The 2024 NFL Draft is fast approaching and the Los Angeles Rams have a first-round pick for the first time in the years. That means it’s time for a Rams mock draft 2024, examining how the team can use this year’s draft class to take a step forward next season.
Before diving into our Rams mock draft, here’s a quick rundown of everything you need to know before the 2024 NFL Draft.
Related: Los Angeles Chargers mock draft 2024
Los Angeles Rams draft picks 2024
Here are the Rams draft picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, as per the Pro Football Focus simulator.
- 1st Round, 19th overall
- 2nd Round, 52nd overall
- 3rd Round, 83rd overall
- 3rd Round, 99th overall:
- 5th Round, 154th overall
- 5th Round, 155th overall
- 6th Round, 196th overall:
- 6th Round, 209th overall:
- 6th Round, 213th overall:
- 6th Round, 217th overall:
- 6th Round, 218th overall:
Los Angeles Rams draft needs 2024
Here are the Rams draft needs entering the 2024 NFL offseason.
- Cornerback
- Offensive Line
- Edge Rusher
- Tight End
- Safety
- Defensive Tackle
Related: Los Angeles Rams linked to trade for young QB
Los Angeles Rams mock draft 2024
1st Round, 19th overall: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Rams defense absolutely outperformed compared to expectations last season. Credit starts with the young rookies who helped this Los Angeles front post the 14th-highest ESPN pass rush win rate (42 percent) in the NFL and Raheem Morris also deserves a ton of kudos. With Morris gone, now it’s time for an influx of talent to keep this defense playing at a high level.
Terrion Arnold is everything Los Angeles needs. If you want to focus on his SEC production, he held opponents to a 51.9 percent completion rate last season with a 50.7 NFL quarterback rating when they targeted him in coverage (Pro Football Focus). He also does something else that fans and coaches love. Last season, Arnold earned the third-highest PFF run defense grade (90.6) among FBS cornerbacks, missing just 1 tackle and recording an average depth of tackle of 4.3 yards, which is ecellent for an outside corner.
Arnold isn’t one of the best athletes at his position, but he doesn’t need to be. Coached up by Nick Saban, he simply knows how to play the position better than even some young NFL defensive backs. He plays a physical but smart style of football and knows how to use both his body and the field to play tighter coverage. He’ll make some mistakes, that’s natural with rookie cornerbacks, but he can develop into the No. 1 cornerback in Los Angeles and could reach his ceiling as a top-10 cornerback in the NFL.
2nd Round, 52nd overall: Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
In our last Rams mock draft, we had Los Angeles trading this pick for edge rusher Brian Burns. He is now with the New York Giants and with no compelling trade candidates on the market worth this second-round pick, we instead use it on one of the top Rams draft needs.
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Once viewed as a potential first-round talent, edge rusher Chris Braswell doesn’t quite check the box for elite athleticism (8.67 Relative Athletic Score). However, the 6-foot-3 edge defender provides the length, first-step quickness and offers an array of pass-rush moves that make him quite effective at getting after the quarterback. While Braswell doesn’t offer a high ceiling, he can be an immediate disruptor to add to a Rams’ defense that is sorely in need of more pass rushers now that Aaron Donald has retired.
3rd Round, 83rd overall: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
Los Angeles absolutely needs to find its left tackle of the future. We considered it in Round 2 of our Rams mock draft with Yale’s Kiran Amegadjie, but the need for instant help on the defensive front won that out. So, Los Angeles grabs Houston’s Patrick Paul one round later.
At 6-foot-7, Paul immediately stands out for his prototypical size at left tackle. With a 9.75 Relative Athletic Score, he also clearly provides the elite athleticism that offensive line coaches love to mold. With those building blocks acknowledged, we also must recognize that Paul still needs to add more bulk to his frame and there’s a lot of work to be done with his body positioning and hand usage. Still, Paul could spend the 2023 season working with the Rams’ coaching staff and then emerge as the left tackle for Los Angeles for the next four-plus years.
3rd Round, 100th overall: Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
Los Angeles really doesn’t need anyone splashy at tight end. While there’s no timeline for when Tyler Higbee will return, he does have a long-term future with the Rams. The front office also still seems to like Davis Allen, even after a very quiet rookie season. So, we’re eyeing someone who can contribute right away but won’t come at the cost of premium draft capital.
At the NFL Combine, Cade Stover posted a strong 8.33 Relative Athletic Score. The 6-foot-3 tight end backs up that athleticism on tape, consistently showcasing the ability to create initial separation soon after the ball is snapped and that makes him a reliable option in the short- and intermediate areas of the field. He also combines the ability to separate from linebackers with great hands, which should help him earn Stafford’s trust early. In his first year, Stover could be the pass-catching tight end who is at least willing to block. Plus, he could eventually develop into an excellent partner for Higbee in 2TE sets.
Los Angeles Rams 7-round mock draft
Here is our 7-round Rams mock draft.
- 1st Round, 19th overall: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
- 2nd Round, 52nd overall: Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama
- 3rd Round, 83rd overall: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
- 3rd Round, 100th overall: Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
- 5th Round, 153rd overall: JD Bertrand, LB, Notre Dame
- 5th Round, 154th overall: Javon Foster, OT, Missouri
- 5th Round, 177th overall: Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice
- 6th Round, 191st overall: Cam Little, K, Arkansas
- 6th Round, 212th overall: Jalen Green, EDGE, James Madison
- 6th Round, 217th overall: Josh Wallace, CB, Michigan
- 6th Round, 218th overall: Sam Hartman, QB, Notre Dame
