Day 1 Deal? NFL Mock Draft Predicts Rams Trade With Chiefs

According to NFL.com, the Los Angeles Rams could be in the market to move back in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Nov 6, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton / Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Rams are looking to contend this season, and the upcoming NFL Draft will go a long way in helping them do that.

And according to NFL.com's Chad Reuter in his latest mock draft, there will be a major shakeup for L.A., with the Rams trading the 19th overall pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for the No. 32 pick, as well as an extra second-rounder.

With the 32nd pick in the first round, Reuter believes the Rams will get some help on the defensive line by drafting Jer'Zhan Newton out of Illinois.

Nov 6, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Jer'Zhan Newton / Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Newton, a dominant force in the Big Ten along the front, would be a logical choice for L.A., which will be attempting to fill the massive hole in the lineup left by Aaron Donald's retirement.

As for the two picks that the Rams would then have in the second round, NFL.com sees the defensive trend continuing.

With the 52nd pick, the Rams are slotted to take Javon Bullard out of Georgia, who was largely considered one of the best safeties at the NFL Combine. Then with the 64th pick from the Chiefs, the Rams take Trevin Wallace out of Kentucky, who ranks as one of the top linebackers in the class.

The defensive additions wouldn't stop there, however.

According to Reuter, with their first pick in the third round, the Rams get some more help on the defensive line and take edge rusher Jalyx Hunt from Houston Christian. In two seasons at HCU, Hunt tallied 133 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, one interception, five pass breakups, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries

Then, with their final pick of the mock draft, NFL.com predicts the Rams will take kicker Cam Little out of Arkansas with the 99th pick in the third round. Little made 83 percent of his tries during his career and only allowed eight returns in 2023, as he is able to plant the ball deep on kickoffs.

Kicking was a major issue for the Rams in 2023, and the selection of Little could go a long way in helping to improve the position.

The Rams will have just about a month to make their final decisions in terms of draft selections, with the even set to take place next month from April 25-27.