Although the Rams do 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, though they will also have the No. 57 overall pick after agreeing to trade wide receiver Brandin Cooks and a 2021 fourth-round pick to the Houston Texans. Los Angeles currently has three picks in the Top 100, plus the No. 104 overall pick thanks to the NFL's compensatory formula.
Here's a look at the eighth edition of theRams.com's Mock Draft Roundup, highlighting how L.A. may use their extra second round draft selection:
Date: April 13
Expert: Ryan Wilson, NFL and NFL Draft writer
The picks: TCU offensive lineman Lucas Niang (second round, No. 52 overall), Penn State wide receiver KJ Hamler (second round, No. 57 overall, pictured)
Notes: Wilson's newest mock draft is only two rounds but reflects last week's Cooks trade agreement between the Rams and the Houston Texans. Wilson still has the Rams addressing the offensive line with one of their early picks, but now has them taking a wide receiver with their second-earliest pick.
Though Niang only played seven games last season due to injury, he didn't allow a sack for the second straight season. He was also the highest-graded returning pass-blocker in the Big 12 in 2019 after posting an 86.3 grade in 2018 (minimum 300 snaps), according to Pro Football Focus.
An All-Big Ten second team selection in 2019, Hamler finished with 56 receptions for 904 yards and eight touchdowns during his final season at Penn State and was a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award, presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club to the Collegiate Player of the Year. Of note, Hamler also had at least one catch of 20 or more yards in 14 consecutive games, from November 17, 2018 at Rutgers through November 23, 2019 at Ohio State.
Date: April 13
Expert: Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst
The picks: Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins (second round, No. 52 overall), Baylor wide receiver Denzel Mims (second round, No. 57 overall), Notre Dame defensive lineman Julian Okwara (third round, No. 84 overall), Boise State offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland (third round, No. 104 overall, compensatory selection), Nebraska cornerback Lamar Jackson (fourth round, No. 126 overall)
Notes: Campbell keeps most of the picks or positions the same, sticking with Dobbins, Okwara and an offensive lineman for the compensatory pick. Like other analysts, though, Campbell expects the Rams to use their other second-round selection on a wide receiver.
One of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award, Dobbins became the first running back in school history to surpass the 2,000-yard mark, finishing with 2,003 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. He also finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting and was a First Team All-America selection by the Football Writers Association of America.
A First-Team All-Big 12 selection, Mims hauled in 66 catches for 1,020 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns in 14 starts in his final season at Baylor.
Okwara played along the defensive line in a 4-2-5 base scheme at Notre Dame, though Campbell believes he could fit as an edge rusher in a 3-4 scheme like the Rams have.
Cleveland started all 13 games at left tackle for the Broncos last season en route to his second-consecutive All-Mountain West First Team selection. He helped anchor an offensive line that helped produce the 19th-most points per game in the country (34.7) and blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher for the 12th-straight season. According to NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein, Cleveland has the ability to play either left tackle or right tackle.
