With several months to go before the NFL draft, the latest round of mock drafts address the Rams defense.
As the Los Angeles Rams look to rebound from their disappointing 5-12 season, they do so with limited cap space and draft capital.
Of course there are still deals to be signed, trades to be made and other aspects for the Rams to retool the roster and compete for a Super Bowl again. Then, there is the NFL draft.
Despite not having a first-round pick, the Rams do pick high in the second round due to their poor season. Who they take at No. 36, though, is up for debate as there are certainly many routes they could go down with the pick.
With several different possibilities for the Rams to, here is a collection of what different mock drafts have them doing come April.
Luke Easterling, Draft Wire
The pick: LSU OLB BJ Ojulari
One area of need for the Rams is a consistent pass rush, and drafting Ojulari could certainly help in that regard. He recorded 5.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles in his last season as a Tiger, and in his three-year recorded 16.5 sacks, 25.5 tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles.
Skyler Carlin, Rams Wire / Dane Brugler, The Athletic
The pick: Georgia OLB Nolan Smith
Nolan Smith is a popular pick for the Rams to take in these mock drafts, and it isn’t too hard to see why. Despite lacking the length and size the Rams tend to look for at the outside linebacker, he has shown great bend as a pass rusher which could entice them.
Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic
The pick: Utah CB Clark Phillips III
Where the other mocks go the pass rusher route for the Rams, Baumgardner opts for cornerback Clark Phillips III out of Utah. This could be a smart pick, though, with David Long Jr. and Troy Hill hitting free agency. In 31 games Phillips hauled in nine interceptions, returning four for a touchdown.
Ultimately there will be dozens of mock drafts between now and April, and as free agency opens it will change who is mocked where. However, once the Rams are finally on the clock in the second round, don’t be surprised if they do draft defensive help.
You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98
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