NFL Mock Draft: Rams Replace Jalen Ramsey 'Big Play Presence'

The Los Angeles Rams could eye a cornerback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Jeremy Brener | Dec 30, 2023

NFL Mock Draft: Rams Replace Jalen Ramsey 'Big Play Presence' /

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Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams are vying for a Wild Card spot in the NFC playoff picture for the final two weeks of the season, but they also have a lot to look forward to in the next NFL Draft.

As of now, the Rams are projected to pick in the first round for the first time since 2016, where they traded up to select quarterback Jared Goff, who eventually was traded for Matthew Stafford and prompted a Super Bowl victory.

But in Sports Illustrated's latest mock draft, the Rams are set to look on the defensive side of the ball, selecting Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell with the No. 23 pick.

"The Rams miss Jalen Ramsey's big-play presence in the secondary, and it won't be surprising if they end their long first-round drought by looking for another stud corner," SI writes. "He may not be a household name just yet, but Mitchell's film shows a well-rounded player with all the tools to be a shutdown player in the NFL."

Mitchell may not be super familiar to many because he plays in the MAAC instead of a big school, but he is considered to be one of the high-risers of this year's draft class amongst the cornerbacks.

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SI puts Mitchell as the fourth cornerback off the board behind Clemson's Nate Wiggins (No. 12), Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry (No. 16) and Terrion Arnold (No. 20).

Mitchell is set to play in what could be his final collegiate game today for the Toledo Rockets against the Wyoming Cowboys in the Arizona Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. PT on CW.

Published Dec 30, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.