Various experts, whether through mock drafts or other projections, have identified offensive line (both interior and tackles), linebacker, edge rusher, defensive line, and cornerback as positions of needs for the Rams heading into this year's draft.
As part of our coverage leading into it, theRams.com will be compiling lists of the top prospects available at each position, focusing primarily on the ones that will likely be on the board when Los Angeles is on the clock throughout the NFL Draft.
Having already covered interior offensive line, edge, linebacker and defensive line, we continue the series with a look at the best cornerback options, based on experts' rankings.
Florida State's Asante Samuel Jr. (5-foot-10, 180 pounds, pictured above)
- NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks' No. 4 cornerback
- The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler's No. 9 cornerback (subscription required to view rankings)
- Pro Football Focus lead draft analyst Michael Renner's No. 5 cornerback
With Troy Hill departing in free agency, it's reasonable to think the Rams could look to add another body to the cornerback rotation and shore up the depth there. Hill played inside (in the slot) and outside for the Rams last year; similarly, Samuel has experience playing outside with traits to play slot/nickel cornerback.
Samuel led FSU in interceptions (3) and pass breakups (6) last year while starting eight games before opting out of the remainder of the season. A quick browse of recent mock drafts show him going in the second round, though a couple also project him potentially going in the first.
Washington's Elijah Molden (5-9 1/2, 192)
- Brooks' No. 4 cornerback
- Brugler's No. 5 cornerback
- Not ranked by Renner
A First Team All-Pac-12 selection for the second consecutive year, Molden logged 26 total tackles, one interception and one pass breakup in four games in his 2020 senior season. According to NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein's writeup, Molden has the skillset to play either safety or nickel cornerback. He's been projected as a second-round pick in most mock drafts, though one has him going in the third.
Syracuse's Ifeatu Melifonwu (6-2 1/2, 205)
- The Draft Network's No. 7 cornerback
- Brugler's No. 10 cornerback
- Renner's No. 9 cornerback
Melifonwu popped up as a second-round projection for the Rams in the latest mock draft roundup, so it's only fitting to also include him here.
An 11-game starter as a redshirt junior for the Orange in 2020, he tallied 55 total tackles (three for loss), plus one interception and nine pass breakups on his way to Third Team All-ACC recognition. According to Zierlein's evaluation, Melifonwu is built like a safety but has the skillset to develop into a press-man cornerback on the outside.
Central Florida's Aaron Robinson (5-11 1/2, 186)
- The Draft Network's No. 13 cornerback
- Brugler's No. 11 cornerback
- Renner's No. 6 cornerback
Robinson is another cornerback prospect who has popped up as a possible second-round option for the Rams in mock drafts. The redshirt senior was a Second Team All-AAC selection in 2020 after leading the Knights with seven pass breakups and chipping in 41 total tackles while playing the slot.
Standford's Paulson Adebo (6-1, 198)
- The Draft Network's No. 9 cornerback
- Brugler's No. 12 cornerback
- Not ranked by Renner
Like Robinson and Melfonwu, we've seen Adebo's name come up as a possible option for the Rams in Mock Drafts, but as a third-round option. Adebo opted out of the 2020 season, but in 2019, he collected 33 tackles, 10 pass breakups and four interceptions en route to First Team All-Pac-12 recognition.
Other prospects
- Georgia's Eric Stokes (6-1, 194): The Draft Network's No. 5 cornerback, Brugler's No. 6 cornerback, Renner's No. 10 cornerback
- Michigan's Ambry Thomas (6-0, 191): The Draft Network's No. 14 cornerback, not ranked by Brugler, not ranked by Renner
- Minnesota's Benjamin St-Juste (6-0, 202): The Draft Network's No. 12 cornerback, not ranked by Brugler, not ranked by Renner
Take a look at top cornerbacks projected to be on the board when the Los Angeles Rams pick during the 2021 NFL Draft.
Georgia's Eric Stokes (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Georgia's Eric Stokes scores a touchdown after recovering a block punt during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Georgia defensive back Eric Stokes (27) celebrates as he returns an interception for a touchdown against Arkansas during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Florida State's Asante Samuel Jr. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)
Florida State defensive back Asante Samuel Jr. (26) celebrates breaking up a pass against Notre Dame in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind.,Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Florida State defensive back Asante Samuel Jr. (26) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Stanford's Paulson Adebo (AP Photo/Jim Gensheimer)
Stanford cornerback Paulson Adebo (11) in action against Northwestern during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Stanford cornerback Paulson Adebo (11) intercepts a pass intended for California wide receiver Vic Wharton III in the fourth quarter of a football game in Berkeley, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Washington's Elijah Molden (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington defensive back Elijah Molden in action against Oregon State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2019, file photo, Washington defensive back Elijah Molden breaks up a pass intended for Utah wide receiver Samson Nacua during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Seattle. Molden was selected to The Associated Press All-Pac 12 Conference team, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)
Central Florida's Aaron Robinson (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Central Florida defensive back Aaron Robinson (31) sets up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Central Florida defensive back Aaron Robinson (31) sets up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Navy Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Orlando, Fla. UCF won 35-24. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Michigan's Ambry Thomas (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michigan defensive back Ambry Thomas plays in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Middle Tennessee in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Michigan defensive back Ambry Thomas plays against Rutgers in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Minnesota's Benjamin St-Juste (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
Minnesota defensive back Benjamin St-Juste breaks up a pass intended for Illinois punter Blake Hayes (14) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Champaign , Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Michigan wide receiver Ronnie Bell (8) looks to get past Minnesota defensive back Benjamin St-Juste (25) in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Minneapolis. Michigan won 49-24. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Syracuse's Ifeatu Melifonwu (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
Wake Forest wide receiver Waydale Jones, left, makes a catch while defended by Syracuse defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
American Team defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu of Syracuse (8) lines up during the first half of the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
