The draft has come and after today it will be gone. The first two days have flown by but the Rams have only picked once. They bring eight picks into the final day of the draft and here is who the Rams could be looking at in round four.
At pick 111th…
13th overall player on my board: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
Maurice Hurst has fallen down the board due to a heart condition. It’s obviously serious, otherwise we wouldn’t be talking about him in day three but still, he’s easily a top 15 player in this class and while he might not be a need, the Rams could add even more talent to the defensive line with this pick. No, the Rams have not reportedly met with Hurst but this is one of those things where if the Rams have him on their board still he will be considered. Hurst has one of the quickest first-steps in this draft and has a similar style of play to Aaron Donald.
30th overall player on my board: Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon
Oregon Ducks OT Tyrell Crosby has mysteriously fallen into day three. He’s my top overall tackle in this class and while the Rams have already drafted an offensive tackle, I would not rule out the idea of the Rams grabbing Crosby here. They had a private visit with him, they met with him at the Senior Bowl and he is projected as a tackle or guard. When you factor in that versatility and the overall fact that the Rams will have their LG Rodger Saffold, RG Jamon Brown and RT Rob Havenstein hitting free agency after this year, you start to realize Crosby could be an option. Double-dipping on Noteboom and Crosby would solidify the Rams future on the offensive line.
33rd overall player on my board: Shaquem Griffin, LB, UCF
Perhaps the most popular name that will trend in the fourth round is none other than Shaquem Griffin. The Rams have reportedly met with him but Wade Phillips praised him at the combine. This is someone that would do wonders in Phillips defense, he’s a legitimate second-round talent that is falling due to his disability. Still, when you watch the film you see someone that will have a role at the next level.
36th overall on my board: Josh Sweat, EDGE, Florida State
Once again, another player that has not met with the Rams but would be an absolute steal of a pick here late in the draft. Sweat is an ultra athlete and was unfortunately put in position to fail at Florida State. The Rams would be able to get the most out of him, the issue for Sweat is his knee. That’s the issue teams have on him, his injury history with the dislocated knee and ACL tear. I would still look into taking him with this pick. The Rams do not have a ton at the position and he could start right away.
39th overall on my board: Dorance Armstrong Jr., EDGE, Kansas
Another EDGE defender that was unfortunately put in a bad spot at Kansas. They did not turn Armstrong loose and so his production dipped big time in 2017. Here’s available, the Rams already have a Jayhawk on the roster in Aqib Talib and the team had a private visit with Dorance Armstrong. He’s a serious contender to be the pick for the Rams here.
47th overall on my board: Genard Avery, ILB, Memphis
He’s someone I never expected to be here either. Genard Avery found his stock trending into the second round but here is day three. The Rams have a need at inside linebacker and although they did not meet with Avery, they might want to consider this pick. Avery is a very strong and very athletic player. He ran a 4.5 forty and benched 26 reps on the bench press. If you like Rashaan Evans, Avery is not far from that type of player.
At pick’s 135 & 136…
40th overall player on my board: Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond
Quarterbacks are currency in this new age NFL. Kyle Lauletta was the Senior Bowl MVP and has fallen into the fourth round. Sean McVay has yet to take his QB since becoming the coach of the Rams. I think Sean Mannion’s time in Los Angeles is winding down and I think if Lauletta is available at the end of the fourth round the Rams might want to look into making him one of their two picks. Lauletta shows the pocket mobility, accuracy and leadership that makes you feel confident. He’s falling down boards because teams still have forgotten that arm strength is the easiest thing for a QB to improve on.
60th overall player on my board: Tyler Conklin, TE, Central Michigan
The Rams have a nice TE room in Gerald Everett, Tyler Higbee, Temarrick Hemingway and Johnny Mundt. However, I do think they will look to add to that and I think Tyler Conklin is a name to watch. They met with him at the Senior Bowl, he was a captain, he does it all as far as blocking and receiving. Once again, he was a Senior Bowl guy. I think if the Rams pick a TE, he’s the guy they are targeting.
62nd overall on my board: Duke Ejiofor, EDGE, Wake Forest
Another EDGE guy, this one right has already met with the Rams. Ejiofor is one of the most NFL-ready pass rushers in this draft, he has every trick in the book. Why is he here? Probably because he’s not extremely athletic and his injury has scared teams away. The Rams however, are a serious contender to land him. This is the type of guy a Super Bowl contender will go after, someone with a higher floor and someone that is nuanced as a pass rusher and brings a lot to the table. He may not project out well long-term but the guy you get day one is good enough to start.
