Rams 7-round mock draft: Who is the tackle of the future?
With the NFL draft finally here, beginning with the first round on Thursday, it’s time for one final seven-round mock draft to project what the Rams might do this weekend. Earlier in the month, we did another mock draft that prioritized reshaping the defense with early additions of tackle Byron Murphy II and Alabama’s Chris Braswell. This time, let’s take a different tact and see where we end up, using Pro Football Focus’s mock draft simulator. The simulator made the non-Rams picks and we made choices for the Rams from that point.
Round 1, Pick 19
The pick: Amarius Mims
Offensive tackle, Georgia, 6-foot-7, 340 pounds
With Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein returning as starters, the Rams have the luxury of taking a developmental prospect along the offensive line. Mims only started eight games in college due to the Bulldogs’ depth chart and an injury in 2023, but he has the physical tools and solid enough athleticism to be a potential long-term answer at either tackle spot.
Other prospects considered at No. 19:
Edge rusher Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Cornerback Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Receiver Brian Thomas Jr., LSU
Round 2, Pick 52
The pick: Jonah Elliss
Edge rusher, Utah, 6-foot-2, 246 pounds
Elliss isn’t a physical freak, lacking the explosiveness and length of many first-round prospects at his position. But he has a number of pass rush moves and his fundamentals are strong, especially with hand placement to get off of blocks. He’d fill a significant need for the Rams and give their front another long-term bookend opposite of Byron Young.
Other prospects considered at No. 52:
Receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
Cornerback T.J. Tampa, Iowa State
Safety Jaden Hicks, Washington State
Round 3, Pick 83
The pick: Spencer Rattler
Quarterback, South Carolina, 6-foot-1, 217 pounds
If the opportunity arises, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Rams package one of their two third-round picks to move up from pick No. 52 to select someone like Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. But we aren’t doing trades in this exercise, and Rattler has been one of the big risers of this draft process with a strong showing at the combine and his pro day. He has good accuracy but needs time to learn how to better read coverages, which he could do behind Matthew Stafford.
Other prospects considered at No. 83:
Receiver Jalen McMillan, Washington
Cornerback Khyree Jackson, Oregon
Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
Round 3, Pick 99
The pick: Michael Hall Jr.
Defensive tackle, Ohio State, 6-foot-2, 280 pounds
The Rams finally find a new defensive tackle in this scenario, adding Hall to line up alongside Kobie Turner. At this size and speed, he makes a lot of sense in the Rams’ 4-3 front as someone who can play both inside and out when called upon to do so. He is able to use his lower center of gravity to his advantage in the run game, while using his speed to shoot the gap in pass rush situations.
Other prospects considered at No. 99:
Safety Calen Bullock, USC
Tight end Cade Stover, Ohio State
Cornerback Caelen Carson, Wake Forest
Round 5, Pick 154
The pick: Trevin Wallace
Linebacker, Kentucky, 6-foot-2, 241 pounds
The Rams could use some depth at linebacker, and Wallace has the physicality and speed to be a contributor both on defense and on special teams. He needs some time to work on his play diagnostics and reaction, but he’d have that behind Ernest Jones IV and Christian Rozeboom with the Rams.
Other prospects considered at No. 154:
Edge rusher Gabriel Murphy, UCLA
Cornerback Myles Harden, South Dakota
Tight end Jaheim Bell, Florida State
Round 5, Pick 155
The pick: Myles Harden
Cornerback, South Dakota, 6-foot, 200 pounds
Known for his quickness and ability to help in the run game, Harden could be a long-term fit at nickel for the Rams despite mostly playing outside cornerback in college.
Other prospects considered at No. 155:
Edge rusher Gabriel Murphy, UCLA
Tight end Jaheim Bell, Florida State
Round 6, Pick 196
The pick: Dillon Johnson
Running back, Washington, 6-foot, 218 pounds
The Rams could use some more competition at backup running back even after Ronnie Rivers signed his tender. Johnson is a good pass catcher and, more importantly, pass blocker who could contribute to the Rams on third down.
Other prospects considered at No. 196:
Edge rusher Braiden McGregor, Michigan
Cornerback Johnny Dixon, Penn State
Running back Dylan Laube, New Hampshire
Round 6, Pick 209
The pick: Myles Murphy
Defensive tackle, North Carolina, 6-foot-4, 310 pounds
Murphy isn’t much of a pass rusher, producing just 14 total pressures as a senior in 2023. But he’s a good run stuffer who could be part of a rotation along the defensive front for the Rams.
Other prospects considered at No. 209:
Defensive tackle Gabe Hall, Baylor
Edge rusher Cedric Johnson, Mississippi
Wide receiver Casey Washington, Illinois
Round 6, Pick 213
The pick: Casey Washington
Wide receiver, Illinois, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds
Washington didn’t put up consistent production throughout his collegiate career, but with just three drops over the past two seasons, he has the sure hands that could earn him some playing time at some point during his rookie contract.
Other prospects considered at No. 213:
Defensive tackle Gabe Hall, Baylor
Edge rusher Cedric Johnson, Mississippi
Round 6, Pick 217
The pick: Will Reichard
Kicker, Alabama, 6-foot-1, 194 pounds
This is the one pick we’ll keep the same from our previous mock draft. The Rams need a kicker, and Reichard is extremely consistent with a lot of leg strength to solidify the kicker spot for the Rams for several years.
Other prospects considered at No. 217:
Kicker Cam Little, Arkansas
Round 7, Pick No. 254
The pick: Edefuan Ulofoshio
Linebacker, Washington, 6-foot-1, 236 pounds
A former walk-on who battled through injuries throughout his career, Ulofoshio would be a good depth piece on defense while bringing toughness to special teams.
Other prospects considered at No. 254:
Edge rusher David Ugwoegbu, Houston
Safety Omar Brown, Nebraska