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

The LA Rams are about to do something that they haven't done since 2016. But with so much build-up and anticipation, will the experience of making a selection on Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft live up to the expectation? After all, it's just one draft pick with a myriad of players and positions to spend it on that there is bound to be a feeling of let-down among some fans, no matter who the Rams choose.

"With the 19th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams select . . . "

This is it, the week you have all been waiting for. The LA Rams, and all 32 NFL teams for that matter, are about to change their trajectory for the 2024 NFL season. Choose wisely, and any NFL team could become a shocking Cinderella story as an unexpected participant in the 2025 NFL Playoffs. Choose unwisely, and the team could be set be several years in their hopes of competing in the postseason.

But no matter what happens to 32 teams, hundreds of players lives will be changed forever.

It's a magical time for the NFL and football fans everywhere. During draft week, every team's hopes and aspirations peak. This is the period of time for optimal optimism, a time when the next Super Bowl seems to be within reach of all NFL teams if they just make the right selection in the draft. And with so much coverage and praise on rookie prospects, who can think otherwise?

Still, keeping one foot on the ground at all times is most certainly advised for this time of year. Some fans will be elated at the players who are chosen, while others will be disappointed. But it's not what the players did in college football, nor our passionate pleas that will make or break a rookie's NFL career. It is an algorithm based on passion, fit, coachability, talent, mindset, and opportunity. The LA Rams had as many as five rookies from the 2023 NFL Draft who were arguably best-in-slot at their positions.

But that success enjoyed in 2023 is not normal. It was a testament to the due diligence exercised by the LA Rams scouting and personnel department that enabled the team to hit so many home runs in the draft without a first-round pick. Can the team replicate that success in 2023? Let's queue up our final 2024 Rams mock draft and find out:

With the 19th overall pick

The Los Angeles Rams select Jer'Zhan 'Johnny' Newton, defensive tackle, out of Illinois. Despite speculation for the Rams to trade up and grab a top-tier offensive tackle, tight end, or wide receiver, the team stands pat at 19 and one of the best defensive linemen in this draft class falls right into their lap. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 304 pounds, Jer'Zhan Newton is the ideal prospect to be selected in Round 1, and here's why:

The LA Rams hired new DL Coach Giff Smith, but have practically ignored the defensive front so far. Well, Coach Smith will be overjoyed with DL Jer'Zhan Newton. Newton is a compact powerhouse who dominates confrontations at the line of scrimmage. He is strong enough to stuff the run, agile enough to terrorize quarterbacks, and savvy enough to understand the best tactics to use to excel at both roles.

ESPN's NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid loves what Newton brings to a defense. Just check out the video below and tell me that you cannot picture Newton thriving in the Rams defensive line.

Newton is versatile for an NFL defense not just in the multiple positions that he can slide into and start at, but in his ability to stop the run, rush the passer, gobble blockers, and create so much chaos for the offense at the line of scrimmage that no play is assured of success.

Jer'Zhan Newton has enjoyed a very productive college career, showing development and growth each season. In 2023, Newton generated 52 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 7.5 quarterback sacks, broke up two passes, force a fumble and recovered a fumble. He loves to tackle and dominate at the line of scrimmage.

Because he is so versatile, he can be counted on as a rotational player at all three defensive line positions, but I see his best performance as competing head on for playing time at nose tackle. He is incredibly dangerous at both run and pass defense, and I can see Newton and Kobie Turner racing after the quarterback to see who gets the sack.

With the 52nd overall pick

The Los Angeles Rams select Darius Robinson, defensive end, out of Missouri. While Rams fans eagerly anticipate bolstering the outside linebacker position to help with the pass rush, the front office takes the road less travelled by adding DE Darius Robinson, with the same objective of getting after the quarterback.

While the front office has been reluctant to invest heavily in the defensive end position, life without Aaron Donald on the roster forces the powers-that-be to rethink their time-tested strategy. Without Donald on the defensive front, the team can no longer shop the bottom shelf for defensive ends, and the 2024 NFL Draft reflects that new way of thinking.

6-foot-5 285-pound DE Darius Robinson is a true upgrade over former DE Jonah Williams. He is a twitchy guy who can line up anywhere on the defensive front, has a snarling savage style of bringing the fight to the offense, and loves to create confusion at the point of attack. It's that ferocity that attracts attention and makes Robinson an ideal addition for Round 2.

