The Rams have made their money hitting on day three picks, could any of these guys end up being another money-maker for the Rams?
This draft is finally almost here and I’ve been grinding the tape like crazy. During that time I realized I should probably make some shortlists. I decided to start with a super sleeper list. There are 50 prospects on this list that should all go day three in the draft and some may not be drafted at all. Here’s some names to impress your co-workers with at the coffee bar when they ask you who you like in this year’s draft.
1. QB Jason Bean, Kansas (Potential Rams QB3)
The Kansas Jayhawks lost their starting quarterback Jalon Daniels early on in the season and in stepped Jason Bean who was everything and more for Jayhawks. Bean had the third best passer rating when pressured per Pro Football Focus and absolutely tore up the bowl game against UNLV.
Bean as a prospect is a mixed bag, he has outstanding athleticism which could lead to him being converted to play wide receiver. However, Bean has an it factor to him that not every prospect has. He offers upside as a thrower of the football, has played in high intensity situations and has come through. Not to mention he’s not afraid to sling it downfield. He doesn’t have the best frame to play QB in the NFL so he will need to work on adding muscle but as far as a late day three option to draft, stash and develop? Bean is one of the more enticing prospects that has seemingly gone unnoticed in the draft process.
2. QB Gavin Hardison, UTEP (Potential Rams QB3)
UTEP had an interesting prospect that caught my eye with Gavin Hardison. He’s has some injuries and his production wasn’t dominant by any stretch but the raw tools on tape are there. Hardison possesses a plus arm with plenty of confidence. Sometimes he’s a little too confident and it leads to poor decisions.
I think with Hardison the raw traits are there, he’s not overly imposing standing at 6-foot-1 and 206 pounds but I do think he could be worth a flyer on day three or as a priority free agent.
3. RB Emani Bailey, TCU (Potential Rams RB3)
The Horned Frog running back ran for over 1,200 yards this past year and seems to be someone who teams aren’t as excited as I am on. Bailey didn’t test well coming in at an awful Relative Athletic Score of 2.26 which is very poor. However, the tape shows me he’s much faster on the field and he makes guys miss.
Bailey generated 70 missed tackles which was second in the country per PFF. He’s around 5-foot-7 and 200-plus pounds but he’s got strong build and has the foot work to to make defenders days at the office a pain. Bailey’s vision is underrated as well. I would say he’s a quality enough pass protector to potentially be selected late day three.
4. RB Daijun Edwards, Georgia (Potential Rams RB3)
Edwards is another running back who tested horribly but has tape that makes you think better of. He posted a horrendous RAS score of 1.90 but has good size at the position at 5-foot-9 and 213 pounds, he has good ball security which will keep him on the field, is shifty with the ball in his hands and offers a decent bout in pass protection.
Is Edwards going to be a guaranteed starter at the next level? Probably not but he could stick around the NFL as a long-time backup or third running back on a roster. I expect he goes late day three.
5. RB George Holani, Boise State (Potential Rams RB3)
Holani is a running back who tested much better than the previous two mentioned at an 8.34 RAS score which is very good. While I also see him going late on day three as well, Holani offers more straight-line speed. He’s got great ball-carrier vision and anticipation. He’s someone I wouldn’t be surprised to see stick around the league like a Boston Scott who is just well-liked and reliable to turn to in a pinch. He stands at 5-foot-10 and 208 pounds and gives me some excitement as a potential late day three to starter level prospect.
6. RB Jase McClellan, Alabama (Potential Rams RB3)
McClellan is a player Rams fans have been hearing about as he was someone who had met with the team already. He’s got good size at 5-foot-10 and 220 pounds, I like the speed you get with him and the above average contact balance. Has the leg drive that the Rams love in their running backs and he takes care of the football. McClellan is an intriguing option for the Rams and is someone who could even push Ronnie Rivers for the second spot on the roster.
7. RB Jaden Shirden, Monmouth (Potential Rams RB3)
Shirden is a small-school back that has been highly productive the last two years as a starter. He was second in all of college football in rushing this past year. He’s explosive, ran a 4.45 forty time but is smaller than the desired sized back. There’s not a lot of hesitation on tape, Shirden has the quick instincts and decision making a running back needs to have at the NFL level. He has a chance to be a big-time standout small-school selection turned into something in the NFL.
8. WR Cole Burgess, SUNY Cortland (Potential Rams WR6)
I wasn’t expecting to like Burgess’ game as much as I did. He has a good frame at 6-foot and 192 pounds. This is a division three athlete who had an impact in the return game initially but then became one of the program’s best all-time players with what he did in the receiving game. He’s got a 4.45 forty time on his resume, an elite athletic score and he has the fastest 10-yard split at 1.43 out of all receivers in the draft.
