Los Angeles Rams: 3 first-round picks to consider for the 2018 NFL Draft

It’s a foregone conclusion that, like most analysts, the Los Angeles Rams will address what has become a significant focus come NFL Draft time: Defense. GM Les Snead has conceded that the look of LA’s third season in LA will see a lot of new faces, especially on the defensive side of the football.

Look, it’s set up to be something of a balancing act for the Rams. I mean, if you read anything of late attached to Snead, Aaron Donald may not even be the first name on the list for business to be done.

Add the names Connor Barwin, Trumaine Johnson, Lamarcus Joyner, and  Nickell Robey-Coleman to a list of who may or may not be back, and coordinator Wade Phillips will be getting to know a few new names come 2018.

One player popping up on many a mock draft is Arden Key from LSU. Key is listed as a defensive end and possible outside linebacker.

Next: 3 way too early predictions for the Rams and the NFC West in 2018

Key is 6’-6” and 265 pounds. He played in 31 games making 28 starts at LSU, while also being named First Team All-SEC. He’d finish his Tiger career with 130 tackles, 26.5 of them were for losses, and 21 sacks. It’s also worth noting 2017 had some injuries, including an offseason shoulder surgery prior to the Tigers’ season, as well as a late season knee injury.

Even with those setbacks and missing game time, Key recorded four sacks and 33 tackles in eight games for LSU.