LA Rams Draft: Top 50 Rams Big Board for 2023 NFL Draft

2023 NFL Draft Big Board: 41-45 features Cory Trice, Jahleel Billingsley, and Stetson Bennett

Round 7 (1 pick plus projected 1 comp pick)

41  Cory Trice, Cornerback, Purdue

The first thing that jumps off the page when researching Purdue cornerback Cory Trice is that incredible height at 6-foot-3 and a weight of 215 pounds. But where his size is so enviable, he has not developed the type of pass defense that warrants an early selection. He is a willing run defender and pass defender, and possesses solid fundamentals. But he needs a bit more muscle to play with more oomph. And his coverage skills must get rid of the tendency to grab at receivers. He has all the necessary tools but just needs to have time in the weight room and coaching in training camp to make use of them.

42  Tyler Lacy, Defensive Lineman, Oklahoma State

The LA Rams will likely look for defensive linemen on Day 3, and 6-foot-4 285 Oklahoma State defensive end Tyler Lacy is a solid get. The Rams will award Lacy bonus points for his ability to effectively line up anywhere on the defensive front. He is an incredibly powerful defensive lineman, able to take on and shed even double teams. But that power comes at a cost of speed, and he will struggle in pursuit. He can shoot gaps, consistently tackling for losses. He provides solid run defense. But he is not going to tack on 10+ quarterback sacks. That could be perfectly okay.

43  Dontayvlon Wicks, Wide Receiver, Virginia

Another wide receiver? Yes, because this is the LA Rams draft board after all. This 6-foot-2 208-pound Virginia wide receiver named Dontayvlon Wicks has excellent body control. That allows him to run precision routes just inside the sideline boundaries, stop and cut on a dime, and even ensure that he gets his feet down in bounds. He has incredible burst speed and can defeat press man simply by exploding past the DB. He struggles to catch the football with his hands, allowing passes to hit his chest and sometimes bounce away.

44  Jahleel Billingsley, Tight End, Texas

A bit on the lighter side, 6-foot-4 219-pound Texas tight end Jahleel Billingsley is a speedy deep-threat receiver very much like current TE/WR Jacob Harris. And much like Jacob Harris, he will arrive in need of coaching on how to block at the NFL level. He has all of the potential upside of Harris, including the chance to be nearly undefendable in the Red Zone. But much like Harris, the Rams have to scheme specifically how to use him, a task that the coaching staff has failed at miserably so far.

45  Stetson Bennett, Quarterback, Georgia

A quarterback who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs just 190 pounds does not even sound feasible in this LA Rams offense. But Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is 5-foot-10 and weighs just 207 pounds, and Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson is 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds,  so there is a precedent to give Bennett some consideration. If you can get past his size, Bennett has incredible football IQ, is mobile, can throw to any receiver anywhere on the field, and is a well-respected team leader. He makes excellent coverage reads, possesses a quick release, is innovative and can improvise, and is competitive to his last breath.