In 2023, Robinson recorded 43 tackles, 14.0 tackles for a loss, 8.5 quarterback sacks, one forced fumble and even one fumble recovery. Even with that much going on for him, he has more to learn and grasp about excelling at his position. While some might argue for the team to invest in the offense, there is no chance to score unless the defense can get the football back. Robinson is the type of rookie who can make a huge impact in 2024.

With the first two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Rams defense has improved from 'meh' to 'Hmmm.' And the team has nine more picks to go. Or, do they . . . ?

TRADE

The LA Rams want to get picks in Round 4 of this draft. Not only is the gap from the 99th overall pick to the 154th overall pick too long to ensure that the team has an opportunity to get good value, but the team appreciates the ability to trade back and in doing so reduce the programmed salary cap cost of earlier selected players.

After all, cash is king.

In this trade scenario proffered by the mock draft simulator, the LA Rams send the 83rd overall pick plus a 2025 NFL Draft Round 6 pick to the Buffalo Bills for two picks in Round 4 picks at 128th and 133rd overall, plus the Bills' 2025 NFL Draft Round 3 pick

In this trade, the Rams get picks in Round 4, and pick up a Round 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Buffalo Bills get an early Round 3 pick now, for the cost of two Round 4 picks, and trading back in 2024 from a Round 3 pick to a Round 6 pick.

While the value exchange may seem to be skewed in the Rams favor, that is often the case when a team wishes to trade up, and includes a future draft pick in the exchange. In this case, the Buffalo Bills want to trade up for a wide receiver, and to do so must pry the pick away by paying a premium price.

While surrendering a prime pick in Round 3 of this draft surrenders the opportunity to add a potential starter, the front office maintains a broad view of the entire draft and knows that value continues to rise even into Day 3. Fans may be initially disappointed at the inability to add an additional player in Round 3, but patience is a virtue. The Rams have something sweet cooking.

With the 99th overall pick

The Los Angeles Rams select Johnny Wilson, wide receiver, out of Florida State. While some may view the selection of 6-foot-6 231-pound WR Johnny Wilson as a reach at the end of the third round, there is no other prospect at this point or later in the draft that combines skyscraper height with a catch radius that is so vast.

Even thought his 40-yard dash time of 4.52-seconds is not tortoise slow, it's not the burner type speed that seems to be so prevalent in this receiver draft class. So why would the Rams be willing to draft a guy who is raw and considered a bit slower than others?

For starters, he is a skyscraper at wide receiver, and his size reminds me of the WR/TE debate that we had over the use of former Rams Jacob Harris. But Johnny Wilson, as athletic as they come, has some upgrade features.

For starters, WR Johnny Wilson has established himself as an excellent blocker who uses his size to full advantage. He is as tall as an offensive tackle and very much looks the part when he locks horns with a defender. As far as attributes, you cannot coach a guy to grow to a height of 6-foot-6. But you can bet that this offense will figure out ways to optimize that height, particularly in red-zone packages.

Wilson may resemble former Rams Jacob Harris in some ways. But Johnny Wilson arrives to the NFL with elite blocking skills, with a true ability to tack on significant yards after the catch, and he has a can-do mindset that serves him well with contested catches. He even has the ability to save the play by stretching for overthrown balls, or tapping his toes in bounds for throws that are across the sideline.

Wilson is an ideal addition at 99, not for what he can do for an NFL offense, but for what he can deliver in this offense. And he expands the playbook by at least one more chapter.

With the 128th overall pick

The Los Angeles Rams select Audric Estime, running back, out of Notre Dame. In keeping with the enhancement to the team's Red Zone proficiency, RB Audric Estime is a natural selection for the team. Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 221 pounds, GM Les Snead reunites two Fighting Irish running backs in the backfield, and their complementary skillsets give an immediate B-12 booster shot to the offense.

Even as RB Kyren Williams has proven to be a capable featured NFL running back, he should not be expected to be the workhorse for the team. But with Estime added to the running back room, this offense gets the flash of lightning plus the roar of thunder that could prove to be devastatingly effective in 2024.

