LA Rams Mock 2020 NFL Draft 1.0 Need vs BPA

The LA Rams suffer roster needs nearing the 2020 NFL Draft. Since the debate rages on between need vs. BPA, Ramblin Fan 2020 mock draft 1.0  addresses both scenarios

The LA Rams have plenty of needs heading into the 2020 NFL Draft. While some preach the team to focus on needs, that strategy can prove to be disastrous on draft day for several reasons. Limiting the positions considered in any NFL draft forces a team to reach for the players who may not truly deserve selection when the Rams’ pick arrives.  Secondly, other teams can easily outflank the Rams by trading for the pick just ahead of the Rams selection to ensure that they, and not the Rams, land their coveted prospect.

That is not to say that the Rams should avoid trying to land prospects where the team needs depth.  We are simply saying that the Rams should choose the best player available whenever possible.  The most effective way to build a championship roster is to plug all roster holes via free agency, and use the NFL Draft to build depth and stage training camp competitions.

Still not convinced? Okay.  We’ll do the extra work, because you’re worth it. Let’s double down on this mock draft. What I mean is that for every LA Rams pick, we’ll mock two prospects at that selection.  The first pick will be one of team needs, and the alternate pick will be the best player available.  To ensure no bias exists for which players will be on the board at the Rams selection, I will use the mock draft online simulator by Fanspeak.com.

I presume that the LA Rams 2020 NFL Draft “Team Needs” are offensive tackle, center, offensive guard, edge rusher, defensive lineman, linebacker, and finally wide receiver. Drafting for need will mean choosing the position of need in order. If no position player appears on the board’s top prospects, the selection must be made for either an unfilled need or a position previously filled by a drafted player. For the best player available (BPA) draft, the Rams will simply select the best prospect (among the top 5) on the board at the pick.

Let’s see how this works:

Round 2

The LA Rams debut in the 2020 NFL Draft on day 2, where the team has their first opportunity to select a player in round 2 with the 20th pick.  That all boils down to pick 52 of the 2020 NFL Draft. As we indicated, the team can take two tracks: draft with a direct focus upon selecting offensive linemen, or selecting the best player available.

When the Rams draft for need at Pick 52 – OT Ben Bartch

The Rams select the top rated offensive tackle available on the board at 52, who happens to be offensive tackle Ben Bartch of St Johns.  Bartch is a 6-foot-6 308 pound offensive tackle prospect who is creating a nice buzz at the Senior Bowl. Since he hails from St. Johns, many NFL scouts and personnel executives are seeing him for the first time.  That translates into a simple fact – he needs to impress. So far he’s done exactly that.

The book on Bartch so far is that he has excellent hands and can keep defenders locked up. He doesn’t bite on defenders feigning blitzess.  He is a great size at 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds. That allows him to add some bulk but not slow down for the more agile edge rushers.

Draft analysis Links:
The Draft Network
NFL Draft Diamonds
Pro Football Network
Youtube video

When the Rams draft the Best Player Available at 52 – TE Cole Kmet

The Rams select tight end Cole Kmet from Notre Dame at 52. The LA Rams may not NEED a tight end, but when a first round talent (projected late 20’s) falls to the team late in round two, it would be foolish to look elsewhere. Kmet may not fall to the Rams at 52, but if he does, the Rams will certainly look his way hard. He stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 235 pounds.

He possesses great route running ability. He gets out of his stance easily, and is difficult to read whether he is a blocker or receiver from his initial move. As many pass-catching tight ends, Kmet is not the guy to leave alone to block defenders in pass protection.  Yes, he will be mocked in round one, but history proves not all top prospects leave the board on Day one.  In my mock simulation, he was on the board at 52.

Draft analysis links
The Draft Network
NFL Draft Diamonds Big Board
Pro Football Network
Youtube video

Round 3

The Rams continue in the 2020 NFL Draft into Round 3. If the Rams haven’t traded back to add picks in round two, they will surely be fielding calls in round three.  Once more, this mock draft will focus on two tracks – drafting for teams needs first, and then drafting for the best player available on the board in the second track.

When the Rams draft for need at pick 84 – C Matt Hennessy

In round two, the Rams drafted for depth to cover the free agency loss of left tackle Andrew Whitworth. In round three, the Rams double down on the offensive line to draft a replacement for 2019 center Austin Blythe who will also be leaving via free agency.  Who the rams select is Temple University center Matt Hennessy.  Hennessy is a 6-foot-4 302 pound athletic type center, who is a potential NFL starter.

While Temple is not the first stop for NFL scouts, Hennessy is helping his draft stock with a great showing at the Senior Bowl. He has good footwork and does a great job maintaining his balance at the point of attack.

