The Rams traded their 2017 fifth overall pick of the first round, and their third round compensatory pick to the Tennessee Titans. This season ,the NFL will allow teams to use their compensatory pick as trades, and is what is expected for the Rams to initiate. They received a third round compensatory pick for the loss of Janoris Jenkins, and the Titans was awarded the Rams third round #100 overall pick.
The Rams will be on hold until day two of the draft, unless they able to generate some sort of magic by trading up in the first round. Rams will select at #37 of the second round, and will select wisely. Here, I will list a mock draft of the Rams selections of the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft.
In my 1.0 draft I had the Rams drafting a wide-receiver expecting that Kenny Britt and Brian Quick, would not be reisigned. This year draft is loaded with talented receivers so I would expect that Rams new head coach Sean McVay will make the teams first selection with a receiver or athletic tight-end. So, lets sit back and relax and view the selections made in this 3.0 mock draft.
2nd Round, Pick #37: Evan Engram TE, Ole Miss
The Los Angeles Rams enters the 2017 NFL Draft, in efforts of providing offensive weapons for quarterback Jared Goff. They find that weapon in selecting Evan Engram, the 6’3” 234 pound tight-end phenom, from Ole Mis. Engram shined in front of numerous NFL head coaches and scouts, with his outstanding 40 times and vertical leap. He posted the fastest 40 time of all tight-ends, with a impressive 4.42 seconds and fifth overall with his 36” vertical jump. Choosing Engram, Rams clearly has selected the best athletic tight-end in the draft. Evans can line-up outside as well as a receiver, creating mis-matches for the defense.
Engram’s speed will terrorize the defenses in the league. I believe there are only a few line-backers and safety that can cover him vertically up the field. He has the ability to catch the ball in the open field and outrun safeties and cornerbacks on the field.
I love this selection at #37 of Engram, he can be slated as a week one starter, delivering in the red-zone, and another target for Goff.
3rd Round, Pick #69: Kenny Golladay, WR, Northern Illinois
Kenny Golladay’s stock risen by his performances at the NFL Combine, from his 40 times and individual drills. The Rams needed to draft big play and sized receiver, and has taken the chance with this 6’4″ 220 pound receiver. This receiver has the ability to stretch the field, and with his impeccable size, he has the physical body to become a red zone mismatch. His athletic frame, speed, and great hands will be key, because the Rams has moved on from Kenny Britt and Brian Quick. Golladay can be a huge replacement, for those receivers that moved on to new teams. McVay goes heavy offense with the first two picks of the day by selecting Golladay at #69 of the third round. Laying down just about all the chips and taken the risk with Golladay in the third, SHALL pay off significantly early in this card game.
4th Round, Pick #112: Fabian Moreau, DB, UCLA
Fabian Moreau is a pretty good cornerback that had first round potential written all over him. Unfortunately, at his UCLA pro-day, he tore a pectoral muscle which at first deemed to be a strain. This injury can have a long-term career affect, many teams didn’t wan’t the risk. Moreau a very fast defensive back, converted from a running back position early at ULCA. At 6’1” 210 pounds, he is a physical defensive back who can play the press coverages in cover one and zero defensive sets. He joins a defensive backfield that is already very deep with Trumaine Johnson, LaMarcus Joyner, Kayvon Webster, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Blake Countess, Troy Hill Michael Jordan. No doubt there is a great deal of competition, and will need to find away to get on the field in coverage. But, Moreau gives the Rams some more added depth at the corner position, something they have not had in years. I’ll be very excited to see Moreau challenge Kayvon Webster for that other outside corner position once he returns from injury. Speaking of his injury, trainers has noted that the rehabilitation period from his surgery will be four to six months of a recovery process, allowing to return to the field this season.
4th Round, Pick #141 (compensatory pick for Rodney McCleod): George Kittle, TE, Iowa
The more that I viewed film on this kid, the further I fell in love with his playing ability. No doubt, Kittle is the brand of a tight-end that fits perfectly into Sean McVay’s offensive system. His 6’4″ 247 pound frame, is definitely a combined fit to the tight-ends on the teams roster. In my opinion, drafting Kittle will be an upgrade over Cory Harkey, and can expect the Rams to make a trade of Harkey or him be released.
He is a tight-end that posses the full package of combined skills with deceptive speed, a powerful blocker, and a sure handed receiver.
As a receiving tight-end, he is very sneaky in running his routes, he tends to find the way to get open on the field. Demonstrates the ability to put the defenderss to sleep, and magically wide open down the field. He puts me in the mind of the former Indianapolis Colt Dallas Clark as receiver.
As a blocker, he pulverizes ANY defender that lines up in his path. Viewing his game film, you will find he demonstrates tremendous power and strength when blocking the defenders down the field, seal blocking inside or out, or just barreling the defender into the ground.
