Post-Kupp 4 round Rams Mock draft adds TE Harold Fannin with 2019 draft strategy

The more things change, the more things stay the same. That seems to be an accurate description of the Los Angeles Rams in my latest Rams Mock Draft. Why do I say that? Well, the LA Rams held a Round 1 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. But the team found it necessary to trade back twice before finding value on the draft board when the team finally stepped up to the podium.

That strategy seemed to have its limits in the 2019 NFL Draft. But the 2025 NFL Draft is a bit lopsided. What I mean is that after five or so elite players in this draft class, the talent level falls to an NFL-starting player caliber that plateaus and extends well into Day 3. While it's not always easy to conjure up a trade partner who is willing to trade up when the Rams want to trade back, in this mock draft, powered by Pro Football Network, I was able to trade back twice.

Realistic:? Perhaps, perhaps not. But by doing so, the Rams pick up an additional pick. and saturate Day 2 with five picks. Since that is where many NFL draft analysts see the best value in this rookie class, I wanted to see what that might look like:

Trading back

By the time the Rams step up to the podium at the 26th overall pick, both Penn State TE Tyler Warren and Michigan TE Colston Loveland are off the board. With three offers to trade back, I accept the best offer that yields the team a pick in Round 2 and Round 3. When the Rams are about to step up in early Round 2, another trade offer moves them back in Round 2, with another pick in Round 3. The Rams must sweeten the pot on the second trade back by kicking in a pick in Round 6.

When the smoke clears, the Rams hold no picks in Round 1, but have a pick in Round 2 plus four picks in Round 3. Now, it's time to do what Rams GM Les Snead does best: Turn those draft picks into talented players.

Round 2 - TE Harold Fannin Jr.

While some expect the Rams to trade up for an offensive game changer, I leveraged a different tactic in this draft. Rather than fixate on one contributor, why not pursue a draft strategy to get as many offensive weapons as possible. And landing Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is a great start to the draft, regardless of which round he is selected.

Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 241 pounds, Fannin is the type of offensive weapon that fits what the Rams want to do on offense. He is incredibly athletic, possessing the hands and route-running of a wide receiver. He is a passionate and meticulous tactician, sensing soft spots in zone coverages, but with the added dimension of breaking big plays when needed. The bigger the stage, but better Fannin plays. In 2024, he feasted against AP Top-25 teams.

He falls to Round 2 because he hails from a smaller school. NFL scouts are not convinced that he can become an NFL blocker early, a prerequisite for most teams to play at the tight end position. And he is a bit raw, with the need to refine some of his techniques.

He is a bigger-bodied version of former Rams WR Ben Skowronek, and the team can use him anywhere in the offense too. Fannin is a high-octane offensive weapon who can deliver as long as the team has a finite plan on how to use him and sticks to it. I suspect that they will do exactly that.

Round 3 - WR Jayden Higgins

Perhaps the gem of this draft is adding Iowa State rookie WR Jayden Higgins. Higgins is a skyscraper at 6-foot-4 and weighing 214 pounds. Blessed with a massive wingspan of 6-foot-7, he is the type of limitless ceiling receiver who can explode in the NFL. So why did he fall to Round 3? Higgins played two seasons for Iowa State. While productive, it's simply not enough tape to convince NFL scouts that his is the real deal.

His is, however, very athletic:

Higgins is a physical mismatch, and has benefited from that advantage in college. In the NFL, he will face far more physical defensive backs. Since he already struggles to create separation consistently, that will pose problems in the pros. He has both size and speed, so it's simply a matter of refining his techniques by coaching him up.

Will the Rams find ways to use a talented wide receiver PLUS a talented tight end in this offense? I certainly hope so. After all, the goal in 2025 is to become a more explosive offense that will score more points. Despite trading out of Round 1, the first two selections in the 2025 NFL Draft do exactly that.

Round 3 - Texas DT Alfred Collins

At 6-foot-6 and 332 pounds, Texas NT/DT Alfred Collins is a huge and powerful run-stuffer who instantly projects as the rotational backup to NT Poona Ford. With his height of 6-foot-6, he is the kind of rookie prospect who needs to get on the football field. He is physically intimidating, much like Andre the Giant was in the former WWF. But he has gotten by on his size advantage. Now, he needs to be coached up to leverage his size and power to full advantage.

