It is Mock Draft Monday on theRams.com, where we will be taking a look at various experts' projections for who the Rams will select in this year's NFL Draft.
Although Los Angeles does not have a first round pick in this year's draft, there are still some outlets which produce mock drafts that go beyond the first 32 selections. Those are what we will be using to highlight predictions for L.A. Barring an unforeseen trade into the first round, the Rams' first pick in the draft will be No. 52 overall in the second round.
In the month of February, we compiled this bi-weekly. Now that the NFL Scouting Combine has officially concluded, we'll be doing this on a weekly basis leading into this year's NFL Draft.
Here's a look at the fourth edition:
Date: March 9
Expert: Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst
The pick(s): LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (second round), Michigan State defensive end Kenny Willekes (third round)
Notes: For the second straight week, Campbell projects a running back to be the Rams' first selection. This time, though, it's Edwards-Helaire instead of Utah's Zack Moss. In the third round, Campbell sticks with Los Angeles addressing defense with one of their early picks via the selection of Willekes.
A 2019 All-SEC First Team selection and LSU's team MVP, Edwards-Helaire led the Tigers with 215 carries for 1,414 yards and 16 touchdowns, adding 55 receptions for 453 yards and one touchdown to help his team to an undefeated national championship season. The Baton Rouge (La.) Catholic High product led the SEC in rushing touchdowns and finished second in rushing yards last season en route to being a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, given annually to the most versatile player in college football.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Edwards-Helaire shared with Western Michigan's LeVante Bellamy for the third-highest vertical jump (39.5 inches) among the 28 running backs who participated in the drill. Edwards-Helaire also tied with four others for the ninth-longest broad jump (123.0 inches) among the 27 running backs who participated in the drill.
Campbell maintains this projection after NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport's report in January that the Rams planned to meet with starting running back Todd Gurley to discuss his status for 2020 – though Rams head coach Sean McVay and GM Les Snead expressed confidence in Gurley heading into the 2020 season at the NFL Scouting Combine last month.
Willekes was a 4-3 defensive end at Michigan State, but he tested at outside linebacker at the Senior Bowl in January, according to the Detroit Free Press. That same story from the Free Press indicates Willekes could receive interest as a defensive end or linebacker from teams. Campbell also notes Willekes could be an edge rusher/play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. That versatility in turn could make him a possible target for the Rams should they choose to not re-sign edge rusher and pending free agent Dante Fowler.
Willekes tied with Iowa's A.J. Epenesa for the 10th-highest vertical jump (32.5 inches) among the 32 defensive linemen who participated in the drill and also tied with Nebraska's Khalil Davis for second-most bench press reps (32) among the 38 defensive linemen who participated in that drill.
Date: March 6
Expert: Chad Reuter, Draft Analyst
The pick(s): Alabama edge rusher Terrell Lewis (second round), Ohio State offensive guard Jonah Jackson (third round)
Notes: Reuter's post-combine 3-round mock draft has the Rams going for defense with their first selection in this year's draft. Instead of Auburn defensive tackle Marlon Davidson, Reuter has Los Angeles going with Alabama edge rusher Terrell Lewis. Similar to his Feb. 26 mock draft, Reuter still has the Rams selecting Jackson in the third round.
A former five-star recruit, Lewis registered 31 tackles, 11.5 for loss, six sacks and two pass breakups in 11 games for the Crimson Tide last season on his way to All-SEC Second Team honors.
Jackson, meanwhile, was a fifth-year grad transfer from Rutgers who won a competitive battle for the starting left guard job at Ohio State. Prior to the combine, scouting service Pro Football Focus regarded him as the No. 2 interior offensive lineman in this year's draft class.
Date: March 4
Expert: Eric Edholm, Lead NFL Draft Analyst
The pick: Syracuse edge rusher Alton Robinson
Notes: In this two-round mock draft, Edholm joins other analysts in projecting an edge rusher to the Rams at No. 52 overall in the second round.
A three-year starter at defensive end, Robinson primarily played in a 4-2-5 base defense at Syracuse. CBS Sports declared him one of seven "winners" at the Senior Bowl in January after he finished with at least 1.5 sacks. He collected 46 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, three pass breakups and one forced fumble as a senior in 2019. He is a two-time All-ACC selection and two-time winner of Syracuse's Tim Green Award, given annually to the team's most outstanding defensive lineman.
Robinson also tested well at the combine, logging the second-highest vertical jump (35.5 inches) among the 32 defensive linemen who participated in the drill and tying with Willekes for the eighth-longest broad jump (119.0 inches). His 20-yard shuttle time of 4.32 seconds was second-fastest among the 26 defensive linemen who participated in the drill, behind Charlotte's Alex Highsmith who had a 4.31. Robinson also tied Highsmith for the fourth-fastest 3-Cone Drill time (7.32 seconds).
Date: March 2
Expert: Matt Miller, Lead NFL Draft Writer
The pick(s): Auburn cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (second round), Georgia offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson (third round)
Notes: Igbinoghene began his college career at wide receiver before switching over to cornerback heading into the 2018 season. He emerged as a starter in the process, doing so as a sophomore and a junior. He was also a starting kick returner as a junior, giving whichever team selects him added special teams value. The Trussville, Alabama, native collected 42 tackles and seven pass breakups at cornerback and had a school-record 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown vs. Minnesota in the Outback Bowl during his final season at Auburn. Igbinoghene also posted a 4.48 40-yard dash at the combine last week.
An All-SEC second team selection by the Associated Press, the 6-foot-6, 350-pound Wilson has "elite size and length" according to NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein. Wilson was part of an offensive line that helped Georgia produce the third-most total yards of offense in the SEC last year.