Burgess might not help a team right away on the offensive side of the ball but on special teams he has a chance to be a huge asset in the return game especially with the new rules in place. Burgess has enough to him where he could end up being a legitimate contributor someday at the receiver position.
9. WR Tejhuan Palmer, UAB (Potential Rams WR6)
The 6-foot-1 and 210 pound receiver out of UAB offers some intriguing upside. He started as a junior college athlete, transferred to UAB and put together a very solid college career. Palmer showed up on Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks” list to the shock of no one, he’s a very freaky athlete, with the right coaching he could be a gem from this class.
10. WR Ainias Smith, Texas A&M (Potential Rams WR6)
Smith is going to be a very good returner at the next level but he can also help an offense. His biggest thing is eating yards after the catch and he does that well with his twitchiness. He forced 20 missed tackles this past year and he’s packed with intangibles, heady player that could force his way onto the field as he gets more comfortable with route running.
11. David White Jr., Western Carolina (Potential Rams WR6)
He has great size standing at 6-foot-2 and 201 pounds, White really was a standout at the Shrine Bowl, turning heads in the practices and exhibiting his ability to release with ease off the line of scrimmage and create separation. This is a name to watch out for, he could be something in the NFL with the proper coaching.
12. Jordan Whittington, Texas (Potential Rams WR6)
Jordan Whittington just screams Rams receiver to me. Not only is he from Texas which is where Les Snead’s son is but in addition to that Whittington does the little things very well and with desire. Whittington is a yards after the catch guy, natural hands receiver, a willing blocker and a leader. He’s been through a lot missing 22 games in his first three years due to groin, meniscus and clavicle injuries. However, the Rams like perseverance in their prospects and Whittington has been a model of that.
13. TE Erick All, Iowa (Potential Rams TE3)
Many seem to be split on Erick All. The Michigan transfer went to Iowa and led the team in receiving that was before he suffered a torn ACL in October. All’s issues have all been injury related, dealing with a spinal surgery in 2022 as well. He’s a very good athlete who has good size for the position at 6-foot-4 and 253 pounds. In some aspects he reminds me of former Iowa Hawkeye tight end Noah Fant. All has a chance to become a number two tight end on a team if he stays healthy, he’s got the blocking and receiving chops to stick around.
14. TE Devin Culp, Washington (Potential Rams TE3)
I’m a fan of Culp’s game and think he’s not getting enough credit. The big issue is his blocking which has gotten better is simply not up to many people’s standards. With that said at 6-foot-3 and 238 pounds, Culp ran a 4.47 forty and displays potential worth investing in late in the draft.
15. TE Mason Fairchild, Kansas (Potential Rams TE3)
While Fairchild is far from an elite athlete, he makes up for it with his blocking ability, leadership and his willingness to do anything a coach asks of him. Fairchild found himself sneaking behind defenses a lot at Kansas and became a red zone threat. Fairchild didn’t test super well but he’s someone who should be around the league for a long time.
16. Tanner McLachlan, Arizona (Potential Rams TE3)
McLachlan is one of those tight ends that I can’t help but fall in love with. He could very well sneak into the top portion of day three but for now I see him falling until the sixth round. McLachlan was a two year starter out of Arizona who transferred from Southern Utah. He’s a fluid athlete who stands to be an option in the receiving game but can also block well. He may not ever be a starter in the league but he could be a potential Brock Wright type of tight end that just finds his way on the field and makes plays when he’s there.
17. OT Travis Clayton, England – IPP (Potential 3rd-String Rams OT)
Travis Clayton comes over to the NFL Draft as part of the NFL International Player Pathway program which I absolutely love. The former rugby player and boxer tested extremely well and not only that he’s tall at 6-foot-7 and over 300 pounds. Clayton may never end up being Jordan Mailata but he’s worth taking a flyer on and who knows? No one thought Mailata would pan out the way he did either.
18. OT Anim Dankwah, Howard (Potential 3rd-String Rams OT)
Dankwah is an absolute monster of a body at 6-foot-8 and 349 pounds for pass rushers to deal with. While the small school stud may have been able to get away with things in college, he will have to fine tune his craft to have success in the NFL. He has the potential to be a starting tackle but he has a long way to go. This is a classic draft, stash and develop pick you would make late day three.
19. OT Josiah Ezirim, Eastern Kentucky (Potential 3rd-String Rams OT)
Ezirim is another potential draft, stash and develop guy who started out initially as a defensive lineman. Ezirim packs size and traits of a starting offensive lineman but he will need a lot of work to get there.
