Rams

Rams Draft: Should Los Angeles Bite in a Deep Receiving Class?

The 2020 NFL Draft features a deep class of receiving options, and with the Rams down a receiver after an April 9 trade that sent Brandin Cooks to the Houston Texans, it may be just what they need. The Rams are now equipped with seven picks, two second-rounders at 52 and 57, that could help them replace the talent they lost. With other needs on their roster, should the Rams go after a receiver? Let’s take a look.

Running Back

After they released Todd Gurley, the Rams could be searching for his replacement in the draft. They do have Brown and Hendersen who could hold down the fort, but Brown is best suited for a backup role and Hendersen didn’t have the season many were hoping for even though Gurley’s presence limited his touches to show what he can do. The Rams could turn to a player like J.K. Dobbins from Ohio State to fill Gurley’s shoes.

Offensive Line

The Rams brought back Andrew Whitworth on a one year deal, but the offensive tackle is 39 years old. The internal options to replace him are not ideal which leaves the draft the best option to find his heir. They could draft guys like Sadik Charles out of LSU or USC’s Austin Jackson who Whitworth can groom for the year.

LineBacker

The Rams lost Clay Matthews, Dante Fowler, and Corey Littleton and have no obvious options to replace all three. The draft can give them the option of taking Texas Tech’s Jordyn Brooks who has the speed and tempo that will fit well with the Rams. He would be the ideal replacement after Littleon’s departure.

Wide Receiver

The trade of Cooks leaves the Rams with a hole to fill. If the Rams fill he can get the job done, they can hand it over to Josh Reynolds and have a trio of Reynolds, Woods, and Kupp. Both Kupp and Reynolds are free agents at season’s end and there’s no guarantee both are resigned.

If they choose to go after a receiver early in the draft, they could go after someone like Brandon Aiyuk from Arizona State who had an impressive 2019 season but had core muscle surgery recently which could help the Rams land him. If not, they could target one of Denzel Mims out of Baylor or USC’s Michael Pittman Jr. who both have the same frame and style of play that could beneficial to Goff. The two bring what the Rams lack, a physical player that can bring down jumps balls in traffic.

Final Thoughts

Although this class is deep with receiving options that the Rams can choose from, its’ not their biggest area of need and shouldn’t be their top priority. They have other areas on the roster that need to be filled and the receiving corps they have right now can get the job done. The Rams have a tendency to draft the best available player instead of for areas of need, so who knows. Only draft day will tell.

What do you think the Rams’ biggest need is?

Adam Salcido

“That is the way this game is -- you win, you lose, you celebrate and you suffer.” -- Vin Scully
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