Turf Show Times
In 2023 re-draft by The Athletic, three Rams would be selected in the first round
The Athletic recently issued a 2023 NFL Draft do-over by Nick Baumgardner. Despite not having a first-round selection in the real 2023 draft, the Los Angeles Rams had three members of their class from that year that would instead by taken on day one in a re-draft: Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner, and Byron Young. These young, ascending players should serve as the building blocks for LA’s roster moving forward and they played a significant roll in the Rams’ quick rebuild and return to the playoffs.
Which teams did The Athletic send Nacua, Turner, and Young to in their re-draft? Let’s take a look:
9. Chicago Bears: Puka Nacua, WR, BYU
Original pick (made by Philadelphia after trade): Jalen Carter*
Most astute draft observers expected Nacua to outperform his draft slot (fifth round), but it’s fair to say few, if any, saw his 2023 happening. Nacua’s connection with Matthew Stafford (a rookie-record 114 catches for 1,667 yards) helped revitalize the Rams.
Nacua always was a collection of flashes mixed with injuries at BYU. Last year, we just saw the flashes, and they were awesome.
*After originally being selected ninth overall by the Eagles, Carter was re-drafted at number five overall by the Seattle Seahawks in place of CB Devon Witherspoon who now went at seven to the Las Vegas Raiders.
It’s astonishing that Nacua would now be considered a top 10 talent after falling to the late fifth round just a year ago. How will he follow up his historic rookie season?
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kobie Turner, DT, Wake Forest
Original pick (made New England after trade): Christian Gonzalez**
Maybe the Rams know what they’re doing. Nobody in the league has everything Aaron Donald had, but Turner – another light (6-foot-2, 293 pounds), interior pocket pusher – showed truly elite agility last spring. It showed up on the field playing alongside Donald, as Turner’s 50 pressures tied Carter for the most by a rookie and his 12 sacks led all rookie DTs.
**Gonzalez, who impressed in limited action with the new England Patriots before suffering a season-ending injury, was re-drafted by the Patriots at #14. The Steelers and Patriots switched places in the draft order when Pittsburgh traded up for OT Broderick Jones.
Turner was a candidate for rookie of the year, but ultimately fell short to the Houston Texans’ Will Anderson and Carter. He’ll have big shoes to fill along the defensive line this year after the retirement of Aaron Donald.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Byron Young, Edge, Tennessee
Original pick: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia
The second Rams defensive lineman in the redraft, Young was all gas off the corner for Los Angeles. His win rate was sub-10 percent, but he still worked his way to 51 pressures and eight sacks. Like Turner, Young now has to prove it...
