2018 NFL Mock Draft: Browns land Baker Mayfield

RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 04: North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive end Bradley Chubb (9) enters the field before the game between the Clemson Tigers and the NC State Wolfpack on November 04, 2017 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 02: Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Ward (12) celebrates a pass breakup during the Big 10 Championship game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Ohio State Buckeyes on December 2, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Ohio State. Denzel Ward. 23. player. 51. . CB

The Los Angeles Rams were one of the best stories in football last season and now the focus turns to keeping their stellar momentum going heading into next season.

With Trumaine Johnson scheduled to hit the free agent market, Sean McVay could opt to hedge the position by picking up talented Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward with their first-round selection.

Following the departure of 2017 first-rounders Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley to the NFL, Ward quickly made a name for himself in a talented Buckeyes secondary. Despite logging just two interceptions in his Ohio State career, Ward will more than likely hear his name called in the first round as yet another ultra-athletic OSU defensive back. Ward doesn’t play a physical press game, relying instead on his outstanding speed and footwork to shut down opposing wide receivers.

The impeding contract extension negotiations for defensive tackle Aaron Donald also figure to have a large impact on the outcome of this draft for the Rams but they would be more than happy with adding a talent like Ward’s at the end of the first round. Adding yet another piece to their defensive puzzle, the Rams could once again find themselves looking down at the rest of the NFC West in 2018.

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