Los Angeles Rams 2017 NFL Draft retrospective

How should the Los Angeles Rams feel about their 2017 NFL Draft class after three years? We take a deep dive into it.

The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2017 NFL Draft buoyed with high hopes of turning the corner. The team had drafted its franchise quarterback Jared Goff, parted ways with head coach Jeff Fisher, and hired young head coach Sean McVay. They needed help at offensive tackle, pass rusher and cornerback. They signed veteran Andrew Whitworth to start at left tackle and planned to add players who fit the new schemes of head coach Sean McVay and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. McVay wanted more weapons, while Phillips wanted to run a 3-4 defense.

The Rams were active traders with their draft picks. The highlight occurred when the Rams packaged their second- and fifth-round picks (Nos. 37 and 149) to the Buffalo Bills for their second- and third-round picks (Nos. 44 and 91). The Rams used the Bills picks to add tight end Everett and safety John Johnson, both of whom have contributed to the team.

Original Grade

FanSided: B+

"“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.” — John Buhler"

Draft Class

Round 2 (No. 44)

CURRENT TEAM: Los Angeles Rams

Fans had hoped for a sexy selection with the Rams’ first selection of the 2017 NFL Draft, but had to settle for a well respected tight end here. The Rams traded back from pick No. 37 to land here, and picked up a key piece to McVay’s offensive philosophy. McVay used tight ends in the passing game extensively during his time at the Washington Redskins, so Everett was a solid fit in his new offensive scheme.

Since arriving on the team, Everett has been slowly improving his production. In 2019, teammate TE Tyler Higbee had a breakout year, which could limit Everett’s playing time going forward. Still, Everett fit the niche of McVay’s offense, a pass-catching tight end who delivered modest production. Of course, the Rams missed an opportunity to draft TE George Kittle, who was still on the board.

Round 3 (No. 69)

CURRENT TEAM: Los Angeles Rams

While fans remained hopeful for a bookend tackle, the Rams once more aimed at an offensive skill player, this time choosing an undervalued WR in Cooper Kupp. Kupp played at Eastern Washington, but competed regularly against Pac-12 schools where he continued to put on a clinic. Despite a season-ending ACL injury that cut his 2018 season short, Kupp has averaged nearly 900 yards and 7 TDs per year in his three-year career.

Cooper Kupp is definitely the poster child for the Rams’ 2017 NFL Draft class. Fans loved the pick then and love it even more now. He was well known and respected throughout the Pacific time zone, and has not disappointed in the least. Kupp was the offensive leader in 2019 with 1,161 yards receiving with 10 touchdowns, and his upside promises better things to come. He was the perfect receiver for McVay’s scheme and remains so today.

Round 3 (No. 91)

CURRENT TEAM: Los Angeles Rams

The Rams needed help in the defensive backfield in 2017 and found it in the most unusual way. Despite a cornerback-rich draft, the Rams selected a solid safety in John Johnson. He assumed a very versatile role for defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Playing near the line of scrimmage, he fills the role of a linebacker, free safety or strong safety. Much like Kupp, his play was interrupted with an untimely injury in 2019. However, he is projected to return to full health in 2020, and will likely resume a starting role for the team at safety.

Round 4 (No. 117)

CURRENT TEAM: Los Angeles Rams

Reynolds became the second receiver added in the draft, and he brought a new set of skills to the team. Standing 6-foot-3 and blessed with speed, Reynolds was projected to be a “stretch-the-field” receiver whose height would give Goff a large target downfield. While he has been a consistent contributor on offense, but the Rams’ trade for Brandin Cooks stunted Reynolds’ development in the offense somewhat. Still, Cooks’ health calls his future with the Rams into question, and Reynolds is still capable of fulfilling the role of a starting receiver on this offense.

Round 4 (No. 125)

CURRENT TEAM: Los Angeles Rams

The Rams needed help on pass-rushing, and Samson Ebukam filled that need for a development depth player. So far, Ebukam has played behind the likes of Connor Barwin and Dante Fowler Jr. Each year he has grown more and more into a role as a solid pass rusher for the team, as he was fourth on the team’s sack list. With Fowler slated for free agency this offseason, Ebukam is the heir apparent to assume the starting role for the team. Of course, he is not a standout of the NFL just yet, but if the Rams do not sign a free agent rusher to replace Fowler, the job is Ebukam’s to lose.

Round 6 (No. 189)

CURRENT TEAM: Los Angeles Rams

Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips needed defensive linemen for his rotation, and Tanzel Smart was a good pick late in the draft to fill that need. When the Rams added Ndamukong Suh to the roster, Smart was demoted to the practice squad in 2018. As a result, he learned to adapt to new roles on the defensive line, and in 2019 returned as the backup to standout DT Donald. With a new defensive coordinator in Brandon Staley, Smart has a new opportunity to impress the coaching staff and earn more snaps this season.

Round 6 (No. 206)

CURRENT TEAM: Free Agent

The LA Rams drafted fullback Sam Rogers with the expectation of adding his versatility to the team’s offense. While he was just one of two fullbacks drafted in 2017, he projected to block for feature back Todd Gurley as well as be a check-down receiver. Rogers was unable to earn a spot on the Rams’ 53-man roster. He did land on the practice squad for 2017 but was finally released in 2018.

Round 7 (No. 234)

CURRENT TEAM: Free Agent

The Rams doubled up on their search for an edge rusher by choosing an outside linebacker Ejuan Price at pick No. 234. Price was injured twice but finished his NCAA career strong. He landed on the practice squad for 2017 and was finally released in 2018.

Retrospective Grade

Bottom Line: Few truly understood what the Rams had planned for the 2017 season, as the team had brought on a brand new coaching staff under head coach Sean McVay. Despite no first-round pick, the Rams converted eight day-two and three picks into two good starters, two role players and two depth players who may earn starting roles this season.

The Rams’ top pick of this class is wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who is a standout in the NFL entering just his fourth season. But they may be even more grateful for Samson Ebukam and Tanzel Smart, as both may be called into starting roles if the team is unable to re-sign Dante Fowler Jr. and Michael Brockers this offseason. The 2017 NFL Draft added immediate starters, but also young players who have developed over the past two seasons and are now poised to compete for starting roles.

by Bret Stuter

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