LA Rams mock draft snags snarler center in 2021 NFL Draft

Offensive tackle

With the 103rd pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, the  Los Angeles Rams select offensive tackle Walker Little from Stanford University. Well, it just so happens that I compiled the list of prospects and set the article aside to research the various facts about the intended prospects when the news broke about the LA Rams’ intentions to hire Stanford University’s offensive line coach, Kevin Carberry.

Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think? A little too ironic? Yeah, I really do think.  Well, it only makes sense that any LA Rams mock draft with an eye at drafting an offensive tackle to eventually compete for a starting role will involve a prospect who is directly compared to Andrew Whitworth. And Walker Little is exactly that.

Standing at an impressive height of 6-foot-7 and weighing in at 320 pounds, Little is anything but…little. In fact, his presence is huge and intimidating. Curiously, the big tackle from Stanford moves like a cat. Something that really jumps out is that he has that nearly instinctive ability to ride a defender in a wide arc around his quarterback or to turn him inside to tangle him up with other defenders and blockers.

Of course, he is long and limber. While he is virtually NFL ready for pass protection, he’ll need to strengthen up a bit to get sufficient push going for the Rams run game. Of course, he’ll have plenty of help from the Rams veterans, as well as help from his offensive line coach.

Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury in college and did not return to play football as he opted out of the 2020 NCAA football season. But the Rams have an offensive line coach who is knowledgeable about his medical history, perhaps as well as anyone right now.  If he clears any medical questions, he has great vision and football IQ. Stronger and more penetration in the run game can apply to nearly any rookie offensive tackle Little is a good one.