2023 NFL Draft: NFC West winners and losers and where the Seahawks fall
By Jake Luppino
Loser: Los Angeles Rams
Grade: C-
Coming off a disappointing 5-12 season filled with questions surrounding commitment from head coach Sean McVay and DT Aaron Donald, the Los Angeles Rams decided to head towards a rebuild in the offseason. Mortgaging their future with numerous different trades involving first-round picks did pay off as the Rams won the 2022 NFL Super Bowl.
However, it came with a steep price. Between financial commitments and pieces that just didn’t mesh as well as Los Angeles hoped for, it appeared their only options were to move off foundational pieces. Which, quite frankly is the smart move to do when rebuilding. Hope to acquire draft picks and hit on your picks, allowing you to build a new nucleus around good talent on cheap contracts. But, it is hard to do that when you do not have any first-round picks.
Let’s take a look at the Los Angeles Rams 2023 NFL Draft.
ROUND | SELECTION | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|
Rd 2, Pk 36 | G Steve Avila | TCU |
Rd 3, Pk 77 (via MIA) | EDGE Byron Young | Tennessee |
Rd 3, Pk 89 | DT Kobie Turner | Wake Forest |
Rd 4, Pk 128 | QB Stetson Bennett | Georgia |
Rd 5, Pk 161 (via HOU) | EDGE Nick Hampton | Appalachian State |
Rd 5, Pk 174 (from LV via HOU) | OT Warren McClendon | Georgia |
Rd 5, Pk 175 (via TB) | TE Davis Allen | Clemson |
Rd 5, Pk 177 | WR Puka Nacua | BYU |
Rd 6, Pk 182 | CB Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson | TCU |
Rd 6, Pk 189 (via GB) | EDGE Ochaun Mathis | Nebraska |
Rd 7, Pk 215 (from WAS via BUF) | RB Zach Evans | Ole Miss |
Rd 7, Pk 223 | P Ethan Evans | Wingate |
Rd 7, Pk 234 (via PIT) | S Jason Taylor II | Oklahoma State |
Rd 7, Pk 259 (via HOU) | EDGE Desjuan Johnson | Toledo |
Best Pick: Round 2 (Pick 36): G Steve Avila, TCU -- Day-1 starter for this Rams offensive line
With 14 picks, the Rams were certainly able to fill out there roster. But, how many of these late round picks will blossom into starters? Majority of the NFL is late round picks and undrafted free agents. As we have seen over the years, its all about system and fit. A great college prospect might fail in the NFL if drafted into the wrong enviroment. Yet, the Rams problems lie far beyond whether or not they are going to hit on late round picks.
Last year, they had one of the worst offensive lines in the entire NFL. Of course the injury to Matthew Stafford affected the flow and rhythm of this offense, but Sean McVay was constantly shoveling his offensive line. With not many picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Rams weren't able to add talent to their roster last year. Looking at this roster, it appears their talent deficient in the division will result in another losing season.
Reach: Round 4 (Pick 128): QB Stetson Bennett, Georgia
I didn't quite get this selection for the Rams. I know there are rumors surrounding the future of Matthew Stafford, but in the fourth round, why not address a position of need? I know Stetson Bennett had a nice collegiate career, but I do not know how well his play will transition into the NFL. There is no denying the relevancy of having a good backup QB on your roster, it just felt this pick was a bit of a reach.
Potential Gem: Round 6 (Pick 182): CB Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU
Given the scarcity of options in this Rams secondary, I think Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson has a legitimate shot of getting starting time in his rookie season. He was recognized as one of the better defensive backs in all of college football in 2022. While he played a lot of outside corners for TCU, I expect him to transition into a slot player in the NFL.