The Los Angeles Rams draft later this spring is going to be extremely important from a team-building perspective.
Los Angeles is in the midst of retooling its roster after moving on from stud defensive players such as Jalen Ramsey, Bobby Wagner and Leonard Floyd. General manager Les Snead and Co. had to make these moves for financial reasons after they went all in to win the Super Bowl back in February of 2022.
Fresh off a disappointing and injury-plagued five-win season, it’s high time for Los Angeles to start building through the draft again. It’s in this that we look at five Rams draft targets for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Related: Sportsnaut’s 2023 NFL mock draft
Los Angeles Rams draft picks in 2023
- Round 2 – 36th overall
- Round 3 – 69th overall
- Round 3 — 77th overall
- Round 5 – 167th overall
- Round 5 – 171st overall
- Round 5 – 177th overall
- Round 6 – 182nd overall
- Round 6 – 189th overall
- Round 6 – 191st overall
- Round 7 – 223rd overall
- Round 7 – 251st overall
Los Angeles Rams draft targets: Second round
JL Skinner, safety, Boise State
Los Angeles has needs at all three levels on its defense. In fact, an argument could be made that it boasts only two starter-caliber defenders in Aaron Donald and strong safety Jordan Fuller. It’s now all about getting value on defense in the second round.
This is where Skinner comes into play. The lanky 6-foot-4 safety can play both positions in the back end, but seems to be better suited as a free safety. He has great anticipation in the back end and plus-level ball skills, as evidenced by the six interceptions Skinner recorded in his final two seasons with Boise State. He could be a Day 1 starter. Given that the Rams need multiple rookies to take on this type of role, he’s a perfect fit.
Related: Los Angeles Rams NFL free agency grade
Los Angeles Rams draft targets: Third round
Emmanuel Forbes, cornerback, Mississippi State
Derion Kendrick and Robert Rochell are slated to be the Rams’ two starting cornerbacks this coming season. A sixth-round pick back in 2022, Kendrick yielded a 106.4 QB rating when targetd as a rookie. Rochell has started just five games as two seasons and played just 26 snaps on defense last season.
Obviously, cornerback has to be a target for the Los Angeles Rams. We absolutely love the Forbes fit in defensive coordinator Raheem Morris’ scheme. Forbes excelled in press coverage throughout his college career, continually displaying the ability to jab receivers at the line. He has great pre-snap recognition and plus-level technique, making the Mississippi State product a potential Day 1 starter, too. It also helps that Forbes registered a whopping 14 interceptions in three college seasons.
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated NFL Draft rumors
Keeanu Benton, defensive tackle, Wisconsin
Noticing a theme here? Los Angeles first needs to rebuild its defense if the team is going to get back to relevance. With future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald missing six games to injury last season, it took a major step back in the front end. That included the Rams recording just 38 sacks while yielding nearly 2,000 rushing yards.
We have absolutely no idea how much longer Donald is going to play. Finding a youngster to learn from him makes sense. The 6-foot-4, 309-pound Benton could be that guy. He was a full-time starter at Wisconsin for most of his career, recording a combined 19 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He’s a strong force at the point of contact and boasts the necessary form to hold up. We project him as a future starter in the NFL.
Los Angeles Rams draft targets: Mid-to-late rounds
Nick Broeker, offensive line, Mississippi
Strength, force and the ability to manhandle opposing defensive linemen. This is an area the Rams have struggled in along the interior of their offensive line. It’s also what defined Broeker game at Mississippi. While he will struggle pulling and has issues against more athletic pass rushers, there’s starter potential here.
The Rams also have a major need at guard with Alaric Jackson and Logan Bruss slated to start Week 1. That’s not an ideal scenario given what top NFC teams have to offer in the trenches. Broeker could even be a Day 1 starter, making him a potential steal in the mid-to-late rounds.
Related: Los Angeles Rams still pursuing top wide receiver left in NFL free agency
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, quarterback, UCLA
There was some talk about Matthew Stafford retiring after an injury-plagued 2022 season. While that’s not going to be the case, there’s no telling how much longer he’s going to be in Los Angeles. Even if it includes finding a project, the Rams must look quarterback at some point during the 2023 NFL Draft.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson had a stellar senior season at UCLA, recording 39 total touchdowns compared to just 10 interceptions. The 6-foot-1 signal caller is a dual-threat with an ability to throw over the top. Sure, he has to improve pretty much across the board. But exhausting a seventh-round pick on this type of talent isn’t really a risk.
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