3 challenges LA Rams must address this offseason

RAMification III: The 2020 NFL Draft should focus upon offensive line

The 2020 NFL Draft is the one event where the worst teams in the NFL celebrate the greatest hoopla. While that is not a fair description of where the Rams are this year, it does point out one of the flaws of the Rams current situation.

The team is in NFL limbo this year.  While the team was not good enough to earn a spot in post-season, the Rams are one of the best non-playoff teams this year.  That means the team stands in back of a long line of teams drafting before they do.

And now back to that Ramsey trade.  The team gave away the first pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.  What that means for the Los Angeles Rams in the 2020 NFL Draft is not… optimal.  The Rams picks are as follows (before comp picks are added);

1st round – no pick (trade to Jacksonville Jaguars)
2nd round – 20th pick (52 overall)
3rd round – 20th pick (84th overall)
4th round – 20th pick (116th overall)
5th round – no pick (trade to Miami Dolphins)
6th round – 20th pick (180th overall)
7th round – 20th pick (212th overall)

The team has five picks to help the roster, and cannot even begin the selection process until over 50 prospects have already been added to other NFL rosters.  Of course, even hitting with two impact players can be significant for this team.

With too few selections to address multiple needs, the team would be wise to focus on the most critical needs for the team in the 2020 NFL Draft. And per CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso (and many others for that matter, the Rams 2020 top two NFL Draft needs are offensive tackle and interior offensive line. That makes it a simple exercise of focusing the draft upon offensive line prospects.

In the end, the Los Angeles Rams are certainly one of the most intriguing NFL teams to watch in the 2020 off-season. Not just for what the team chooses to do. Perhaps more importantly, for what the team chooses NOT to do.