Although the Rams do not have a first round pick in this year's draft, there are still some outlets which produce mock drafts that go beyond the first 32 selections. Those are what we will be using to highlight predictions for L.A. Barring an unforeseen trade into the first round, the Rams' first pick in the draft will be No. 52 overall in the second round.
Here's a look at the seventh edition of theRams.com's Mock Draft Roundup:
Date: April 6
Expert: Ryan Wilson, NFL and NFL Draft writer
The pick(s): Michigan edge rusher Josh Uche (second round, pictured), Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks (third round, No. 84 overall, LSU offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles (third round, No. 104 overall, compensatory selection)
Notes: Wilson's latest mock draft has expanded to seven rounds, though the first three projections for the Rams follow a similar pattern of addressing the front seven and the offensive line. Previously, he had Los Angeles using its first pick on an offensive lineman and third pick on an edge rusher, but has now flipped those to an edge rusher at No. 52 and an offensive lineman at No. 104.
Uche was a second-team All-Big Ten selection and Michigan's Defensive Player of the Year after posting a team-high 8.5 sacks during his senior season, starting in nine of the 13 games he played in. He was widely praised for his performance at the Senior Bowl in January.
Brooks collected Second-Team All-American recognition and First-Team All-Big 12 honors after posting a team-high 108 total tackles plus three sacks in 11 starts. "Brooks put on a show at the combine and his physical skills showed up on tape too," Wilson wrote. "He's a thumper who can run, and he can help replace the loss of Cory Littleton."
Charles was part of an LSU offensive line that won the 2019 Joe Moore Award, which is presented annually to the top offensive line in college football. The majority of Charles' experience is at left tackle, but he has also played right tackle and right guard.
Date: April 2
Expert: Kevin Hanson, NFL Draft writer
The pick(s): Alabama edge rusher Terrell Lewis (second round), Boise State edge rusher Curis Weaver (third round), Mississippi State linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (third round, compensatory selection)
Notes: This would align with Rams general manager Les Snead's comments at the combine that the Rams' defense would be most impacted by the approach to the draft and free agency following the offseason coaching changes. Hanson previously had Los Angeles using its first pick on an offensive tackle; in this edition, he goes all-in on defense.
A former five-star recruit, Lewis registered 31 tackles, 11.5 for loss, six sacks and two pass breakups in 11 games for the Crimson Tide last season on his way to All-SEC Second Team honors.
Weaver earned nine All-American honors in his final season at Boise State, including First Team recognition by Walter Camp, CBS Sports and The Sporting News, after leading his school in sacks (13.5) and tackles-for-loss (18.5) and racking up 52 tackles, and interception, and a forced fumble. He was also a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, presented to the top defensive player in college football each season.
Gay, meanwhile, would add depth at linebacker following the reported departures of Cory Littleton and Dante Fowler in free agency.
Date: April 6
Expert: Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst
The pick(s): Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins (second round), Notre Dame defensive lineman Julian Okwara (third round, No. 84 overall), North Carolina offensive lineman Charlie Heck (third round, No. 104 overall, compensatory selection), UCLA cornerback Darnay Holmes (fourth round)
Notes: Campbell's predictions stay the same as last week's. Though he expanded his mock draft to five rounds, it is inconsequential for the Rams at the moment because they currently do not have one barring an unforeseen trade.
One of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award, Dobbins became the first running back in school history to surpass the 2,000-yard mark, finishing with 2,003 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. He also finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting and was a First Team All-America selection by the Football Writers Association of America.
Okwara played along the defensive line in a 4-2-5 base scheme at Notre Dame, though Campbell believes he could fit as an edge rusher in a 3-4 scheme like the Rams have.
Heck, meanwhile, started all 12 games he appeared in at left tackle for North Carolina, allowing just 1/3 of a sack and Second Team All-ACC honors along the way. Holmes started each of the 10 games he played in, leading UCLA with a pair of interceptions plus six pass breakups en route to honorable mention All-Pac-12 recognition by league coaches.
