NFL Draft pick-starved LA Rams awarded 3rd-rd, not 4th-rd, comp pick

On good news, bad news front. Bad news: the LA Rams have been awarded just one compensatory pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Good news: It’s a third-round, not a fourth-round, pick

The LA Rams have finally learned when and where they will pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. We know that the Rams picked at the 20th selection of rounds two, three, four, six and seven. Now, with the compensatory picks announced, we can calculate when the LA Rams will indeed be choosing in the 2020 NFL Draft. The good news is, the Rams have been awarded a third-round comp pick in this year’s draft.

With so few picks (six), a move up from day three to day two is a huge improvement in the talent pool available for the Rams. And if the Rams choose to do so, they can trade back from late in day two and pick up multiple day-three picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Based on the Rams’ current roster situation, and the number of players potentially lost in 2020, any help on draft day is most welcome. A jump from a fourth-round to a third-round compensatory pick gives the Rams a much greater chance of selecting a potential 2020 NFL starter from among the class of draft hopefuls. So let’s summarize where the Rams will be selecting:

The LA Rams will pick at the now projected following selections. With the LA Rams frequent deals, some sites have conflicting information – particularly regarding the existence of a fifth-round pick. The Rams traded two 2020 fifth-round picks away in dealing for Fowler and in dumping Talib’s salary.  These projections should be current:

Round 2 –   52 (20th pick of the round)
Round 3 –   84 (20th pick of the round)
Round 3 – 104 (awarded compensatory pick, 40th pick of the round)
Round 4 – 126 (20th pick of the round, after ten third-round compensatory picks)
Round 6 – 199 (20th pick of the round, after 3rd-5th round compensatory picks)
Round 7 – 234 (20th pick of the round, after 3rd-6th round compensatory picks)

The Rams traded their 2020 first-round pick as part of the package to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for CB Jalen Ramsey.  The Rams traded one 2020 fifth-round pick as part of the package to the Jacksonville Jaguars for OLB Dante Fowler Jr.  Finally, the Rams received a fifth-round pick from the Baltimore Ravens in the trade which sent them CB Marcus Peters. The Rams then sent that pick to the Miami Dolphins for accepting the salary of injured reserve CB Aqib Talib.

The Rams may be adding additional picks in the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft. Several veterans on the roster are on the bubble that could be placed onto the trading block and could fetch a respectable return for the upcoming NFL draft.

The Rams are well-known for their draft-day wheelings and dealings. With a third day-two pick, general manager Les Snead now has enough value to move to round one (although I would not advise it) as well as move back to multiple selections on day three. In multiple online mock draft simulators, the Rams pick at 104 has a tremendous selection of offensive tackles, edge rushers, interior offensive linemen, running backs, quarterbacks, and linebackers remaining on the board.

With the release of WR Jojo Natson, the Rams will likely be in the market for either a running back or wide receiver who can serve as a 2020 return specialist.  The Rams will likely be looking for a prospect who can add both on offense and special teams.  With an extra pick on day two, the Rams will have the position in the draft to land an impact player.