Lookback at LA Rams 2019 NFL Draft results one year later

Round 4 pick 134

University of Washington defensive tackle Greg Gaines was case of best player who also happened to fill a team need.  6-foot-1 312 pound Gaines was a four year starter with the Washington Huskies who had played a large part in solid defense during his tenure.  At 6-foot-1, Gaines is best suited for either a nose tackle or defensive tackle role. Should the team need to bolster the run defense, we expect Gaines will play a significant part in that upgrade.

Gaines was a developmental pick from the fourth round. That being said, he saw limited action on the field, playing in just 17 percent of the defensive snaps in just ten games, and just two percent of the special team snaps.  Gaines does not possess speed. But he is nearly an impenetrable object on the defensive line, able to hold his ground even when double teamed.

He was very efficient despite his limited usage. He put up 13 tackles, 0.5 sacks, two quarterback hits, four pressures, two hurries and one quarterback knockdown.  With the likely exodus of 6-foot-5 305 pound DE Michael Brockers in free agency,  the Rams could rework the defensive line by sliding 6-foot-4 310 pound Sebastian Joseph-Day to fill Brockers slot, and promote Gaines to starting nose tackle.  Gaines is up to the task, as his 2019 PFF rating of 74.4 will confirm.

GRADE: A-