LA Rams 2023 Mock Draft featuring 3 blue chip OL prospects

Round 6: Pick 211 (Projected Comp Pick)

The LA Rams need to make a statement at the safety position, and they would love to select a hybrid cornerback/safety to compete for playing time. Thankfully, that is exactly who they get when they select University of Alabama DB DeMarcco Hellams in the simulated sixth round of this mock 2023 NFL Draft.

Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 208 pounds, Hellams is a player who has a diverse and versatile understanding of all secondary positions, which is particularly valuable for a young rookie who is trying to make an impression on securing a spot on the team’s roster. His coverage skills are described with little consensus, but it’s obvious that his Round 4 projection suggests that he arrives at the NFL with all of the tools necessary to earn a rotational role in the secondary.

The LA Rams may not be satisfied with one defensive back to compete at the safety role in this draft, but if they land Hellams, they will be very satisfied with the results. The Rams will have Jordan Fuller, Russ Yeast, and Quentin Lake returning for the 2023 NFL season. Of the group, only Fuller and Yeast have any experience so far this season. Of course, if the team feels thick at cornerback, a marginal player like Robert Rochel could be cross-trained to play in a safety role as well.

Hellams is a remarkable player to add to the rotational mix, if for no other reason than the simple fact that he has so much working college experience in so many roles. Hellams has been SEC, which means that he has competed against some of the best receivers entering the NFL this year via the draft. A certain success? Not at all. But I like his ability to adapt and react to offensive plays as they unfold, and be in the right position to make the play.