2022 NFL draft NFC West winners and losers and where the Seahawks fall
By Jake Luppino
Winner: Los Angeles Rams
Biggest Needs: OT, OG, LB, CB
Best Pick: Round 3 (Pick 104): OG Logan Bruss, Wisconsin — athletic interior offensive linemen with experience at both guard & tackle.
The defending Super Bowl Champions, Los Angeles Rams, didn’t get their draft festivities started until round 3 on day 2. This shouldn’t come as a surprise as we have seen the Rams use 1st rounders quite often when making a blockbuster trades.
General manager Les Snead’s t-shirt really told the story when celebrating the Super Bowl victory. Despite the failures of the years past, they were able to finally capitalize on their gambles and walk away as champions this past season.
Very LA-like, the Rams rent out a house for their draft. Even though they didn’t make a pick on day 1, they certainly gave good content shortly after the first 32 picks when discussing G Cole Strange. In all seriousness though, the Rams have done a nice job over the years developing late draft picks. There hyper-aggressive formula of trading for stars and paying them big money really leaves them no chance but to work with what they get later in the draft.
Los Angeles Rams fill needs late in the draft
After the signing of Bobby Wagner, the Rams eliminated a rather large need at the linebacker position. The retirement of LT Andrew Whitworth left a gaping hole for this offensive line. But, they were able to use their first pick on OG Logan Bruss out of Wisconsin.
Despite having familiarity with the tackle position, Bruss will earn a starting job as an interior offensive lineman for the Rams and contribute right away. As we have seen in years past, Sean McVay does a good job or shuffling his rotation of offensive linemen until he finds the right fit.
Potential Gem: Round 5 (Pick 164): HB Kyren Williams, Notre Dame
With a late start to the draft, the Rams were able to make a splash in the 5th round. HB out of Notre Dame, Kyren Williams was drafted by the Rams after they traded with the Raiders to move up. He is known for picking up the blitz extremely well.
More importantly, he was drafted to a team where he has a legitimate shot of earning starting reps due to their backfields inability to remain healthy. In spite of the talent that Cam Akers brings to the table, he has struggled with injury. Same for his running mate, Darrell Henderson.
Biggest Takeaway: Heavy emphasis on secondary
One of the bigger needs for this Rams team was to find a cornerback who can compliment Jalen Ramsey. Being the outstanding talent that Ramsey is, teams look too often to exploit the cornerback on the opposite side of him. Los Angeles was able to pull off a bargain deal with the Cleveland Browns, acquiring former Ram, CB Troy Hill for a 2023 5th round pick. He will now rejoin his team where he initially made a name for himself.
They also used 2 of their 8 picks on cornerbacks. They landed South Carolina State CB Decobie Durant in the 4th round and Georgia CB Derion Kendrick in the 6th round. If any of you reading this remember, early on in the draft process, many mocks had the Seahawks selecting Derion Kendrick in the 2nd round. He enters the NFL having played in 4 college playoffs with 2 national championships. Although their questions about maturity off the field, he plays the game with no fear.