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The Los Angeles Rams enter the NFL Draft in great shape for the first time in years. They’ve got an incredible group of receivers and defensive backs. They’ve got young studs at quarterback and running back. The Rams also have the best trio of interior defensive linemen the NFL has seen in a long time. Most importantly, their offensive line is fine.
The Rams have one major flaw with their current roster: only one starting linebacker was retained in Mark Barron, and he might not even be here come August. The Rams need to address both the inside and outside linebacker positions in the draft. While they could use youth on the offensive line or depth at the running back position, I’m going to focus on the linebackers. This is the team’s most pressing need.
The Rams only have one pick in the first two days of the draft. They have a lot that needs to be addressed. Here’s a few guys that could be smart picks for the Rams in the fourth round, where the team has picks 111, 135, and 136.
Options at Pick 111
Micah Kiser, ILB, Virginia
Kiser was an incredibly productive linebacker with the Cavaliers, earning an All-ACC selection in each of his three seasons as a starter and being named a first-team AP All-American in 2016. Kiser is a guy that can step in at inside linebacker and provide solid run support for the front four. He’s a gamer who is quick to diagnose a play and loves getting to the football. Kiser’s pass coverage leaves something to be desired, but he’d make a great foil to Mark Barron should the Rams commit to him. Kiser has the potential to step in and be a starter for the Rams this season.
Uchenna Nwosu, EDGE, USC
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Uchenna Nwosu is a homegrown product who’s a great fit for the Rams at pick 111. Nwosu is an interesting prospect. He hasn’t played football for much of his life and scouts are torn on what he’ll become. What we do know about Nwosu is that he can get to the football and make plays. He had 19 passes defended over the past two seasons and has a nose for the ball.
Nwosu seems like he could step in and have a strong impact as a pass rusher in the right situation. There really isn’t a better situation for him than Los Angeles. He will step in and play as a situational pass rusher right away while having the potential to grow into a full-time starter on the edge.
Arden Key, EDGE, LSU
Another outside linebacker with high upside in the pass rush, Arden Key could be a steal for the Rams should he be available with this pick. The 6’6 LSU product was one of the most hyped players entering the 2017 season but was ultimately a disappointment. Still, Key has all the makings of a sleeper pick if he falls to the fourth. He’s strong, athletic, and has a massive frame that he controls well. His long arms allow him to rip past defenders and make tackles on the ball one usually can’t make. There are concerns with his discipline, but that has never scared off the Rams in the past. Key will be hard to pass up if he’s available here.
Options at Pick 135/136
Hercules Mata’afa, EDGE, Washington State
Hercules Mata’afa is one of 2018’s most interesting prospects. Not only does he have an incredibly awesome name, he’s one of those unstoppable college players that scouts don’t know what to make of. Mata’afa lead Washington State in sacks for three consecutive years. His 22.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks helped him secure his place as a consensus first-team All-American. He has every single intangible you want: respected in the locker room, has an incredible motor, goes all-out on every snap, the usual things.
So why is Mata’afa a guy that isn’t expected to go till Day 3? He worked as an undersized interior linemen in college and scouts are penciling him in as an outside linebacker in the NFL If anyone can make this transition, its Hercules. His instincts and speed off the ball will translate to the NFL. It will take some for him to adjust to a new game speed and a new position. The Rams aren’t really in the market for a project player, but Mata’afa is one that could eventually produce at a high level in Los Angeles. He’ll give it everything he has on every play and is smart enough to be able to figure it out. When you’re lining up next to Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, and Michael Brockers, that might be all you need.
Mike McCray, ILB, Michigan
Mike McCray is a big, physical linebacker who could make for a solid fit in the rotation next to Mark Barron. He fits what the Rams should be looking for in an inside backer. He’s great at reading plays and he’s a big body that can clog lanes and make tackles. McCray should be able to step right into the linebacker rotation with the potential to become a starter.
Shaquem Griffin, OLB, UCF
Shaquem Griffin was the best story in college football last season. Despite missing his left hand, Griffin defied all odds to become a second-team All-American in 2017 and lead UCF to an undefeated season and a national championship. Griffin has worked around his limitation his whole life and should have no problem doing it at the highest level.
Griffin flashed his insane athleticism by running a 4.38 40 yard dash at the NFL combine. He’s a versatile linebacker who nabbed 18.5 sacks over his final two years at UCF. His speed allows him to defend the run and the pass well. What really makes me believe that Griffin would be a good fit for the Rams is that he’s a smart player with a high motor at a position of need. If the Rams believe that Ramik Wilson and Mark Barron will be a solid starting linebacker duo, Griffin is the ideal next-man-up in the rotation. He’ll come in and make plays no matter the situation.
I don’t pick Griffin to become a defensive anchor in the NFL. That said, Griffin continues to prove people wrong. He’d be a great rotational linebacker for the Rams.
Steve Rebeiro is a staff writer and podcast host for Rams Talk. He is an alumni of Marquette University. For more of his opinions, follow him on Twitter here.
