean McVay:
Les Snead and McVay worked very well together. This was a pivotal draft for the team after losing so many key free agents and Todd Gurley due to salary-cap reason. The Rams had a lot of holes and they plugged several. Snead gave McVay offensive weapons, running back Cam Akers and receiver Van Jefferson, to help ease the pain of cutting Gurley and trading receiver Brandin Cooks. McVay has a chance to keep this offense potent.

Jared Goff:
The Rams’ quarterback restructured his contract to help finalize deals for defensive players, Leonard Floyd and A’Shawn Robinson this week. The Rams rewarded Goff with Akers and Jefferson and tight end Brycen Hopkins from Purdue. It was a commitment to Goff and the future of the team’s offense.

The fan base:
Like McVay and Goff, the Rams’ fans should be re-assured that the future is not bleak and that the Rams can make it through on the other side fo this bumpy offseason heading into the SoFi Stadium era.

LOSERS:

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Cooper Kupp:
It’s way too early to say Kupp’s future is up in the air. But, the truth is, Jefferson is a Kupp-like player. With limited cap space and a potential new deal needed for defensive backs Jalen Ramsey and John Johnson, there might not be enough to go around for everyone. Kupp is entering the final year of his deal. He’s been a great Ram, but because of financial reasons and the emergence of Jefferson, Kupp could be entering his last year with the team.

The offensive line:
This is the big area that wasn’t addressed enough. There are still holes on this line. The starting five must stay healthy, which didn’t happen last year.

Darrell Henderson:
It would be silly to say the Rams are moving away from Henderson, who they took in the third round last year. But it’s glaring when a team with a bunch of needs takes a running back in the second round. The Rams clearly want Akers to be the main guy in the post-Gurley days. Henderson can still carve out a role, but it’s all about Akers right now.