LA Rams 2020 NFL Draft grades: Day 3 selections

Rams GM Les Snead rolled the dice with the LA Rams future with his NFL Draft selections on Day 3

After a huge 2020 NFL Draft day two, the LA Rams gambled on a few picks. LA Rams general manager Les Snead must have been directed by the new team coordinators in making those picks.

The Rams fourth round got started late after making a deal with the Houston Texans. The Rams squeezed two additional seventh-round picks out of Texans’ Bill O’Brien in return for moving down in round four from pick 126 to pick 136.. Now armed with additional picks, the Rams picked five players on Saturday but neither could be considered “diamonds in the rough.”

While there may have been a couple of head-scratching picks, however, you have to trust the Rams player evaluation process. There is a reason why these players went when they did. It’s very possible that this draft reflects a change in the Rams offensive and defensive schemes.

For example, rookie safety Jordan Fuller was taken in round six. He was taken after Terrell Burgess, also a safety who was selected in round three. Is it possible that the Rams defense will incorporate a safety/linebacker type of player? Or will one of these very versatile defensive backs compete for the vacated slot cornerback role of Nickell Robey-Coleman?

Also, tight end Brycen Hopkins went in the fourth round. Rumor is, Hopkins has trouble catching easy passes. Is he going to play in the H-back position? Will he catch passes out of the backfield or become a hybrid fullback. Since the LA Rams failed to address the fullback position directly, that will certainly be a role worth monitoring going forward.

Grading the LA Rams Day 3 NFL Draft selections

PICK 136:
Round four, Brycen Hopkins played tight end at Purdue. He caught 130 passes for 1,945 yards through four seasons. At the NFL Combine, he measured 6-feet-4 weighing 245-pounds, a decent size for an NFL tight end. He ran a 4.66-second 40-yard dash. In a bad tight end draft class, Hopkins was lauded as one of the better ones in the 2020 NFL Draft. But really, how much is that saying?

Hopkins figures to compete for the third tight end on the Rams offensive depth chart. Right now, he faces Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett, and even blocking tight end Johnny Mundt ahead of him on the depth chart. Expect to see him on special teams unless he is featured in a special play package.
Hopkins has the potential to flash brilliance or the dull all optimism for his NFL future on any given play. He can haul in a circus catch for a first down,  but on the very next play drop a pass right in the numbers. Think of all the other players they could have selected here! Grade: C

PICK 199:
Round 6, a very versatile safety Jordan Fuller played at the Ohio State University of the Big 10 Conference. He made 216 total tackles in four seasons. Also, Fuller had five interceptions.

He stands 6-feet-2 weighing 203 pounds. Moving him into a slot cornerback spot would be a good move. In both defensive back positions, the LA Rams proved a distinct interest in bigger bodies. Terrell Burgess stands 5-foot-11 and Fuller stands three inches taller. Fuller was the best selection of the Day three picks, and immediately becomes the favorite weapon of the Rams to neutralize the impact of pass-catching tight ends like San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle. Grade: A

Round seven

PICK 234
Round seven opened for the LA Rams when they selected Clay Johnston who played linebacker at Baylor University of the Big-12 Conference. A 6-foot-1 227-pound defender, he made a total of 237 tackles. He is a thinker on defense, the type of player whose greatest contribution is diagnosing what he sees and choreographing his teammates into the right scheme to make plays.  He fell in the draft due to a 2019 knee injury, but Johnston did manage to play in six games last season due to a knee injury. Rams need intensity on their defense, and Johnston brings that with plenty to spare.

The Rams made choices in the 2020 NFL Draft which eliminated opportunities to add to the linebacker depth. They take the plunge here, and it did persuade former Rams safety Eric Weddle to sound in with a ringing endorsement

Whether or not he sees defensive snaps, Clay Johnston will definitely contribute on special teams. And he has a bit of skill as a pass defender, where he had one interception and five pass breakups in six games. Don’t underestimate Johnston. He could likely grow to a starting inside linebacker in a couple of years. Completely undervalued addition.

Grade: B

Houston Texans picks

Pick 248
The LA Rams surprised everyone late in round seven by calling out the name of Sam Sloman a 5-8 205-pound kicker from Miami of Ohio Universit. The team had already addressed the kicker position by signing two non-NFL kickers prior to the draft and still appeared to need offensive linemen, backup quarterback, defensive linemen, fullback, linebacker depth, and even another running back. Why waste a draft pick on a kicker?

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Sloman does fit the shopping list of what the Rams sought for in the guy to take over for kicker Greg Zuerlein. He has a quick kick, and has tremendous accuracy, particularly in that 40-49 yard range. While he struggled to kick 50+ yarders earlier, he did manage to kick 80 percent of field goals over 50 yards in his senior season. Good kicker, lousy use of a pick.
Grade: D

Pick 250
The Rams selected offensive tackle Tremayne Anchrum with their final pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. He primarily played offensive right tackle at Clemson but did have experience at the guard positions as well. Due to his 6-foot-2 height and  314-pound weight, combined with just 33 5/8 inch arms, he will move inside to guard where he will be a much better fit in the NFL.

It’s always a good thing to take a lineman from good college programs, and Anchrum is one of the better ones. Not only will he be a special teams candidate, but he will be a sure-fire practice squad player for the Rams in 2020. If he has a decent camp, he may even make the 55 man roster. Grade: A-

Summary
After careful consideration of the Day three picks, only two of five are almost sure-fire chances to make contributions to the Rams success in 2020. Throw in Sloman, especially if he makes big kicks in tight games. The overall grade for the picks on Saturday is C+.

In conclusion, the Rams made a few good picks. They improved the roster at certain positions. With all of that in mind, the LA Rams are awarded a B+ for their overall 2020 NFL Draft class.