Well Versed! With their first first-round pick since selecting Jared Goff number one overall in 2016, the Rams went back to Jared’s, selecting DE Jared Verse from FSU. Verse was mocked as a top 10-15 pick but the record breaking number of offensive players to start the draft dropped several defensive players that benefitted Los Angeles. GM Les Snead and HC Sean McVay did an excellent job working their draft board and made trades to get players they coveted. Let’s look at the team’s picks and how those picks could help the Rams. The number in parenthesis is the overall pick number.

ROUND 1, PICK 19 (19): DE Jared Verse (FSU) was my dream selection and I thought there was zero chance he would be available. With Aaron Donald retiring, Los Angeles needed to address the defense and Verse should help immediately. He has the physical skills, technique, and work ethic to be a day one starter and future Pro Bowler.

ROUND 2, PICK 07 (39): DT Braden Fiske (FSU) was Verse’s FSU teammate and will pair with Jared to give the Rams two explosive defensive players. Los Angeles moved up from 52 to 39 to select Fiske and it cost them a 2024 fifth round pick (155) and their 2025 second round pick. In my pre-draft report last month, I had Verse and Fiske as my dream top two picks and I am excited to see them perform for the Rams.

ROUND 3, PICK 19 (83): RB Blake Corum (Michigan) is a very similar player to current Ram star RB Kyren Williams and will provide depth for the Rams. Corum is a National Champion and a hardworking, high character player who will fit into the Ram’s culture. I had mentioned in my pre-draft report that the Rams could take a swing for a running back in this round but I did not think they would have taken Corum. I am optimistic that Blake can help the Rams but I am a little disappointed as this pick means RB Zach Evans probably moves down the depth chart; however, it might be RB Ronnie Rivers who is most affected by this pick.

ROUND 3, PICK 36 (99): DB Kamren Kinchens (Miami) is a very good football player that would have been selected much higher if not for a 4.65 40 time at the combine. In last month’s report I hoped Los Angeles would draft Kinchens so they could start two safeties named Kamren but also because he can help this team. This was an excellent pick and I think Kinchens helps fill the void left by the departure of Jordan Fuller.

ROUND 5, PICK 19 (154): LB Brennan Jackson (Washington State) is hard working high energy player who will add to the pass rush. Brennan is another good character player with a high football IQ. With Young and Hoecht returning and Verse expected to start from day one, Jackson will be counted on to provide depth for the defense and contribute on special teams.

ROUND 6, PICK 20 (196): DT Tyler Davis (Clemson) is another player that the Rams are hoping helps fill the void left when Aaron Donald retired. Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, and Bobby Brown III should be the starters on the D-line with Davis competing for playing time.

ROUND 6, PICK 33 (209): PK Joshua Karty (Stanford) is one of the top rated kickers in this draft and will hopefully stabilize the kicking game. In my pre-draft report, I had Los Angeles taking a kicker in round five so getting a top-notch kicker late in the sixth round is very good value for the team.

ROUND 6, PICK 37 (213): WR Jordan Whittington (Texas) is a solid football player and great teammate according to reports from his school and teammates. Stud receiver and first round pick Rome Odunze was asked on a podcast who he thought would be successful as a professional and he chose Jordan so that says a lot about the Ram’s pick. I think Jordan contributes on special teams immediately and could eventually help the offense. Los Angeles just traded Ben Skowronek to the Houston Texans so that means they have definite plans for Whittington. Jordan could be a great steal for the Rams.

ROUND 6, PICK 41 (217): OL Beaux Limmer (Arkansas) is a center who can also play guard and he has potential to develop into a good backup. Limmer tested well at the combine and is a good pick at this stage of the draft.

ROUND 7, PICK 34 (254): OL Kt Leveston (Kansas State) has good size and played tackle in college but he might be better suited to play guard at the pro level. Hopefully Leveston can be a swing tackle for Los Angeles. I thought the Rams would take a tackle at some point in this draft and they waited until their last pick, which could turn out to be great value.

Following a successful 2023 draft that netted five starters, GM Les Snead and HC Sean McVay did another great job in 2024. With ten picks, Los Angeles added 3-4 more starters starting with McVay’s first first-round pick DE Jared Verse. My favorite move of the Ram’s draft was trading up in the second round to take Verse’s FSU teammate DT Braden Fiske. I also loved getting DB Kamren Kinchens in the third round and PK Joshua Karty in the sixth. RB Blake Corum was an interesting pick that should help the Rams but muddle up Fantasy teams. Overall, it was a very good draft with Los Angeles adding highly talented players to fill positions of need. The Rams did not select a linebacker as I thought they would but they signed undrafted free agent LB Omar Speights from LSU so hopefully he is a sleeper. Hope you enjoyed the draft and please check out my book "Where do YOU want to go?" available online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and WestBowPress.com. Love and blessings to my family. Miss you Pops and Scratch! Aloha!

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