Post Trade LA Rams mock draft reloads defense for 2023

With the 191st pick

The LA Rams select Aiden O'Connell, quarterback, from Purdue. O'Connell is one of the few players who have been linked to the Rams in pre-draft meetings. The LA Rams need a backup quarterback who can make the throws, read the progressions, and perhaps develop into an NFL starting quarterback in his own right. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing a solid 213 pounds, Aiden O'Connell certainly looks the part of an NFL quarterback.

O'Connell is a pocket passer who can gain positive yards if he is forced out of the pocket and scrambles. While he can extend plays with his feet, he does suffer from lower accuracy on his passes once he starts moving. He will try to throw an incompletion rather than take a sack, and will throw to a check down receiver if the play is covered to keep the offense moving and set up the next play.

O'Connell is an ideal quarterback for a team with a strong defense and an ability to run a balanced offense. He has enough arm in the short and intermediate range to keep the offense moving. He can throw it far enough to test the back of defenses, but his accuracy is significantly lower when throwing long distances.

The LA Rams need another quarterback on the roster, and after the surprising performance of QB Baker Mayfield in 2022, the Rams are willing to invest a Day 3 pick in the position. For a sixth-round investment, the LA Rams will get a solid backup in O'Connell.