Final LA Rams interviews reveal 2020 NFL Draft moves

The LA Rams were able to squeeze in some interviews with the 2020 NFL Draft prospect before the NFL ban meeting prospects went into effect.

Each year, the LA Rams make it a point to personally reach out to prospects who have piqued their interest at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine as well as through their individual performances throughout the past season.

And each year, the shopping list changes. Sometimes the differences are about where that particular draft class is loaded.  Sometimes the changes are about the Rams’ changing shopping list.  Finally, sometimes the difference is where the LA Rams anticipate selecting in the NFL Draft.

This year, the Rams will not select until pick 52.  That will eliminate the first 51st prospects altogether.  I will not say the top 51st talented players, because who is the most talented seems to run differently depending on which team is making the

The LA Rams have a lot riding on the 2020 NFL Draft. With a roster defection rate of 33 percent due to NFL Free Agency, and limited funds to sign veteran talent, the Rams may enter the draft “as is” and plan to shore up weak spots on the roster with draft prospects. While that’s fine in theory, it’s a huge gamble as players the Rams target have 51 opportunities not to be there when the Rams step up to the podium for the first time.

What we know

From the opening bell of the 2020 NFL Free Agency market to the end of the first week, the Rams have made it very clear that they are prioritizing offense in terms of player retention, but willing to shop for new faces for the defense. All three LA Rams offensive linemen with expired contracts were re-signed: center Coleman Shelton, guard Austin Blythe and left tackle Andrew Whitworth.  That is strong evidence that despite the consensus of the team’s most urgent need in the 2020 NFL Draft is the offensive line, the Rams will focus on reshaping the defense in the draft.

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Of course, there have been some interesting developments so far. The Rams have opted to part ways with running back Todd Gurley and outside linebacker Clay Matthews. That adds two additional holes to a swiss cheese roster and will complicate the Rams’ 2020 NFL Draft shopping list.

Some sportswriters believe that the LA Rams will simply anoint running back Darrell Henderson, last year’s third-round selection, as the feature running back.  But that makes little sense. Henderson had a handful of carries in 2019 and was projected as a change-of-pace back. He was injured last year as well. That trend does not scream “250 carries in 2020” to me.

Instead, the Rams will be shopping hard for a Todd Gurley replacement. And we can use the list of who the team made the time to speak with to confirm these suspicions.

So far, the team has been very selective and frugal in free agency.  Which prospects did the Rams interview before the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft? Historically, the LA Rams have made it a point to draft players they had interviewed at the NFL Scouting Combine. Well, we have some answers now that the interview has been hard halted by the NFL. Who did the Rams interview at the combine?

LA Rams prioritize linebackers

We know that the LA Rams are most definitely shopping for linebacker depth in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Rams have now lost four starters from the 3-4 base defense. OLB Dante Fowler Jr. and ILB Cory Littleton are signed with other teams, while OLB Clay Matthews and ILB Bryce Hager are all facing the NFL Free Agency market in 2020. With not players resigned, the Rams did sign OLB Leonard Floyd from the Chicago Bears. He truly fits as a younger version of Matthews in the Rams 2020 defense.

The LA Rams wasted no time speaking to Akeem Davis-Gaither, an outside linebacker hailing from the underscouted school of Appalachian State University. He is an undersized 6-foot-1 and 224-pound defender who many scouts hoped to see bulk up for the NFL to about 240 pounds. He has projections as a day three selection, but that may not be a result of poor play, but rather of a young man playing through a stress fracture in his foot in 2019. That injury will be addressed by surgery this offseason, and a full recovery is expected.

Davis-Gaither fills the block of hybrid linebacker that the Rams are looking for. So well that he will be a target of other teams as well

That means, he is too big and slow to be projected as a great safety, but he is too small and quick to be projected as a great linebacker. So scouts have graded him poorly based on an either/or scoring system.

He is the perfect Ninja linebacker coveted by new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. He fits the role of a blitzing defender, in pass coverage or as a run stopper. Yes, he needs more bodyweight to improve his durability, improve shedding blockers, and set a firmer edge to drive plays inside to pursuit. But he would be a key player to draft for the Rams new defense.

Back to back linebacker

There he is again, inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks is one we’ve mocked multiple times to the LA Rams. The Texas Tech Red Raiders inside linebacker stands 6-foot-0 and weighs in at 240-pounds.  He is a hard-hitter, a guy who sniffs out the football, gets up a head of steam, and jams up the running lanes behind the defensive line. Most important to the Rams, he stands out in films against running plays, where he moves to stop the ball carrier with authority.

Of course, the Rams would love to get much better at run defense, and Brooks appears very much like someone who could get them there. He’s gotten solid reviews from virtually all draft scouting profiles.

As of now, Brooks is projected to be a day two selection. He plays like LA Rams’ inside linebackers Kenny Young and Micah Kiser. And with similar builds and play styles, the Rams have interchangeable parts and can keep fresh linebackers on the field at all times.

His NFL.com profile indicates the projection for Brooks to compete for a starting role in 2020. That could be a solid reason for the Rams to call his name on day two.

LA Rams are sitting on the edge

The LA Rams did speak with an edge rusher at the NFL Combine. But few expected the team to focus upon 6-foot-3  257-pounds edge-rusher  Kendall Coleman out of Syracuse University. The interview makes sense, as the Rams appear to have a need for edge rusher regardless of their outcome of re-signing OLB Dante Fowler Jr.

