Take heart LA Rams fans, in a few months, this whole debacle of the 2022 season will be forgotten. Jalen Ramsey has been traded to the Miami Dolphins, and the crazy offseason is in progress.
The NFL Draft is the official/unofficial start of the 2023 NFL season. This year’s event will take place at Union Station in Kansas City from Thursday, April 27 to Saturday, April 29.
Let’s look at the Rams prospects and picks heading into the NFL Draft. This is updated with the official compensatory pick slots.
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What Picks Do The Rams Have in the 2023 NFL Draft? (Updated March 28, 2023)
- 2nd Round – (36th overall)
- 3rd Round – (69th overall)
- 3rd Round (77th overall via Miami)
- 5th Round – (167th overall, comp pick)
- 5th Round – (171st overall, comp pick)
- 5th Round – (177th overall, comp pick)
- 6th Round – (182nd overall)
- 6th round – (186th overall))
- 6th Round – (191st overall)
- 7th round – (225th overall)
- 7th round (251st overall, comp pick)
What Picks Do The Rams Have in the 2024 NFL Draft?
- 1st Round
- 2nd Round
- 3rd Round
- 4th Round
- 5th Round
- 6th Round
- 6th Round – from Broncos for Kenny Young
What Players Have Been Picked Near The Rams Current Slot?
Here are some recent players taken near the Rams’ current draft slot.
Last year the Falcons took edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie out of Penn State at 38. He’s been a reserve with 2.5 sacks.
In 2021, the Patriots took defensive tackle Christian Barmore out of Alabama in that slot. And in two years, he’s started five games.
In 2020, the Panthers went with edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos out of Penn State (yes, that’s an incredible coincidence to have same school, same position at the same slot). He became a starter this year for the Panthers.
In 2019, the Bills selected guard Cody Ford out of Oklahoma. He was a starter for the Bills for three years and is now with the Cardinals. He got hurt early in the year. Man, he would look good in a Rams uniform.
In 2018, the Bucs took running back Ronald Jones out of USC. He had a couple of good years with the Bucs, mainly as a pass catcher. He’s now with the Chiefs.
But There’s Good News Too, Right?
Yes, there will be good players available early in the second round, Pro Bowl players if the Rams hit it right. In 2020, the Colts took Jonathan Taylor 41st overall. He’s a beast. The Lions took D’Andre Swift at 35 in 2020. He’s not too shabby.
In 2019, Niners slash/wide receiver Deebo Samuel was taken at number 36, and the Browns took running back Nick Chubb at number 35 in 2018. Chubb is third in the NFL in rushing yards right now.
The lesson here – maybe – is that the value early in the second round is at running back.
What Should Be The Rams Focus In The Draft?
There’s a couple of good things to focus on for the Rams heading into the 2023 Draft, first is the sheer number of picks they will have. It’s like the lottery, would you rather have four lottery tickets or 10?
The Rams will have 10 picks in 2023, counting all the compensatory picks. Yes, they may come in late rounds, but those guys are the players you stash on the practice squad, so that when your entire offensive line gets hurt (see: Rams 2022 season) you have guys to plug in who know your system.
Don’t forget the Rams drafted Logan Bruss in the third round this year and he got hurt in pre-season, so immediately, the offensive line will get a boost when he returns for 2023.
The Rams don’t really need anyone at the skill positions, except a running back. They should look crosstown and see what the Chargers have with Austin Ekeler and try to find a running back like that, a threat out of the backfield to catch the ball. Maybe its Devon Achane out of Texas A&M? Remember, running backs have great value in the second round.
But the Rams top priority has got to be finding guys who can step in and play on the offensive line immediately. They’ll have the chance with where they are picking. The fans will cheer for whoever the Rams take – save the boos for Goodell.
