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Los Angeles Rams' 2017 draft picks: Analysis for every selection
Alden Gonzalez breaks down the Los Angeles Rams' 2017 draft class.
Round 2, No. 44 overall: Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama
Rds. 4-7: Saturday, noon, ESPN/ESPN App
My take: The Rams traded down from 37th overall with the Bills in order to gain an additional third-round pick. This pick fills their biggest immediate need, especially when you consider just how crucial tight ends are for new coach Sean McVay. No team received more yards out of the tight end position than McVay's Redskins last season, and his hope is Everett develops into his new Jordan Reed. Everett, at 6-foot-3 and 239 pounds, was a four-year starter who bounced around in college and didn't begin playing football until his senior year of high school. Over his past two years at South Alabama, he caught 90 passes for 1,292 yards and 12 touchdowns, being named All-Sun Belt Conference each season. Everett brings speed, athleticism and ball skills that make him a mismatch against linebackers and safeties. He needs to improve as a blocker, but he can be an immediate weapon for franchise quarterback Jared Goff.
How he fits: Everett joins Tyler Higbee, a fourth-round pick last year, to give the Rams two young pass-catching tight ends who can line up on the outside. This position became a major need after the Rams cut ties with veteran Lance Kendricks earlier this offseason. Their three pass-catching tight ends -- Everett, Higbee and Temarrick Hemingway, a sixth-round pick last year -- have combined for 11 NFL receptions but will get a chance to prove themselves immediately. The Rams have finished last in the NFL in yards each of the past two seasons. They need more talent at receiver, but Tavon Austin signed a long-term extension last year, Robert Woods was signed in free agency, and Pharoh Cooper was a fourth-round pick in 2016.
Round 3, No. 69: Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington
My take: The Rams got another weapon for Goff with Kupp, a possession receiver who set 15 FCS records in college. Kupp, 6-2 and 204 pounds, finished his career with 428 catches, 73 touchdowns and 6,464 yards, more than any collegiate receiver at any level. Kupp was the FCS Offensive Player of the Year each of the past two years. He isn’t necessarily explosive -- as evidenced by a 4.62 40-yard dash and a 31-inch vertical leap -- but he is a reliable pass-catcher with soft hands. It’s a great fit for Goff, who would benefit from a security blanket on those in-breaking routes that McVay loves to run. Kupp is expected to be ready to contribute right away, which the Rams, devoid of impact receivers for about a decade, desperately need.
How he fits: It’s no secret that the Rams badly needed more weapons for Goff. And they got them with their first two picks, first with an explosive tight end and then with a reliable receiver. The Rams now have two tight ends, Everett and Higbee, who can line up on the outside and beat teams down the field. Their top four receivers -- Austin, Woods, Cooper and Kupp -- are better at short-to-intermediate routes. But the Rams are also hopeful that Austin, who boasts blazing speed, can develop into a vertical deep threat, a la DeSean Jackson.
Round 3, No. 91 overall: John Johnson, S, Boston College
My take: Johnson has good instincts in coverage, and you can’t have enough of those guys in such a pass-happy league. He has solid ball skills and soft hands, with an ability to produce interceptions and has experience as both a free safety and a slot corner. Johnson had three interceptions in each of his last two years with the Eagles and really improved his stock as a senior, adding 77 tackles and nine pass breakups, then impressing at the Senior Bowl. At 6-0, 208 pounds, he’s athletic and fluid for the position, but needs to improve on his routes to the ball and his physicality as a tackler.
How he fits: The Rams’ two starting safeties -- Maurice Alexander and Lamarcus Joyner, who is transitioning from slot corner -- are slated to be unrestricted free agents next offseason. So is their most experienced backup, Cody Davis. The Rams needed to address depth in their secondary with this draft, and Johnson potentially gives it to them at two different positions (Trumaine Johnson, E.J. Gaines and Nickell Robey-Coleman are the Rams’ looming free agents at cornerback). Johnson also excelled as a special-teams gunner and can help the Rams there, too.
What’s next: The Rams will follow with five picks on Saturday, two of which will come in the fourth round. They addressed their most glaring needs in the second and third round, but have several others throughout their roster. The Rams would like to find a young center they can mold and also need to add depth at linebacker now that they're converting to a 3-4 scheme. They also need all the receivers and defensive backs they can get.
