Ram Digest

NFL Mock Draft: Los Angeles Rams Target Top Local Prospect?

UCLA's Laiatu Latu could be a strong fit for the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of this year's NFL Draft.

Jeremy Brener

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The Los Angeles Rams will face an unfamiliar feeling as they prepare for the 2024 NFL Draft. For the first time since 2016, the Rams will have a first-round pick to work with.

The Rams have a slew of needs that they could address, but The Athletic projects that they will look to bolster their pass rush by taking UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu.

Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Melquan Stovall (7) runs against UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) at the Rose Bowl.
Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Melquan Stovall (7) runs against UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) at the Rose Bowl / Alex Gallardo-USA TODAY Sports

"Latu doesn’t have ideal length, and I don’t expect him to test off the charts, but some rushers just know how to get after the quarterback — Latu ranks No. 1 in college football with 64 pressures," The Athletic writes. "A pass-rush duo of Latu and Byron Young would be a great foundation for the Rams’ defense."

Latu is the second EDGE rusher taken off the board behind Alabama's Dallas Turner, who went No. 10 overall. He does a great job at getting after the quarterback, and the Rams certainly could use more reinforcements on that front.

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The Rams have 25 sacks so far this season, which ranks 22nd in the league. Aaron Donald leads the team with 5.5 sacks, while rookie Byron Young has 5.0, so adding another player with the potential to get after the quarterback will be a huge addition for the Rams' front seven.

With the team holding a first-round pick for the first time in eight years, the Rams will finally be able to add and develop some top-tier talent, which should help the team re-tool and get closer to the mountaintops of the NFL.

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Jeremy Brener
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.

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