Los Angeles Rams: First-round prospects to avoid in the 2019 NFL Draft
By Jason Reed
2. Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State
The Los Angeles Rams secondary was not as good as expected last season despite the team adding two big-name cornerbacks in the previous offseason. Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib (especially Peters) struggled with the Rams last year and it led to a defense that was not as good as the fans had hoped for.
With that in mind, and that fact that both are free agents after this upcoming season, it might seem logical for the Los Angeles Rams to bolster the secondary and add a cornerback in the first round.
At least that is what Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports thinks, as he has the Rams taking Michigan State cornerback, Justin Layne, with the 31st overall selection.
Layne is talented and he would be worthy of a first-round selection for a team that needs to instantly add a starting cornerback to the defense. However, with Peters and Talib both having one more year, the Rams have the luxury of being patient with this.
Peters and Talib are still average at worst and there are bigger immediate needs on the depth chart than a rookie cornerback who might not get enough playing time because of Peters and Talib.
Let this play out for a year and if Peters responds from a down year then the Rams can extend him, he is just 26 years old, after all.
There is nothing wrong with using a pick in this draft to bolster the cornerback depth on the roster, it just should not be a first-round pick.