Final Rams Mock Draft: Defense dominates in this outstanding Rams draft haul

With the 213rd overall pick

The Los Angeles Rams select Dominique Hampton, safety, out of Washington. The Rams double down at the safety position by adding 6-foot-2 215-pound safety Dominique Hampton in Round 6. Hampton is a rookie prospect who will thrill with his upside potential but will raise questions over his collegiate production. He certainly delivered in 2023, putting up 103 tackles, two interceptions, and breaking up seven passes.

But NFL teams will select Hampton for what he could do in the NFL. He has ideal safety size for the NFL, and he has flashed jaw-dropping legal hits on would-be pass catchers. If a DB coach can harness those flashes into consistent play, he could be an elite starter. But first things first. He will need to showcase the ability to tackle on special teams and a rotational role before he is entrusted with a larger role on defense. Some projections have him as early as Round 4. I see his stock dropping to Round 6 due to inconsistent play.

With the 217th overall pick

The Los Angeles Rams select Jowon Briggs, defensive tackle, out of Cincinnati. For the second time in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Rams double down on a position of need, this time adding the versatile and powerful defensive lineman Jowon Briggs. Briggs stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 297 pounds, and has the ability to line up and any defensive line position and play well both in run defense and as a pass rusher.

He has the usual and customary detractors that Rams fans have seen repeatedly in draft profiles:

• Too short
• Arms too short
• Allows blockers to get to his body

Still, the guy knows his way to the gym, and is an incredibly strong rookie prospect who will only get stronger in the NFL. Becaise he is so strong, he is a sure tackler. And his ability to fend off blockers with powerful punches at the line of scrimmage are quite advanced. He is a strong buttress to neutralize blockers from getting past him to linebackers, and Briggs has enough awareness to shed linemen in time to make the tackle on the running back.