Alden Gonzalez breaks down the Los Angeles Rams' 2017 draft class.
Round 2, No. 44 overall: Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama
Rds. 4-7: Saturday, noon, ESPN/ESPN App
My take: The Rams traded down from 37th overall with the Bills in order to gain an additional third-round pick. This pick fills their biggest immediate need, especially when you consider just how crucial tight ends are for new coach Sean McVay. No team received more yards out of the tight end position than McVay's Redskins last season, and his hope is Everett develops into his new Jordan Reed. Everett, at 6-foot-3 and 239 pounds, was a four-year starter who bounced around in college and didn't begin playing football until his senior year of high school. Over his past two years at South Alabama, he caught 90 passes for 1,292 yards and 12 touchdowns, being named All-Sun Belt Conference each season. Everett brings speed, athleticism and ball skills that make him a mismatch against linebackers and safeties. He needs to improve as a blocker, but he can be an immediate weapon for franchise quarterback Jared Goff.
How he fits: Everett joins Tyler Higbee, a fourth-round pick last year, to give the Rams two young pass-catching tight ends who can line up on the outside. This position became a major need after the Rams cut ties with veteran Lance Kendricks earlier this offseason. Their three pass-catching tight ends -- Everett, Higbee and Temarrick Hemingway, a sixth-round pick last year -- have combined for 11 NFL receptions but will get a chance to prove themselves immediately. The Rams have finished last in the NFL in yards each of the past two seasons. They need more talent at receiver, but Tavon Austin signed a long-term extension last year, Robert Woods was signed in free agency, and Pharoh Cooper was a fourth-round pick in 2016.
Round 3, No. 69: Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington
My take: The Rams got another weapon for Goff with Kupp, a possession receiver who set 15 FCS records in college. Kupp, 6-2 and 204 pounds, finished his career with 428 catches, 73 touchdowns and 6,464 yards, more than any collegiate receiver at any level. Kupp was the FCS Offensive Player of the Year each of the past two years. He isn’t necessarily explosive -- as evidenced by a 4.62 40-yard dash and a 31-inch vertical leap -- but he is a reliable pass-catcher with soft hands. It’s a great fit for Goff, who would benefit from a security blanket on those in-breaking routes that McVay loves to run. Kupp is expected to be ready to contribute right away, which the Rams, devoid of impact receivers for about a decade, desperately need.
How he fits: It’s no secret that the Rams badly needed more weapons for Goff. And they got them with their first two picks, first with an explosive tight end and then with a reliable receiver. The Rams now have two tight ends, Everett and Higbee, who can line up on the outside and beat teams down the field. Their top four receivers -- Austin, Woods, Cooper and Kupp -- are better at short-to-intermediate routes. But the Rams are also hopeful that Austin, who boasts blazing speed, can develop into a vertical deep threat, a la DeSean Jackson.
Round 3, No. 91 overall: John Johnson, S, Boston College
My take: Johnson has good instincts in coverage, and you can’t have enough of those guys in such a pass-happy league. He has solid ball skills and soft hands, with an ability to produce interceptions and has experience as both a free safety and a slot corner. Johnson had three interceptions in each of his last two years with the Eagles and really improved his stock as a senior, adding 77 tackles and nine pass breakups, then impressing at the Senior Bowl. At 6-0, 208 pounds, he’s athletic and fluid for the position, but needs to improve on his routes to the ball and his physicality as a tackler.
How he fits: The Rams’ two starting safeties -- Maurice Alexander and Lamarcus Joyner, who is transitioning from slot corner -- are slated to be unrestricted free agents next offseason. So is their most experienced backup, Cody Davis. The Rams needed to address depth in their secondary with this draft, and Johnson potentially gives it to them at two different positions (Trumaine Johnson, E.J. Gaines and Nickell Robey-Coleman are the Rams’ looming free agents at cornerback). Johnson also excelled as a special-teams gunner and can help the Rams there, too.
What’s next: The Rams will follow with five picks on Saturday, two of which will come in the fourth round. They addressed their most glaring needs in the second and third round, but have several others throughout their roster. The Rams would like to find a young center they can mold and also need to add depth at linebacker now that they're converting to a 3-4 scheme. They also need all the receivers and defensive backs they can get.
