LA Rams Day 6 NFL Scouting Combine – OT Adams stock falling

The LA Rams finally had a chance to get solid data on offensive linemen in the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, and the class of 2020 certainly made it all worth the wait

The LA Rams are not directly interested in quarterbacks, tight ends, or even wide receivers for the most part. So the events from day five may have raised some eyebrows or pushed some of the data analytics folks back in Los Angeles to the edge of their seats, but position coaches and scouts were jotting notes in the “JIC” column – just in case.

But the sun went down, and then rose again. Day six was a brand new day for the LA Rams scouting entourage.  Finding one or two offensive linemen who can fill the gaps for the 2020 offensive line roster, and perhaps a power back who can fit the bill for the Rams as a fullback are two tasks that the Rams definitely have on their to-do list.

Keep in mind that the objectives for the LA Rams may not align with those of the 2020 prospects or even those of other NFL teams. Not picking until 52, the Rams cannot be happy when a target in the NFL Draft has a “rising stock”.  For the LA Rams, players who disappoint scouts and media at the Combine have a far better chance of falling to them at rounds two, three and four. Bad for them, but great for the Rams.

Players with round one grades who fall may be in play for the LA Rams at 52. But for the top-32 candidates who shine in the NFL Scouting Combine, they will likely not fall out of day one.  Today’s results are simply too much to list in one quick summary. Let’s break this up into several slides. I promise to keep it light and manageable for smartphone viewers.

OT Winners

First, let’s congratulate some of the winners of Day 6 of the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine.  Right off the bat, Louisville offensive tackle Mekhi Becton, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 364 pounds, literally stole the show. His body weight checked in at just 17 percent body fat. And for the entire day, he proved he was faster, more agile, stronger, and fitter than anyone dared to imagine.

He was already projected to go in round one, but today could push him comfortable into a top ten selection.

Another top offensive tackle prospect who put on an outstanding performance was Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs. He is a very athletic 6-foot-5 and 320-pound offensive tackle who was already projected as a Top-20 prospect. He likely improved his stock to a top-10 after today’s performance.

While the Rams would love to have either available in the 2020 NFL Draft at 52, realistically both players will be long off the board before the Rams step up to the podium.

Other notable performance notables on day six of the NFL Scouting combine include USC’s offensive tackle Austin Jackson, a 6-foot-5 322-pound offensive tackle who displayed great athleticism in his performance which should be enough to elevate him into a round one prospect. Boise State offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland skyrocketed out of his day three projection. The 6-foot-6 310-pound smaller school offensive tackle showed off with a strong showing in – strength. His 30 reps positioned him as number five for offensive linemen. Then he showed off his speed, burst, and versatility to land as a  newly projected round 1-2 projection.

RB Winners

The running back class for the 2020 NFL Draft is not considered particularly deep or led by elite talent, but you can’t convince Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor of that fact. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing in at 226 pounds, he was the only running back in the class of 2020 to break the 4.4 recorded-time for the 40-yard dash. His recorded time was 4.39. Keep in mind Gil Brandt’s NFL Scouting Combine scoring card. You can go through each position and check their drills on his list.

Before the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Taylor was stuck between round one or round two projection. With his performance today, he should hear his name called near the end of round one.

Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans truly was a small-school prospect who showed up in a huge way today.  Standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 203-pounds, he was a seldom scouted player whose name typically was mentioned no higher than a day three draft project. But today changed all that.

He nearly starred at the 40-yard days, coming in at second place for the event with a recorded time of 4.41. For cutting drills, he was clearly the most polished, showing incredible form throughout the day. His one flaw, pass-catching, was burst with a fine display of route running and great hands in catches. He is not just a niche player after today, and will not-surprisingly jump into the discussions as a day-one or day-two prospect.

Other running backs names mentioned today in very favorable commentary were Utah running back Zack Moss, Florida State running back Cam Akers, and Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins.

Day 6 Losers

Each year, the NFL Combine creates that first impression among NFL scouts and executives, a first impression which will either beat their expectations and earn that player a designation of the winner, or an impression which will fall short of those expectations and earns that player a designation of the loser.  Keep in mind that when we cite the names of players on this list, this is not a reflection of players who will not succeed. The prospect could be suffering from a minor illness or injury.  The upside is that any players who “fall” in the draft come closer to the LA Rams, who will not walk up to the podium until 51 other selections are made.

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So it goes with one offensive tackle we’ve tracked for the possible selection of the LA Rams, Washington offensive tackle Trey Adams. He simply did not impress at the Combine today.  He looked big, but not chiseled. He looked strong, but not athletic. And his drills appeared as though Adams still suffered heavily from his collegiate knee and back injuries.  That will mean teams need to give strong scrutiny to his medical examinations.

On the NFL.com Draft tracker, Adams is ranked 23rd out of 40 offensive linemen. And his projection range between rounds 1-3 is now firmly aimed at round three.  But will his round-three position slide all the way to 84, where the Rams can select him?  I think that is very likely.   This does nothing to discourage me from sticking with the belief that Adams is the perfect replacement to LT Andrew Whitworth.  The best football players oftentimes are not the guys who look the part, nor who show up as Fitness Magazine cover models. OT Trey Adams is of that ilk.

Another player who fell could land on the LA Rams radar as a result.  Kentucky offensive guard Logan Stenberg did not drill well at the NFL Scouting Combine today.  A 6-foot-6 317-pound interior offensive lineman who truly stood out as the left guard for Kentucky, and showed up again at the Senior Bowl with fierce effectiveness. His performance today reflected a sluggish, less agile lineman. But he is about snarling, in-the-trenches pure physicality. The NFL.com draft website scores Sternberg at 5.98, good enough to be the 24th of 40+ graded linemen. He too is often graded with a round-two or round-three grade. The shallow numbers for interior offensive linemen in this draft will likely keep him no lower than round three.