2018 NFL Draft, defense, draft, edge rusher, featured, ilb, Linebacker, linebackers, nfl draft, olb, prospects
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The Los Angeles Rams enter the NFL Draft in great shape for the first time in years. They’ve got an incredible group of receivers and defensive backs. They’ve got young studs at quarterback and running back. The Rams also have the best trio of interior defensive linemen the NFL has seen in a long time. Most importantly, their offensive line is fine.
The Rams have one major flaw with their current roster: only one starting linebacker was retained in Mark Barron, and he might not even be here come August. The Rams need to address both the inside and outside linebacker positions in the draft. While they could use youth on the offensive line or depth at the running back position, I’m going to focus on the linebackers. This is the team’s most pressing need.
The Rams only have one pick in the first two days of the draft. They have a lot that needs to be addressed. Here’s a few guys that could be smart picks for the Rams in the fourth round, where the team has picks 111, 135, and 136.
Options at Pick 111
Micah Kiser, ILB, Virginia
Kiser was an incredibly productive linebacker with the Cavaliers, earning an All-ACC selection in each of his three seasons as a starter and being named a first-team AP All-American in 2016. Kiser is a guy that can step in at inside linebacker and provide solid run support for the front four. He’s a gamer who is quick to diagnose a play and loves getting to the football. Kiser’s pass coverage leaves something to be desired, but he’d make a great foil to Mark Barron should the Rams commit to him. Kiser has the potential to step in and be a starter for the Rams this season.
Uchenna Nwosu, EDGE, USC
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Uchenna Nwosu is a homegrown product who’s a great fit for the Rams at pick 111. Nwosu is an interesting prospect. He hasn’t played football for much of his life and scouts are torn on what he’ll become. What we do know about Nwosu is that he can get to the football and make plays. He had 19 passes defended over the past two seasons and has a nose for the ball.
Nwosu seems like he could step in and have a strong impact as a pass rusher in the right situation. There really isn’t a better situation for him than Los Angeles. He will step in and play as a situational pass rusher right away while having the potential to grow into a full-time starter on the edge.
Arden Key, EDGE, LSU
Another outside linebacker with high upside in the pass rush, Arden Key could be a steal for the Rams should he be available with this pick. The 6’6 LSU product was one of the most hyped players entering the 2017 season but was ultimately a disappointment. Still, Key has all the makings of a sleeper pick if he falls to the fourth. He’s strong, athletic, and has a massive frame that he controls well. His long arms allow him to rip past defenders and make tackles on the ball one usually can’t make. There are concerns with his discipline, but that has never scared off the Rams in the past. Key will be hard to pass up if he’s available here.
Options at Pick 135/136
Hercules Mata’afa, EDGE, Washington State
Hercules Mata’afa is one of 2018’s most interesting prospects. Not only does he have an incredibly awesome name, he’s one of those unstoppable college players that scouts don’t know what to make of. Mata’afa lead Washington State in sacks for three consecutive years. His 22.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks helped him secure his place as a consensus first-team All-American. He has every single intangible you want: respected in the locker room, has an incredible motor, goes all-out on every snap, the usual things.
So why is Mata’afa a guy that isn’t expected to go till Day 3? He worked as an undersized interior linemen in college and scouts are penciling him in as an outside linebacker in the NFL If anyone can make this transition, its Hercules. His instincts and speed off the ball will translate to the NFL. It will take some for him to adjust to a new game speed and a new position. The Rams aren’t really in the market for a project player, but Mata’afa is one that could eventually produce at a high level in Los Angeles. He’ll give it everything he has on every play and is smart enough to be able to figure it out. When you’re lining up next to Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, and Michael Brockers, that might be all you need.
Mike McCray, ILB, Michigan
Mike McCray is a big, physical linebacker who could make for a solid fit in the rotation next to Mark Barron. He fits what the Rams should be looking for in an inside backer. He’s great at reading plays and he’s a big body that can clog lanes and make tackles. McCray should be able to step right into the linebacker rotation with the potential to become a starter.
Shaquem Griffin, OLB, UCF
Shaquem Griffin was the best story in college football last season. Despite missing his left hand, Griffin defied all odds to become a second-team All-American in 2017 and lead UCF to an undefeated season and a national championship. Griffin has worked around his limitation his whole life and should have no problem doing it at the highest level.
Griffin flashed his insane athleticism by running a 4.38 40 yard dash at the NFL combine. He’s a versatile linebacker who nabbed 18.5 sacks over his final two years at UCF. His speed allows him to defend the run and the pass well. What really makes me believe that Griffin would be a good fit for the Rams is that he’s a smart player with a high motor at a position of need. If the Rams believe that Ramik Wilson and Mark Barron will be a solid starting linebacker duo, Griffin is the ideal next-man-up in the rotation. He’ll come in and make plays no matter the situation.
I don’t pick Griffin to become a defensive anchor in the NFL. That said, Griffin continues to prove people wrong. He’d be a great rotational linebacker for the Rams.
Steve Rebeiro is a staff writer and podcast host for Rams Talk. He is an alumni of Marquette University. For more of his opinions, follow him on Twitter here.
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