To free up cap space, the Los Angeles Rams traded Jalen Ramsey and cut Leonard Floyd. The defense is in pretty bad shape without both of them as well as Bobby Wagner, but the Rams wanted to clear money off the books and were able to acquire a draft pick in the process by moving Ramsey.
The Rams will use their draft capital to find potential replacements for Ramsey and Floyd as they try to rebuild the defense around Aaron Donald. In Pro Football Focus’ latest mock draft, they do just that. At No. 36 overall, the Rams select LSU edge rusher BJ Ozulari, a talented defender who could make an impact on Day 1 for Los Angeles.
The Rams badly need pass-rush help after cutting Floyd, and Ojulari will have a legitimate chance to start immediately.
In Round 3, the Rams picked BYU offensive tackle Blake Freeland and Syracuse cornerback Garrett Williams at No. 69 overall. After reorganizing Joe Noteboom’s contract, it seems unlikely that the Rams will move on from him as their left tackle, so Freeland may not have a clear path to the starting role just yet. But he would add valuable depth and could be a Year 2 starter.
Williams has been linked with the pick he received in the Ramsey deal, which seems reasonable. He’s not a physical defensive back like Ramsey, but Williams is very good in coverage and allowed only 14 receptions in seven games last season.
This would be a good start for the Rams in the draft, filling two of their biggest needs.
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