With the annual NFL Scouting Combine a wrap, it's another chance for a timely look at experts' latest draft projections for the Rams.
Here's a look at some of those forecasts as of Tuesday, March 5. All projections are for the Rams' first-round pick (19th overall) unless noted otherwise.
Date: March 5
Expert: Dane Brugler, NFL Draft Analyst
The pick(s): Florida State EDGE Jared Verse (pictured above)
Notes: A name that has come up in previous mock drafts for the Rams, the 6-foot-4, 254-pound Verse posted nine sacks, 41 total tackles, 11 QB hits, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one blocked kick for the Seminoles in 11 games played last season.
Date: March 4
Expert: Lance Zierlein, Draft Analyst
The pick(s): Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton (23rd overall, via projected trade with Texans)
Notes:In this projected trade back with the Texans, Zierlein has the Rams address their offensive line by getting 6-8, 322 Guyton, who primarily played right tackle for the Sooners but also has experience at left tackle. Guyton was an honorable mention All-Big 12 honoree for his performance in 10 games played, with nine starts at right tackle, last season.
"While the Rams have a variety of spots to fill, they also have the projected cap space to attack free agency," Zierlein writes. "The chance to upgrade the left tackle spot in the draft is too good to pass up."
Date: March 4
Expert: Gordan Guinness, NFL Analyst
The pick(s): Oregon QB Bo Nix
Notes: In this instance, PFF predicts the Rams to plan for the future.
"I ultimately think Nix — or whoever the fourth quarterback in this class winds up being — comes off the board earlier than this, but the fit here makes so much sense to me," Guiness wrote as part of his analysis.
Nix departed the Ducks as their all-time leader in completion percentage at 74.9 (658-of-879), while also breaking Oregon's single-season records for completions (364), passing yards (4,508) and passing TDs (45) in 2023. He also set the new NCAA single-season record for completion percentage last season at 77.45 (364-of-470).
Date: March 4
Expert: Nate Davis, NFL Reporter
The pick(s): UCLA DE Laiatu Latu
Notes: Latu has been a popular projection for the Rams throughout the offseason. Last year's Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, he led the FBS with 1.8 tackles per game en route to winning the Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Award (nation's top collegiate defensive end).
Date: March 4
Expert: Sam Farmer, NFL Reporter
The pick(s): Oregon C Jackson Powers-Johnson
Notes: Another common name amongst Rams projections, Powers-Johnson (6-3, 334) played four of the five offensive line positions in his three season at Oregon. In 2023, he didn't allow a sack and gave up only one pressure across 471 pass-blocking snaps in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus, en route to unanimous All-American recognition and the Rimington Trophy (nation's best center).
