The Los Angeles Rams had one of the worst Super Bowl hangovers of all time, finishing 5-12. Injuries were part of the equation, but the roster still has plenty of holes to fill. To make matters worse, the Detroit Lions own the Rams’ No. 6 pick due to the Matthew Stafford trade.
With weak draft capital following a poor season, uncertainty surrounds Los Angeles. Rumors of coach Sean McVay considering retirement have also resurfaced. How can the Rams improve in the 2023 NFL Draft?
Let’s check the most recent NFL picks, statistics, and the top betting insights for the 2023 NFL mock draft. Additionally, we have an abundance of NFL draft odds for your consideration.
2022 Season Record: 5-12
Status of Coach: Sean McVay – Safe
Positions Needed by the Rams
- Offensive line
- Edge rusher
- Defensive back
Notable Draft Picks
- Round 2, Pick 36
- Round 3, Pick 69
Potential Second-Round Targets
Without a first-round selection, the Rams must do great work on the draft’s second day. Los Angeles has one pick in the second and third rounds, followed by three sixth-rounders.
The offensive line must be addressed. The Rams allowed the third-most sacks and ranked 27th in yards per carry. An offensive tackle would be the ideal position to target. Joe Noteboom suffered an Achilles injury in October and has yet to start a full season at left tackle. Right tackle Rob Havenstein was a mainstay on the O-line and provided solid play.
Oklahoma tackle Anton Harrison could be atop Los Angeles’ second-round wishlist. He consistently excelled in pass protection at left tackle during his college career. In fact, Harrison allowed only one QB hit and two sacks in 2021, followed by one QB hit and one sack in 2022. At 6-foot-5, 315 pounds with good athleticism, the Oklahoma product has a high ceiling as a pass blocker, but some questions surround his work in the run game.
Dawand Jones (OhioState) and Darnell Wright (Tennessee) would add more in the run game, but they could have issues against athletic pass rushers at the next level. Harrison would be the perfect NFL pick to address the left tackle spot.
Full send on Anton Harrison. I’m in. pic.twitter.com/y7Lu6Ob0r1
— Cory (@realcorykinnan) December 2, 2022
Learn More About the AFC West Draft 2023
- Denver Broncos 2023 Positions Needed & First Round Draft Picks
- Las Vegas Raiders 2023 Positions Needed & First Round Draft Picks
- Kansas City Chiefs 2023 Positions Needed & First Round Draft Picks
Potential Third-Round Targets
In the third round, Los Angeles could look at a guard, edge rusher, or defensive back. Sedrick Van Pran (Georgia) would bring good versatility with the ability to play center or offensive guard. Plus, he has good strength and is an exceptional pass-blocker. Andrew Vorhees of USC could be one of the draft’s strongest players and excels in the run game.
Defensive back is another critical need with cornerback TroyHill, cornerback David Long Jr. and safety Taylor Rapp entering free agency. Safeties Brandon Joseph (Notre Dame) and Jordan Battle (Alabama) are intriguing options. Joseph possesses great ball skills and tracking, while Battle is a thumper in the secondary with linebacker-like skills. TCU’s Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, LaDainian Tomlinson’s nephew, is a solid cornerback option. He is an undersized 5-foot-9 defensive back but has elite athleticism.
The Rams also lacked a consistent rush from the edge for most of the 2022 season. Selecting a defensive end in the third round could be the best value. Will McDonald IV (Iowa State) and Zach Harrison (Ohio State) have excellent athleticism with the ability to play as stand-up rushers in a 3-4 defense? McDonald is a technician and could be an instant-impact rookie, while Harrison is more of a development piece with ideal size and length paired with elite speed.
Los Angeles still has plenty of pieces in place, like wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive tackle Aaron Donald. However, the Rams’ front office must work its magic by retooling the roster with limited draft capital.
