The Los Angeles Rams may not be going to the NFL Combine next week, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t be paying attention. While the Rams may not be going, I will once again be making the trip to Indianapolis for a second consecutive season. Before we get into all of the Combine talk about who’s testing well and running fast 40-times, let’s get in one more mock draft.
26th Overall - OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
If the Los Angeles Rams are unable to bring back Alaric Jackson, Josh Simmons from Ohio State is one of the few offensive tackles in this draft that teams should feel comfortable with on the left side. Simmons was one of the best left tackles in the country last year before his injury. If the Rams can take advantage of that and get a “Christian Darrisaw” level offensive tackle at 26, that’s very good value. Simmons did a film session with Brandon Thorn of the Trench Warfare Substack which is worth checking out.
This week is going to be huge for Simmons, specifically when it comes to the medical portion of the Combine. Simmons has experience as a three-year starter, but tore the patellar Tendon in his knee against Oregon in October. How high he goes will depend on how comfortable teams are with his recovery. Simmons doesn’t have a history of injuries, but a knee injury for an offensive lineman will be something that teams want to do their research on before making a commitment.
90th Overall - WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
Higgins may end up being one of my most-mocked players to the Rams. However, in the case that they don’t take a wide receiver like Matthew Golden in the first round, Higgins fits exactly what they need at the position on day two. He’s a wide receiver with size that can win on the boundary.
The big thing for Higgins at the Combine will be how fast he runs. Higgins doesn’t necessarily have that long speed to run past cornerbacks. However, he hit 19.81 miles per hour at the Senior Bowl. By no means is he slow, but teams will want to see how fast he runs the 40-yard dash. His speed in the gauntlet drill will also be something to watch.
100th Overall - CB Dorian Strong, Virginia
If the Rams look to draft a cornerback, the third round seems like a good spot to do it. There will be some value there and plenty of fits in that area. Strong will be one of a handful to watch for the Rams. He’s a highly competitive defender which the Rams like in their cornerbacks and he has extremely good ball skills. Both of those are prime traits to look for in Rams cornerbacks.
The question here will be the speed. Much like Higgins, Strong is said to lack the long speed and recovery speed down the field. Again, he isn’t slow as he recorded the third-fastest speed at the Senior Bowl. If Strong runs a really good 40-time, he’ll jump up some teams’ draft boards.
126th Overall - LB Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
Kiser is another player that will consistently work his way into my mocks. Simply put, he feels like a Rams linebacker and also fills some of the gaps that they currently lack at the position. Kiser has good feel in coverage and due to his six years of experience at Notre Dame, he has good instincts in the run game.
The Notre Dame linebacker should test fine in Indianapolis, but where he’ll really impress teams is in the interviews. Kiser is a very likable player and teams are going to fall in love with him. He’s the type of player that teams want to have in the locker room. His age is going to turn some teams off, but the Rams have had success with older prospects. If he tests well, he could jump into the early part of day three.
192nd Overall - DL Ty Robinson, Nebraska
Robinson is another older prospect, but again, the Rams have had success going that route. They drafted Byron Young at age 25 and Braden Fiske was 24 last year. Brennan Jackson was also 24. While that may turn off some teams looking for upside, the Rams seem to value that experience. Robinson stuck with a Nebraska program that struggled and helped lead them to a bowl game this past season.
The Rams are going to need some depth along the defensive line and Robinson has no problem doing some of the dirty work in the trenches in the run game. Robinson is a high-effort player with a hot motor. He’s a type of player that the Rams will like throughout the draft process.
203rd Overall - QB Tyler Shough, Louisville
We’ll see where Tyler Shough ends up getting drafted. He’s going to drop down boards due to his age at 26. The Rams have gone the older quarterback route in the draft before with Stetson Bennett. A big difference with Shough is that he actually has arm talent.
Unlike some of the other quarterbacks in this draft class, Shough has the ability to unlock different arm angles and he has the mobility to win outside of the pocket. He’s not Matthew Stafford, but his ability to unlock those arm angles is similar. Shough may be too much of a gunslinger and try to play ‘hero ball’ at times, which is also similar to Stafford. This is a player that the Rams and McVay could turn into a long-term backup.
204th Overall - WR LaJohntay Wester, Colorado
Wester may be a little bit on the smaller side at 5’11, 167 pounds. However, he could be another late-round gem at wide receiver for the Rams. He’s an excellent route-runner and has the speed to win vertically down the field. Get the ball in his hands, and he can make defenders miss. The Rams have a similar player like Wester in Xavier Smith, but his involvement on offense has been limited. Wester also provides value as a punt returner.
