Rams day 3 mock draft

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler posted a full 7-round mock draft this week and obviously that included six picks for the Los Angeles Rams. Out of respect for Dane’s paywall, but also because mock drafts are just fictional pre-event fodder anyway, I’m not going to highlight who he had the Rams selecting on day two.

Instead, let’s focus on the three players he mocked to the Rams on day three, an area of the draft that people rarely talk about. Of course, none of these players will be drafted by the Rams, but it shouldn’t hurt to discuss them any more than it hurts to discuss the players mocked to LA who inevitably won’t be selected by them on day two either.

4.141 - Cameron Sample, EDGE, Tulane

6.209 - Frank Darby, WR, Arizona State

7.252 - K.J. Britt, ILB, Auburn

In her write-up of Brugler’s picks, The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue doesn’t see Sample as a physical fit for Raheem Morris typically wants on the edges, but perhaps as a special teamer, developmental type. And Britt’s perhaps no better to discuss today than 2020 seventh round inside linebacker Clay Johnston would be.

So let’s get into the weeds on Darby a little bit.

Frank Darby is a 6’, 200 lb receiver from Arizona State who has only played in two games since the end of the 2019 college season. That year, Darby put up career-best numbers by catching 31 passes for 616 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior. He was often buried behind targets for Brandon Aiyuk and N’Keal Harry and unfortunately injuries, a family-related issue, and the pandemic slowed down his opportunities to become the Sun Devils’ top receiver in 2020.

Darby lacks speed however, running a reported 4.61 at his pro day and that seems to line up with his scouting reports. Essentially, it’s all projection with Darby and while that has worked out for a few receivers recently who became much bigger stars at the NFL level, it’s why he’s being seen as a mid-to-late day three prospect.

Rodrigue did not agree however that Darby was a fit for the Rams’ current needs at receiver because of his lack of speed.