The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2018 NFL Draft with a revamped roster after a busy offseason of acquiring proven talent across the board. It has helped strengthen the team certain areas on both sides of the ball
This has singled out a few aspects on the roster that need to be addressed through the upcoming draft. During a team organized draft preview roundtable, general manager Les Snead made it clear that both head coach Sean McVay and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will have major say on what players they take: (h/t Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire)
“[They’ll have] major input, in that football is a very complicated game and each scheme is different depending on whether – and you get technical,” Snead said. “‘Is it a zone offensive line scheme? Is it a man blocking scheme? Is it 3-4 zone coverage, man?’ So each coach on the offensive side of the ball and defensive side of the ball needs to sit down and say, ‘Look, this is what we’re trying to accomplish, these are the types of players that will help us accomplish that goal’ and it’s our job to help them go find those players.”
The Rams have some glaring needs on the defensive side of the ball that is centered on the linebacker core after the team traded away starting middle linebacker Alec Ogletree to the New York Giants and did not decide to re-sign Connor Barwin. The only starter left in the bunch is Mark Barron along with a few other unproven players in the group.
Meanwhile, the Rams also need to acquire additional pass rushers after moving former Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Quinn to the Miami Dolphins earlier this offseason. There are some clear areas of need on the roster that also includes adding more depth to the offensive line. Although the Rams won’t be on the clock until the third round, the team has proven in the past they can find talent in the later rounds.
This past year, the team selected both wide receiver Cooper Kupp and safety John Johnson in the third round. In 2016 NFL Draft, the team also took Pro Bowler Pharoh Cooper in the fourth round and the year prior to that the team selected offensive guard Jamon Brown in the third round. The Rams currently have a third-round pick, three fourth-rounders, and four six rounders at their disposal to add more promising talent to the roster ahead of the 2018 campaign.
