2019 NFL Draft: Los Angeles Rams 7-round mock
By Joe Romano
Round 1 – Pick 31
Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame
Los Angeles is in a tough spot for their first round pick. In no order the team’s biggest needs are at edge rusher, corner, linebacker, defensive tackle and offensive tackle. A run on edge defenders leave the cupboard bare at the second to last pick of the first round. This linebacker class offers little value in the 20-50 range if both Devins go top-15 as expected. Even at cornerback where this is considered a sweet spot, it’s hard to peg any of the select players into a slot. In this mock draft the best corner available was Temple’s Rock Ya-Sin.
In my eyes Notre Dame defensive tackle Jerry Tillery would provide more value for this team than Ya-Sin or any remaining corners on the board. Tillery could be a direct replacement for Ndamukong Suh. Like a young Suh, Tillery is a gap penetrating, pass rushing defensive tackle. He came on strong in his final season for the Irish and even runs hot and cold like the guy he’d take over for. His testing was off the charts and points to someone who has plenty of potential. Tillery would fit the window that the Rams have by coming in and providing an immediate upgrade. The Rams defense has excelled with up the middle pressure and Tillery is one of the best in the draft at that.
This is also a sneaky spot for an offensive lineman. The Rams may not value the interior as much but Boston College’s Chris Lindstrom is a player to keep an eye on. At tackle Kansas State Dalton Risner would make a ton of sense. He could start his career inside before bumping out to tackle to fill in for Andrew Whitworth. In the end, Tillery’s value beat out both of those offensive lineman.