LA Rams draft Derion Kendrick: Here are two prospects left on the board

The LA Rams continued to add prospects to the roster. Prospects who they hope will develop quickly to the NFL world and be able to contribute in the 2022 NFL season. Fool’s gold? Perhaps, but it’s the goal of the front office to deliver those plug-and-play prospects with each addition, and they hit on that goal more often than most teams.

The LA Rams selected Georgia cornerback Derion Kendrick with the 212th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Who could the Rams have selected besides Kendrick? Derion Kendrick was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round to help bolster the secondary, one of two back-to-back picks by the Rams. He played well on the boundary in the Georgia secondary, helping them win a National Championship this past year with his stellar play.

However, Kendrick struggled badly through the pre-draft process with interviews as well as some of the drills, which is why he tumbled all the way to Round 6.

Who could the Rams have taken instead of Kendrick?

OLB Mark Robinson, Ole Miss

Mark Robinson was one of the names who flew under the radar throughout the entire season. He’s really a ROVER type player, who played as a middle safety in Ole Miss’ unique 3-2-6 scheme last year. He moved all over the field and was basically a linebacker who could play some deep coverage.

Robinson is a strong, downhill tackler but isn’t very reliable in a man coverage situation. He would end up going early in the seventh round (225th overall) to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Rams ended up addressing this position in the seventh round with Russ Yeast, who is a smaller but more athletic version of Robinson.

OL Thayer Munford, Ohio State

Thayer Munford was one of the surprises falling as far as he did in the 2022 NFL Draft. Munford had struggled for a few years at tackle in the Buckeyes’ offense before they moved him to left guard this year and he thrived. Munford put his best performances on tape at guard, but still has the versatility to play at tackle in a pinch.

His quickness is why he struggled at tackle, but Munford still offers good versatility and is a developmental prospect outside. I heard (and experienced to some extent) that Munford struggled in interviews and overall came across as very nervous which is why he might have fallen this far.

The Rams ended up addressing this position with the 261st overall pick when they selected AJ Arcuri out of Michigan State.

One player was chosen and two prospects were not chosen. That’s how the odds work in the draft. One pick to get it right. Lots of alternatives to prove you wrong.