The LA Rams first-round draft plan is now clear with latest moves
By Jason Reed
The NFL year has officially begun and the LA Rams have been fairly active. With the latest moves, the Rams’ first-round draft plans are clear.
The LA Rams were one of several surprising turnaround teams to make the NFL Playoffs last season. The 4-12 Rams turned it around under new head coach Sean McVay to power to a 12-4 record and NFC West supremacy. With so much youth on their side, this looks to be year one of many that the LA Rams will be Super Bowl contenders.
The front office has assured that this offseason. With a gaping hole in the secondary, the Rams’ front office went to work. Pro Bowl corners Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib now find themselves as the one and two corners in LA. Sam Shields was also brought into the fold for depth.
That eliminated the first draft need for the Rams: cornerback. Heading into the off-season, it seemed to be a foregone conclusion that the Rams would take a corner in the first-round. Now, with two Pro Bowl corners on either side, that is no longer a need.
Los Angeles made other moves as well. They traded defensive end Robert Quinn to the Miami Dolphins and linebacker Alec Ogletree to the New York Giants. Neither seemed to fit Wade Phillips’ defensive schemes and both gave LA more flexibility in cap space.
That flexibility is going to be used on Aaron Donald, at least that is the plan. The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year is set for a big payday from Los Angeles. The Rams needed cap space. They got that cap space.
LA made a different re-signing on Friday, though, that ultimately changes the course of the 2018 NFL Draft once more. The LA Rams re-signed veteran center John Sullivan to a two-year deal. After the Rams acquired Peters and Talib, the next best fit for LA became center Billy Price out of Ohio State.
Now that narrative has shifted, and really, there may only be one narrative. While the team may look to draft help on the defensive line alongside Aaron Donald or to cushion the potential blow of losing him, a bigger need has emerged.
More from LA Sports Hub
- Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
- LA Chargers: Week 8 against Denver Broncos is a must-win
- LA Rams: Jared Goff wants to keep the Los Angeles title streak going
- Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
- LA Chargers: Justin Herbert wins AFC Rookie of the Month
The LA Rams are going to draft an inside linebacker in the first-round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The losses the team has taken this off-season in that department is too large to not address.
Free agent Connor Barwin could be out the door as well, although Rams’ GM Les Snead says the team is looking to re-sign Barwin. Regardless, even with Barwin, the Rams need help up the middle. That, along with replacing Sammy Watkins, is the only massive holes on this Rams’ roster.
And replacing Watkins will not be as hard. There are multiple free agent receivers to consider and guys are getting cut left and right.
Plus, the Rams can find a receiver to fit their system in the fourth round. Finding an NFL starting caliber linebacker in the fourth round may be harder.
Who that linebacker is all depends on the state of the draft. Rashaan Evans may be the best and most realistic fit for the LA Rams. He should be available at that time and likely will be the best available.
There is still a chance that the Rams do pick a receiver, though. However, I would see the Rams instead opting to give faith in Josh Reynolds before selecting a receiver in the first-round. The receiver class just is not deep enough this year to warrant a late first-round pick on one, considering who would be left at that point.
Next: Why the Rams need another offensive weapon
So, that is my bold prediction. You can stamp it down, make it official; the LA Rams will draft a middle linebacker in the first-round of the 2018 NFL Draft.