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

When the Rams draft the Best Player Available at 84 – G Solomon Kindley

The Rams need not worry about adding help for the offensive line when opting for the best player available track.  The best prospects will fall to them. Such it is with so many teams scrambling for edge rushers, quarterbacks, skill players, that a solid crop of offensive linemen fall below their draft grade.  Take pick 84 for example.  Here, the Rams will find offensive guard Solomon Kindley – whom many grade as a second round prospect – still on the board in round three.  A product of the University of Georgia Bulldogs football program – the 6-foot-4 336 pound offensive guard will certainly get a lot of attention in the time leading up to the draft. His forte is run blocking, and his natural position is left guard, a role the Rams desperately need to lock down for the foreseeable future.

Kindley is a polished offensive lineman who will immediately excite Rams Fans at the moment his name is announced. He will help rejuvenate the careers of both quarterback Jared Goff and running back Todd Gurley by midpoint in the 2020 NFL season.

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

Round 4

After a promising day two for the LA Rams, the excitement builds even more for day three.  In round four, the team will pick twice, helping to assuage the pain of not participating in day one, and building a buffer of sorts for no selection in round 5.  The need track has scored on two offensive linemen, while the BPA track has landed significant draft talent.  But as is often the case, day three is where NFL teams truly exhibit solid scouting.

When the Rams draft for need at 123 – G Jonah Jackson

The Rams will systemically fill holes and add depth to the offensive line by drafting for need in the 2020 NFL Draft. That trend continues in round four, when the Rams select Ohio State Buckeyes offensive guard Jonah Jackson.  Jackson is a 6-foot-4 310 pound prospect from the Big 12. He transferred from Rutgers University, starting at guard for the Buckeyes in 2019.

Jackson is another player whose buzz never arrived until he competed in the Senior Bowl. Once there, he impressed NFL scouts quite a bit. With his draft stock rising, he may come off the board sooner. But in this pre-combine mock, he is there and fills a huge need for the Rams at 123.

Draft analysis Links:
The Draft Network
NFL Draft Scout
Walter Football
Youtube video

When the Rams draft the Best Player Available at 123 – C Jake Hanson

Once more, the 2020 NFL Draft board favors the Rams, as the Rams spy Oregon Ducks center Jake Hanson available at 123.  Hanson towers at 6-foot-5 and tips the scale at 295.  A nearly finished product coming out of college, he is projected to rounds 2-3 in most draft profiles I’ve read so far.

Hanson snapped the ball to Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert. While Herbert’s stock rises, few are connecting his play with the solid dependability from his center. Hanson is very athletic for the position, handling not only nose tackles on passing downs, but blocking downfield on running plays.

Draft analysis Links:
The Draft Network
NFL Draft Scout
Drafttek
Youtube video

Round 4 Compensatory Pick

Near the end of round four, Rams fans will be feeling much more optimistic about the 2020 NFL season.  While we have no idea how the team will emerge from the NFL Free Agency in 2020, the 2020 NFL Draft has gone the team’s way so far. In any case, the Rams have landed a minimum of two solid OL prospects to build strong future offensive line play. On drafting for need, that becomes three linemen, while on best player available, the Rams have added significant upside to the receiving corps with a quality tight end.

But nothing is guaranteed nor that predictable.  So at this point in round four, many  mock drafts are in tatters, as NFL teams, while staying true to their own Big Boards, simply do not follow the scripts of most mock drafts, particularly those compiled before the NFL Combine.

When the Rams draft for need at 137 – OT Saahdiq Charles

By the time the Rams arrive to pick 137, there are no players at either an edge nor defensive line position. Since the team is looking to fill needs, they make the obvious choice and select an additional offensive tackle in Saahdiq Charles from the LSU Tigers. Charles is a 6-foot-4 295 pound offensive tackle who looks very much the part of an offensive lineman. He has a natural low center of gravity which NFL coaches love, and he can “pop” into defensive linemen with such speed that it will take them by surprise.

Charles is not a finished product by any means. Nor should anyone expect him to be when selecting at 137.  But he has the right build, which means he simply needs to be coached up in the NFL.  He was suspended for game one of the 2019 season, which may depress his overall draft stock.  He’s worth selecting at 137, which the Rams do in this mock

Draft analysis Links:
The Draft Network
NFL Draft Diamonds
Drafttek
Youtube video

When the Rams draft the Best Player Available at 137 – ILB Jordyn Brooks

The LA Rams have benefited from the best player available approach so far, and have no reason to change course as they have a solid inside linebacker fall to them at pick 137 by the name of Jordyn Brooks from Texas Tech.  Projected as high as round two, Brooks stands 6-foot-1 and weighs in at 245 pounds.   Brooks is an exciting inside linebacker prospect for the LA Rams, and is one of the reasons many fans are so excited about the 2020 NFL Draft overall. The word is already out on Brooks, as fans who see his draft profile are already beginning to salivate. However, he will not be on display at the 2020 Senior Bowl, which may depress his stock slightly.

