LA Rams Day 2 of 2020 NFL Draft class grades awarded

GM Les Snead orchestrated the LA Rams 2020 NFL Draft to address glaring needs for the upcoming 2020 season

The LA Rams lost several key players to free agency in March. There were glaring needs that had to be addressed in the 2020 NFL Draft. Les Snead earned an “A” for his Day 2 draft selections.

LA has not had a first-round selection in the draft since 2016. Jared Goff was taken as the first overall selection. Snead was able to grab a top running back in round 2 with a more salary cap-friendly contract.

Instead of having two draft picks on day 2, LA was able to make four picks. Snead took a running back, wide receiver, edge rusher, and a safety. Seems like LA was able to replenish the roster at those positions.

Grading draft selections are based upon collegiate performance, NFL Combine performance and projected NFL performance. Have there been draft busts lately? Yes, but how can that be determined except through the passing of time.

Day 2 Draft pick grades for the LA Rams round 2 and round 3 selections

First, Cam Akers is selected as the 52nd overall pick of the draft. Akers played running back at Florida State. In 2019, he ran for 1144 yards and caught 30 passes for 225 yards with 18 total touchdowns.

At the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash. He bench-pressed 225 pounds 20 times. Akers is speedy enough and productive enough to step into the starting running back position.
Grade: A+

Second, LA replaces Brandin Cooks with Van Jefferson. He played wide receiver at Florida University. Last season, he caught 49 passes for 657 yards with six touchdowns.

Jefferson did not run the athletic testing drills at the Combine due to a foot injury. The Rams have good depth at the wide receiver position. Jefferson has time to develop into a star receiver.
Grade: B+

Third, LA drafted Terrell Lewis in round 3. Lewis played the edge rusher position at Alabama. He stands 6-feet-5 weighing 252 pounds. He made 31 total tackles with six sacks, in 2019.

Lewis’ participation was very limited at the NFL Combine. He will have Aaron Donald to mentor him for the next four seasons. Lewis will get bigger and stronger in due time.
Grade: A-

Fourth, Terrell Burgess gets selected in round 3. Burgess played safety at Utah University. He made 81 tackles in 2019. He ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and bench pressed 225 pounds 20 times, at the Combine.

Burgess could step into a starting safety position this upcoming season. He is a hybrid athlete that could play slot cornerback or safety. Versatility is the key here with Burgess.
Grade: A

The Rams day two draft grade averages out to an “A”.  Snead did a great job finding talented players with high ceilings in their abilities. The future Rams are going to be good!