Last minute sleepers for your Rams draft shopping list

As if fans of the Los Angeles Rams haven’t seen, heard, and read enough about prospects— but wait! There’s more! Even though the big shindig is counting down to start, let me add these final sleeper prospects to consider.

Enjoy the draft. GO RAMS!

Offense

Quarterback

Seth Henigan- Memphis 6’ 3” 215 lb. 32” arms 9” hands 1.60/4.76

If the Rams are looking for the heir apparent at QB, this is the wrong draft. If they want to move on from Stetson Bennett and try to groom a long term backup, Henigan is an under the radar choice. A four-year starter with big production and strong W/L record, he’s a coaches kid with deep football IQ.

Makes full field reads, is accurate at all levels, and shows mobility in the pocket. At the Senior Bowl, Henigan’s analytic arm strength numbers matched up very well with the much-higher rated prospects. Compared to the other QB prospects in this class, he stands up favorably, but will come at a much better price.

Running back

Lan Larrison - UC Davis 5’ 11 209 lb. 30 1/8” arms 9 3/4” hands 4.46

Two-time FCS All-American. Former quarterback, now plays running back, but runs routes like a wide receiver. UC Davis lined him up all over the field, pistol, wildcat, wing, slot, and wide. Cowboy who competes in rodeo.

As a receiver he’s got good hands, body control and hand/eye coordination. Naturally he needs pro route running polish, but the Rams don’t use exotic routes with their backs. As a runner, he’s of the one-cut style and has plus contact balance. His style is more over you than around you. Good pass blocker.

Wide receiver

Andrew Armstrong - Arkansas 6’ 4” 202 lb. 32” arms 9 5/8” hands 1.59/4.51

Can play both inside and outside. Outstanding at contested catches with his height, length, and explosive leaping abilities. Strong hands and concentration through contact. A long strider that needs route running/footwork upgrade to create separation vs. man, but is very good at finding open areas in zone.

He’s an older prospect (25 as a rookie), but the Rams haven’t let age keep them from prospects they covet. Limited route tree in college offense. Tested very well in short area agility, change of direction, and short area quickness. Good SEC production. Physical, willing run blocker with an edgy play style..

Tight end

Josh Simon - South Carolina 6’ 4” 239 lb. 33 7/8” arms 10 1/8” hands 1.58/4.66

Long frame with room for good weight. Has a praying mantis looking build. He’s a good run blocker on the move and did a lot of pass blocking, all at the SEC level. Still, I’d label him a receiver first tight end. Mostly used on short and simple routes at South Carolina.

Shows good body control and snatches the ball with his hands away from his body. Unique running style, kind of crazy-legged, but shows good contact ability and runs through arm tackles. Looks to have a good ceiling and low floor.

Offensive line

Bryce Cabeldue - Kansas 6’ 4” 308 lb. 33” arms 9 1/2” hands 4.95

Swing candidate with plenty of experience at both tackle spots for a run-first college offense. His coaches claim he’s natural guard, they just needed him on the edge. He shows good get-off and has the light feet for reach blocks, but he’s not limited to a finesse game.

Although he will need some lower body strength work, he sticks to his foe and keeps working on drive and down blocks. Good grip and upper body strength. Plus athleticism, 9.40 RAS, makes him a good move blocker and he strikes well in space.

Defense

Cornerback

Bilhal Kone - Western Michigan 6’ 1” 190 lb. 31” arms 9” hands 1.54/4.43

Natural fit into the Rams scheme, good zone player, but also can be disruptive in press. He’s long and fluid with strong ballhawking skills. Although he will have to step up against NFL competition, he boasts good film vs. Ohio State and Wisconsin.

While his small-school background denotes a developmental aspect to his addition, Kone starts with experience, speed/athleticism, and zone awareness. There’s some ceiling here and a fairly high floor. Special teams beckon as he polishes his game.

Safety

Caleb Ransaw - Tulane 5’ 11” 197 lb. 30 3/4” arms. 9 3/4” hands 1.52/4.33

One of the best tacklers in the class. Versatile utility, lined up as an overhang, out in slot coverage, and as underneath safety. Not deployed much as a deep safety in Tulane scheme, but is certainly athletic enough to play back there.

Explosive and fluid move skills. Played a a lot of man on slot, but has read/react and quck trigger for zone. He fills two needs for the Rams safety room, injecting twitch athleticism and he’s a stellar tackler in space who takes good angles to the ball.

Inside linebacker

Collin Oliver - Oklahoma State 6’2 240 lb. 31” arms 9 1/2” hands 1.57/4.56

Cheating a bit here, Oliver switched between linebacker and edge throughout his career. I could see the Rams using him the way they used Michael Hoecht as a moveable piece. Has the bend to get around the corner and key off reads like a ‘backer.

He’ll need work on his stack/shed, play strength, and overall polish, but he starts off with natural instincts and a willingness to bang heads. Pro Football Focus gives his pass rushing a 90.1 career grade and RAS grades his athleticism at 9.74.

Edge

Elijah Ponder - Cal Poly SLO 6’ 3” 251 lb. 33” arms 10” hands 1.56/4.63

Gifted athletically, owns a 9.70 RAS score. Has an explosive first step and his motor runs hot and constant. Good footwork and overall technique, but needs play strength work. Moves well laterally and as well as changes direction.

The step up in competition will be steep, he’ll need work setting the edge and playing a little more under control, but Ponder dominated in college with 43.5 tackles for loss and 26.5 sacks. He has physical traits, tenacity, and work ethic to play in the NFL.

Defensive tackle

Ty Hamilton - Ohio State 6’ 1” 299 lb. 32 1/4” arms 10” hands 1.70/4.95

While it’s hard to claim any player on the Ohio State Buckeyes are sleepers, Hamilton is generally found on big boards from #160 to undrafted. I think he has huge upside and the Rams have six picks starting at #190, Hamilton’a bargain there.

Start with athleticism, RAS gives a 9.22, even with his short squatty build. Stellar get-off and light feet help him overcome shorter than ideal arm length and combine with his handwork/punch to stack/shed blockers. He has the potential to create havoc.

Who are your favorite sleepers?

As it seems as is always the case, there’s room to share some of your favorites, no matter what you label them, sleepers, under the radar, or special team candidates