LA Rams Von Miller, Darious Williams in PFF’s 2022 Top 50 FAs

Draft

Of course, another option for the LA Rams to restock that outside linebacker position is to draft one. But as the Rams fanbase has learned in 2021, drafting a player outside of the Top-100 rookies does not mean seeing them contribute that year. And that is the risk from drafting to fill the role in the 2022 NFL Draft.

One rookie who is particularly intriguing is Minnesota Golden Gopher’s outside linebacker Boye Mafe. Mafe is a solid 6-foot-4 265-pound power-packed edge player who has demonstrated rapid and consistent development at the position throughout his four-year NCAA football career. In 31 games, he put up 87 tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss, and 15 quarterback sacks. He even forced three fumbles and deflected three passes.

Some draft profiles suggest that he won’t be ready for the NFL his rookies season, but I disagree. He has shown remarkable improvement, and with a training camp and preseason games, he will be well prepared for a rotational role. Even more attractive is the fact that Mafe frequently shows up on the board at 139, the second pick for the Rams in the 2022 NFL Draft.

And an SEC OLB, please?

Another intriguing prospect is Florida outside linebacker, Brenton Cox.  Cox is another prospect who has exhibited rapid and consistent development at outside linebacker, and the NFL is hungry for that type of young talent. Of course, there are several collegiate platforms to showcase just how well Cox stacks up to competitive NCAA prospects, but his stats are very promising.

Some mock drafts have him coming off the board long before the LA Rams make their first selection, but he was consistently on the board when the Rams drafted on several online mock draft simulators.

Neither Mafe nor Cox can replace Von Miller. But they can join the Rams roster and by developing rapidly and earning reps in games, could take the sting out of losing him to the NFL Free Agency Market.