Los Angeles Rams Rookies Forecast

By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell

Solid Starter

Joseph Noteboom, OT, TCU – Round 3
The Rams had a long-term need at offensive tackle, so it wasn’t surprising that they used their first selection in the 2018 NFL Draft on getting some edge protection for Jared Goff. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth is aging and probably only has one or two more years in his career. Right tackle Rob Havenstein is in the last year of his contract as well. Thus, taking a tackle in the third round who could be developed into a replacement at left or right tackle made a lot of sense for Los Angeles.

For the NFL, Noteboom could compete at left or right tackle. The 6-foot-5, 306-pounder has versatile size, which could let him move inside to guard. With his 34-inch arms, he has the length to survive on the edge or kick inside. Noteboom is not overly strong or athletic, but he is a quality player who has enough versatility to work his way into a starting role. After backing up for a season, Noteboom could be the Rams’ starter at one of their tackle positions or competing on the inside at guard. He has the potential to be a solid starter.

2017: Cooper Kupp, WR
2016: Pharoh Cooper, WR
2015: Jamon Brown, G
2014: Aaron Donald, DT
2013: Stedman Baily, WR

Most Likely To Bust

Brian Allen, C, Michigan State – Round 4
Every year in the NFL Draft, there seem to be some picks by Rams general manager Les Snead that I absolutely love and then some picks that I think are awful. The pick of Allen reminds me of some other Snead busts who I really disliked at the time in Isaiah Pead and Brian Quick. None of those players deserved to go as high as Snead took them, and I think there is a real chance of Allen being a bust from the 2018 NFL Draft class.

Sources at other teams told me they graded Allen as a very late-round pick or undrafted free agent. They like Allen because he is a tough player who plays with a salty demeanor and is a physical blocker. He is 6-foot-1, 298 pounds, however, and there are very few centers who can stick in the NFL at that size. Allen also will struggle to get any movement against NFL defensive linemen and has problems with odd fronts. He was a good college player, but has limitations that could prevent him from translating to the NFL.

The Rams and Snead are betting Allen to be the exception and overcome his lack of height and length. Los Angeles needs a long-term starting center for its offensive line and selected Allen to be that player. However, I think Allen is could easily be like Pead or Quick and not translate to the NFL.

2017: John Johnson, S
2016: Jared Goff, QB
2015: Rob Havenstein, OT
2014: Tre Mason, RB
2013: T.J. McDonald, S

Potential Boom Pick

Micah Kiser, LB, Virginia – Round 5
This was a difficult choice because the Rams were without picks in the first or second round, so choosing a mid-round pick with boom potential was not easy. I chose Kiser because it wouldn’t shock me if he is an overachiever in the NFL and ends up becoming a player who overcomes some of his limitations. That was the case in college, when Kiser was able to be a very productive player for Virginia and a team leader.

Kiser amassed 145 tackles in 2017 after recording 134 tackles as a junior and 117 as a sophomore. He also totaled 19 sacks over those three seasons, showing a lot of ability to rush the passer from up the middle. The 6-foot, 236-pounder has speed and pass-coverage limitations, but he has good instincts and is a tough run defender. Kiser could improve his cover skills with NFL coaching, and if he does, then he could be a three-down starter who really helps his team in run defense with a physical presence as an inside linebacker.

The Rams traded away Alec Ogletree this offseason and did not replace Ogletree with an established starter. Kiser could end up being an overachiever with his good instincts, strength, leadership, run defense, and blitzing ability. Of the Rams’ mid-round picks, I think Kiser could present the most boom potential.

