Mel Kiper Jr. Mock Has Rams Prioritizing 'Impact' Pass Rusher in NFL Draft

According to ESPN expert Mel Kiper Jr. the Los Angeles Rams could add another talented piece to an already young and talented defensive line in the NFL Draft.

The Los Angeles Rams have plenty of options ahead of them this offseason. 

With over $27 million in cap space and their first first-round pick since 2016 (Jared Goff at No. 1) at their disposal, the Rams have an opportunity to take an already vastly improved team and turn it into a true contender this spring and summer. 

One way to do that would be to fortify themselves upfront along the defensive line, where, while they have talent, they are relatively thin. 

And according to ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr., that is exactly what the Rams intend to do with their No. 19 overall pick.

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Per Kiper, the Rams will select Florida State Seminoles standout pass rusher Jared Verse, who would fill in nicely alongside Kobie Turner, Byron Young, and Aaron Donald. 

Said Kiper:

"The Rams got outstanding play from two rookie defensive linemen in edge rusher Byron Young (8 sacks) and tackle Kobie Turner (9 sacks), but they're relatively thin along the defensive line. Can they find another impact edge rusher, this time in Round 1, to help a defense that finished 30th in takeaways (15)?"

Verse was inconsistent in his two seasons at Florida State, but there's no doubting his talent and 6-foot-4, 253-pound frame. He put up 18 sacks and 81 pressures from 2022-23, with 50 of those pressures coming last season. That's the pass-rush improvement I hoped to see before the season. His next step is creating more turnovers, as he had just one forced fumble for the Seminoles.

Rams Draft UCLA 'Redemption Story' in Latest NFL Mock

Should the Rams indeed go with Verse, they would immediately have one of the brightest young defensive front groups in all of the NFL, anchored by arguably the best defensive linemen of all time in Donald.

It would also give them an opportunity at a bright future whenever Donald decides to call it quits - a possibility that the Rams will have on their radar every offseason going forward. 

Either way, Verse would certainly make a valuable addition to the roster, and could make an immediate impact.