NFL Draft 2021: Top 6 LA Rams prospects from the Big Ten

Outside linebacker

Finally, there is an edge prospect from Ohio State who Jordan Fuller has personally lobbied for. And we loved this young man so much, we increased the article to six prospects just to make sure that he is included. He is Buckeye’s outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper (5.68-grade per NFL.com).

The LA Rams look for three things from their rookie prospects. Solid production on the field. Standout performance against other top college talent (like the Senior Bowl). And finally, the team looks for exemplary character and leadership qualities. In Cooper, they will get all three.  Just check out this video from the Buckeyes’ team captain – a role he shared with Jordan Fuller.

Okay, he gets the need to protect his teammates with his actions. That’s good character and good leadership. But what about the on-field production? In 37 college games, he put up 77 tackles, 15 of those for a loss, and 10 quarterback sacks. He had played more in the role of defensive end, but wow, he showed up to play at the Senior Bowl.

And we already know how the Rams love Senior Bowl standouts. He has put up incredible numbers at Ohio State as a pass rusher, but admits that he will need to work at playing in space and pass defense for the NFL.

He will need to clear medical flags to NFL teams’ satisfaction. He suffered an ankle injury in 2019 that required surgery. But previously, he suffered a heart condition that threatened his football career. In short, he suffered from arrhythmia. Typically, that is treated with a pacemaker, but it would end his football playing days. Instead, he opted for surgery. So cardiologists performed an ablation, a procedure where the surgeon scars or destroys heart tissue to disrupt the incorrect electrical signals that cause the abnormal heart rhythm.

He is fine now. He’s playing football again. But NFL teams are not going to draft a prospect without complete comfort in doing so. Six prospects, six draft picks. Will any of them align? Well, we’ll know in just over 72 hours