What I love about Estime is the fact that he is a punishing juggernaut who cannot be brought to the ground with arm tackles. While he is best at running north and south with the football, he is surprisingly effective as a receiver as well, a quality that you can count on this offense making use of.

Estime could be a starter in 2024, but even with all that he brings to the table, the most he can hope for is to share the load. But it will be difficult to keep him off the field. He is a powerhouse runner whose strides replicate those of a Clydesdale, and his legs continue to churn even after contract with defenders. Because he is both strong and built low to the ground, he is ideally suited for short-yardage and red zone runs.

But he is a solid blocker in pass protection, which adds a bit of trickery to the offense in terms of fooling the defense. In 2023, he ran 210 times for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also caught 17 of 18 passes for 142 yards. The team needs red zone weapons, and Audric Estime is top of the charts in that category.

With the 133rd overall pick

The Los Angeles Rams select Beaux Limmer, center, out of Arkansas. Despite the investment in upgrade the interior offensive line, the Rams suddenly find the depth at the center position a bit lacking. That is rectified with the selection of Limmer, a versatile offensive linemen who specializes playing center, but who can plug-and-play at any interior offensive line position.

Limmer stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 302 pounds. Because he plays center, has has honed the ability to view and diagnose protections schemes and defensive stunts instantly. Because he is so versatile and capable at multiple positions, Limmer's value to NFL teams runs high. He has the ability to know what to do on any given play, and then deliver in textbook proficiency. At least, most of the time.

Limmer makes sense here because he reinforces the suddenly thin interior offensive lineman ranks that have a net attrition of two players in the offseason. Limmer does not need to be ready to start this year. He merely needs to be ready to step up in case of injury. He will deliver that ability if and when he is needed.

What I like most about Limmer here is the fact that he has an incredibly high football IQ that merely needs to have his techniques refined. That is something that OL Coach Ryan Wendell can address in training camp. The Rams have some quality backups looking to earn a roster spot in 2024. But there is always room for one more, and Beaux Limmer has that passionate approach to his craft that gets his name called out here.

With the 154th overall pick

The Los Angeles Rams select Tykee Smith, safety, out of Georgia. While Smith may not be the biggest or baddest guy on the football field, he contributes in so many ways that he is a solid addition to any NFL roster. Standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 202 pounds, Smith is a solid and physical safety who has the growl of a linebacker, and who can become that coveted hybrid Super Saiyan LB/S combination that has become so popular in the NFL of late.

But in viewing him as that LB/S combination, you may overlook his solid pass defense that allows him to play as a slot defensive back as well. It's his multi-role versatility that will entice the front office to select him here. He is a passionate work-aholic who will spend overtime learning and perfecting his craft. And he is willing to deliver in any way for his football team, making him perfectly suited to impact coverage units on special teams. In 2023, Tykee Smith delivered 70 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 2.0 quarterback sacks, four interceptions, and broke up two passes. He can do it all.

With the 155th overall pick

The Los Angeles Rams select Tommy Eichenberg, linebacker, out of Ohio State. The Rams need to address the linebacker position in this draft and do so in style with this selection in Round 5. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 233 pounds, Eichenberg possesses all of the necessary attributes for a three-down inside linebacker. He can quickly diagnose and stuff the run. He has solid lateral speed and coverage skills to defend the pass against even larger and more physical tight ends, and he has the ability to blitz and sack the quarterback.

He buries the needle in passion and coachability, traits that the front office has successfully emphasized in recent drafts. And with the ideal size to handle the physicality of the role, he stands to get playing time this season that will serve to accelerate his learning curve.

The Rams need to pair Ernest Jones with the right teammate, and Eichenberg's ability to cover sideline to sideline is an ideal yang to Jones' yin. The Rams have done their homework so far, subtly but decisively improving depth and talent across this roster. But will they do so with their remaining five picks?

With the 196th overall pick

The Los Angeles Rams select Brennan Jackson, outside linebacker, out of Washington State. While fans may want to see the team add an outside linebacker earlier in this draft, the team lands a huge bargain with Jackson in Round 6. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 264 pounds, Jackson is a robustly powerful outside linebacker who is undervalued in this draft. Playing for the Washington State Cougars out of Pullman, Washington, Jackson remained under the radar of many NFL teams. But they will notice him once he arrives in the NFL.

