On Thursday morning it was announced that the Los Angeles traded their 15th, 33rd, 43rd, 45th, 64th and 76th overall selections, as well as a first and third round selection in 2017 to the Tennessee Titans for the 113th, 177th, and number one overall selections in this year’s draft.
While this trade could become incredibly polarizing, the one thing on every NFL fan’s mind is, “Just who are the Rams taking with that first overall pick?”
Let’s go from least to most likely, as I scope out just who the Rams could take with this year’s first overall selection.
Joey Bosa, Defensive End, Ohio State: While the Rams are almost certainly going to go quarterback, it’d be silly to rule out every possibility for this list.
Bosa being on Los Angeles’ radar wouldn’t be a surprise.
A defensive end at Ohio State, the former Buckeye is a prototypical 4-3 defensive end who’s turned heads since his freshman year, compiling 51.0 tackles for loss and 26.0 sacks in his college career. Being able to put a halt to both any run or passing game, Bosa will come into the NFL as one of the best young edge rushers.
Fisher’s Rams have been solidified by one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. Robert Quinn, Nick Fairley, Aaron Donald, Chris Long, William Hayes, and Michael Brockers were a tremendous rotation last season in St. Louis. Next season will appear to be different though, as Long and Fairley have moved on to new teams this offseason.
Putting Bosa on the line would be nice, but it looks like 2016 will finally show the rise of Hayes, so don’t expect Bosa to be donning a set of horns next year.
Myles Jack, Outer Linebacker, UCLA No, I don’t think a Los Angeles selection of Jack is realistic at the number one spot, but that doesn’t mean the idea is nonsensical.
After suffering a season-ending knee injury early in 2015, Jack began his rehab process and declared for the draft shortly after. One of the draft’s best athlete, Jack managed to showcase incredible feats of strength and speed in his 2014 freshman campaign, playing both running back and linebacker for the Bruins.
Los Angeles would drive fans insane if they went with a position other than quarterback, but being without a middle linebacker in the heart of their 4-3 scheme, the thought of Jack leading Los Angeles’ defense from the very heart of isn’t so bad to think about.
Jalen Ramsey, Safety, Florida State: One of the Rams most consistent weak spots is their secondary. Los Angeles has struggled to have a consistently talented set of defensive backs.
A former ACC long jump champion, Ramsey was a track star at Florida State. At 6’1”, 209 lbs., he’s able to serve as a raw talent on the football field, being able to play the line in run support and go man-to-man against the fastest receivers and biggest tight ends.
For the Rams, the addition of a versatile defensive back would be huge. And while the pairing of T.J. McDonald and Ramsey is ideal, at the end of the day, it’s almost certain the Rams won’t pull the trigger.
Carson Wentz, Quarterback, North Dakota State: Now that the Rams have the number one spot in the draft, it’s almost certain they’ll go attempt to end a drought of poor quarterbacks.
A five-time FCS national champion, Wentz’s draft stock rose immensely after a terrific Senior Bowl and an NFL combine which only solidified his senior bowl performance. While leading the North Dakota State offense, Wentz showcased superb abilities to run the ball with power, throw an accurate deep ball, and an innate, unteachable ability in the clutch.
The Rams will have a tough decision come draft day between Jared Goff and Wentz, but if Jeff Fisher wants to mold another strong, multi-faceted quarterback into his offense, Wentz is the one to select.
Jared Goff, Quarterback, California: This is where Los Angeles will have to make its hardest decision. The question isn’t, “Should they go quarterback?,” it’s “Which quarterback should they take?”
Multiple sources, including ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter, have stated that the Rams are leaning towards a selection of Goff at that number one spot. At Cal-Berkley, Goff was the on-field commander of the offense and a prominent talent coming out of high school. At the end of the day, he’s the bona-fide, safest talent and that’s where his appeal shows its best colors.
At the end of the day, the Rams can’t lose. Goff is a local kid who could come in and begin building the offense. Wentz could come in and develop in his first season, but in the end, both have great ceilings.
It’s incredibly hard to tell which way the Rams will go in year one of the Los Angeles regime. Goff and Wentz are each talents in their own right, but the decision between the two is absolutely pivotal to the direction the Rams will go early on.