Rams Mock Draft: Full 7-rounds eclipses others by filling hidden roster holes

With the 83rd overall pick in Round 3, the LA Rams select

Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, an interior offensive lineman out of Georgia. Okay, so why select a rookie prospect with a coveted pick in Round 3 while not addressing the edge position? Well two reasons in this mock draft. For starters, there were no ideal prospects on the draft board as the team stepped up to make the 83rd overall selection in this draft.

But the other reason is that the roster lost both centers in the offseason. Veteran Brian Allen was cut, and starting center Coleman Shelton left via free agency. Even backup interior offensive lineman Tremayne Anchrum Jr. was not extended. Not matter how well Jonah Jackson plays as the new addition to the Rams this year, he cannot be expected to single-handedly compensate for the loss of three interior offensive linemen.

Enter Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, a.k.a Van Pran, to reinforce the interior offensive line.

Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 298 pounds, Van Pran is a powerful and athletic interior offensive lineman who is strong enough to start as necessary for the offensive line, but becomes a powerful bargaining chip and insurance policy to have under roof in case the new offensive line configuration simply does not pan out or in case the team suffers injury in 2024 to a key offensive lineman.

He was the center for QB Stetson Bennett in both NCAA Championship seasons, and that fact alone should be a factor in targeting him here. That also makes him a teammate of OT Warren McClendon, reuniting three players from that two-time Georgia Championship roster. That has its own set of intrigue and promise.

But the true value for the team is the fact that by drafting him, the offensive line has capable starting quality backups at all five offensive line positions. As currently constructed, the team is extremely vulnerable to injury with new center Steve Avila. But that vulnerability extends to injuries at either offensive guard position as well. Adding Van Pran (gotta love that nickname), the Rams have a bonafide backup at center who can free up Avila to slide to either guard position.

The Rams have a tendency to ignore depth issues until injuries happen. Then, the front office reacts to find the best available solution in the free agency market. I propose that the team avoids that frantic catch-up effort that can take a month mid-season to sort out, and simply bring in this quality center from the get go.

Van Pran lives up to the Van Damme nickname. He is a powerhouse who is a snarler on the offensive line, loves to seek up linebackers and defensive backs after the runner breaks through the hole, and has the mental fortitude to be a true NFL starter.