LA Rams: 2021 NFL Draft Big Board

Rams late-round NFL Draft targets

The late rounds are when teams start taking more chances on prospects and see if they can land a solid back-up or developmental starter. Not many starters come from this range, per se, but there is still much talent to be acquired and it’s an important part of the draft process. History shows that people who hit on late-round picks are oftentimes the most successful teams in the league.

RB Brian Robinson, Alabama

Alabama has Najee Harris at the helm, producing a Heisman worthy season himself, but his backup the last couple of years has been Brian Robinson (6’1″ 220 lbs). Understand that Robinson isn’t the fastest running back in the class, nor does he have the explosion that some of the prospects do. Here’s the key though: Robinson is big, physical, and he’s a good receiver out of the backfield.

Look at what the Rams are looking at losing in Malcolm Brown – a 5’11”, 220-pound power running back. Look at what the Rams could gain by adding Brian Robinson in the later rounds – a 6’1″ 220-pound running back. It just makes sense, guys.

EDGE Malcolm Koonce, Buffalo

Malcolm Koonce (6’3″ 250 lbs) comes from the same school that produced NFL All-Pro EDGE Khalil Mack, and he’s a fierce pass rusher in his own rite. Is he on the same level as Mack? Absolutely not. If so, he’d be a first-round prospect. However, Koonce shows the speed, quickness, and prowess off the edge that NFL teams love to see. He was the MVP of the 2019 Bahama’s Bowl for his two-sack performance that helped his team destroy UAB.

The Rams are looking for a 3-4 type edge to provide pass rush and play the run, as I mentioned earlier. Koonce provides a developmental prospect who has shown the ability to do both. He’s a tough prospect, plays with a lot of energy, and stands out in the conference as one of the best (if not the best) defensive players in the MAC. Koonce wouldn’t be a plug-and-start guy by any means, but he has potential and can be a fierce competitor contributing on special teams right away.

TE Kenny Yeboah, Ole Miss

Want to talk about a talented tight end who can become a big-play prospect? Look no further than Kenny Yeboah (6’3″ 240 lbs), an incredible athlete and impressive receiver who has been a big playmaker for Ole Miss this year. Yeboah transferred to Ole Miss this season from Temple to play in the high-flying Lane Kiffen offense that just put Harrison Bryant in the NFL on Sundays. It’s been a smart move for Yeboah too.

That size and strength come into play quickly in the NFL and can be a real mismatch across the board for teams to get in on. Yeboah might come off of the board before day three, but in the event that he makes it, the Rams would be getting a real playmaker at the tight end position for the first time in a very long time.