2023 NFL Draft: Detailed Analysis of Los Angeles Rams Picks
The Los Angeles Rams had a busy 2023 NFL draft, making 14 picks. They addressed several needs, including offensive line, edge rusher, and defensive back.
The Los Angeles Rams had a busy 2023 NFL draft, making 14 picks. They addressed several needs, including offensive line, edge rusher, and defensive back. Here is a look at each of their picks:
Round 2 (36th overall): Steve Avila, offensive tackle, TCU
In an effort to address the glaring lack of depth on the offensive line, the Rams wisely invested their first pick in the offensive line for the second consecutive year.
Last season, they faced unprecedented injuries that exposed their vulnerability in that area.
With quarterback Matthew Stafford’s health concerns, including two instances of being in concussion protocol and ending 2022 on injured reserve due to a spinal cord contusion, protecting him becomes paramount.
Avila, a reliable three-year starter at TCU, brings versatility, having manned every position on the offensive line except for left tackle. Notably, he started all 15 games at left guard in the 2022 season.
Avila’s addition is crucial as the Rams aim to shore up an offensive line that allowed a troubling 59 sacks last season, ranking them 30th in the NFL.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Los Angeles deployed 14 different starters on the offensive line in 2022, marking the highest number for any team in a non-strike season since 1970.
The departure of guard David Edwards, who signed with the Buffalo Bills in free agency, further emphasizes the need for reinforcements.
Notably, this marks the second consecutive draft where the Rams have utilized their top pick to address the offensive line, following the selection of Wisconsin guard Logan Bruss in the third round of the 2022 draft.
Unfortunately, Bruss’s season was cut short after he suffered a torn ACL and MCL during a preseason game, rendering him inactive for the entire year.
Round 3, No. 77 overall: Byron Young, LB, Tennessee
In light of the Rams’ pressing need for improved pass-rushing capabilities, the addition of Young aims to provide an alternative option alongside the formidable defensive tackle, Aaron Donald.
During his senior season at Tennessee, Young showcased his prowess by leading the team with seven sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hurries.
As the Rams bid farewell to outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, who was released this offseason despite leading the team with nine sacks, Young possesses the potential to fill the void left by his departure.
The young linebacker describes himself as “relentless” and “explosive” when pressuring the quarterback, emphasizing his fast get-off at the line of scrimmage.
This pick serves the dual purpose of adding depth to the team while addressing a crucial gap in their defensive lineup.
Young will have an opportunity to make an early impact on the Rams’ youthful defense.
With pass-rushing being a significant position of need entering the draft, the Rams wisely utilized their second pick to bolster their defensive front alongside Aaron Donald.
During the 2022 season, the Rams ranked 20th in the league with 38 sacks, with Donald himself missing the final six games due to a high ankle sprain.
Round 3, No. 89 (from NYG): Kobie Turner, DT, Wake Forest
The Rams look to Turner to provide valuable depth to their defensive line, an area that lacked sufficient support for Aaron Donald last season.
Turner admired Donald, acknowledging him as a role model for young defensive linemen. Notably, according to ESPN Stats & Information, Turner primarily lined up at the three-technique, accounting for 36% of his snaps.
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Scouting reports highlight Turner’s outstanding motor and relentless work ethic. Rams area scout Michael Pierce commended Turner’s unwavering drive, emphasizing his rare determination and unwavering commitment on the field.
Turner’s tenacity sets him apart, and his maturity as a player has been evident since his time at Richmond.
Round 4, No. 128 (from NYG): Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia
Entering the draft with only one quarterback on their roster, Matthew Stafford, the Rams wasted no time addressing their quarterback position on the third draft day.
Bennett, who led Georgia to consecutive National Championships in 2021 and 2022, boasts an impressive record of 29-3 as a starting quarterback during his tenure at Georgia.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, this places him second in SEC history among quarterbacks with at least 30 starts.
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Notably, Bennett becomes the first quarterback drafted by the Rams since Jared Goff was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in 2016.
Round 5, No. 161 overall (from Houston): Nick Hampton, OLB, Appalachian State
The Rams continue to fortify their defense and bolster their pass-rushing capabilities by adding Hampton, their second linebacker selection in this year’s draft.
Hampton expressed his belief that joining the Rams is an excellent fit due to the similarity between their defensive scheme and the one he played in at Appalachian State.
As a “relentless” pass-rusher, Hampton emphasized his unwavering commitment and determination to reach the quarterback and force turnovers.
