The Rams offseason program gets going on Monday, with players officially back in the building for the first time since February. But the front office is also starting to put the final preparations in place for the 2019 NFL Draft, which is just 10 days away.
With that in mind, let's just get straight to this week's edition of the roundup.
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This edition of the roundup has a decent number of picks who analysts agree on.
We'll start with Connor Orr of Sports Illustrated/The MMQB, who mocked Notre Dame defensive tackle Jerry Tillery to the Rams at No. 31.
"Seven sacks and nine tackles for loss last year, and 38 quarterback pressures, according to SIS. Pray for an offensive line that has to figure out Aaron Donald and a defensive tackle who could one day grow into a suitable Ndamukong Suh replacement," Orr writes.
NFL.com's Charley Casserly agrees with Orr on the pick in his latest mock, commenting, "The Rams take the best defensive lineman prospect left on the board. Michael Brockers can shift inside to play nose tackle, while Tillery lines up at defensive end."
A 6-foot-6, 295-pound defensive lineman, Tillery appeared in 42 games for the Fighting Irish in four seasons, recording a total of 23.0 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. He had 7.0 sacks in his senior season alone. He ran a 4.95 40 and put up 23 bench press reps at the Combine.
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Like Tillery, two analysts mocked Boston College guard Chris Lindstrom to Los Angeles in the first round.
SB Nation’s Dan Kadar writes, "This offseason, the Rams have lost center John Sullivan and guard Rodger Saffold. 2018 draftees Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen could fill those spots, but the Rams would be smart to add some talent just in case."
And Rotoworld’s Chris Lindstrom writes, "One major key to the Rams success over the last two years has been offensive line health and continuity. That will be tested this year without John Sullivan and Rodger Saffold."
A four-year starter, Lindstrom is from a football family — his father played at Boston College and is in the program's Hall of Fame. Lindstrom was a first-team All-ACC honoree after his senior season. He played most of his career at right guard at BC, but also played some at right tackle in his junior year. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 308 pounds, Lindstrom put up 25 reps on the bench press at the Combine.
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A number of analysts also put out multi-round mock drafts — like ESPN's Todd McShay who has the Rams selecting Lindstrom at No. 31, Stanford running back Bryce Love at No. 94, and Wisconsin offensive tackle David Edwards at No. 99.
"Let's fill the void left by Rodger Saffold with a real grinder in Lindstrom. Edwards would further shore up the offensive line with his heavy hands and strong lateral mobility. I'd look for a center in the later rounds as well. L.A. also will be looking for some running back depth behind Todd Gurley, and Love would be an excellent fit. The Rams can afford to take a chance on a player such as this here, and with Love's effectiveness in space, it could pay off handsomely if the Stanford product stays healthy," McShay writes (ESPN+ subscription required - $$).
Love had an injury-riddled 2018 after returning to Stanford for his senior season. While he rushed for 2,118 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2017, Love had only 739 yards rushing in 2018 before tearing his ACL in December in what was his final college game.
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Also at ESPN, Mel Kiper Jr. put together a three-round mock that has North Carolina State center Garrett Bradbury to Los Angeles at No. 31, Vanderbilt cornerback Joejuan Williams at No. 94, and TCU defensive end L.J. Collier at No. 99.
"If Dexter Lawrence made it to No. 31, he'd be a great fit as the nose tackle in Wade Phillips' defense. Since he's not here, though, I'll look to another potential need spot along the interior of the offensive line, where Rodger Saffold and John Sullivan are both gone from the Super Bowl runners-up. Bradbury played guard for the Wolfpack in 2016 before spending the past two seasons at center. He showed off his athletic ability at the combine, running a 4.92 40 at 306 pounds," Kiper writes (ESPN+ subscription required - $$).
Bradbury was the 2018 Rimington Trophy winner as the best center in college football. He was initially a tight end at NC State before switching to the offensive line in 2015 after a redshirt season in 2014. A three-year starter, Bradbury checked into the Combine at 6-foot-3 and 306 pounds. He put up 34 reps on the bench press.
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In another three-round mock at CBS, Ryan Wilson has Los Angeles selecting Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons at No. 31, Miami cornerback Michael Jackson at No. 94, and Arizona State defensive tackle Renell Wren at No. 99.
Simmons tore his ACL early this calendar year while preparing for the NFL draft, but Wilson nevertheless has him going in the first round.
"Simmons is a top-5 talent. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in February, which means he won't be healthy until midway through the season, best case. But when he returns, the Rams will have a dominant young player in the middle of their defense," Wilson writes.
On Jackson, Wilson writes, "Jackson is a physical cornerback who excels in press coverage. There are questions about his ability to get in and out of breaks but he can flourish in the right system."
And on Wren, Wilson writes, "Wren is short in experience but long on strength and athleticism and benefited from a strong showing at the Senior Bowl."
Simmons was quite productive at Mississippi State, where he recorded 33.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks in three seasons on the program's defensive line. He also forced five fumbles, recorded seven passes defensed, and a pair of fumble recoveries.
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Also at CBS Sports, Chris Trapasso put together a two-round mock. But since the Rams don't currently have a second-round pick, his one selection for L.A. is NC State center Garrett Bradbury.
"The Rams use a lot of stretch running plays in their offense, and Bradbury is far and away the premier zone-blocking scheme center in this class," Trapasso writes.
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Check out photos as the Los Angeles Rams return for the 2019 offseason program.
Finally, CBS Sports' R.J. White did a full seven-round mock — including a projected trade in the fifth round. White begins with projecting Texas A&M interior offensive lineman Erik McCoy to L.A. at No. 31.
"I know the Rams like their replacements on the interior of the line, but as a Super Bowl contender, there needs to be a plan B. That's McCoy, who can play either guard or center and has what it takes to hold his own against fearsome interior rushers like Aaron Donald and DeForest Buckner," White writes.
For the rest of the picks, White projects…
No. 94: Memphis RB Darrell Henderson
No. 99: Florida ILB Vosean Joseph
No. 133: Auburn CB Jamel Dean
No. 169 — Trade to Pittsburgh for No. 192 and No. 207 No. 192: Auburn NT Dontavius Russell
No. 203: Florida OT Martez Ivey
No. 207: Boston College OLB Wyatt Ray
No. 251: Nevada OLB Malik Reed
