LA Rams draft best player available BPA in round four

Draft Calvin Throckmorton, G Oregon

Big linemen are the quarterback’s best friend. After selecting a lineman in the second round, the Rams might just very well take another one in the fourth round. Oregon Duck, Calvin Throckmorton, may very well be the best available player when they draft.

Injuries take a toll for linemen. The battle in the trenches is a fiercely fought battle play after play. Throckmorton would give quality depth to the Rams offensive line going into training camp.

He stands 6-foot-5 weighing 309 pounds, and started at four different positions in 2018 for the Ducks. Throckmorton could make the move to center, if necessary.

Many have rated his 2019 season performance very highly. Pro Football Focus is an analytical football website. They grade players according to their performance on each play. Kevin Wade of 247sports.com reports the following:

"Pro Football Focus noted … “In 441 reps in pass protection, (Calvin Throckmorton) forfeited just six total pressures and not a single sack. Throckmorton also produced in the run game, posting the third-best run-blocking grade in the Pac-12.”"

Throckmorton might be that so elusive, diamond in the rough. His versatility will pay dividends early and often throughout his career in a Rams uniform. Let’s see what the Rams do in the fourth round.

Sure, the Rams could just jump into the draft and go offensive linemen after offensive linemen.  In the end, they emerge with inferior talent and far too many roster challenges from not spreading the wealth.  Sticking to a BPA strategy elevates the talent on the team overall, and ensure plenty of training camp battles for playing time. Yes Goff needs protection. But many 2019 injured players are returning in 2020. The greater risk is losing free agent talent without a plan to replace it.