LA Rams Top 5 positional rankings: Defense edition

LA Rams 2020 NFL Draft Top 5 positional rankings: Defense edition

As mentioned in the first part of this series, the LA Rams sustained several losses on the defensive side of the ball. While expected, the loss of that amount of talent is quite difficult to absorb without a bit of reinforcement. Most of the roster losses were crucial as they did lose several quality starters such as inside linebacker Cory Littleton, outside linebackers (and/or pass rushers) Dante Fowler, and Clay Matthews, among others.

As well as losing starters, the Rams enter a crucial year in terms of maintaining the defensive core together, as the likes of cornerback Jalen Ramsey and safety John Johnson III enter the final year of their respective contracts and should command a hefty extension, or either will test the free agency market.

The team needs to find today’s contributors and future starters. They may or may not be the same player. In fact, it may not often be the same. Since the Rams begin selecting players in round two of the 2020 NFL Draft, they will need to choose between polished players with limited ceilings (contributors now) or raw athletic players with unlimited ceilings.

The 2020 NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 23, and the Rams should have a plan as well; it is imperative to get better on defense in order to succeed.