LA Rams mock draft snags snarler center in 2021 NFL Draft

Wide receiver

With the 247th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams select wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette from the University of Iowa. In a deep wide receiver class, Smith-Marsett could come off the draft board as early as round three. But much like the 2020 NFL Draft, Smith Marsett is the type of receiver who will be overlooked because he flashed a little bit of everything and was not a constant headliner.

Ihmir Smith-Marsette stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 186 pounds. He was a utility offensive player for the Iowa Hawkeyes, who found creative ways to get the ball into his hands. In their offense, he caught 110 passes for 1,615 yards and 14 touchdowns, he rushed 34 times for 274 yards and four touchdowns, and he returned 55 kickoffs for 1,520 yards and two touchdowns.

So what’s the problem? He runs a fast 4.5-second 40-yard dash, and he seems to catch practically anything that is thrown in his direction. He played in the Iowa Hawkeye offense. He’s caught passes from Nathan Stanley, Connor Kapiask, Spencer Petras, and Alex Padilla. If you don’t recognize the names, you are on the right track.

Ihmir Smith-Marsette has some knocks against him. He was arrested in November 2020 for speeding and driving while under the influence. And during a celebratory flip after scoring a touchdown, he came down wrong on his foot, resulting in an ankle injury that ended his senior season.

If he clears the medical and maturity boxes, he truly looks like a natural fit for the Rams. And with a seventh-round pick,  the LA Rams will be in no rush to get him onto the field in his rookie season.