LA Rams: How many linebackers should be drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft?

The LA Rams enter the 2018 NFL Draft with no picks in the first two rounds and just one significant need: depth at the linebacker position.

The LA Rams have been so busy this offseason that the 2018 NFL Draft has become a bit of an afterthought. Los Angeles has attacked both the trade and free agent market to add three Pro Bowl players on defense and a wide receiver with over 1000 yards in the last three seasons.

Ndamukong Suh, Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib and Brandin Cooks are the new faces on the LA Rams and have effectively made the Rams one of the Super Bowl favorites. Suh was signed on the promise of playing alongside Aaron Donald while Peters, Talib and Cooks were all acquired via trade.

In the process of all this, the Rams have accumulated late round picks to make up for the lack of early round picks. Last year, the team traded its second-round pick for Sammy Watkins. This year, the Rams sent the first-round pick to the Patriots for Cooks.

Thus, the Rams have a third-round pick, three fourth-round picks and four sixth-round picks. We discussed how the team could package the picks up and trade up in the draft, but LA very well could just look to add depth in special teams with the potential of finding a breakout star.

With linebacker being the team’s only real need, though, the question of how many linebackers to select is evident. The same linebacker core that was decent for the Rams last season has been completely disbanded.

Alec Ogletree was traded to the New York Giants. Although Ogletree was very talented, he never fit into Wade Phillips’ defensive scheme and the Rams needed to free up cap space for the other moves.

Robert Quinn was also traded to the Miami Dolphins, leaving a hole on the outside. Last but not least, the team decided not to re-sign outside linebacker Connor Barwin. Now, the LA Rams are left with Mark Barron and an inexperienced group of guys.

How many linebackers should the team draft in the 2018 NFL Draft? Four. That is right, the LA Rams should use four picks on linebackers. Three of the picks with a chance to start in the defense, the fourth being a pure depth move.

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First and foremost, the Rams must go with an outside linebacker in round three. Jerome Baker and Jeff Holland are the two likely options to consider; both rank eighth and ninth on Walter Football’s outside linebacker ranking.

In the fourth round, the team should go with the man himself, the guy I desperately hope lands in LA, Shaquem Griffin. Griffin is a superstar in the making and if it wasn’t for missing his left hand, would probably be a pick within the first two rounds. Draft him to play in pass-rush sets. He has already proven that he can overcome having one hand.

Then, the Rams should use two sixth-round picks on inside linebackers. The inside core needs less work than the outside, so one will likely have a shot to start while the other will be a depth piece.

Frank Ginda from San Jose State is an option. Ginda has breakout potential and put together an insane collegiate career; the only thing holding him back is his size (which can be worked up in the NFL).

Finally, the team can go with a guy like Joel Lanning. Lanning does not have the athleticism or physical tools of some of the other guys but possesses a great football IQ. That will come in huge as a depth piece and makes him much more valuable than other sixth-round options.

Next: Latest LA Rams mock draft

While it may be crazy to select four linebackers in one draft, that is really what the LA Rams need. The team can focus on bringing in young lineman to replace the likes of Andrew Whitworth and John Sullivan next year. This year, it is the year of the linebacker.

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