NFL Draft grades: Los Angeles Rams play it safe, fill critical needs on defense

Charles McDonald

This was a safe, logical draft for the Rams, which makes sense for where they are now. They beefed up their defensive line, added a quality back and also a much-needed safety within the top 100 picks. There isn’t a lot of big upside here, but most of these players should have high floors for the NFL. It’s hard to see this draft class failing for the Rams, but they might not have true star power here.

Great pickup for the Rams. They needed to continue to add talent to their defensive line and get a proven, productive pass rusher in Verse who has a lot of experience.

It’s hard to project how so many of these older prospects will fare in the NFL, but Fiske feels risky — especially for a trade-up. Fiske transferred to Florida State for his fifth year in college, where he was productive for the Seminoles. With his 4.7 40-yard dash, it's not difficult to see why teams wanted to draft Fiske. Still, this is uncharted territory in terms of the age of these players and how they project. Fiske could stand to gain more weight, but there’s no doubting his movement skills.

RRound 1, Pick 19: Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State
Round 2, Pick 39: Braden Fiske, DL, Florida State
Round 3, Pick 83: Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
Round 3, Pick 99: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami
Round 5, Pick 154: Brennan Jackson, LB, Washington State
Round 6, Pick 196: Tyler Davis, DL, Clemson
Round 6, Pick 209: Joshua Karty, K, Stanford
Round 6, Pick 213: Jordan Whittington, WR, Texas
Round 6, Pick 217: Beaux Limmer, OL, Arkansas
Round 7, Pick 254: KT Leveston, OL, Kansas State

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