Coleman possesses plenty of raw talent for the role in the NFL but is too inconsistent to warrant an early selection in the NFL Draft. In multiple draft profiles, Coleman is listed as a development project. He has the right dimensions and certainly has the raw talent so many coaches seek in a 3-4 outside linebacker.  His greatest characteristic is his super-dedication which has gotten him far past his average athleticism into consideration for an NFL role.

The LA Rams need a starting OLB who can pressure the quarterback from day one, and Coleman feels a bit raw to project quickly to a starter. But NFLMocks.com’s Nicholas Price has reported him as one of the sleepers in the 2020 NFL Draft.

A Rams show hand by talking to 2 RBs

How long were the LA Rams pondering parting ways with RB Todd Gurley? Well, the team had to have decided before the NFL Scouting Combine. Why? Well, the team had limited time slots for interviewing prospects, and yet made it a point to speak with two players.  That’s quite an investment.

Running back Darrynton Evans, a 5-foot-10, 203-pound running back out of Appalachian State was the first to meet with the Rams.  While he was not on many scouting projections for an early draft selection, he had a huge NFL Scouting Combine performance which catapulted him into the face of many NFL draft scouts. He showed stunning speed at the 40-yard dash, which served to punctuate his entire Combine performance.

To be clear, the Rams want to become much faster on the offensive side of the ball.

Evans is the second player from Appalachian State who has attracted the Rams’ interest.  Evans adds plenty of production in both the running game and pass receptions. But the Rams may be giving Evans a look at the special team’s return specialist for 2020. He is incredibly versatile, super speedy, and would be a great addition to the team in multiple ways.

The Rams talk to running zack

5-foot-9 223-pound running back Zack Moss, a Utah Utes standout, is on the draft board of many NFL teams. Whether the Rams may be seeking a more powerful running back to use in multiple ways, a faster guy to flash through the hole, or a solid back who can be incredibly dangerous out of the backfield as a receiver, Moss certainly brings a wide spectrum of “he can do that” abilities to the NFL.

He’s showed up on Rams mocks for the 2020 NFL Draft as a potential running back prospect long before the LA Rams met with him. For good reason, as Moss has all the skills the Rams need, particularly in light of the sudden opening at featured running back.

NFL.com projects him to start within his first two NFL seasons. He will be promoted quickly if he is added to the Rams roster.  I had no problems projecting him as the Rams future starter with Gurley still on the roster. Without Gurley, Moss is an ideal candidate to take over the job.

The Ute was surprisingly adept and productive on offense. He has been compared to Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt, a forceful runner who breaks tackles routinely. The only drawback to Moss is the observation with too many carries he will tire.  But the Rams have Henderson and Brown, who would happily add Moss to work among a committee. That seems to be exactly what the Rams are aiming at for the running back in 2020.

An offensive center

The LA Rams were at risk at the center of not re-signing veteran free agent Austin Blythe. The Rams were able to do so, as well as add depth in re-signing Coleman Shelton. So it may be that the team interviewed 6-foot-3 307-pound Cesar Ruiz a center from Michigan as an insurance policy. Still, we’ve highlighted him several times in our NFL Draft features. He’s been particularly a prospect of great interest to the LA Rams, due to his complete command of the center position.

In some draft profiles, he is a day-three prospect. In others, he is an early day two prospect. He dropped over 10 pounds for the NFL Scouting Combine, a move that helped showcase his athleticism. That athleticism allows him to be considered for all three interior offensive line positions and will be a huge factor in when he hears his name called during the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Rams now boast veteran Austin Blythe re-signed from free agency,  returning reserve Coleman Shelton, and returning Brian Allen from a devastating knee injury in 2019. Even still, Ruiz will give the team starter potential at three positions with question marks going into next year.

A replacement for Brandin Cooks?

The LA Rams have been giving away their free agency moves and concerns by who the team chose to speak with so far.  So when the Rams spoke with  Van Jefferson, a 6-foot-1 200-pound wide receiver from Florida, was the team sending a message about Brandin Cooks’ future? Well, Jefferson is especially talented as both a route-runner and as a blocker, both traits are emphasized by the LA Rams for their receivers.

He has been a versatile college receiver. While some project him as a slot receiver, he can line up at any receiver role in the NFL and be expected to catch balls. NFL.com projects him as a backup who can be expected to earn a starting role. Since the Rams have paid plenty for WR Brandin Cooks, they may not have enough money to retain Cooper Kupp when his contract expires in 2021.

The move to a wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft makes sense from the depth and current contract situation of the team’s receivers. And Jefferson projects to a day three selection, which is most likely when the Rams will be thinking about developing players for the future. He does not possess noteworthy speed, so the team will need to look elsewhere for a field stretcher. But he is a solid talent projected late in the draft.

Tight at tight end

The final interview from the LA Rams was with Oregon State’s tight end Noah Togiai.  He is a 6-foot-4 246-pound target who brings pass-catching skills, but not much on the blocking side.  With the Rams having flirted with adding a veteran tight end as a receiving target, Toiai is the natural rookie version without the concussion risks.

Togiai pulled in 102 passes for 1048 yards throughout his Oregon State career. That generated an impressive 10.3 yards per catch average and will give quite a few NFL scouting departments valid reasons to give him a position on their draft board. Togiai is a pass-catching tight end in a draft class with fewer viable tight end options but heavy in wide receiver choices.

The LA Rams roster appears to be in need of linebacker, edge, running back, and defensive back help reinforcements. The Rams have spoken with linebackers, edge, running backs, wide receiver, and tight end.