Rams Select TCU OL Steve Avila With No. 36 Pick in NFL Draft

The Los Angeles Rams added a potentially major difference maker with their first pick of the 2023 NFL Draft

The Los Angeles Rams needed to add a future difference-maker with their first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. And at No. 36, that was going to be a challenge. However, Les Snead and Sean McVay were able to come through in a big way, drafting TCU offensive lineman, Steve Avila

Interior offensive line might not be a sexy pick in today's NFL. However, it is something the Rams desperately needed, with the offensive line being a major liability due to injury and turnover last season. 

In fact, the Rams used 14 different offensive linemen last season due to the injury issues. 

Avila will now be an immediate plug-and-play for the Rams and should be able to star right away, helping to protect quarterback Matthew Stafford after he was knocked out for the season last year with a spinal contusion.

He also comes with experience, helping lead TCU to the College Football national title game last season, playing one of his best games against No. 9 overall pick, Jalen Carter.

 Avila is also versatile and could play a variety of positions along the offensive line for the Rams. 

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You can view NFL Draft Bible's full scouting report of Avila below:

The first thing that stands out on Avila’s film is his size. He isn’t the tallest center but he has a huge upper body. His natural upper body strength is extremely impressive. Players struggle to bullrush Avila, as he is just too strong to move. For his size too, Avila has very quick feet. In short areas, Avila is explosive and quick enough to mirror defensive lineman. That level of natural play strength combined with quick feet is hard to find. 

With that being said, Avila has a lot of work to do. He is all over the place technically and plays very sluggishly. If he is going to stay at center, Avila will need to lose weight, which could result in a loss of power. There are too many times on film where Avila fails to find work and looks lost. He struggles to identify stunts and twists and tends to be late to react to them. In both the run and pass games, Avila can’t handle players who can bend. He’s so top heavy that he plays really high and he can’t get low enough to stay in front of them. Guys can get under Avila and shoot gaps without Avila disrupting them. 

On the move, Avila is too slow and doesn’t attach to defenders. He can’t sustain blocks because of his poor technique. Defenders are able to either disengage from Avila with ease or avoid him completely because he can’t get to them quickly. Overall, Avila is still raw and has a lot of work to do. He needs to retool his upper half, while keeping his play strength, which is his best trait. Avila doesn’t have the processing ability to stay at center but he could be a really solid guard prospect. He’ll be scheme limited, with his limited movement skills but Avila is quick enough in a phone booth. There is upside with Avila but he has a lot of work to do to reach his potential.

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You can follow Matt Galatzan on Twitter @MattGalatzan

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