New Rams rumors ignite on Day 1 of the draft over this unexpected tactic

Wide receiver

It is one of the 2024 NFL Draft's worst kept secrets that the LA Rams have been eyeing up tall wide receivers. With the disappointing results from the Wild Card Round in the 2024 NFL Playoffs in the red zone (0 for 3), you can bet that the team wants to do a much better job of putting points on the scoreboard this season. One of the prospects who could add instant success in the red zone is Washington Huskies WR Rome Odunze.

While the depth of the 2024 WR rookie class is immense, there is a trio of top receivers in this draft class that stands apart from the rest at an entirely upper level. They are Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr., LSU WR Malik Nabers, and Washington WR Rome Odunze. Of the three, only Odunze has been linked to the Rams in pre-draft meetings.

Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 212 pounds, Odunze is projected as a Day 1 starter in the NFL. And with the Rams default offensive package at an 11-personnel, there is most certainly room on this team for one more pair of hands. But Odunze is more than on-field production. He was a team captain, a role that is held out for only the top leaders of the team. He can separate, put up yards after the catch, and frequently catches the football that his quarterback just threw in his general direction.

He is an NFL-ready physical receiver who has that passion that the team loves so much.

Offensive tackle

If you take a look at the LA Rams offense, the only area that could even begin to enterain a Round 1 investment is the blind-side left tackle position. Until now, the Rams front office has not invested heavily into the offensive line, relying on elite skill players to make the offense go. But that changed in 2023, and the results of a formidable offensive line not only showed up in an incredible season for RB Kyren Williams, but in an incredible season for veteran QB Matthew Stafford.

So this could be the sequel to 2023.

The Rams have already invested heavily in the interior offensive line by signing LG Jonah Jackson, extending RG Kevin Dotson, and moving IOL Steve Avila from left guard to center. While the team also extended LT Alaric Jackson, is this a perfect time to invest in a franchise blind-side left tackle?

In terms of talent, this is a relatively deep rookie class at offensive tackle, and the Rams have already met with two of the top offensive tackles in this class: Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga and Washington OT Troy Fautanu. So what can we tell you about them?

OT Taliese Fuaga has been a right tackle at the collegiate level who has been projected to move to the guard position by some teams in the NFL. But no team trades up in Round 1 for an offensive guard and seldom does so for a right tackle. While there could be a plan to phase him into a swing tackle role or a left tackle position, the variables involved make him an unlikely target if the team trades up.

The same cannot be said about OT Troy Fautanu. He is a bona fide blind side tackle who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 317 pounds. He is a barroom bouncer in the guise of an NFL offensive lineman. This guy is a scrappy snarler who seems to get stronger and angrier as games progress. He is passionate, fierce, and incredibly coachable. Perhaps the thing that stands out most about him is his competitive spirit. He wants to go for it on every play. He hates to come off the football field. If he makes a mistake, he screws himself up to ensure that he plays flawlessly for the rest of the game. He is a seawall of protection in pass blocking, and a road grader in run blocking.

So there you have it. If the Rams do move up to within the Top-10 of Round 1 in the 2024 NFL Draft, I believe that the selected player will be one of these players. Who do you think is their target?

And as always, thank you for reading.