The 2017 NFL Draft is over, and it is time to analyze the eight draft picks that the Los Angeles Rams made over the last three days. The Rams evenly divided their draft, taking four players on the offensive side of the ball and four players on the defensive side.
Offensive Players
With the Los Angeles Rams first pick in the 2017 NFL Draft they took South Alabama tight end Gerald Everett with the 44th overall pick in the second round. The pick gives Jared Goff an offensive weapon and addresses a key position following veteran Lance Kendricks departure.
Head coach Sean McVay uses a lot of multiple tight end sets, and values pass-catching tight ends. The hope is that Everett could develop into the Jordan Reed of McVay's offense.
The Rams added more offensive with their next selection, taking wide receiver Cooper Kupp from Eastern Washington with the 69th pick in the third round. In college, Kupp set 15 FCS records, while proving to be a reliable pass catcher with good size and soft hands. With the Rams letting Kenny Britt and Brian Quick they needed another receiver, especially one who could be a security blanket in the slot for Jared Goff.
With the 117th pick in the fourth round, the Rams took their second receiver, Josh Reynolds from Texas A&M.
He gives the Rams much need size at the position at 6'3. Reynolds also adds potential big-play ability has he can stretch the field with his deep speed and has great leaping to attack the ball at its high point. However, he does need to add more muscle and has lapsed as he can drop some easy catches.
For their last offense pick the team took fullback Sam Rodgers from Virginia Tech with the 206th pick in the sixth round.
Rodgers is a versatile player as he can line up in multiple spots to block or catch. He is durable, sturdy and should help out Todd Gurley and the running game.
Defensive Players
For their first pick on the defensive side of the ball in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams took safety John Johnson out of Boston College. The Rams needed to address their secondary after letting T.J.
McDonald go in free agency and with both projected starting safeties being free agents after this season. Johnson has good instincts, solid ball skills, and soft hands. He also has experience playing at slot corner but needs to become a better tackler.
With the 125th pick in the fourth round, the team selected another Eastern Washington player, linebacker Samson Ebukam. Ebukham was noted for having outstanding athleticism, as his speed, explosiveness, and power helped him get to the quarterback. He is a developmental project, but fits the Rams new 3-4 scheme and gives them needed depth at linebacker.
At pick 189 in the sixth round, the Rams took defensive tackle Tanzel Smart from Tulane. Smart is a bit small for his position, but is quick and can disrupt the quarterback pretty well for a defensive tackle.
He also gives the Rams needed depth on the defensive line, which will also be key since three of their backup linemen are free agents after this season.
With their final pick in the draft, the Rams selected linebacker Ejuan Price out of Pittsburgh. Price is undersized for a linebacker but gives the team more depth at the position. More importantly, Price has good burst and is great at getting to the quarterback, as he had 24.5 sacks his last two years in college. He could become a valuable sub-package pass rusher in Wade Phillips 3-4 defense.
