LA Rams Pick 52: Other players remain on the board

The LA Rams selected RB Cam Akers with pick 52, but who did they fail to select at that pick who may have contributed as well?

With the 52nd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams selected Florida State running back Cam Akers, a powerful dual-threat running back for the Seminoles. Cam Akers is a little bit of a surprise pick and has big shoes to fill with Gurley’s departure. While Akers fills a need and is a solid selection, let’s look at other players that could also have been the selection.

Edge rusher A.J. Epenesa from Iowa

A pass rusher who’s strong and versatile, Epenesa played two straight years with some solid production. Everyone agrees that he is going to be a very productive player in the NFL. A bully on the line, he has a great bull rush and very fluid hands. While he excels at sacking quarterbacks, he possesses enough versatility to allow him to play in the interior at tackle or at defensive end to cause favorable matchups.  Epenesa caused 10 sacks and four forced fumbles over his sophomore and junior season. That level of production should carry over into the pros.

Running back. Zack Moss from Utah

Moss was a wildcard in the NFL Draft. Some projections had him going in the first round while others had him going day 3. Moss had three seasons from his sophomore to senior season or over 1,000 yards. Much like Dobbins, he is a great backfield threat, though his Junior season took a dip with 8 catches for 50 yards. He did rebound his senior season with 28 catches for 388 yards. Moss is a wildcard and if he falls farther some team will get a great round steal.

Wide Receiver Denzel Mims from Baylor

The LA Rams traded away a speedy receiver in Brandin Cooks but left a speedy receiver on the board in Mims.  While Mims was expected to come off the board in round one, he was there when the Rams selected at 52.  He is falling for some reason, but with the Rams seeking to stretch the field, Mims may have been the guy for the job. He has blinding speed and could slide right in a return specialist until he demonstrated he could run routes for the offense.

At the end of the day, the Rams mildly surprised fans by going running back early in a deep RB draft.,