Real interest or red herrings, Rams Pre-Draft conference revisited

Okay, the 2024 NFL Draft and all of the signings after the draft are all behind the team, and we are pivoting to the future and the 2024 NFL season. But even as we turn to see what will be, there remains some residual value in exploring the steps that led up to the Rams draft and the strategy behind pre-draft efforts.

The Rams put both GM Les Snead and HC Sean McVay in front of the camera for a pre-draft press conference. You can view the 37-minute pre-draft presser, and I encourage you to do so. There is a far different set of impressions you can take away from this presser, particularly armed with the knowledge of who the Rams chose during and after the draft.

So what can you take away from the Rams draft strategy to what actually occurred in the draft?

Just to clarify, the detour by both Les Snead and Sean McVay referring to JW Jordan, and the fact that he used to say 'nothing to add.' JW Jordan was the Director of Draft Management for the LA Rams in 2018. When he said that he had nothing to add, he would stop there, and never add additional commentary.

We believe that the Rams did in fact attempt to trade up in Round 1, and the Rams rumors about trading up for TE Brock Bowers were probably correct. Did the Rams have any rookie quarterback in their sights in this draft? That's hard to say with any certainty because all the top-tier quarterbacks were off the board long before the Rams stepped up to make their 19th overall selection.

Keep in mind that the Rams were rumored to have attempted to trade up in the 2023 NFL Draft to add TE Dalton Kincaid. Ultimately, the team selected IOL Steve Avila with the 36th overall pick in the draft, and that has certainly fostered a significant focus and upgrade for the team's offensive line. It's not what the team planned to do, but how the team responded to the ebb and flow of the draft, that dictates the success of the rookie class.

Pre Draft meetings: Who did the Rams pick?

The Rams do take a wide-ranging approach to the prospects whom the team reportedly visited. But while meeting with players, the information leaks to the entire NFL. In assessing players, it almost 'feels' as though other teams weigh leaks about the Rams' pre-draft visits in the process of setting up their draft boards.

So who did the Rams meet with? In retrospect, the team certainly had a high level of talent in their sights, as many of the prospects who held meetings with the Rams were selected early in the draft process.

• RB Audric Estime - Notre Dame: Projected Round 4
• CB Ennis Rakestraw - Missouri: Projected Round 2
• EDGE Bralen Trice - Washington: Projected Round 2
• LB Jaylan Ford - Texas: Projection Round 7
• WR Rome Odunze - Washington: Projected Round 1 *
• OT Taliese Fuaga - Oregon State: Projected Round 1*
• QB Bo Nix - Oregon: Projected Round 1 *
• OT Karsen Barnhart - Michigan: Projected Priority FA signing after draft
• WR Ricky Pearsall - Florida: Projected Round 2 *
• DE/Edge Brennan Jackson - Washington State: Projected Round 5
• Kicker Will Reichard - Alabama: Projected Priority FA signing after draft
• WR Roman Wilson - Michigan: Projected Round 2
• Edge Jaylen Harrell - Michigan: Projected Round 7
• CB Mike Sanristil - Michigan: Projected Round 3
• OT Troy Fautanu - Washington: Projected Round 1*
• DL Savion Jackson - NC State: Projected Priority FA signing after the draft
• DB Andru Phillips - Kentucky: Projected from Rounds 2-6
• DB Mark Perry - TCU: Projected Priority FA signing after the draft
• Edge Chop Robinson - Penn State: Projected Round 1 *
• RB Jase McClellan - Alabama: Projected Round 6
• DT Norell Pollard - Virginia Tech: Projected Priority FA signing after the draft
• IOL Avery Jones - Auburn: Projected Priority FA signing after the draft
• DB Gabe Jeudy-Lally, Tennessee: Projected Priority FA signing after the draft

* players who the Rams expressed interest in that may have impacted the draft strategy of other teams.

The LA Rams met with nearly two dozen prospects before the draft. So who did the team select? One player who was identified in pre-draft visits was former Washington State Cougar OLB Brennan Jackson. So what makes Brennan Jackson the lone prospect who warranted a pre-draft visit who ended up being drafted by the Rams? Let's dive into Brennan Jackson's fit and outlook:

What makes Washington State's OLB Brennan Jackson an ideal fit?

I don't think anyone is overly surprised that the Rams selected one of the outside linebackers who they met with before the 2024 NFL Draft. The need for edge rushers on this defense was not a secret, so meeting with prospects who fit the team's specifications was only logical

The LA Rams managed to add OLB Brennan Jackson with the 19th pick in Round 5 of the 2024 NFL Draft, despite Jackson's projection as one of the first players to be selected on Day 3. He is a passionate and productive outside linebacker who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 266 pounds. and plays even larger than that on defense.

So is Jackson the real McCoy? Or will he be buried in the depth chart and on the bench this season?

He won't be warming the pine this year. He is a feisty and powerful player who fuels his tireless performance with unlimited passion, and he loves to compete in football games and all that entails.

Despite facing the best offensive tackles and quarterbacks each year in the Pac-10, Jackson continued to show dramatic progress and development in his craft. By 2023, he racked up 57 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, 8.5 quarterback sacks, he broke up three pass plays, forced one fumble, recovered four fumbles, and rumbled three fumble recoveries all the way for a touchdown.

Any edge rusher who scores 18 points in a single season is worth getting to know.

What I love about Brennan Jackson is the fact that he brings all of the potential of former Rams OLB Terrell Lewis, with none of the injury history. Terrell Lewis is 6-foot-5 and weighs 262 pounds, with an 83-inch wingspan. Jackson is 6-foot-4 and weighs 266 pounds, with a 79 1/8-inch wingspan.

I don't see it as overly optimistic to view Jackson as one of the rotational pieces to a ramped up Rams pass rush in 2024.

Did the Rams waste energy vetting rookie prospects? Not at all. It simply illustrates how much work is required to invest in each selection.

Thanks for reading.