He showed steady growth and development throughout his five seasons, culminating in 57 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, 8.5 quarterback sacks, three passes broken up, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries, three of which were returned for touchdowns. Because he is massively muscular, he has the ability to stunt with his hand in the dirt. But his best role is standing up, where he will give quarterbacks and offensive coordinators fits. He is bursting with intangibles like high football IQ, very passionate player, and a great teammate. But he is a young man who, despite being selected on Day 3, can compete for a starting role.

With the 209th overall pick

The Los Angeles Rams select Tip Reiman, tight end, out of Illinois. Even as the Rams have added TE Colby Parkinson in what appears to be the future starting tight end role, the team continues to seek a blocking tight end to assume the role vacated by former Rams tight end Johnny Mundt. 6-foot-5 271-pound TE Tip Reiman may be that guy. He is a blocking savant, who was team captain in 2023. That alone is enough to get him on the team. But he brings so much more.

He possesses the ability to process plays as they develop, and modify his tactics in live-time to ensure the success of the play. He was seldom targeted in the passing game, but he did not drop a single pass. His 207 receiving yards and three touchdowns is just the tip of the iceberg for him in the offense.

You simply cannot ignore the fact that he is nearly an offensive tackle at 6-foot-5 and 271 pounds, and that lends itself to the possiblity of cross-training into an NFL offensive tackle at some future point in his career. Reiman brings instant impact to the team, but his future upside is where his true value lies.

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.

With the 254th overall pick

The Los Angeles Rams select Joshua Karty, placekicker, out of Stanford. In the 2024 NFL Draft, the top kicker seems to toggle between Stanford Cardinals' kicker Joshua Karty, and Arkansas Razorbacks' kicker Cam Little. In this mock draft, both were still on the board and Karty was the selection.

While the team may have limited options beyond the draft, the newly formed UFL seems to have a number of solid kickers who can become available in June 2024. In this mock draft, the Rams add competition to training camp by grabbing one of the best kickers from this rookie class. If his Senior Bowl performance is any indication, he will be one of the kickers that GM Les Snead will be aiming for.

We compared all of the top kickers who are up for selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Karty scored as one of the best in this rookie class. Of course, rookie kickers take time to settle into their role in the NFL, so we should prepare for a bit of inconsistency if he wins the job.

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 207 pounds, Karty possesses both leg strength and accuracy, two traits that this team wants to see instantly from any kicker competing for the starting job. And with his familiarity with California, the transition from college to pros will not be such a dramatic change for him.

Summary:

After 13 selections in the 2024 NFL Draft, has the front office improved the team roster? The defense has certainly been enhanced, with two rookie prospected who can step in and win starting roles right out of the gate. On offense, the team may settle for players who can contribute in solid rotational roles. Just to sum up this mock draft, the following layers were selected:

• Johnny Newton, DT Illinois - Round 1
• Darius Robinson, EDGE Missouri - Round 2
• Johnny Wilson, WR Florida State - Round 3
• Audric Estime, RB Notre Dame - Round 4
• Beaux Limmer, OC Arkansas - Round 4
• Tykee Smith, S Georgia - Round 5
• Tommy Eichenberg, LB Ohio State - Round 5
• Brennan Jackson, EDGE Washington State - Round 6
• Tip Reiman, TE Illinois - Round 6
• Dominique Hampton, S Washington - Round 6
• Jowon Briggs, DT Cincinnati - Round 6
• Joshua Karty, K Stanford - Round 7
• Buffalo Bills 2025 NFL Draft Round 3 pick

In many mock drafts, we have allowed the sparkle of a specific player to steer the draft towards that prospect. But in this mock draft, the approach has been to select fundamentally sound prospects who are passionate for football, who add something to the roster, and who have value at the point in the draft where they are selected.

No mock draft is accurate. From unexpected trades, to a team naming a player out of sequence or who has not been listed among the top prospects in this rookie class, the overwhelming number of variables is simply too great to control with any predictable accuracy. The utility of a mock draft is primarily to expose fans to the limits of options in each round, at each selection, and to emerge with a rookie class that addresses team needs as well as possible.

As always, thanks for reading