Los Angeles Rams 4th Round Draft Options
The Rams have one 4th round draft pick in 2021. That wasn’t the case before compensatory picks were awarded. The Rams would have had another 4th round pick, but that was part of the Jalen Ramsey trade. But thanks to Cory Littleton’s departure, the Rams yet again have a 4th round pick. The 141st overall pick to be exact.
Now that free agency is in full swing the picture is becoming more clear about what the Rams will need heading into the season. One of the biggest needs is finding a replacement for Michael Brockers. If it isn’t addressed in free agency, they can use their second-round pick to select a defensive end. With Leonard Floyd locked in and Samson Ebukam out, they can use a third-round pick to add depth behind Floyd. They can also add depth at inside linebacker or on the offensive line in the third round.
I covered the second-round options for the Rams here.
I covered the third-round options here.
With those things in mind, these are three options for the Rams in the 4th round of the draft.
Shaun Wade – Cornerback – Ohio State
The Rams don’t seem to feel settled with their corner situation. Losing Troy Hill means they will have to add depth to the position. Shaun Wade would be a good option in the 4th round of the draft for the Rams. He is similar to Hill in that he is versatile. As a Buckeye, he played inside and out. He is bigger, stronger, and faster than Hill, so, therefore, is thought of as having a higher upside than Hill.
So how could a guy with this much potential drop to the 4th round? In short, in his time at Ohio State, he hasn’t gotten markedly better. He came in as a freshman and earned playing time in a backfield spelling Kendall Sheffield, Jeffrey Okudah, and Damon Arnette, but was never able to outplay them. He is built to be a shutdown corner and can be one, but his play is inconsistent from down to down. What scouts have pointed to is his overreliance on his size and speed rather than sound technique and football IQ.
Even with those downsides, the production is hard to deny. In 32 games, he intercepted six passes (two in eight games in 2020), 18 passes defended, forced three fumbles, and racked up four tackles for loss.
He will need to develop and if he is on the Rams he will need to get with the program quickly. Working with Raheem Morris is ideal for a cornerback that needs to hone his skills. Not only that, but playing with Jalen Ramsey will certainly bring the best out in this 4th round draft option.
Ta’Quon Graham – Defensive End – Texas
Michael Brockers’ departure leaves the Rams with some big shoes to fill. They will have to add a defensive end to the mix in free agency or early in the draft. The Rams have good depth at nose tackle, but adding a true 3-4 defensive end will give the line added speed on passing downs, as well as a developmental three-technique lineman.
Ta’Quon Graham fits the mold. He isn’t quite ready to be a starter but has the strength to hang with the pros. While development is needed, he has a high ceiling and has a lot more going for him than holding him back.
Most of his technique is solid. He has an explosive first step and gets the right leverage on his guy. He plays at full throttle on every down and can play several techniques on the defensive line. He also will come into the league with more experience than most rookies. At Texas he played in 48 games, starting exactly half of those games.
He becomes a 4th round option because he lacks the skills to be an elite edge rusher. But for the Rams at least, he won’t need to be that option. They need a quality backup and role player. Graham would be a great pick-up in the 4th round for the Rams.
Rhamondre Stevenson – Running Back – Oklahoma
Running back isn’t overtly a need for the Rams, but with Malcolm Brown off to Miami, the Rams are without a key pass blocker in the backfield. They also lost Gerald Everett to Seattle. Sean McVay experimented with Everett as a full back a few times.
Stevenson could replace both. He is quality in pass protection and he is a bruising runner between the tackles. At 6’0” 247 lbs, he has Derrick Henry size and strength. He also has potential as a pass-catcher. In his last season at Oklahoma, he caught 18 passes for 211 yards in just six games.
Stevenson could add a very interesting wrinkle to the Rams offense. A wrecking ball runner like him would be obvious in short-yardage and goal-line situations, but he could also be used to run routes out of the backfield. Brown was the team’s go-to back in 3rd and short runs. Akers only was used three times and Henderson zero in 2020 in third and short situations. Also, neither Cam Akers nor Darrell Henderson have been used much in the passing game, but Matthew Stafford has thrown to running backs on 22% of his career passes. Steveson could offer Stafford a consistent quality target, as well as a blocker, but would be an interesting decoy in passing situations.
His game lacks nuance and his skill set is limited, but the Rams wouldn’t need him to be a three-down back.
If drafted, he would be the third running back selected in as many years by the Rams, but at least it won’t take a second-round pick to add him. Most project him to go on day three. While at first glance, it seems like the Rams can do without replacing Brown, a closer look reveals they should. Stevenson could replace Brown’s blocking, but he would also add a new aspect for the Rams. Making him a great option for the Rams in the 4th round.