LA Rams: Offense or defense with the 57th pick of the draft?

Due to their playoff victory over the Seattle Seahawks in last year’s Wildcard Round of the NFL Playoffs, coupled with the draft picks traded away to the Jacksonville Jaguars to acquire cornerback Jalen Ramsey, the LA Rams are scheduled to be the second to last team to make their first selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. That pick will be the 57th selection, a late turn in the second round of the draft. (The Houston Texans’ first selection is at 67). Assuming we don’t become enamored with a prospect expected to go earlier and trade up or decide to move down, 57 will be a great opportunity to improve the roster.

Unfortunately, due mostly to salary cap complications, this off-season saw more player departures via free agency than additions. However, with the acquisition of LA Rams starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, and the re-signing of Leonard Floyd and Darious Williams, this season holds high hopes.

On offense, starting offensive center Austin Blythe left for the Kansas City Chiefs, veteran running back Malcolm Brown took his talents to south beach to play for the Miami Dolphins and veteran tight end Gerald Everett signed with the rival Seattle Seahawks. These moves create needs that LA Rams General Manager Les Snead could prioritize with the Rams’ first selection of the 2021 NFL Draft..

On defense, after leading the entire league last year in points allowed (18.5 points allowed), the team lost a few key players when safety John Johnson III and cornerback Troy Hill both signed on with the Cleveland Browns, and outside linebacker Samson Ebukam signed with the rival San Francisco  49ers. If Snead and company decide to shore up these needs, there should be plenty of talent available when we go on the clock.

Even though the Rams ranked 22nd in points scored last year, I am hopeful the team takes someone on defense with the 57th pick. Acquiring Stafford should be a godsend to our offense, and we are already loaded at the skill positions. After all, the Rams are using the team’s next two future first-round picks to upgrade at the quarterback position this year. With that in place, pick 57 is the right time to prioritize shoring up the other side of the ball in the secondary or linebacker position.

If the Rams do in fact decide to take a defensive player of need at 57, they still have a good chance at getting a high-caliber center, tight end, offensive lineman or even running back later in the draft. Thankfully, this regime has proven that they can find good players late, and hopefully in the 2021 draft they will be able to do it again.