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This final Los Angeles Rams mock draft will include general manager Les Snead finding more weapons for the recently-acquired Matthew Stafford while adding more picks to a bounty that is extremely limited.
Snead has made blockbuster trade after blockbuster trade over the past few years. It could potentially come home to roost with the Rams not having made a first-round pick since they selected Jared Goff No. 1 overall in 2016.
Their next Day 1 selection will be in 2024. That’s pretty insane. It also means that Los Angeles must hit on the picks that it does have. Below, we give you our final Los Angeles Rams mock draft.
Read More: 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Expert Picks & Analysis on Round 1 Prospects
Los Angeles Rams mock draft: Finding a weapon for Matthew Stafford
Second round, 57th pick: Amon-Ra St. Brown, wide receiver, USC
The Los Angeles Rams stay at home with USC product Amon-Ra St. Brown to help a wide receiver group that needs more young talent for Matthew Stafford. The 5-foot-11 St. Brown was seen as a potential first-round pick heading into what would end up being a truncated 2020 college football season. He responded by putting up 41 receptions for 478 yards and seven touchdowns in just six games.
Despite this, St. Brown has seen his stock drop some over the past several months after running a 4.61 40-yard dash at the USC Pro Day. He’s not going to take the top off the defense. But he already boasts a pro-ready route tree and excellent hands. He could even slide in as the Rams’ No. 3 wideout behind Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. Need and value at the end of Round 2. Not too bad.
- Trade: Rams move 88th pick to the New Orleans Saints for 98th pick and 133rd pick
Read More: 2021 NFL Draft big board: Ranking top 100 prospects
Third round, 98th pick: Tyson Campbell, cornerback, Georgia
Jalen Ramsey remains one of the top cover corners in the entire NFL. After that, the Rams don’t have a whole heck of a lot. They lost Troy Hill to the Cleveland Browns in free agency and are slated to rely on Darious Williams or David Long to start opposite Ramsey. That’s not ideal for a defense that was among the best in stopping the pass a season ago.
The 6-foot-2 Campbell would make perfect sense in Round 3. He has the size that new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris covets in his defensive scheme. The former Georgia standout boasts the technique and ball skills to be a starter early in his NFL career. He was largely avoided by quarterbacks during a three-year career in the SEC, too. That has to be telling.
Read More: Top 10 storylines for the 2021 NFL Draft
Third round, 103rd pick: D’Ante Smith, offensive tackle, East Carolina
Starting left tackle Andrew Whitworth is 39 years old and probably has one more year left in him. Los Angeles needs to find a potential replacement on the cheap in that it doesn’t have the cap room to add a potential veteran in free agency next offseason.
D’Ante Smith is more of the athletic offensive lineman that Sean McVay values in his offensive scheme. While he’d initially be seen as a right tackle, there’s a lot to like about the late riser. Primarily, his ability to anchor in pass protection. If this doesn’t work out, a move inside to guard could make sense, too.
Read More: NFL trade rumors: Latest updates and information for 2021 offseason
Los Angeles Rams mock draft: Day 3 targets in the 2021 NFL Draft
- Fourth round, 133rd pick: Monty Rice, linebacker, Georgia
- Fourth round, 141st pick: James Wiggins, safety, Cincinnati
- Sixth round, 209th pick: Daelin Hayes, EDGE, Notre Dame
- Seventh round, 252nd pick: Tre Walker, wide receiver, San Jose State
Wrapping up this Los Angeles Rams mock draft, we add two potential starters on defense moving forward and an underrated skill-position player.
Monty Rice was vastly underrated during his time at Georgia and projects as a starting inside linebacker in the NFL. James Wiggins is seen as a natural in the box safety with elite athleticism.
As for Hayes and Walker, both could make an impact early in their careers. The 5-foot-11 Walker recorded 79 receptions for 1,161 yards in 2019 prior to the COVID-shortened 2020 season. As for Hayes, he’s a prototypical 4-3 edge rusher that the Rams value.