Rams Strengthen Offensive Line With First NFL Draft Pick

The Los Angeles Rams did not make a pick on Day 1 of the NFL Draft but went for offensive line help with the No. 36 pick.

The long NFL Draft wait for the Los Angeles Rams ended on Friday night, as they sought help up front on the offensive line, selecting offensive guard Steve Avila with the No. 36 overall pick. It was their first pick of the three-day event. Despite reports of the Rams trying to trade up into the backend of the first round, they stayed put. 

The offensive line was problematic in 2022, to say the least, for the Rams as they struggled to keep quarterbacks off the ground, and couldn't establish themselves in the run game consistently. As a result, the Rams allowed 59 sacks in 2022, and not all of it can be blamed on injuries, as even in the season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills, they allowed seven sacks and 23 quarterback pressures.

So what does Avila bring to the Rams? "Right now, Avila’s game needs a lot of work, but he projects as a potential starting gap power guard at the next level," SI Draft Bible said of the TCU Hornfrog.

Although Draft Bible gave Avila a fifth-round draft grade, he was a name on the rise. Some analysts had him as a borderline first-round pick coming into Thursday, but he had to wait until Day 2. 

The hope is that by that by drafting Avila, they will be able to keep a now fully-healthy quarterback Matthew Stafford upright and get back to being consistent on the ground.

The Rams will be on the clock again with the No. 69 pick of the third round.

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