2017 NFL Draft: Los Angeles Rams final grade
By John Buhler
Fourth Round
Josh Reynolds
Wide Receiver, Texas A&M Aggies
One receiver wasn’t enough for the Rams in the 2017 NFL Draft. They seem to have gotten a good value pick in Texas A&M Aggies wideout Josh Reynolds at No. 117. He is the type of wide receiver that can line up anywhere. Reynolds may drop some balls, but gives the Rams a semi-vertical threat they wouldn’t have otherwise.
Samson Ebukam
Linebacker, Eastern Washington Eagles
The front-seven is the strength of the Rams. Though they had other holes to fill, perhaps using the No. 125 pick on Eastern Washington linebacker Samson Ebukam could help bring some competition to the best area of the Rams defense. This wasn’t a deep inside linebacker draft, so the Rams got what the NFL Draft gave them.
Sixth Round
Tanzel Smart
Defensive Tackle, Tulane Green Wave
As it was with the Ebukam pick in the fourth round, the Rams opted to bring in depth for the sake of competition at defensive tackle. They used the No. 189 pick on Tulane Green Wave defensive tackle Tanzel Smart. Of all the picks the Rams made, this one has the most value. Smart can play.
Sam Rogers
Fullback, Virginia Tech Hokies
By bring LaFleur to Los Angeles, we should have expect the former Atlanta Falcons quarterbacks coach to use a fullback in his offensive scheme. Using the No. 206 pick on Virginia Tech’s Sam Rogers might have been a reach, but he will be a versatile player on Sundays for the Rams going forward.
Seventh Round
Ejuan Price
Outside Linebacker, Pittsburgh Panthers
Anything the Rams did in the seventh round would be an added bonus. This team used its eighth 2017 NFL Draft pick on Pittsburgh Panthers outside linebacker Ejuan Price. He may not make the roster, but could be a player Phillips can mold in his defense on the practice squad.
Next: 2017 NFL Draft instant grades
Overall, this was not a sexy draft for the Rams, but it yielded a good deal of productive players. It’s obvious that a new coaching staff is in town, as almost none of these players would have been selected by Jeff Fisher’s group. Everett, Kupp and Reynolds make the Rams passing game better. Despite not having a first-round pick, Los Angeles came out the draft better than most teams.