LA Rams Mock 2020 NFL Draft 1.0 Need vs BPA

Round 7

The Rams enter the final round of the 2020 NFL Draft with some answers, some questions, and far more hope than the first round of the NFL Draft. By this time, looking back over the haul in this draft, some readers are bound to express some skepticism over the likelihood as to how these mock drafts found solid talent in later rounds.  Its’ simply the same story over and over each year.  Players fall in each draft, sometimes by four or five rounds.

Round seven is the home stretch for the Rams to put the final touches on a rather impressive draft. And while we cannot lie and state we’ve saved the best for last, we believe the seventh round will continue to add optimism to the Rams fanbase.

When the Rams draft for need at 234 – OLB Mykal Walker

The Rams finish drafting for need by finally selecting the edge rusher the team had sought since round four.  At 234, the LA Rams select outside linebacker Mykal Walker out of Fresno State. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 227 pounds, Walker will likely compete on special teams to start the 2020 season. While he will need to add some muscularity to fit the outside linebacker role for the Rams, Walker showed a lot of promise in his football career in college. He transferred to Fresno State from junior college Azusa Pacific, but immediate impacted the defense as soon as elibible.

Walker was outstanding for the Fresno State Bulldogs. Despite his recorded weight less than the optics he gives when playing, he has a very muscular look and hits hard. He was not heavily scouted, but caused many NFL scouts to do a double-take when he showed his acumen during the East-West Shrine drills.

Draft analysis Links:
The Draft Network
Draft scout
Walter Football
Youtube video

When the Rams draft for Best Player Available at 234 – OT Victor Johnson

For the final pick on the BPA track, the LA Rams use pick 234 to select offensive tackle Victor Johnson from Appalachian State.  Johnson is a 6-foot-5 296 pound offensive lineman who has suffered by being only lightly scouted so far.  As a result of name recognition only, most NFL Draft profiles have yet to do a full profile – and only list him as a projection with his name and ranking. For the few videos I have seen of his play, he has solid technique. His initial burst out of the stance is quick, and allows Johnson to sieze the advantage over the defender. Once “locked it” he is apt to neutralize that defender’s ability to pursue either the ball carrier or the quarterback

While draft profiles for Johnson are under development, we do know that Johnson has been a four year starter at left tackle for Appalachian State, and has led the team to the Sun Belt Championship for the past four seasons. During that time, he started 38 consecutive games and was honored as best pass blocker in 2019 for the Sun Belt Conference. While he will no doubt need to refine his technique and bulk up with the Rams, he has all the right raw talent to improve at the next level

Draft analysis Links:
The Draft Network
Ourlads
Football couch scout
Youtube video