Round 5, No. 174 overall (compensatory): Warren McClendon, OT/G, Georgia
The Rams bolster their offensive line depth with the addition of McClendon, who reunites with former Georgia teammate Bennett.
McClendon, a three-year starter at right tackle for Georgia, showcased his prowess by allowing a mere two sacks in over 1,000 pass-blocking snaps, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Last season, he impressively yielded pressure on less than 1% of his pass-blocking plays (0.8), marking the fourth-lowest rate among primary right tackles in the FBS.
Round 5, No. 175 overall (compensatory): Davis Allen, TE, Clemson
Allen brings valuable depth to the tight end position for the Rams, especially considering the impending free agency of their starting tight end, Tyler Higbee, after the 2023 season.
With Brycen Hopkins (eight career catches) and newly acquired Hunter Long (one career catch) on the roster, Allen’s two-year stint as a starter for Clemson and his 12 career receiving touchdowns, tied for the second-most by a Clemson tight end, make him a promising addition.
Since 2021, Allen has accumulated 651 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Moreover, his blocking ability ranks him sixth in blown block percentage among FBS tight ends, as per ESPN Stats & Info.
Round 5, No. 177 overall (compensatory): Puka Nacua, WR, BYU
Recognizing the need for wide receiver depth, the Rams found themselves lacking proven options behind Cooper Kupp following his stint on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain last season.
Consequently, they heavily relied on recent draft picks like Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, and Ben Skowronek. Nacua, who led BYU in receiving yards during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, emerges as a solution to this concern.
In his most recent season, he accumulated 48 receptions for 625 yards and five touchdowns.
Round 6, No. 182 overall: Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, CB, TCU
The Rams addressed their significant need for cornerbacks after trading Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins in March.
Hodges-Tomlinson joins a young group of cornerbacks on the roster, including Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick, both in their second- and third-year players, Robert Rochell.
Hodges-Tomlinson, nephew of Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson, stood out in the previous season and claimed the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back.
His impressive 2022 season consisted of three interceptions and 15 passes defended across 15 games for TCU.
Round 6, No. 189 overall (from Tennessee): Ochaun Mathis, DE, Nebraska
Adding further pass-rushing assistance, the Rams utilize their second pick in the sixth round to acquire Mathis.
After spending four seasons at TCU, he transferred to Nebraska for the 2022 season. During his collegiate career, Mathis registered 38 tackles for loss since 2019, a tally that places him tied for seventh among Power 5 players in that timeframe, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
His standout year came in 2020 when he achieved nine sacks, the second-highest in the Big 12.
Round 7, No. 215 overall (from Washington/Buffalo): Zach Evans, RB, Ole Miss
By selecting Evans, the Rams solidify their running back depth behind Cam Akers, who finished the 2022 season on a high note.
Evans excelled in the SEC, leading the conference with an impressive 6.5 yards per rush last season. Despite sharing carries with freshman Quinshon Judkins, Evans accumulated nearly 1,000 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
Notably, since Sean McVay took charge as head coach in 2017, the Rams have drafted a running back in every draft, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Round 7, No. 223 overall: Ethan Evans, P, Wingate
Amidst jokes about not punting next season, the Rams recognized the necessity of securing a punter after Riley Dixon, their punter for 2023, departed for the Denver Broncos in free agency.
Currently lacking a kicker or long-snapper on their roster, the Rams utilized their seventh-round pick to address this gap.
Round 7, No. 234 overall (from Pittsburgh): Jason Taylor II, S, Oklahoma State
Taylor’s addition provides the Rams with increased depth in their young secondary. He led the Big 12 with six interceptions during the 2022 season, tying him for the third-highest interception total in FBS, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Additionally, Taylor impressed scouts with a remarkable 43-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine, ranking as the second-best among all players in 2023.
In the previous season, the Rams recorded 16 interceptions, with four credited to Ramsey, who was traded during the offseason.
Round 7, No. 259 overall (from Houston): Desjuan Johnson, DL, Toledo
Concluding their 2023 NFL draft, the Rams reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their defensive line by selecting Johnson.
This pick solidifies their priority in enhancing that unit. Johnson, a five-season player at Toledo, tallied 5.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles last season.
This selection marked the Rams’ accumulation of ten picks from Rounds 5 to 7, making them the second team in the Common Draft Era to make at least ten picks in that span, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
