Los Angeles Rams: Grading the Obo Okoronkwo selection from 2018 NFL Draft

The Los Angeles Rams continue to address their need at linebacker in the 2018 NFL Draft after selecting Obo Okoronkwo in the fifth round.

Between addressing their needs on the offensive line early on to finally finding a trade partner for Tavon Austin, busy doesn’t even begin to describe what Day 3 of the 2018 NFL Draft has been like for the Los Angeles Rams. However, the team has plenty of reasons to be excited about the way things turned out in the fifth round as they were able to add another linebacker shortly after their selection of Micah Kiser with Oklahoma’s Obo Okoronkwo.

When considering the Sooners product was expected to be selected on Day 3 of the draft, the Rams knew they couldn’t go wrong with the selection of Okoronkwo since it only helps them fill their need at linebacker. Despite all of the key additions from the last couple of months to make the defense of Los Angeles even more dangerous, the linebacker was the main area the team knew they needed to improve on heading into the draft.

Between the selections of Kiser and Okoronkwo in the fifth round, the Rams have to be pleased with their selections so far, as they seem to be worth the value picks. One of the best parts about the final day of the draft is seeing all that hard work from evaluating talent over the months finally payoff when it comes to finding potential steals, and if all goes according to plan, Okoronkwo will be in great position as a rookie.

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Throughout his football career, Wade Phillips earned high praise for being one of the best at bringing the best out of players, and when looking at Okoronkwo’s ability to break through defenders to get to quarterbacks, the defensive coordinator has to love this selection. Give the Rams credit for finding two linebackers with the potential to be fifth-round steals while making an impact right away as rookies, and as a result, the selection of Okoronkwo seems worthy of a B grade since things like technique and being consistent are still an issue. Then again, as mentioned before, Phillips is one of the best at what he does, meaning the defensive coordinator will hopefully be able to work with Okoronkwo enough to fix some of these issues.