He can be used as a lead blocker in the backfield, a H-back, and will remain a dangerous receiver either way. Selecting both Engram and Kittle in this draft, has really presented Jared Goff with additional weapons that he can target early and often. Risk factor selecting Kittles at #141, while being projected as six rounder, Rams plays roulette and cashes in big with the winnings.
5th Round, Pick #149: Eddie Jackson, S, Alabama
Eddie Jackson is the type of player a coach or fan, would just have to appreciate! As a junior, this kid had the opportunity to declare early for the NFL Draft. Instead, with his love for the game, Nick Saban, and the University of Alabama, he chose not to declare, but was determined to return and repeat with back to back national championships. His dreams were derailed when he broke his leg returning a punt the eight game of the season. Nevertheless, Alabama would make it to the BCS National Championship only to lose to Clemson.
When watching film on Jackson and what I enjoyed the most, this kid has such a great deal of talent and a big heart. He tore his ACL in the spring practices and returned to start eight games his sophomore season, and broke his leg his senior season and is already to play this fall. Jackson played corner and converted over as a safety. His lanky frame is great for a safety of his size at 6’0″ and 201 pounds. He was a lock-down corner that relied on no help, in which those skills transitioned with the ability to cover tight-ends. Jackson has good sideline to sideline speed, and great ball hawking skills to help his reactions covering receivers. He also was a former receiver, he has great ball tracking skills too. Returning kicks is an added element to his game, which makes him even more dangerous from the safety position.
Suffering two major injuries, from a torn ACL and a broken leg, Jackson’s projection has slid down from a potential first round selection to a third. However, I expect that many teams will pass on him and refuse to take the risk, as the Rams use a fifth round selection and draft Jackson.
6th Round, Pick #191: Jon Toth, C, Kentucky
The Rams landed the Washington Redskins free agent center John Sulllivan, to resolve the search for one. Signing the veteran center, allowed the Rams not to rush in drafting a center in which John Toth remained available. Toth was a four year starter at the University of Kentucky, and played a lot of games earning him SEC All Freshman and first team All Conference in 2016. Rams gets a very smart player not only was a Mechanical Engineering major, but also speaks fluent Spanish. Good leverage blocker that plays well inside of a phone booth. Uses his hands well, and able to adjust his shoulders for moving defender out the way. As a pass blocker, is stern enough to lock-down and not be beat by a bull rusher. Probably will not see much playing time, because he needs to work on his feet and stance as Coach Kromer will correct soon. But, Rams look to move on from Tim Barnes and get new center in free agency.
6th Round, Pick #225: Al-Quadin Muhammad, Edge, Miami
When I first watched this kid play at the US Army All-American game, I thought he had the talent to be the next Jessie Armstead at Miami. Muhammad is very explosive off the edge, with the presence in mind to identify the run first,and pass second. Player of his size at 6’4″ and 247 pounds, he has great flexibility that allows his hips to turn the edge. He’s an average defender recognizing the run, but, still can be effective from the edge. He’s more effective as a pass rusher, with his athleticism he gets through the gaps in a hurry. He penetrates well with good vision, great hand movement, and ability to slip blocks to make tackles or sacks.
Muhammad was a kid that had such a bright collegiate career at University of Miami, off the field issues, subsequently cost his scholarship and dismissal from the University of Miami. I believe a value lesson has been learned by Muhammad, because his off the field problems may have cost him first round selections if remained at Miami. He’s able to play in the 3-4 scheme as he played in college and will be a good pick in the seventh round.
If he can manage to keep his self out of trouble, believe the Rams get a gem late in the draft.
7th Round, Pick #236 (via Ravens for trade of Chris Givens): Michael Coe, OL, North Dakota
Michael Coe, a appealing player who transferred from Western New Mexico to the University of North Dakota. He played his final collegiate season for UND, starting all 11 games, four at center, seven at right tackle, and one game at left tackle. Before transferring to North Dakota, he started 32 consecutive games for Western New Mexico, and selected as a all-conference player each of his three seasons.
Coe’s offensive line coach, Luke Knauf, departed Western New Mexico and was hired at UND at the same staff position. Coe decided to transfer from Westen New Mexico, and follow Knauf to UND. Despite transferring from a Division II school, the level of play didn’t matter, as Coe was selected as a All-Big Sky Conference First Team lineman.
Rams selects a not so fast, but a athletic lineman, surprisingly from a small-school. Coe has the experience of playing all three positions on the line. A pivotal swing lineman can step in and can bottle up as an interior lineman in a reserve role.
Coe’s playing style is of Hall of Famer and former offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers Larry Allen, who was a dominant blocker, who pushed and threw defensive lineman around the field. Coe is almost the epitome of Allen, with his dominating run blocking. He has the potential to be a very effective short yardage or goaline blocker. On the field, he was a man amongst the boys.(Watch attached video #74)
He has the ability to learn and play in any pro-style offense. He has very good feet, long, strong and powerful arms. So athletic as a blocker, keeps his feet moving at all times, driving defenders back or pancaking blocking. Has a good solid blocking base for pass protection.
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