Playing Brooks behind standout defensive tackle Aaron Donald is a scenario which actually excites me more than paying the price to bring back inside linebacker Cory Littleton.  Littleton struggles in run defense, but Brooks has no weakness in defending the run. He is all over the field, and does not miss tackles.  Landing Jordyn Brooks at 137, who could very like fill Littleton’s shoes nicely, is what keeps the excitement alive on day three. The LA Rams seize a great opportunity to add depth to the linebacking corps, particularly in the face of the losing of ILB Cory Littleton to a high spending free agency market.

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

Round 6

The suspense builds for LA Rams fans on day three. Having had a solid draft through round four, the Rams have no picks through round five of the NFL Draft. As other teams play through, the team watches helplessly as valuable talent is depleted from each individual’s Draft board. It’s not until round six moves to the 20th pick that LA will be able to choose once more.

The Rams enter rounds six and seven on Day three with an eye to adding depth to positions where the roster is noticeably shallow.  While the team may luck into a player who can compete for playing time, the goal in the last two rounds is to find impact players for special teams play. Once on the team, coaches can work on technique to bolster their chances of cracking the starting lineup into the future.

When the Rams draft for need at 199 – Edge Trevon Hill

By round six, the Rams have filled the needs at offensive line and are ready to shore up other positions of need.  So far, the draft has buoyed the enthusiasm for new offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, while doing nothing to help out  new defensive coordinator coordinator Brandon Staley.  All that changes as the Rams select outside linebacker Trevon Hill from the University of Miami at pick 199. Hill stands 6-foot-3 and weighs in at 233 pounds. To compete at the NFL level at outside linebacker, his first stop will likely be the weight room to pack on about ten more pounds.

He plays well off the edge and will grow into that role in the NFL over time.  He has a good combination of leverage, quickness, and anticipation which make him a force to reckon with on passing downs. He simply lacks the muscularity to withstand running plays at the NFL level.  That makes him a liability until he proves that he can take on blockers and snuff runs his way.

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

When the Rams draft the Best Player Available at 199 – DB  Shyheim Carter Alabama

The Rams BPA selection at 199 is one more case where the player chosen is  based on the talent available, and not a perceived need on the team.  The Rams have an incredible opportunity to pick up the very versatile defensive back Shyheim Carter in round 6. Standing 6-foot-0 and weighing 191 pounds, Carter is neither a true cornerback nor safety.  He filled the STAR role for Alabama, a defensive back who rolls into a middle linebacker role on passing downs. He has a hybrid role in the NFL, and will likely be projected as a slot cornerback.

You can bet DC Brandon Staley would LOVE to work with Carter.  Though sized like a safety, he can take on blockers very effectively and projects as a solid defender in a number of pass defense packages. But best of all, defenses to not compromise rushing defense when he is on the field either.  His draft stock is fluctuating. NFL scouts struggle to project him as either a safety or cornerback.  Added to that, the end of the 2019 season as well as his Shrine Bowl performance had him getting beating for a number of touchdowns.  Still, he’s worth the pick in round six, as some projections have him as high as round two.

Draft analysis Links:
The Draft Network
Walter Football
CBS Sports
Youtube video

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

LA Rams Mock 2020 NFl Draft Summary

As is the case with any mock draft, players selected with each pick are completely dependent upon being on the draft board as the selection is made. That point will be lost to some, as comments will no doubt be made arguing the availability of a player at a round lower than they feel is correct.  There is no point in arguing that.  Even if the disputed concerns are 100 percent correct,  the absence of the selected player simply means the presence of another player who was not on the board during these two mocks. Ultimately, some quality players will fall.

So it becomes a moot point.  Regardless whether the team uses either a need or a BPA philosophy, the results will most likely be similarly debated through dozens of simulations.

We’ll do more mock drafts going forward.  Certainly one most assuredly after the 2020 NFL Combine. To recap the results of the two mock drafts

Drafting for need resulted in:

52: R2P20 OT BEN BARTCH  ST. JOHNS
84: R3P20  C MATT HENNESSY TEMPLE
123: R4P20 G JONAH JACKSON  OHIO STATE
137: R4P34 OT SAAHDIQ CHARLES LSU
199: R6P20 EDGE TREVON HILL  MIAMI
234: R7P20 LB MYKAL WALKER FRESNO STATE

Drafting for BPA resulted in:

52: R2P20 TE COLE KMET NOTRE DAME
84: R3P20 G SOLOMON KINDLEY GEORGIA
123: R4P20 C JAKE HANSON OREGON
137: R4P34 LB JORDYN BROOKS  TEXAS TECH
199: R6P20 S SHYHEIM CARTER ALABAMA
234: R7P20 OT VICTOR JOHNSON APPALACHIAN STATE

Whether by need or by BPA, the LA Rams will boast a much more hopeful roster after the 2020 NFL Draft.

Of course, the Rams will be making moves in the NFL Free agency market, as well as scrambling to sign an estimated 20 UDFAs at the conclusion of the NFL Draft.  The Rams have had success in their UDFA signings, promoting six such players to the 53 player roster in 2019.