The Los Angeles Rams will enter the 2024 NFL Draft having dealt with several key needs, particularly in the secondary and the offensive line, but this also means they still have glaring needs in the wake of Aaron Donald’s retirement. They don’t have to just replace a great defensive lineman, but they have to replace a player that the defense was built around, a tide that lifted all boats.
2024 Los Angeles Rams 7-Round Mock Draft
Ryan Dyrud and Ryan Anderson, hosts of the Rams Skinny podcast devote their entire show to selecting all 11 draft picks in an attempt to address these needs
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Laiatu Latu, 6’5″ 265 lbs, UCLA
In Laiatu Latu, the Los Angeles Rams get a player that has the tremendous upside of a player they can build the defense around and be the team’s three-down pass rusher.
His college production is off the charts. He has the most refined technical game that the draft has seen since Nick Bosa.
Kris Jenkins, 6’9″ 299 lbs, Michigan
Kris Jenkins could be the second most athletic DT in the draft behind Murphy. A hard worker and a team captain of the Michigan Wolverines, Jenkins has a relentless motor, but won’t be a one-man wrecking crew. Won’t come close to replacing Donald, but will be a step in the right direction toward fixing the defensive line.
Spencer Rattler, 6′ 211 lbs, South Carolina
The Rams will have to start the process of finding their next starting quarterback. This is a big swing, but Rattler presents a high ceiling that if met could develop be the answer. Sitting behind Matthew Stafford will give Rattler a soft landing spot in the NFL. The Rams have become an incubator for developing QB talent. This time they could keep their apprentice in-house.
Using a third is a gamble, but if it pays off it’s worth every penny.
Audric Estime, 6′ 211 lbs, Notre Dame
The Los Angeles Rams could go back to the Irish well and add a big tough bruiser. Audruc Estime had great production in his final season with Notre Dame. He rushed for 1341 yards and 18 touchdowns in 11 games. His 40 time was disappointing. His time of 4.71 put him in the bottom 10 percentile among running backs. But that isn’t where Estime butters his bread. 66 percent of his production came after contact, he broke 64 tackles and picked up 69 first downs.
Last season the Rams offensive line provided Williams with 3 yards before contact. Estime had just 2.14 yards per carry but still managed elite production. That YBC looks to go up with the addition of Jackson to the offensive line.
He also allowed just three pressures and one sack as a pass blocker in 2023. Estime won’t turn 21 until September.
While his 40 time was unremarkable, his 10-yard split put him 53rd percentile. The rest of his drills and his size put him toward the top of runningbacks.
Tahj Washington, 5’10” 174 lbs, USC
Tahj Washington could be 2024’s Jordan Addison, but the Rams pick him up in the 5th. A hard worker, tough player, and elite route runner, Washington would fit in well with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp
Mekhi Wingo, 6’1, 295 lbs, LSU
Mekhi Wingo will go a long way in helping the Rams rebuild their offensive line. On the undersized side, but a great athlete for the fifth round. With Wingo, Kobie Turner and Jenkins, this unit could be sneaky good.
Tip Reiman, 6’5″, 275, Illinois
This is a major departure from what the Rams have done at the position in the past, but so is investing in hulking mass along the offensive interior line. Tip Reiman isn’t just a big body. At the combine, he tested in the top quarter of tight ends in the agility drills and was in the top 10 percent at the bench press and 10-yard split.
Illinois didn’t employ him much in the passing game, but he proved to be a threat when targeted. He was able to pick up 12 first downs on 19 receptions and just over half of his yards came after the catch last season. He also caught three touchdowns.
Omar Brown, 6’1″ 200 lbs, Nebraska
The former high school wide receiver offers good speed at this point in the draft. Omar Brown is a rocked-up big-bodied defender and holds up in coverage. He is a willing tackler but struggled to make every tackle. Would fare well starting on special teams.
Caeden Wallace, 6’5″ 314 lbs, Penn State
The Los Angeles Rams need to prepare for a life without Rob Havenstein
Caeden Wallace might not get as much attention because he plays offensive tackle on the opposite side of Olu Fashanu. However, he’s a solid right tackle with great size and length, and he moves well for his position. He also brings a lot of experience, having started 40 games in a Power 5 conference.
Steele Chambers, 6’1″ 226 lbs, Ohio State
Rams will need to add depth to the linebacking room as Ernest Jones enters the final year of his rookie contract
Steele Chambers is an athletic linebacker known for his high energy on the field. He has a good opportunity to gain recognition early in his career through special teams, while he continues to develop his instincts as a linebacker.
Will Reichard, 6’1″ 187 lbs, Alabama
The kicker has been an afterthought for the Los Angeles Rams since Greg Zuerlien left. It’s time they lock in a quality kicker.
Will Reichard finished his 5th and final season for the Crimson Tide. He leaves Alabama as the NCAA’s career points leader with 547 thanks to 84 field goals and 295 extra points. His five seasons certainly gave him a leg up, but it points toward his reliability. He hasn’t missed a PAT attempt in 141 tries and only missed two in 297 attempts.
Reichard missed three field goals last season. All three misses were from 40-49 yards. He was a perfect 5 for 5 from beyond 49 yards. He is perfect in his career from between 20-29 yards, 20 for 20. Last year he was also 7 for 7 between 30-39 yards. His field goal percentage was 88 percent last season and he went 4 for 4 in the College Football Playoffs.