Pro Football Focus Reveals Best Middle, Late-Round Fits For Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams are about to make their first first-round pick in almost a decade, but that doesn't mean impact players won't be found later in the draft.

Oct 14, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo (18) reacts after / Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Rams hold the 19th pick in the NFL Draft, and their options remain plentiful. Whether they find an heir to Matthew Stafford or Aaron Donald, find the left tackle of the future, or add a dynamic talent on the boundary, quality prospects will be available when Los Angeles makes its pick.

Of course, the Rams can only pick one player in the first round, barring an unexpected trade, and may move out of Day 1 completely.

It goes without saying that Round 1 will be important to Los Angeles’ competitive window. But given the state of the roster, successfully landing contributors in the middle and late rounds could take the Rams to the next level.

Oct 14, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo (18) reacts after / Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

Pro Football Focus recently identified the best fits for the draft’s second and third days. Unsurprisingly, mitigating Donald’s departure was a priority. 

On Day 2, Los Angeles may find itself in the market for an edge rusher, should they go in a different direction in Round 1. One potential target is Washington edge rusher Bralen Trice.

“The Rams’ edge players ranked 30th in the NFL in overall grade and 25th in pass-rush grade last season,” Dalton Wasserman wrote. “The team will need to bolster its defensive line, especially after losing Aaron Donald to retirement. Bralen Trice led the nation with 80 pressures in 2023 and carried a 90.8 pass-rush grade that tied for 11th best.”

Trice would be a nice complement opposite Byron Young, but the team’s lack of a true force on the edge is bound to be a detriment in Donald’s absence. 

While a likely upgrade, Trice lacks elite tools and technique, limiting his upside. Thus, a fall deep into Day 2 makes sense. 

In the coming rounds, Los Angeles will likely be inclined to add to its trenches. It lost Jonah Williams to the Minnesota Vikings and another body could help take the load of Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist Kobie Turner’s shoulders if they project as depth in their rookie year.

LSU’s Mekhi Wingo has gained some steam late in the cycle, but if he’s available early on Day 3, he could be a strong addition to Chris Shula’s defense.

“Wingo may be undersized, but he can win with quickness and develop into a solid rotational piece in an NFL defensive line with the right coaching,” Gordon McGuinness wrote.

If the Rams opt to find a run-stopping specialist in free agency or earlier in the draft, acquiring Wingo as a passing-down producer could add another element to this Rams front that seems bound to regress in 2024.

If nothing else, the plentiful options in the later rounds of the NFL Draft act as an incentive to go elsewhere with the No. 19 pick.