Turf Show Times
The NFL Draft is fast approaching so here’s my last mock draft of the season for the Rams.
The Los Angeles Rams have a first round pick for the first time since 2019 and I believe they are going to stay there and make their first pick in the first round since 2016. There might be a catch to that though. Here’s my final mock draft of the year for the Rams. It’s worth noting this isn’t just what I would do but this is my best attempt to get the Rams draft accurate and it includes some trades so buckle up.
The Rams hold the 19th-overall selection and if you’ve followed my draft content this year you will know that I have said from day one they won’t be staying put and making the selection here. That, however, does not mean they won’t pick in the first round. I have the Rams kicking off their first pick of the draft at 12th-overall instead after they decide to move up seven spots with the Broncos.
The Rams were reportedly in attendance and represented well at a few Penn State games during the college year. Immediately when this came out I assumed they would be interested in Olu Fashanu as a potential bookend left tackle of the future. It’s not to say that Alaric Jackson is a bad player, he’s actually quite good. It’s more so, both Jackson and Joe Noteboom are set to hit free agency next year and if Jackson has an even decent season he will command around $20 million per year in all likelihood based on the market.
Insert Fashanu here. I’ve been told the Rams are very interested in trading up and I was told from a source that they are eyeing at the very least a trade up to 12th overall. I do believe the Rams want Joe Alt and that would be their dream scenario but that dream sadly might not come true seeing as the Titans are almost surely picking him at seventh-overall. Fashanu falls outside the top ten in this scenario and with teams like the Raiders, Saints and Seahawks all waiting to pounce on offensive line, the Rams trade up to snatch a day one franchise left tackle.
What does that mean for Jackson? That’s not the important thing. Fashanu is ready to play right away and is someone I believe can be an All Pro some day. The Rams add a blindside protector for Matthew Stafford now and for his successor in the future. The best part of this is that Fashanu will essentially be locked into a fifth-year option which is very cost effective for the Rams especially at the tackle position.
As of right now you may think I’m a Penn State homer but the truth...
