LA Rams and fans face unpredictable 2020 NFL Draft

The LA Rams have done a pretty good job of preparing for the 2020 NFL Draft. The only problem is, this will be one of the wildest drafts of the Millenium.

The LA Rams exited the 2019 season with potential problems practically everywhere. Projected roster holes, exiting free agents, low funds, and few picks. Then, general manager Les Snead committed to avoiding restructuring contracts at all costs. Yes, the Rams had to commit huge chunks of 2020 salary cap space to dead funds due to parting ways with both running back Todd Gurley and wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Still, the offseason has turned out better than expected.

The Rams re-signed two major veteran players in left tackle Andrew Whitworth and Michael Brockers. The team added two new faces to the defense in defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson and outside linebacker Leonard Floyd. And the Rams have taken their five picks and not boast seven picks, five of which are in the top 126 picks of the draft. And the Rams added two very impressive kickers to compete for the kicking job without using a single draft pick in the process.

While it’s not yet a full roster ready to compete for the playoffs, it’s in a far better position for 2020 and beyond than before. What will define the 2020 season is the outcome of the 2020 NFL Draft. Plain and simple.

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The draft, however, is simply not that easy to predict. The reason is the number of valuable quarterbacks in this draft, the limits to teams’ pre-draft information (no direct visits nor direct medical team contact), the depth at some positions, the small number of elite players at other positions, and a large number of talented players at wide receiver.  It all breaks down to some wild and wacky fun and excitement.

Even with seven picks, the LA Rams may be forced to address some roster needs through a higher number of signings of UDFA players this year. We looked at which positions the Rams have targeted with player interviews so far.

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There have already been multiple trades impacting the draft, but during the three days of the 2020 NFL Draft, you should prepare for a significant number of trades. And without the standard technological configuration, it may be very difficult to keep up with the number of trades and the details involved.

What positions will come off the board before the Rams even get to choose? Well, you can expect 4-6 quarterbacks, 5-9 wide receivers, 1-3 running backs, 5-9 offensive tackles, 4-7 interior offensive linemen, 4-7 interior defensive linemen, 4-7 edge rushers, 1-5 linebackers, 6-9 cornerbacks, and 4-6 safeties. So the Rams have already adjusted for players they expect will be off the board by the time they dial in with their pick.

Once the LA Rams begin their selections, things will happen quickly. The Rams have over 50 percent of their picks on Day 2, at least for now. But with general manager Les Snead at the helm, the Rams will convert some of those picks into other picks rather quickly.  The true struggle of this draft for Rams’ fans will be the disadvantage of this remote/streaming Draft presentation. I don’t have any basis to know how will the NFL/ESPN broadcast keep up with trades during the draft with no centralized draft function.

We do expect the Rams will trade-back in hopes of emerging with 9-10 rookies from the 2020 NFL Draft. Right now, this draft appears to have some talented players available in mid-rounds who could compete for starting minutes on the team.