The 2020 NFL Draft lines up perfectly for LA Rams

The 2020 NFL Draft proved a trade fest among NFL Teams, but at night’s end, the LA Rams are in great shape to emerge with some solid contributors

As the LA Rams watched patiently, the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft went off without a hitch. Four quarterbacks were selected, 11 trades occurred, and the Rams had to stand by helplessly after several players many had hoped to fall back to the second round heard their names called. But far less than may have heard.

In the end, three linebackers were selected in round one, as were six offensive tackles and one running back. Four quarterbacks came off the board, as did six cornerbacks and two edge rushers. Then the draft began to watch six wide receivers come off the board, as did one interior offensive lineman and one defensive tackle. Finally, 32 players now have new employers in the NFL.

The Rams never had a prayer of landing a top-five offensive tackle, wide receiver,  or cornerback. But suddenly, the Rams may be in play to land a top-five edge rusher, running back, interior offensive lineman, and perhaps even a top-five quarterback.

The Rams did not attempt to trade into round one. But one of the players many thought would be selected in round one, Denzel Mims, is still on the board heading into round two. Perhaps the most urgent position for the LA Rams, linebacker, still has plenty of talented players remaining on the board.

NFC Rivals were very active, and the San Francisco 49ers used both first-round picks and then some to land two players. But they now sit out today. The Arizona Cardinals will have one third-round selection today at 72. The only other NFC West team selecting more than once today, the Seattle Seahawks, pick at 59, 64, and 101, which will be after the Rams pick twice at 52 and 57.

And today, rounds two and three will find the LA Rams as very active participants. The Rams possess four of the 74 selections to be made on day two. And from what we witnessed in the first round, the second day of the NFL Draft will be loaded with a lot of movement from NFL teams jockeying for position to get THEIR guy.

Don’t be disappointed if the Rams trade back today. The quality of this draft was not the upper tier of talent, but rather the depth of some positions where the range of players at nearly the same level is vast indeed.  Running backs who may not hear their names called in this draft could contribute to the right team. Wide receivers selected on day three could develop into starters in several years.

All in all, this was a good year to miss out on round one. Now let’s see if the Rams can score a bullseye on their selections for rounds two and three.