LA Rams 2020 mock draft 3.1 March post-NFL Combine

LA Rams fans await the team’s roster moves. Here’s draft guru Larry Brake’s 2020 mock draft 3.1 seven-round mock

LA Rams fans feel the tension building. All the hoopla of the NFL Combine has come and gone. Many future draft picks were put under the microscope for everyone to see. The LA Rams have targeted the players in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft that interest them due to their performance on the field and at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Team needs and wants are addressed differently by each NFL team. Most of all, most Rams fans have an idea which player would look good in an LA uniform. Imagine the discussions that were had during the Combine by the new coordinators and Sean McVay.

GM Les Snead has his list of available free agents. It would be very surprising to see the Rams become big players in that frenzy. Building through the NFL draft seems to be the cheapest way to re-tool the Rams.

There appears to be a wealth of talent in this upcoming draft class at every position. However, there are some very elite talents available if LA would decide to move up via trade. Stranger things have happened on past draft days. If so, who would the Rams give up to move up?

Let’s suppose that LA is able to re-sign Dante Fowler, Jr and Andrew Whitworth, later this month. Which direction would the Rams go in this draft class?

Here is a look at the Rams’ first pick.

LA Rams select Jordan Love, QB Utah State

QB Jordan Love is the Rams pick in the second round. Love stands 6-feet-4 weighing 225 pounds. He played three seasons at Utah State.

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The Rams need a competent backup quarterback, and cannot believe their first-round graded hurler falls to them at 52. Love completed 689 passes for 8600 yards with 60 touchdowns. He had a collegiate career quarterback rating of 137.9. Love had a good Combine performance.

He ran a 4.74-second 40-yard dash. Love was a top performer in broad jump among the quarterbacks. He showed his athleticism in the 3 cone drill.

The scouting website, thedraftnetwork.com, offers the following concerning Love’s skill set:

"Checks the boxes in terms of size and body composition. Good mobility and athleticism; capable of extending plays with his feet, hitting throws on the move and taking off with the ball in his hands. Sound mechanically and can hit throws from a variety of arm slots. … Has the arm talent to make any throw. …"

QB Jared Goff is the Rams franchise quarterback. Love would have time to mature and adjust to the pro game, especially the speed of the NFL game. There would be no reason to rush Love into the lineup.

It is always better to have the next quarterback ready to go. Injuries are just a play away from occurring. Rams would serve their interests well to select Love in Round two. Besides, the Rams’ absence of round one draft picks creates an opportunity to develop quarterback talent, for now, to trade for draft picks later.  Love could be flipped in 2022 for a first-round pick.

Here is a look at the Rams next pick.

LA Rams select Nick Harris, C Washington

The Rams need help on the offensive line, particularly at the center position where the team has no true healthy veteran returning. Center Nick Harris is the third-round pick from the University of Washington. He stands 6-feet-1 weighing 301 pounds.

At the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Harris ran a 5.1second 40-yard dash. He also bench-pressed 225 pounds 22 times. Harris is a tough, gritty player that is needed for the battle in the trenches on each consecutive play.

Charley Campbell of walterfootball.com describes Harris in the following way:

"Harris is built strongly to pack a punch on defenders. He also shows some quickness and athleticism to pull around the tackle. With his strong base, Harris is able to stand up bull rushes and is adept at hitting double teams with his guard. Harris is limited to being a center only in the NFL because of his size, but he could be a mid-round pick who turns into a starter and ends up being an excellent value pick. Harris plays with tenacity and physicality."

According to overthecap.com, as a third-round selection, Harris will earn a total of $2,895,932 in his initial rookie contract. He would be more affordable than a seasoned veteran free agent looking for a big payday. Who knows, he is talented enough to become the cornerstone lineman that the Rams have been searching for. Certainly, OL coach Aaron Kromer will bring out the best of him.

Here is a look at the Rams’ next picks.

LA Rams select Jordan Fuller, S Ohio State, and Anfernee Jennings, OLB Alabama

The LA Rams will draft two fourth-round selections in the 2020 NFL Draft. They get their regular pick plus an additional compensation pick because of losing Rodger Safford. The Rams will get two defensive stalwarts in Jordan Fuller and Anfernee Jennings.

