With the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft tomorrow, it’s time for one final 7-round mock for the Los Angeles Rams from yours truly. I did use Pro Football Focus’s mock draft simulator for this, so if you disagree with a player’s rankings, I’m using their system. However, I did aim to keep it realistic and close to consensus, as these simulators can be subject to some truly unpredictable draft positions.
Los Angeles Rams 7-round mock draft
Round 1, Pick 8 (via ATL): Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
The Los Angeles Rams send picks 19, 83, and a 2025 second-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for picks 8 and 187.
The chance to take Odunze is simply too great for me to pass on. The Rams have needs but I couldn’t help making this kind of trade up, it simply makes too much sense. Odunze is exactly the kind of wide receiver that the Rams need, both now and in the not-so-distant future sans Cooper Kupp. He steps right in as the team’s WR1, and McVay would have plenty of fun designing plays for him and Puka for the foreseeable future.
Round 2, Pick 62 (via BAL): Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
The Los Angeles Rams send pick 52 to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for picks 62 and 113
After trading up, I wanted to trade down later on to help make up the difference. Lo and behold, the Ravens moved up for Kiran Amegadjie, and I was happy to let them do that. I still landed the player I wanted all along in Alabama’s Chris Braswell. Braswell is a tremendous power rusher who brings plenty of explosiveness in his game. He can be a valuable starter for the team and let Michael Hoecht take more of a reserve role.
Round 3, Pick 99: Brandon Coleman, OT, TCU
I had to live up to recent trends and take a TCU player. Turns out, I landed a starting-caliber left tackle. Coleman has the athleticism to hold up on an island and showed very good use of hands, length, and good play strength to his game. He might slip a bit due to injuries, but his film shows a player that can be a capable starter at left tackle in the NFL.
Round 4, Pick 113 (via BAL): Mekhi Wingo, DT, LSU
I was more than a little nervous passing on any defensive tackles with those first three picks, but Baltimore’s fourth-rounder bailed me out here. Wingo occupies the starting DE spot opposite of Kobie Turner and can kick inside to play next to him in sub-packages. The Rams have prized versatility in their defensive linemen, and Wingo can play up and down the formation.
Round 5, Pick 154: Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Auburn
This might be a little later than many might want a cornerback, but Pritchett is a valuable addition. The Rams value high-character players, and Pritchett has glowing reviews on his veteran mentality. He can be a valuable part of their rotation outside with his length and speed.
Round 5, Pick 155: Edefuan Ulofoshio, LB, Washington
The Rams desperately need to add to their linebacker room, if for no other reason than to add more capable players to their special teams. If Ernest Jones gets hurt, that room quickly becomes devoid of starting-caliber players. Ulofoshio was the leader for the Washington defense this year and is an instinctive playmaker.
Round 6, Pick 187: Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State
I’m opting to double-dip at wide receiver this year. The Rams will only have Cooper Kupp (potentially) and Puka Nacua under contract (in this mock Rome Odunze as well) for 2025. They need to round-out the depth of that room. Gould is small, but incredibly explosive and would provide a huge boost as a kick returner as well.
Round 6, Pick 196: Dominique Hampton, S, Washington
Hampton feels like a steal here at 196, but he can start in the Rams’ safety room. Hampton has impressive range as a deep safety but also has the versatility to play multiple roles as a safety, both deep and closer to the line of scrimmage and his tackling would be a welcome addition to that inconsistent safety room. Him, Lake, and Curl can play different roles and give the Rams creativity to help maximize that room.
Round 6, Pick 209: Dylan Laube, RB, New Hampshire
Laube can function as a nifty playmaker for Sean McVay to deploy around the formation to help spell Kyren Williams and also doubles as another special teams player. Win-win for the Rams.
Round 6, Pick 213: Fabien Lovett, DT, Florida State
Bobby Brown III has struggled to stay healthy and is entering a contract year. I’m not willing to have him be the only nose tackle on the roster. Lovett plays with excellent play strength at the point of attack and can occupy blockers inside.
Round 6, Pick 217: Nick Gargiulo, IOL, South Carolina
Call me paranoid, but I’m all for continuing to shore up depth in the trenches. The depth behind Jonah Jackson-Steve Avila-Kevin Dotson is rather thin, and I doubt the Rams will be content with not addressing that late in the draft. Gargiulo has played left tackle, guard, and center in college, and would provide good swing depth inside.
Round 7, Pick 254: Cam Little, K, Arkansas
There’s some varying opinions on who the best kicker in this draft is, but for my money it’s Arkansas’s Cam Little. The Rams need at kicker can’t be overstated.
