We are just a few weeks away from the start of the 2023 NFL Draft and it’s going to be a wild ride. Teams will be positioning themselves for the best advantage they can get, and rumors are swirling around. Every team has needs and this is the time to fill those for the new season and beyond. The Los Angeles Rams are coming off a season where they missed the postseason. After winning the Super Bowl the previous year, it was a down year all around for the team. But the hope is that things will be better in 2023 and that starts with nailing the draft. Here is a three-round mock draft for the Rams.
Round Two, Pick 36: Emmanuel Forbes, Cornerback from Mississippi State
After trading away Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins, the Rams have a need at corner that they need to fill. They have a lot of holes along the roster but with Forbes sitting there at number 36, he is too good for them to pass on. He would instantly take over the starting spot and give their defense a nice bolt of juice.
Forbes has been flying up draft boards of late and for good reason. He has excellent cover skills and was named to First-team All-Conference in the SEC last season. He had 46 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and six interceptions for the Bulldogs.
When being targeted, Forbes had an incredible QB rating of just 42.8 on the year. He heads to Los Angeles where he has some big shoes to fill but make no mistake, Forbes will be up for the challenge.
Round Three, Pick 69: Sam LaPorta, Tight End from Iowa
The Rams offense had a ton of injuries last season, so they are hoping for more of the style from the 2022 season. But this team has a clear need for a tight end to help open the offense up. Sam LaPorta could fill that spot and more for this Rams team.
He ranked second among tight ends with 20 broken tackles after the catch last season and would become a favorite weapon for quarterback Matthew Stafford.
During his senior season with the Hawkeyes, LaPorta had 58 catches for 657 yards and one touchdown. He is also good in pass protection which is something that Los Angeles likes from their tight ends. Iowa tends to create good tight ends in the NFL so LaPorta could be the next solid player from the school if he pans out.
Round Three, Pick 77: Zacch Pickens, Defensive Tackle from South Carolina
With their second pick in the third, the Rams go defense again. They need to improve on that side of the ball and by picking Pickens, they set themselves up for this season and beyond. He can bring a lot to the table as he has quick hands that allow him to get around offensive lineman.
He also has power and length to succeed in the run game which is what the Rams typically look for from their lineman. Playing alongside a star like Aaron Donald would allow Pickens to thrive and not see as many double teams as well. He could also learn from Donald, which would really help his game grow.