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Safety Jordan Fuller played at Ohio State University. He is a big strong defender in the secondary. He stands 6-feet-2 weighing 203 pounds.

At the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Fuller ran a 4.67-second 40-yard dash. He vertically jumped 35.5 inches. Fuller should be able to knock down passes with his leaping ability and athleticism.

Throughout his collegiate, Fuller made a total of 216 tackles and intercepted five passes. He is another workman type of athlete that the Rams could definitely use. The Rams need a replacement for retiring veteran Eric Weddle.  Fuller is an excellent choice to do so.

At Alabama, edge rusher Anfernee Jennings made the best of his opportunity in his senior season. Everyone knows how loaded the Alabama football program is talent-wise. Like the rest, Jennings had to wait his turn for a starting role to display his talent to the nation.

Jennings stands 6-feet-3 weighing 259 pounds. He made a total of 83 tackles with eight sacks in 2019. In his career at Alabama, he made 193 total tackles with 14.5 sacks.

Jennings is a raw young talent who is quite versatile. The Rams could move him opposite of Fowler or to an inside linebacker. Stay tuned to Jennings pro day performance.

Here is a look at the Rams next pick.

LA Rams select Javon Leake, RB Maryland

The Rams use their round 6 selection to bolster their kick return game. They do so by selecting running back Javon Leake from Maryland. Leake stands 6-feet weighing 215 pounds. At the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Leake ran a 4.65-second 40-yard dash, in Indianapolis.

Leake had limited touches as a running back as a Terrapin. He only carried the ball 145 times for 1144 yards with 17 touchdowns. His light usage is very surprising, as he averaged an amazing 7.9 yards per carrying in his three seasons at Maryland.

As a kick returner, he returned 59 kickoffs for 1445 yards. Leake averaged a whopping 24.5 yards per runback. He returned three for touchdowns. With the anticipated departure of WR Jojo Natson this year, the Rams are certainly in the market for a return specialist with his lightning-quick ability on special teams.

As Leake progressed throughout the season, he also could be added as a pass receiver. In 2019, he caught nine passes for 55 yards. Over time, he could become a very dangerous third-down situational back.

Lance Zierlein of nfl.com writes the following about Leake’s abilities:

"… he can be a lethal outside runner. Leake is a sudden back and his ability to cut and reach top-end speed quickly should allow him to keep ringing up chunk plays as a pro. … He’s a bonafide playmaker with low mileage on the odometer and might be coveted by teams looking for an injection of life into their running game."

The Rams are looking at options to improve their running game. Here is a look at the Rams next pick.

LA Rams select Darrion Daniels, DT Nebraska

The LA Rams continue to stockpile more defensive linemen on their roster. In round 7, they select defensive tackle Darrion Daniels from Nebraska.  Daniels played one season at Nebraska after transferring from Oklahoma State.

He stands 6-feet-3 weighing 311 pounds. In his 2020 NFL Scouting Combine workouts, he ran a 5.18-second 40-yard dash. He bench-pressed 225 pounds 21 times.

At Nebraska, he played in eight games. He made 27 total tackles and was credited with half a sack. He made 64 tackles at Oklahoma State in 33 games.

A good insight into Daniels is found at the NFL.com website.  The following is reported by Lance Zierlein:

"Squatty nose tackle candidate with good football character and big man quickness off the snap. His playing style is more free for all than controlled and measured. He lacks the first step to be a gap shooter and doesn’t play with the base and hand usage to consistently control the point of attack. He’s a try-hard rusher but doesn’t get home often enough. Daniels flashes but lacks instincts, production and traits needed to become a rotational defensive tackle."

Daniels could become an excellent protege for All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald.  Playing behind Donald would give him the opportunity to learn what it takes to succeed in the trenches. Remember, Deacon Jones was a 10th round draft pick in 1961.

In this mock, the LA Rams add depth capable of competing and playing in starting roles at the NFL level at quarterback, center, edge rusher, safety, running back/kick return, and defensive lineman.