Rams Day 2 haul from the 2025 NFL Draft may be something special

The Los Angeles Rams are a bit handicapped in the 2025 NFL Draft. After stepping up to the podium to announce their selection with the 26th overall pick in Round 1 of the draft, the team must regroup and plot a revised strategy to optimize their late Round 3 selection, 64 picks later. And that is particularly challenging, as many NFL draft analysts believe that Day 2 selections offer the most bang for the buck in this draft.

Of course, the Rams may opt to trade back in Round 1, surrendering their high ground and subsequent early selection for more picks that coincide with the best value found in the draft. Of course, other NFL teams will attempt a similar strategy. So it may be something that never happens.

Still, the Rams do have two late Round 3 picks, and those picks fall right in the heart of optimal value. Here is one draft expert's take on this draft, and Round 3 prospects in particular:

So, what might that look like? To find out, let's survey some of the biggest names in the NFL Draft business. That includes Chad Reuter of NFL.com, a serpentine mock draft between ESPNs Mel Kiper and Field Yates, Tankathon's mock draft, and finally, Yahoo Sports.

• Kiper/Yates: 90 - Ohio State QB Will Howard (Rd 4) | 101 - South Carolina Edge Kyle Kennard (Rd 4)
• Chad Reuter: 90 - Oklahoma LB Danny Stutsman (Rd 3) | 101 - Ohio State CB Denzel Burke (Rd 4)
• Tankathon: 90 - Oregon TE Terrance Ferguson | 101 (Rd 3) - Louisville CB Quincy Riley (Rd 4)
• Yahoo Sports: 90 - Mississippi CB Trey Amos (Rd 2) | 101 - Virginia Tech Edge Atwaun Powell-Ryland (Rd 5)

While the mock drafts do not agree among themselves on the rookies selected, there is a consensus over the Rams using Day 2 picks to bolster the defense. Both the cornerback and edge rusher positions seem to be the more popular positions targeted by mock drafts.

Admittedly, this is a small sample. And there is little insider knowledge of how the Rams' front office views the prospects on the draft board. The Rams have shown clever strategies in the past that will undoubtedly play a huge part in their selection process in the 2025 NFL Draft. But even these generic cookie-cutter mock drafts showcase the potential for landing a solid rookie who could earn significant playing time this season.

The Rams have two picks to spend late on Day 2. I truly expect the team to select either a defensive tackle or a tight end by that point in the draft. But if a talented prospect falls in the draft, the Rams are ideally positioned to pounce.

That is what makes the Rams so special in this year's draft. While not armed with the most draft firepower, this is a team that has found starters on Day 3 in each of the past three drafts. And there is no reason not to expect any less impressive results in this year's draft.

As always, thanks for reading.

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