Ramblin' Fan
FanSided

LA Rams mock NFL draft 2.0 – replace outgoing free agents

By Bret Stuter

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: Tavon Austin (R) of West Virginia Mountaineers reacts with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as they hold up a jersey on stage after Austin was picked #8 overall by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: Tavon Austin (R) of West Virginia Mountaineers reacts with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell as they hold up a jersey on stage after Austin was picked #8 overall by the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 8
Next
(Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

Round 5 (pick 155) Linebacker Justin Strnad, Wake Forest (replacing Bryce Hager)

player. 889. . Inside Linebacker. Demon Deacons . Justin Strnad. 4

Justin Strnad brings the boom to tackling and would be a solid addition to a Rams defense aiming at more physicality. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing in at 235 pounds, he is a solid inside linebacker prospect whose versatility allows him to slide to other linebacker roles.  He has solid coverage skills in zone defenses, and would be a great player to sit back and disrupt passing routes over the middle.

light. Must Read. Los Angeles Rams: 15 best first-round draft picks of all-time

His range is his strong suit, and playing behind the likes of Donald gives that speed and lateral motion free space to roam.  While not as polished as Zach Baun, Strnad has huge potential.  Even though many analysts project him to the outside linebacker role in a 4-3, he has the right size and power to fit nicely into an interior linebacker role on a 3-4 front as well.

Strnad needs to clean up his tackling ability to compete for a starting role in the NFL.  He could also add another ten pounds to ensure he can withstand the wear and tear at the NFL level. Both tasks can be addressed in his rookie season.

Draft Network Analysis Justin Strnad

Home/Rams Draft