Los Angeles Rams: Outside linebacker options in the 2019 NFL Draft

Jalen Jelks, round three

Jalen Jelks is someone that the Los Angeles Rams could legitimately land in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft and would have an immediate impact on the defense. While it might not be as big of an impact as Polite or Sweat, it would allow the Rams to target another position, such as safety, in the first round.

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

Jelks has the talent and the promise to be a mid to late second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. However, his biggest drawback is his size, which leads to him fitting better in a 3-4 defensive scheme rather than a 4-3 defensive scheme.

With more teams running a 4-3 scheme instead of a 3-4 scheme, Jelks is not a natural fit on most NFL teams and thus could see himself falling as late as the third round, where the Rams would be waiting.

Oregon tried Jelks in the interior and he was decent at best but against NFL sized guards he is not going to have any luck. Instead, he can best utilize his speed and pursuit as an outside backer that can get around slower tackles.

Jelks won’t break through the line and record many tackles for loss in the run game but he can be a great closeout option on perimeter runs that keeps a two-yard run from turning into a five-yard run.

He is practically identical in size to four-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker, Anthony Barr. Although Barr was obviously highly touted coming out of college and possesses more raw talent, Jelks could be used in a similar manner on the Los Angeles Rams.