LA Rams rookie Robert Rochell proving scouts still have fine eye for talent

When the LA Rams drafted a defensive back from Central Arkansas named Robert Rochell, I was ecstatic. He was everything that I had hoped the Rams might find, an uber-athletic and productive defensive back who stands 6-foot-0 and weighs 193 pounds. And to top it all off, the Rams selected him with the 130th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, a round-four selection that had originally been traded away to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Jalen Ramsey.

And he has incredible potential. The potential to approach the proficiency of his teammate, Jalen Ramsey.  And the Rams drafted him on Day 3.

Before reading any further, I want to give you full transparency. I loved the LA Rams selection of Robert Rochell in the 2021 NFL Draft, and I still do. In fact, having seen him play so far this season, I am even more hopeful that the Rams scouting department may have found someone with significant upside.

LA Rams Robert Rochell showing promise

Early in the season, we expected the position battle to come down to David Long Jr. trying to ward off Rochell.  In all honesty, we expected the Rams to flip Rochell to starter on or near the BYE week on Week 11.  Instead, Rochelle is already getting a lot of work and playing incredibly well in the process.

The Rams certainly are getting their money’s worth with Rochelle so far, and this is just his first NFL season.

He played at a small school in college. Despite his overwhelming athleticism, NFL teams tend to shy away from players who arrive a bit raw to the pros. But the LA Rams tend to seek them out, invest the coaching and patience necessary, and enjoy the fruits of their rewards.

Rams draft starters

The Rams enjoy phenomenal and consistent success because the team has a scouting department that continues to find NFL starters from Day 3 draft picks. The Rams found Jordan Fuller with the 199th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. They may have found another full-time starter with the 130th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.

The LA Rams defense may not be the top defense of the NFL just yet. But now that Rochell is getting starts and a healthy share of defensive snaps, that will improve as the season progresses. He is allowing a completion rate of just 55 percent, has one interception, has broken up four passes, and he has 12 tackles. Not Pro Bowl just yet. But promising, yes.

The LA Rams may not have first-round draft picks. But rookie Robert Rochell proving scouts still have a fine eye for talent. After all, the goal in professional football is not to accumulate draft picks, but to find starters in the draft. Looks like the Rams are doing just fine in that department.