2017: Gerald Everett, TE
2016: Mike Thomas, WR
2015: Todd Gurley, RB
2014: Greg Robinson, OT
2013: Tavon Austin, WR

Future Depth Player

Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, LB, Oklahoma – Round 5
The 6-foot-1, 243-pounder might not have size to hold up as a run defender and become a three-down starter in the NFL. However, Okoronkwo has speed off the edge and could be a designated pass-rusher who enters the game in obvious passing situations. In speaking with a director of college scouting, they said they think that Okoronkwo is fast and explosive to rush the passer, but is tight. He gets covered by length and mass on the edge with offensive tackles, and that will be a bigger issue in the NFL. They think that Okoronkwo could be a hybrid inside and outside linebacker for the NFL. They graded Okoronkwo as a fourth- or fifth-rounder, so he was a quality value for Los Angeles in the fifth round. Even though he may not be a starter, Okoronkwo should be a good contributor as a rotational pass-rusher for the Rams.

2017: Josh Reynolds, WR
2016: Josh Forrest, LB
2015: Sean Mannion, QB
2014: E.J. Gaines, CB
2013: Zac Stacy, RB

Walt’s 2018 NFL Draft Grades:

87. Joseph Noteboom, OT, TCU B+ Grade
This is a solid, logical pick. The Rams wanted to find an heir for Andrew Whitworth, and Joseph Noteboom has the potential to one day become a starting blind-side protector. Noteboom has solid athleticism, but needs to improve his strength to be a better linebacker. He’ll be able to sit for a couple of years.

111. Brian Allen, C, Michigan State C- Grade
The Rams needed a center for the future, but there were some better prospects available at the position. Allen seemed like a late-round prospect to me. I don’t hate taking him here, but the Rams may have been able to get him a round later.

135. John Franklin-Myers, DE, Stephen F. Austin D Grade
The Rams reach once again. John Franklin-Myers is at least a draftable prospect, but a questionable one at that. He was a seventh-round prospect at best, but he at least fills a big need.

147. Micah Kiser, LB, Virginia B+ Grade
I had Micah Kiser slotted to the Rams in this same exact spot (except, 11 picks earlier, since they didn’t have this selection originally.) I thought it made a lot of sense because the Rams needed help at linebacker in the wake of the Alec Ogletree departure, and Kiser is a late-fourth, early-fifth prospect.

160. Ogbo Okoronkwo, DE, Oklahoma A Grade
I should note very quickly that the Rams just traded Tavon Austin to the Cowboys. I’ll have a grade on that after the draft. As for this pick, I love this a lot more than the Rams’ earlier selections. I think Ogbo Okoronkwo could have gone in the third round, or definitely the fourth frame. He fills a huge need on the edge with Robert Quinn gone.

176. John Kelly, RB, Tennessee B Grade
The Rams were looking to provide better depth behind Todd Gurley, and John Kelly has the potential to be the No. 2 back as soon as 2018. Kelly has some off-the-field concerns, but the Rams have thrived with those sorts of players in the past.

192. Jamil Demby, G, Maine B+ Grade
Jamil Demby is one of the least-athletic players in the NFL, but he has strength and could push for a starting job in a couple of years if he sticks around. I had Demby late in the fifth round, so the Rams are getting some solid value with him.

195. Sebastian Joseph, DT, Rutgers C- Grade
Like a typical spider, the Rams have used lots of reach in the draft. This is another player they took too early, as Sebastian Joseph was a UDFA prospect. With all the defensive line talent the Rams have, I’m not convinced he makes the final roster.

205. Trevon Young, DE/OLB, Louisville B Grade
Trevon Young was very disappointing in 2017, though that could have been attributed to an injury. There have been lots of excuses made for Young’s inability to live up to his potential, but perhaps the Rams will get something out of him. Late in the sixth, they could’ve done worse.

231. Travin Howard, LB, TCU C Grade
Travin Howard was productive at TCU prior to the second half of 2017, but had some injury problems this past season. I can’t imagine Howard being anything much beyond a special-teamer. He’s a safety/linebacker tweener otherwise.

244. Justin Lawler, DE, SMU B- Grade
Justin Lawler has nice size for an edge rusher (6-4, 264) but his testing numbers were atrocious at his pro day, as he ran slower than five seconds in the 40. Lawler was productive at SMU, but he’s just too limited athletically.

2018 NFL Draft Team Grade: B- . Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

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