10 takeaways from the Rams 2024 draft class

Here are our 10 takeaways from the Rams 2024 draft class

The Los Angeles Rams wrapped up the NFL Draft over the weekend with 10 selections that included a first round pick for the first time since 2016. It was a defensive heavy draft with five of the team’s first six selections coming on that side of the ball. Six of the Rams’ selections also participated in the Senior Bowl. Here are my 10 takeaways from the Rams 2024 draft class.

1. First round fell in Rams favor

The Rams came into the draft with needs all over the defensive side of the ball. After losing Aaron Donald, they needed a defensive lineman. They very clearly needed an edge rusher opposite of Byron Young to help the pass rush. The issue was, coming in, there was no guarantee one of the top defensive linemen or edge rushers fell to them at 19.

Little did we know, it would be a historic draft on the offensive side of the ball. The first 14 selections all went to offense. With interest in Brock Bowers, the Rams tried to be one of those 14 teams, but instead were able to sit back and let the defensive talent fall to them. With the 19th overall pick, the Rams had their pick between the top cornerbacks and arguably the top edge rusher. They sided with the edge rusher and ended up with Jared Verse. Despite some potential frustrations in not landing Bowers, it’s hard not to be excited about the player that they did select in Verse.

2. No tackle early shows faith in Alaric Jackson

There was some speculation that the Rams may be interested in a left tackle throughout the draft process. It would have been interested had Amarius Mims or another top tackle fell to them. However, when all was said and done, the Rams not only didn’t take a tackle at 19, but they really didn’t take one at all. Both offensive linemen selected came on day 3 and both Beaux Limmer and KT Leveston should play on the inside.

With that being said, the Rams clearly have confidence in the left tackle room. They have Alaric Jackson who was solid over the back half of the season and Joe Noteboom who should provide some good depth. There are questions at the position beyond 2024 given contract situations, but the Rams showed where they stand at left tackle. Only time will tell if not taking a tackle in one of the best tackle classes in years was the right decision.

3. Rams gave up a lot, but got perfect fit in Braden Fiske

Taking a defensive tackle on day two was very clearly the goal for the Rams front office. However, Ruke Orhorhoro went at pick 35 and Johnny Newton at 36. T’Vondre Sweat then went at pick 38. Within the first six picks on the second round, three defensive tackles went off the board. In order to not miss out on their guy during the run on defensive tackles, the Rams traded up. However, the price to get up from 52 to 39 was a hefty one. The Rams gave up a 2025 second in addition to a fifth round pick to move up 13 spots. According to ESPN’s Seth Walker, it was the most expensive trade in six years.

Now, if Fiske turns out to be a good player, nobody will be talking about the price that the Rams paid to get him. There’s something to be said about having conviction with a pick and getting your guy. Fiske was a great fit which I detailed in my “Snead’s Snacks” series. His get-off and explosiveness was very impressive. The move goes against the status quo of the Rams front office with these types of moves. They’ve typically traded higher draft pricks for proven players. However, Fiske is clearly a player that they like.

4. Blake Corum is a good player, not sure if he was the right pick

It’s important to be clear here. Blake Corum is a good player and at the end of the day, selecting good players during the draft is sort of the point of the process. This isn’t against Corum the player, where he was drafted as he was valued as a third-round pick, or the position as the Rams needed a running back. The issue here is whether or not the Rams needed a running back in the third round.

Just last season, Kyren Williams led the NFL is rushing yards per game. If the Rams were looking for a complement to him or a backup that can help take off some of the load, that seems like a player that can be had on day three. The Sean McVay offense has never been a two running back system. Corum seems to be a potential replacement for Williams in two years when his contract runs out. It’s still worth wondering if that required a third round pick in this draft class.

5. How serious are Matthew Stafford contract issues?

There was some Rams quarterback news during the draft, but it wasn’t due to a player being selected. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Stafford is seeking an adjusted contract with more guaranteed money. This will now be the second consecutive offseason in which Stafford will have some contract drama. Last year, Stafford opposed restructuring his contract.

It’s not likely that this causes any issues between player and organization. Stafford played at a high level last year and, if anything, more guaranteed money over the next two years would imply that the Rams quarterback wants to play out those years. Still, despite having a first round pick for the first time since 2016, it became overshadowed by Stafford’s contract news.

6. Could Michael Hoecht move back to the defensive line?

There are a few things worth mentioning and noting with a few of the Rams defensive picks. As noted by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, new Rams edger rusher Brennan Jackson, “played an edge rusher role in defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding’s 4 -2-5 base scheme.” Jared Verse, “played the “FOX” edge rusher role in defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s 4 -3 base scheme”. Fiske, “lined up primarily over the B-gap in defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s four-man front. Lastly, Tyler Davis, “was a versatile defensive tackle in defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin’s four -man front”. Could the Rams be moving more towards a 4-3 defense under Chris Shula? It’s something to keep an eye on.

The last thing to watch here is whether or not the Rams keep Michael Hoecht at EDGE or if they rotate him more, especially on the defensive line. Jackson seems to be the future Hoecht replacement and by drafting him, a year after the Rams selected three edge rushers, it should give Hoecht more flexibility to go back inside at the 5T. Hoecht may provide more value with his size on running downs and remain in the rotation, but they should have options here.

7. Beaux Limmer was my favorite pick of the draft

Verse and Fiske were two great draft picks to start days one and two. Kamren Kinchens is intriguing as a player that had 11 takeaways over the past two years. That type of play-making ability is something that the secondary has lacked. Corum could even be successful in the Rams’ new running scheme.

However, Beaux Limmer was by favorite pick of the entire draft for the Rams. Snead got great value with Limmer, taking him in the sixth-round as he was valued as a fourth-round pick was a great selection. Limmer is an experienced center and will provide great depth behind Steve Avila. It also gives the Rams some flexibility to move Avila back to left guard if they wish post-Jonah Jackson.

8. Rams finally get their kicker

When Will Reichard went of the board, it seemed obvious that the Rams’ next pick would be a kicker. It’s not just that they took a kicker, but grabbed arguably the best one in the draft. To say Karty was solid at Stanford would be an understatement. Karty is extremely accurate and has a huge leg. It’s very clear the Rams don’t want to be going through what they experienced last year at the position.

9. Surprised Rams didn’t draft a cornerback or linebacker

It’s true that the Rams signed Tre White and Darious Williams in free agency. Still, White is on just a one-year deal and the Rams aren’t locked in when it comes to Williams’ contract. With some good value at the position in the second and third-round, it’s surprising the Rams didn’t draft a cornerback to at least give them a future and some promising youth at the position.

The same can be said about the linebacker position. It’s not surprising they didn’t take a Payton Wilson inside the top-100 as they haven’t drafted a linebacker inside the top-100 since Alec Ogletree in 2013. It’s simply not a position that they value. Still, many expected them to take a linebacker later on in the draft in the fifth or sixth round. Instead, the Rams only signed Omar Speights as an undrafted free agent and will be rolling with both Christian Rozeboom and Jake Hummel.

10. Defense heavy class sets foundation for 2025 run

With how heavily the Rams invested on the defensive side of the ball in this draft — five of their first six picks — this draft is going to be crucial to the overall defensive rebuild. It’s important for Verse and Fiske to not focus on replacing Aaron Donald, but just being them.

This draft sets up the future of the defense and it’s going to be imperative that two, if not three of those players pan out. The Rams found good building blocks on offense last year in Steve Avila and Puka Nacua. At the end of the day, the Rams defense will be very young with a first time coordinator. With that said, it’s hard not to like the puzzle that they’re putting together on that side of the ball. This could be a fun unit when they mature.