LA Rams Mock Draft: late round OL prospects abound in Shrine game

The East-West Shrine Bowl will feature offensive linemen who the LA Rams may select at the 2020 NFL Draft in the late rounds

The LA Rams may find their diamond in the rough in the upcoming East-West Shrine Bowl. Football games, at any level of play, are won in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Football teams have a very good chance of winning if their offensive line can control the line of scrimmage.

In 2019, the Rams running game production took a dip from the previous season. The cause? Multiple injuries to the offensive linemen. That means the team will be shopping for reinforcements this off-season. The easy part is finding them. Offensive linemen can be found anywhere. The true test is identifying those good lineman who can be developed and coached up into NFL starters. Basically, elite linemen are generational.

In the upcoming NFL Draft, LA will have five of their seven originally alloted picks. They traded their first and fifth round picks away. Each pick must add value to the roster to justify their selection. Subsequently, the LA Rams are projected to receive one fourth round compensatory pick in 2020. Six picks in all: 1-2nd, 1-3rd, 2-4ths, 1-6th, 1-7th. No picks on day one of the NFL Draft, two picks on day two of the draft, and four picks on day three of the draft.

The Rams should upgrade their roster depth with available linemen in the late rounds. Remember, rookie contracts are more salary cap friendly than expensive free agent contracts. And the later the pick, the easier the rookie contract will impact the team’s annual salary cap. At the time we had analyzed the LA Rams salary cap status, OverTheCap has projected approximately $25.5 million in cap space available. Of that amount, the Rams must sign players looking to receive big new contracts in 2020, as well as fill out the roster..

East-West Shrine Bowl: Three linemen worthy of late round draft selections

First, OL Zach Shackleford played collegiality in the Big 12 Conference at Texas. Shackleford played 42 games at center. He stands 6-feet-4 weighing 305 pounds. He will be wearing West jersey #56.

Second, OT Tyler Higby, of Michigan State, is capable of becoming the Rams swing lineman. He played left tackle, left guard and saw action at center in his collegiate career. Higby stands 6-feet-5 weighing 300 pounds. He will be wearing West jersey #60.

Third, OL Steven Gonzalez spent five seasons at Penn State. He stands 6-feet-4 weighing 341 pounds. He will be wearing East jersey #74.

Next. LA Rams S Eric Weddle recovery on track, as is diminished role. dark

An impressive performance could help them receive an invitation to the NFL Combine. Expect them to play for their future pro career. The annual East West Shrine game is an audition of sorts for scouts, NFL personnel executives, and fans alike to see firsthand NFL Draft hopefuls compete in a football game with other draft hopefuls. Some teams weight performances in this game heavily, as this is truly comparisons of one athlete to his peers.

Home/Rams News