WorldWide Rams 2018 Mock Draft

4/26/2018

Ed “Pi Double i” Henderson

WorldWide Rams

WorldWide Rams 2018 NFL Mock Draft

AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, will host the 2018 NFL Draft. Cleveland Browns, you are officially on the clock! Who will be the Browns select as the overall pick, will it be USC's Sam Darnold-QB, Penn St. Saquon Barkley-RB, UCLA's Josh Rosen-QB, Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield-QB or North Carolina State Bradley Chubb EDGE?

However, here on the west coast in Los Angeles, CA; thousands of Rams fans were eager to know who the #87th overall pick announcement. The primary need is for an inside-linebacker and EDGE rushers. This draft is loaded with talented EDGE rushers and linebackers, however, the question will who will the best fit when the Rams select?

The Rams again for the second consecutive year, will have to wait until day two of the second round to make their first selection. Les Snead (Rams GM) and head second-year head coach Sean McVay, managed to pull off one of the greatest draft drafting players who contributed well to the team.

Rookie tight-end Gerald Everett had his moments, receiver Cooper Kupp set a rookie record for receptions, and Safety John Johnson III was rated as one highest safety last season. Receiver Josh Reynolds had his moments, defensive tackle Tanzel Smart had a couple of starts, and linebacker Samson Ebukam played well in the second half of the season.

Expectations are the Rams may make another move to trade up in the draft to grab a player they've had on the radar, but only inquiring minds will like to know the outcome

Round 3 Pick #23
#87th overall pick- Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, EDGE, Oklahoma (6’1” 242 lbs)
#87th overall pick- Dorance Armstrong Jr, EDGE, Oklahoma (6’4” 257lbs)

Les Snead and the entire staff waited patiently in the war room to carefully monitor the draft and observed the selections of players that potentially were on the draft board. The thoughts of moving up was tempting as Snead flirted with the idea of trading their #2018 Third Round Selection #87, #2018 Fourth Round (#111), #2019 First Round, #2019 Third Round (Compensatory) to the Cleveland Browns for their #2018 Second Round (#1 pick), #2018 Second Round (#3 pick), and the Brown’s #2018 Second Round (#64 pick) to address both the best available players and needs.

Instead, Snead stucked with the initial plan to draft based on needs with the players that were available.
Rams will select Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, EDGE, Oklahoma at #87, but, if he’s not there, the contingency plan is to select Dorance Armstrong Jr, EDGE, Kansas.

Both players are unique with great fits to the 3-4 Wade Phillips scheme and can make immediate impact their rookie season. Phillips have the talent of Armstrong Jr as resemblance of Demarcus Ware in statue, and Okoronkwo as a Elvis Dumerville. Ogbonnia has the better arsenal of pass rush moves and more explosive from the edge.

Round 4 Pick #11
111th overall pick - Josey Jewell, ILB, Iowa (6’1” 234 lbs)
111th overall pick - Micah Kaiser, ILB, Virgina (6’0” 238lbs)

Staying with the plan, the Rams needed to replace Alec Ogletree inside, as their top choice was Josey Jewell, ILB/OLB, Iowa. If Jewell is not available, Rams will select Micah Kaiser, ILB, Virginia. Jewell and Kaiser, both are physical and strong, love to play in a box against the run with average coverage skills. Rams brought both of this players in for visits and were impressed with what they brought to the team. Great fits for the 3-4 as Wade Phillips gets the best out of the one that is selected.

Round 4 Pick #35
135th overall pick - Alex Cappa Humboldt St (6’6” 305 lbs)

Rams select the Mountain Man of the west, Alex Cappa, OG, Humboldt State, who was waiting to receive a phone call from an NFL team. Cappa has the size for a tackle as he played in college, but will probably be a better fit at the guard position. Offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, can assist Cappa with the transition very comfortably.

Roger Saffold enters his 10th year, subsequently where his career was decimated by injuries, finally played a full season. The aging Saffold played well last season, however was not reward for his efforts as he was snubbed from the Pro Bowl.

Jamon Brown, the weakest of the Rams offensive line, future is in question as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. The Rams looks to upgrade at that position, and with selecting Cappa, believes they made the correct choice.

Round 4 Pick #36
176th overall pick - Mason Cole, OL (6’4” 307 lbs)

Mason Cole, the productive offensive lineman from the University of Michigan, is a versatile player that played all over the offensive line. Cole, started left tackle as a true freshman and sophomore, anchored down at center his junior year, and moved back to left tackle his senior year.

Besides Cole being versatile, he also was durable while starting 51 career games, 38 career starts at tackle, 13 career starts at center, as he was named a three time All-Big Ten Selection. Rob Havenstein who is also in his final year of his rookie contract, the Rams have received calls with trades involving Havenstein.

Round 6 Pick #2
136th pick Brandon Parker, OT, North Carolina A&T (6’8” 310lbs)

Ram select Brandon Parker at this pick who was projected high as a fourth draft pick who seemed to slide in the draft. There was concern of Parker’s strength as he elected not participate in the bench press at the 2018 NFL Combine. However, at his North Carolina A&T Pro Day, he managed to gut out 20 reps on the bench, as it seemed that he was going to peak out at 10 reps.

At 6’8”, has very long with a 7’4” wing span, but doesn’t have the muscle tone or mass. Parker’s body will easily put on 15 pound of muscle because of his lean body. The Rams selects a player that has the durabilty to play every down. Never missed a down to injury, and the bright spot never gave up a sack his entire career. A very disciplined player that only been penalized four times his entire career.

Probably will be a one or two year project, and play behind Andrew Whitworth who can educate him further on the NFL game. Parker can be used as a plug and play lineman if needed, however, better fit as a project. He’s definite a excellent candidate to be the predecessor of Whitworth when he decides to call it a career.

Round 6 Pick #9
183rd overall pick - Akrum Wadley, RB, Iowa (5’10” 194 lbs)

Rams select Akrum Wadley as the change of pace back to spare Todd Gurley. Wadley the explosive back from Iowa that has the capability of making tacklers miss and big play ability. More quick than fast, however, rushed over 1,000 yards his last two seasons. A back with pass catching ability, and mismatch for linebackers in coverage. Dangerous on screen passes, and has the ability run a NFL route tree.

Round 6 Pick #20
194th overall pick - Jalyn Holmes, DE, Ohio St. (6’5” 283 lbs)

Rams select Jalyn Holmes who slid in the draft based on the fact he was not a starter. However, the time played was very productive. Is a proto-type fit for the 3-4 as a defensive end, that has the ability to play the three and five technique. Has a very effective bull rush that will cause disruption to any run or pass game. Rams have several players that are former first round picks, however, Holmes can contribute and help define an already deep front.

Round 6 Pick #21
195th overall pick - Azeem Victor, ILB, UW (6’2” 240 lbs)

Azeem Victor is selected at linebacker because the kid has the potential to be a big star in the league. However, slid in the draft because of off the field issues which resulted in two suspensions while at the University of Washington. Wade Phillips observed Victor on film and enjoyed his tenacious approach to tackle running backs. A heavy-hitting linebacker that loves to hit anything in sight, and has great pursuit to the ball carrier. Will be very viable on special teams and will be optimistic that he can become a starter in the near future.

RSS Feed

0 Comments