The 2024 NFL combine is in the books, with general managers, coaches and scouts now going back to the film to watch some of the standout prospects in Indianapolis. With the major pre-draft events now in the rearview mirror, it’s all about meeting with prospects and evaluating their potential.
Experts everywhere released their latest batch of mock drafts following the combine, which means we get a fresh look at who they expect the Rams to take in Round 1. In this roundup, three have them taking Cooper DeJean, three have them taking Laiatu Latu, and the rest feature nine different players.
Touchdown Wire: OT Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State
The Rams bolster their offensive line with a talented tackle-guard prospect in Fuaga.
Draft Wire: C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
Powers-Johnson is viewed as the top center in the draft and while 19 may be rich for that position, he has the potential to be a Pro Bowler for 10 years.
JPJ is the top interior offensive lineman in this draft and an immediate starter for the Rams.
USA TODAY: OLB Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Latu has become a very popular selection for the Rams in mock drafts, knowing their desperate need for more pass-rush help.
This will mark their first Round 1 selection since they resumed playing in LA eight years ago. So why not take a local guy, especially one who racked up 35 tackles for loss, 23½ sacks, five forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions in two seasons with the Bruins. Latu was the Pac-12’s defensive player of the year in 2023, when he also earned the Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Award for being the country’s best collegiate defensive end after posting an FBS-best 1.8 TFLs per game. And the Rams need someone else to consistently take advantage of Aaron Donald’s inside mayhem and able to consistently apply pressure off the edge.
PFF: QB Bo Nix, Oregon
It’s really hard to imagine the Rams taking a quarterback at No. 19, given the team’s win-now mentality and their other roster needs. But Nix has been a somewhat popular pick in mock drafts for LA.
I ultimately think Nix – or whoever the fourth quarterback in this class winds up being – comes off the board earlier than this, but the fit here makes so much sense to me.
Nix earned the second-highest PFF grade among quarterbacks in this class. Drafting him (and the highs he brings) and letting him learn behind Matthew Stafford for a year would give him the best chance of success at the next level.
The Athletic: OLB Jared Verse, Florida State
Verse would be a home run pick for the Rams at No. 19, and it’s possible if there’s a run on offensive players early in the draft like there was in The Athletic’s mock.
Two years after missing out on a trade for Brian Burns, the Rams could turn to a different former Seminoles pass rusher. Verse is a power-based defender who competes with the energy that would make him an easy sell in the Rams' war room.
ESPN: CB Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Wiggins was slimmer than expected at 173 pounds, but he ran a 4.29 in the 40-yard dash so he has a ton of speed to burn.
Weighing in at 173 pounds at the combine wasn’t ideal, but running a 4.29 in the 40 sure quieted those concerns quickly. A patient and sudden corner, Wiggins is routinely able to stick with targets in man coverage, and he has good instincts in zone. The Rams’ defense severely lacks building blocks in the secondary, but Wiggins can be an immediate starter.
NFL.com: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma (trade to No. 23)
In this mock, the Rams trade down to No. 23 in a swap with the Texans. Guyton would help solidify the Rams’ offensive line, particularly if they let Alaric Jackson walk in free agency, but might be a better fit at right tackle.
While the Rams have a variety of spots to fill, they also have the projected cap space to attack free agency. The chance to upgrade the left tackle spot in the draft is too good to pass up.
Bleacher Report: OLB Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Latu gets the nod here again and it’s easy to see why. He’s a terrific pass rusher who would help the Rams immediately.
Another strong class will place the Rams right back into legitimate contender status, with the best pure pass-rusher being an ideal pickup with the team’s first opening-round pick since 2016.
CBS Sports: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
DeJean is an outstanding zone cornerback who excels when he has his eyes on the quarterback, which he’d be able to do a bunch in the Rams’ scheme.
The ball-hawking Cooper DeJean is super athletic, and he can line up just about anywhere (and he’s an asset in the return game, too). That versatility and rare athleticism will make him a good fit in L.A.
Sporting News: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Sporting News has the Rams taking DeJean, as well, improving their secondary on Day 1 of the draft.
The Rams could use a unique, versatile cover man and active playmaker in their secondary after hitting on some front-seven talent last year. DeJean makes a lot of sense in Chris Shula’s scheme.
The Draft Network: OLB/DE Darius Robinson, Missouri
Robinson would give the Rams a versatile player along the defensive front. He can stand up and rush off the edge or he can move inside as a defensive end in the Rams’ scheme.
Darius Robinson will continue to help boost this Rams pass rush. Robinson is a unique player that can align in multiple places along the defensive front. He combined with Aaron Donald and Kobie Turner would make for one of the more dominant fronts in the NFL next year.
The Ringer: OT Troy Fautanu, Washington
Fautanu can play either guard or tackle, but on the Rams’ line, he’d probably take over the left tackle spot from Alaric Jackson.
The Rams boosted their offensive line when they took Steve Avila in the second round last year, and they further bolster that group by grabbing Fautanu here. The former Husky is a versatile and athletic offensive lineman who wowed onlookers at the combine last weekend, showing light feet and excellent movement skills in both testing and the on-field portions of the workouts. He's a ready-made starter who can line up at left tackle (next to Avila) and solidify that side of the Rams' line for years to come.
The 33rd Team: OT JC Latham, Alabama
Latham is viewed as a potential top-10 pick, so getting him at No. 19 here would be a great selection for the Rams.
Fit: The Los Angeles Rams have one of the NFL's most explosive offenses, but they need to add more quality offensive linemen. JC Latham could be a potential starter at right tackle, but his best spot might be inside at guard. Regardless, Latham is a lock to be a top-20 pick and would be a massive upgrade for Los Angeles.
Pro Football Network: CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
This is the third mock draft that sends DeJean to the Rams and it’s a natural fit that could become a reality in April.
The Los Angeles Rams need major help in their secondary, and the multi-talented Cooper DeJean would start immediately wherever they decide to plug him in.
We're also told by multiple scouting sources that the injury (fractured fibula) that inhibited him at the 2024 NFL Combine should not drop him much, if at all. He was always thought to be a top-20 pick and still should be.
SB Nation: OLB Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Pairing Latu with Byron Young would give the Rams a dynamic tandem of edge rushers around Aaron Donald and Kobie Turner.
