Rams 3-round mock draft: LA secures a tackle of the future

It’s impossible to say which players will be on the board when the Los Angeles Rams draft in the second and third rounds this year, so we’ll continue to monitor all of the possibilities as a way to prepare for all the potential selections this summer. Just hold tight as I sift through all of the first round mocks and get to the ones where the Rams are involved.

One such mock comes today to Tab Bamford at Elite Sports New York. Hey, I’m just happy that Tab went three rounds. It doesn’t matter if your name is Todd McShay or Tab Bamford, nobody’s doing a “worse job” at NFL draft fan fiction.

You’re all doing an equal job.

Here’s who Bamford has the Rams picking with their three day two selections (until further notice, the actual pick numbers in the third round are still estimates):

57. Los Angeles Rams - Walker Little, OT, Stanford

Profile at The Draft Network:

Walker Little aligned at left tackle for the Cardinal offense. He is a big, strong prospect with excellent length and prototypical NFL size. He has excellent range, which makes him ideally suited to play on the edge. He plays with good athleticism overall, as evidenced by his fluid pass set and his ability to laterally redirect inside. He also demonstrates excellent latch strength in his hands. He will compete as a run blocker but doesn’t generate much vertical movement. He plays with vision and instincts to easily identify twists and stunts. Little suffered a knee injury in September of 2019 and hasn’t played since after also opting out of 2020.

88. Los Angeles Rams - Hamilcar Rashed, DE, Oregon State

Profile at The Draft Network:

Hamilcar Rashed Jr. aligns as an EDGE defender for the Beavers defense. He demonstrates good athleticism in his ability to play on his feet and also to rush off the edge. His mobility and flexibility afford him the versatility to be used all over the defensive front. He demonstrates his explosion as a chase player on the backside of run plays and he plays the game with a relentless motor. He is raw as a pass rusher and needs to refine his overall technique and hand usage. This will only maximize his natural athleticism and make him more effective regardless of the opponent.

Ideal Role: Sub-package edge rusher who could develop into an NFL starter for some teams with time and pro coaching.

Scheme Fit: Odd front defensive scheme with hybrid principles in sub-package situations.

99. Los Angeles Rams - Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State

Profile at The Draft Network

Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner’s path to the NFL has been highlighted by a gradual shift into a more high-impact role on a Buckeyes defense that has been as loaded with linebackers during his tenure as any team in college football. Werner, whose initial starting role featured him at SAM and often aligned overtop of opposing tight ends in coverage or flexed onto the hash, has gradually been weaned into more of an every-down (and every-role) type player and has not disappointed. Werner’s size, hand power, and athleticism should afford him a prominent three-down role in an NFL defense—especially when accounting for how often the Buckeyes have charged him with playing on the fringes of the box and in coverage. Werner has baseline athleticism to live up to that expectation in the pro game as well, but he’s also got the size and power to shoot gaps and thud blocks and ball carriers alike. Werner looks the part of a starting NFL linebacker and should be expected to at least carve out a significant role for himself on a pro defense in 2021 before growing and evolving into an even bigger role.

Ideal Role: 4-3 SAM linebacker.

Scheme Fit: Werner is a fascinating fit as a 4-3 SAM backer but odd front defenses can make a strong case for him working inside as an ILB.