64th overall on my board: Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State
Ballage has not met with the Rams but dominated at the Senior Bowl. He’s someone with a high ceiling and someone that offers a ton as a pass protector and receiver. The Rams will be looking for a backup behind Todd Gurley that can pass protect, receive and really not force the offense to limit their play-calling in any way. I think you get that big time with Ballage and even though the Rams did not have a private visit with him, he has to be relatively realistic for the Rams here.
65th overall on my board: DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State
I really can’t understand why the draft’s best route runner is still available but do not discount the idea of the Rams selecting him in the late fourth round if he’s there. No, they did not meet with him but this is the best route runner in the class and likely the best available at this point.
67th overall on my board: Dane Cruikshank, DB, Arizona
The Rams met with Dane Cruikshank and so they clearly view him as a potential target in the fourth round. Cruikshank is a versatile defensive back that has a great range and ball skills. With the Rams having LaMarcus Joyner on the franchise tag, it’s no guarantee he’s back after this upcoming season. Regardless, the Rams would like to use a third safety like Wade Phillips did with the Broncos. Here’s their chance to get someone that would become a serious playmaker.
71st overall on my board: Shaun Dion Hamilton, ILB, Alabama
Injuries are the unfortunate cause of many drops in the draft but that’s definitely the reason Hamilton has fallen. The Rams did not meet with him but he is the perfect mold of inside linebacker for their defense. He played against meaningful competition, Quarterbacked the best defense in football and was well respected among his teammates. The Rams still have a need in the middle and Shaun Dion Hamilton at this juncture would be a steal.
72nd overall on my board: Andrew Brown, DT, Virginia
It’s a less likely option for the Rams than Hurst because he isn’t quite the talent Hurst is but man, Andrew Brown is nasty. He’s very athletic and would fit right in that rotation on the defensive line. Best available pick for sure, they have not met with him at any point in this pre-draft process.
74th overall on my board: Luke Falk, QB, Washington State
The former Oaks Christian product would be returning to the area if the Rams made him one of their picks. It’s the same thing with Kyle Lauletta, McVay has yet to be his QB, QB’s are falling in this draft and will allow the Rams to get a good developmental backup behind Goff if they want. Falk actually has some phenomenal stuff he put on tape but his 2017 season made me drop him down my board. Still, he would be great for what the Rams want to do. Les Snead mentioned there are QB’s they like in this draft but it’s unlikely they are there when they want them. Maybe, they will be.
77th overall on my board: Tegray Scales, ILB, Indiana
Another inside linebacker that is being overlooked in this draft is Tegray Scales. Scales does everything well, he was the most consistent tackler in the country last year and shows great athleticism, tackling ability and awareness when he plays. Scales was a complete leader for the Hoosiers and will definitely be an option for the Rams. They did not meet with him but that doesn’t mean they won’t make him their pick.
80th overall on my board: Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State
One of the top tackles in the draft did not meet with the Rams but would be a decent option later on if the team wanted to double dip on tackles.
81st overall on. my board: Josey Jewell, ILB, Iowa
A tackling machine, a leader and someone that the Rams have been monitoring throughout this draft process would fill a hole and be a great value pick at the end of the fourth round. Jewell has become a fan favorite among Rams fans so he seems to be the leader in the clubhouse to go at some point today.
83rd overall on my board: Tony Adams, G/C, NC State
Captain? Check. Versatile? Check. Met with Rams? Check. The Rams as previously mentioned will have two guards hitting free agency after this season and their center is 32 years old. Tony Adams is someone I’m higher on than likely anyone. Another high character workhorse that the Rams would be all over.
85th overall on my board: Marcell Ateman, WR, Oklahoma State
Last year, the Rams had the number one offense even with one of the worst red zone touchdown conversions in the league. Marcell Ateman was the best Oklahoma State WR in this draft and at 6-foot-4, having the ball skills, awareness and physicality he has, the Rams might have to make him one of their picks if he falls. Ateman is a great blocker and is someone McVay would love. The Rams still have shown interest in receivers so I won’t say it’s impossible by any stretch.
87th overall on my board: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, EDGE, Oklahoma
I get the feeling the Rams are all over Okoronkwo, they have met with him multiple times throughout the process. He offers the versatility to play on the edge or as an inside backer. He’s raw but he offers a lot to the table.
89th overall on my board: Nyheim Hines, RB, NC State
I love what Nyheim Hines brings to the table as a receiver. He and Jaylen Samuels split time at RB at NC State and both would make great additions for the Rams. I think Hines is the second best receiving back available behind Ballage and would be a great fit. The Rams have not met with Hines but he offers a lot of what the Rams want to find in their “Chris Thompson” back.
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