The LA Rams 2021 NFL Draft rewind: Didn’t deliver just yet

Round 4, pick 130

The LA Rams entered the 2021 NFL Draft having lost two starting defensive backs in Troy Hill and John Johnson III, both of whom had signed on with the Cleveland Browns. To address the roster depth needs, the front office embraced a quality over quantity strategy. To be honest, this young man did deliver to expectations.

Did he grow? His draft profile had him at just 6-foot-0 and 193-pounds, but the LA Rams’ official roster lists him at 6-foot-2 and 195-pounds. We’ll go with the revised bio. As a rookie, he had five starts and was active in the secondary rotation. At least until he fell to injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Our original assessment

"…the 6-foot-0 193-pound cornerback from the University of Central Arkansas Bears, Robert Rochell. If ever there was a young man out of college who appeared to be destined to line up with Jalen Ramsey, Robert Rochell (6.25 grade per NFL.com) is the guy. First-team all-conference and a Senior Bowl standout that made all the coaches’ eyeballs in attendance that day in Mobile, Alabama pop. So much upside here. So polished. So smooth. He glides. Rochell also addresses a critical need of the Rams. Athletic, long, excellent closing speed, scheme versatility – checks all the boxes for what you look for in a stud cornerback. He could see the field immediately as the Rams’ nickel back and to counter all the five-wide sets the team will undoubtedly encounter from NFC West opponents. He could be groomed along slowly, but his undeniable skills and talent will probably force the issue and put him on the field quickly. Oh, what a secondary tandem to deploy in Ramsey & Rochell. (Has nice alliteration, too.) Love, love, love this pick! Draft Grade: A++"

Our revised assessment

If not for injuries, we may have a better-revised assessment here. He played as well as anyone not named Jalen Ramsey in the Rams secondary, and he was definitely a bit more physical than I thought he would be. In 234 defensive snaps, he recorded 14 tackles, four deflected passes, and one interception.

He was young and is still on his learning curve, but I believe that he showed enough in his rookie season to project him as the CB2 across from Ramsey in Darious Williams’ absence. Rochell has incredible speed, height, and leaping ability, and now, he is piling up NFL experience to boot.

The need is certainly there for Rochell to step up. If he is able to do so, that would allow the Rams to feature David Long Jr. as the CB3, a role that he is better equipped to handle. It will also allow the Rams to draft more talented, but perhaps more raw, prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft.

I expect Rochell to come through this year. Perhaps not to emerge as a star defensive back, but at least as a solid performer.

Draft Grade: A-