The Los Angeles Rams are in uncharted territory this year in that they actually have a first-round pick. They did have one in 2019 when they traded back twice before selecting Taylor Rapp, but sitting at No. 19 overall, they’re much more likely to stick around in Round 1 and draft someone.
In total, the Rams have 11 selections in this year’s draft, so they have the ammo to trade up the board if there’s a player they like. That could include a left tackle, pass rusher or wide receiver in the first round, moving up from No. 19 to draft a coveted prospect.
With three weeks to go until draft night, here are five prospects the Rams could consider trading up to select in Round 1.
WR Rome Odunze, Washington
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It’s possible Odunze goes in the first six picks, especially if Marvin Harrison Jr. goes fourth overall to the Cardinals. It’s also possible he slips to No. 9 or 10 if there’s a run on quarterbacks in the top four and Malik Nabers is the second wideout off the board.
The Rams are clearly interested in Odunze after meeting with him at the NFL combine and there’s no chance he falls to them at No. 19, so the only way they have any chance of acquiring him is by trading up.
Despite having Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp at wide receiver, the Rams could use another dynamic wideout and there are few better than Odunze. Kupp is getting older and injury-prone, and it’s possible they’ll part with him before the 2025 season if he has another down year. Drafting Odunze would give them an outstanding young tandem with him and Nacua.
OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
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Yes, the Rams are bringing back Alaric Jackson on a one-year tender, but that by no means solidifies the left tackle position for Los Angeles long-term. The team could still use a cornerstone player at that spot, which are admittedly difficult to find, but there’s no question Alt would fit the mold of a franchise left tackle.
Unfortunately for the Rams, he’s expected to go in the top 10 and be the first lineman selected, potentially at No. 7 to the Titans. The Rams probably aren’t going to trade up to 7 in order to take Alt, but if he falls to No. 10 where the Jets are sitting, perhaps Los Angeles goes up nine spots to grab an outstanding left tackle who can start for the next five-plus years.
OLB Dallas Turner, Alabama
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Turner is viewed as the best edge rusher in the class and many mock drafts have him going to the Falcons at No. 8. That’s too far for the Rams to go for a player like Turner, who’s admittedly very talented but he’s not a generational pass rusher worth mortgaging the future for.
The problem with the pass-rusher class as a whole is there’s a steep drop-off after the first-round prospects. After Turner, Laiatu Latu, Jared Verse and even Chop Robinson, the next tier of edge rushers is a bit underwhelming.
Therefore, if the Rams covet one of the top prospects at this position, it might be worth moving up for them. At 6-foot-4 with excellent explosiveness and strength, Turner has the makings of a future Pro Bowler and the Rams could use one of those pretty badly on defense.
CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
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Three months ago, no one would have thought Mitchell would be on a list of trade-up targets for the Rams. However, he shined at the Senior Bowl and has seen his stock rise ever since, to the point where many analysts have him as their top cornerback in the class.
The good thing about Mitchell is he’s not expected to go in the first 10 picks so a move up for him would probably be pretty modest. The Colts and Jaguars at 15 and 17, respectively, are both teams that could take a cornerback in the first round so the Rams would have to worry about them selecting Mitchell, but a move to 14 or 16 would be possible if Los Angeles wants him badly enough.
Obviously, the additions of Tre’Davious White and Darious Williams in free agency help lessen the need for the Rams to draft a cornerback early, but White is on a one-year deal and the Rams don’t exactly have a surefire starter behind Williams for 2025 and beyond.
Mitchell is sticky in man coverage and has an outstanding combination of speed and ball skills, which should make him a quality starter at the next level.
OLB Jared Verse, Florida State
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Similar to Turner, Verse is one of the better pass-rusher prospects in the class. He’s got an impressive ability to convert speed to power on the edge, while also displaying the skills to get upfield and bend around the tackle to force the quarterback to step up in the pocket.
Verse isn’t expected to go as early as Turner, so the Rams probably wouldn’t need to trade into the top 10 to get him. In fact, it’s possible they won’t have to trade up at all if there’s an early run on offensive players that causes defenders to slip. But he should be someone that’s high on their wish list and if he gets into the teens, Les Snead might have to consider going up to get him.
A tandem of Verse and Byron Young would give the Rams something to build around with Aaron Donald gone, helping provide some much-needed pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
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2024 NFL draft: 5 potential trade-up targets for Rams in 1st round - Rams Wire
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