NFL Draft 2021: Prediction – LA Rams shake up draft at 57

The LA Rams make their first selection with the 57th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. By the time that the Rams step up to the podium, 30 other NFL teams will have already made a selection. In fact, two teams, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Miami Dolphins will have made four selections each by the time that the Rams finally choose their first prospect from the draft class of 2021.

But the Rams are patient this year, as most years. It’s not a sprint, but rather a strategic means of assembling the best roster available. That means that the team can wait to fill the holes in this roster. For many years, the Cleveland Browns stockpiled some of the top talents in the NFL via the countless number of NFL drafts where they selected among the top five teams. And yet, it didn’t help the team improve.

So it’s not a matter of getting the first players from the draft, but rather getting the best fit and talented players from the draft. That’s the key that so many analysts seem to overlook and ultimately miss out on. This draft, as so many before, has top-tier talents that have the potential to be truly noteworthy. But after that layer is exhausted (long before pick 57), who remains?

What follows next is a deep layer of about 100-150 prospects who can be solid NFL starters and fill the ranks of the NFL for years to come. So does it make that much difference if the Rams choose from that group at 57 or 75? Not really. Of course, there will be a team or teams that believe a first-round talent has fallen in the draft and will want to trade for the chance to make that selection.