LA Rams News: Team faces boom or bust in 2021 NFL Draft

Current roster needs

With the Rams remaining committed to both offensive tackle Rob Havenstein and Andrew Whitworth, the team is committed to starting both on the offensive line in 2021. While that may or may not be wise, it does take the offensive tackle off the list of needs for 2021. Let’s be honest, drafting an offensive tackle with any expectation that they can start this year sends the wrong message to the veterans. So where will the Rams need to focus their valued picks this year?

Based upon the predraft meetings, the Rams certainly have the offensive center position in their sights. The struggle that the team faces each year is aiming at an athletically gifted prospect, only to watch that prospect come off the board before the Rams ever step up to the podium. The Rams are rather optimistic in their 2020 draft targeting of Michigan IOL Cesar Ruiz, and in this year’s targeting of Quinn Meinerz.

Meinerz is certainly garnering Rams interest

Offensive center

The problem is that most teams will have not one, but two draft selections before the Rams have their first draft pick. Any team enamored with Meinerz simply needs to draft him before the Rams have a chance to do so.

Right now, draft profiles are a bit wonky. With inconsistent football among the college ranks, many prospects are graded at their 2019 production. The Draft Network’s Jordan Reid assesses Meinerz no higher than a developmental prospect. He profiled Meinerz before the Senior Bowl. Conversely, the usually tough Lance Zierlein at NFL.com grades Meinerz as an NFL starting center within his first two seasons. He profiled Meinerz after the Senior Bowl.