Don't mistake me. Collins arrives with a snarl and some pass rush moves already. But he limits his efforts to bring down opposing quarterbacks with a bull rush with an occasional swim more. To get past NFL offensive linemen, and especially to defeat double teams, he will need more.

Despite his size and power, Collins is more potential than production. That explains why is is available in Round 3. But for a defensive front eager to solidify its run defense, Collins is the right choice.

Round 3 - Purdue OT Marcus Mbow

If the Rams are still shopping for an offensive tackle, then Purdue Boilermakers OT rookie prospect Marcus Mbow makes a lot of sense in Round 3. A versatile offensive lineman whose college career includes significant playing time at offensive guard and tackle, Mbow is the type of player who offers a world of possibilities for an NFL offensive line coach.

While not the biggest prospect, he is instinctively-good, athletic, and powerful. Of course, any Round 3 or later offensive lineman will need coaching, but Mbow already brings an adeptness with his hand and foot work. He is a natural low-gravity road grader, with the ability to move quickly but still anchor his spot on the offensive line to become an impenetrable phalanx to oppsing defenders. The Rams are unlikely to bring back swing-tackle Joe Noteboom. Marcus Mbow is gifted enough to assume that vital swing-tackle role for the Rams in 2025.

Round 3 - Texas QB Quinn Ewers

I swear I'm not trying to mock Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers to the Rams in Round 3. But in almost every case, he is the top rated rookie prospect on the board when the team steps up to make a selection late in Round 3, and he does add needed depth and competition to the team's roster at the quarterback position.

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 214 pounds, Ewers fits the typical 'standing tall in the pocket,' profile expected of pocket passers. While he can scramble for positive yards, that is not his strong suit. And any worthy successor to veteran QB Matthew Stafford in the Rams offense is best-suited to find ways to complete passes rather than run for first downs.

Ewers already has a connection to Rams WR Jordan Whittington, so his arrival is not without some logical reasons behind it. And Ewers completed 64.9 percent of his NCAA football passes for 9,128 yards and 68 touchdowns to 24 interceptions over three seasons, so the talent is there. Ewers has all of the right tools, and flashes NFL-caliber talent. The thing is, he is not as consistent as some scouts would prefer. In a weak quarterback class, Ewers is projected between the fourth and sixth best prospect in this draft class.

He will need time on an NFL roster to be coached up and play more consistently. The Rams can afford to give him that time.

Round 4 - Ohio State CB Jordan Hancock

NFL draft analysts are all over the board when it comes to Ohio State cornerback Jordan Hancock. Some draft profiles view him as a solid Day 2 selection. Still others drop him to a late Day 3 selection. His proponents cite his role with a very good Ohio State team, and the fact that this 6-foot-0 195-pound cornerback was a two-year starting fixture on that defense. Others point to his 89 tackles, three interceptions, and two-year starter history as a reason to view him as a defensive back who will fall to Day 3.

His biggest challenge is overcoming the reputation as a defensive back with modest coverage skills, and a cornerback whose NFL career is likely limited to a slot cornerback. He has a reputation for getting beat at the start of a receiver's route, and a lack of speed to make up ground after that happens. So why would the Rams be interested?

He has the size and athleticism to afford an NFL defensive coordinator the option to line him up as an outside cornerback, slot corner, or safety. He understands his position, giving him a huge advantage in zone coverage as he knows angles, routes, and best methods of neutralizing pass plays. He also plays best in big games, often stepping up to thwart opposing offenses with the game on the line.

He is a raw prospect who needs to be coached up to play consistent pass coverage at the NFL level. But with patience and coaching, he could become one of the most dependable cornerbacks on the Rams roster.

Overall, the Rams do not fill an inside linebacker position in the first four rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, which does track with the team's draft history. But deepening the roster at OT, TE, WR, QB, DT and CB with the first four rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft is a huge

As always, thank you so much for reading.

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