LA Rams top priorities in the 2021 NFL Draft

The LA Rams 2021 NFL season is already hot and heavy. The team has another year of outbound executives, coaches, and players. To offset the losses, the team will hire new executives and coaches. Once the organization has reassembled the staff, it will be tasked with reassembling another competitive roster for 2021.

Of course, there is the free agency route. That will most likely be used to fill projected holes in the roster.  Which positions will be subject to urgent need?  Well, the Rams could be looking at a defensive back, an inside linebacker, an edge rusher/outside linebacker, and a center.

So what is left for the 2021 NFL Draft? Well, in keeping with recent trends, the LA Rams use the draft to shore up the roster for the following year’s projected free agents. So what positions are likely to be hit hardest by the 2022 NFL Free Agency market?

As of now, the Rams project to lose 16 players to expired contracts in 2022. Unrestricted free agents include three offensive linemen, two defensive linemen, two interior linebackers, and one edge rusher.  Restricted free agents include a placekicker, two backup safeties, a linebacker, a quarterback, a wide receiver, an offensive lineman, and a running back.

Using that as the priority, which positions will the Rams target in the 2021 NFL Draft? Thankfully, the results fall in line with the perceived needs of this draft. It’s clear that the Rams will aim at a minimum of one offensive lineman, one linebacker, and one edge rusher.  Of course, the Rams will most certainly use day three picks to load up on best player available options.

Okay, so what do we know about the LA Rams’ upcoming draft plans? Quite a bit, actually.

So the Rams will have three picks to use on day two, and three picks to use on day three. Historically, the team has focused early picks on the offensive side of the ball. That could turn into a quarterback prospect or a center in round two. For round three, you should expect the Rams to turn to the defensive side of the ball for an edge rusher as well as a linebacker.

Day three picks will likely include one-two defensive backs and perhaps a deep threat wide receiver. But there is always a possibility of a talented prospect falling to the Rams late. If that happens, the team will surely go off-script to add talent to the roster.

Instant stars? Don’t count on it. The LA Rams aim for the following year with their NFL Draft picks. If they are lucky enough to get quality snaps out of any rookie, that’s simply a bonus.