20. OT Tylan Grable, UCF (Potential 3rd-String Rams OT)
He was once a walk on at Jacksonville State and then worked his way to transferring and starting two years at UCF. Tylan Grable has very good athleticism and size. Some teams may try to lighten the transition to the NFL by moving him to another position but I like him at tackle and think he’s worth a late day pick to draft, stash and develop.
21. OT Garret Greenfield, South Dakota State (Potential Backup Rams OT)
I absolutely love Garret Greenfield and perhaps he shouldn’t be on this list but with the lack of buzz he is receiving I’m willing to bet most of you reading this have never heard of him. He stands at 6-foot-6 and 311 pounds, he’s very explosive and posted a crazy 1.76 10 yard split to prove it. Greenfield has 31 starts at tackle, he’s an effortless mover as a pass protector but he will probably fall to day three because he’s going to be a 25 year old rookie and needs to work on the run blocking area of his game. Still though, the guy has starting upside.
22. OT Giovanni Manu, British Columbia (Potential 3rd-String Rams OT)
Here’s another prospect coming to the NFL Draft internationally and that’s Giovanni Manu. Manu is a freakish 6-foot-7 and 352 pound tackle prospect who ran a 4.96. Manu is a project you would grab late in the draft to stash and develop.
23. OT Bayron Matos, Dominican Republic (Potential 3rd-String Rams OT)
Matos is draft eligible as part of the NFL International Player Pathway Program and Matos has a fascinating background as a three sport athlete growing up. He played at New Mexico and South Florida as a basketball player but then he joined the South Florida football team as a walk-on in 2022. Matos has crazy size at 6-foot-7 and 313 pounds to go with his intriguing athleticism. He’s worth a flyer late day three.
24. C Drake Nugent, Michigan (Potential Backup Rams C)
I get he’s shorter in stature and not big by any stretch but Drake Nugent started at center for the reigning champion Michigan Wolverines. He was very good and it was hard to find anything on film that would lead you to believe otherwise. I wouldn’t be shocked if he stuck with an NFL team and worked his way into a potential spot starter.
25. C Jalen Sundell, North Dakota State (Potential Backup Rams C)
Unlike Nugent, Jalen Sundell has the height that teams are looking for. Sundell is a monster in the run game and he’s going to try to delete you from existence. His athleticism is real but will his play strength be enough for the NFL? I like taking a stab on the athleticism and run blocking production late in the draft.
26. IDL McKinnley Jackson, Texas A&M (Potential Backup Rams NT)
He was a three-year starter at A&M who I really found standing out in the Senior Bowl one on one’s. McKinnley Jackson may never start in the league but I could see him at his 6-foot-1 and 336 body offering a great rotational piece to the trenches.
27. EDGE Sundiata Anderson, Grambling (Potential Backup Rams EDGE)
Anderson is an intriguing prospect who has good size at 6-foot-4 and 247 pound, he’s not the most electric athlete but he’s got an arsenal of pass rushing maneuvers he can let loose to win in different ways. His motor runs wicked hot and I think it’s going to rub teams the right way.
28. EDGE Jalen Green, James Madison (Potential Backup Rams EDGE)
Green is coming off an 18 sack season but stats don’t mean much evidently to talent evaluators as he finds himself looking at a day three selection. Green offers a lot as a rusher, he’s fast and violent. He’s not a tall player which will hurt his draft stock but he will work well as a situational edge rusher.
29. EDGE Bo Richter, Air Force (Potential Backup Rams EDGE/ILB)
I love Bo Richter. He’s the guy in the cover photo for a reason. His tape is a joy to watch. Richter could be considered to be a tweener at edge and linebacker. The reality is he’s just a really good football player. He’s a great athlete and and reminds me of Andrew Van Ginkel in that he could be used as a swiss army knife if embraced as such.
30. LB Amari Gainer, North Carolina (Potential Backup Rams ILB/EDGE)
Gainer is a name that went early in way too early mock drafts and just fell off the face of the Earth. No one mentions him but he’s a fun prospect. He’s a good coverage linebacker, has a quick first-step and shows ability as an edge rusher but also he flashes serious run defender ability. He’s definitely worth a flyer in the later portion of the draft.
31. LB Easton Gibbs, Wyoming (Potential Backup Rams ILB)
Gibbs plays much more athletic on tape than the tests would suggest. He’s a very good tackler and could stick in the league. Gibbs is definitely worth a flyer and should be drafted with the resume Wyoming linebackers have built over the last fews years with Logan Wilson and Chad Muma.
32. LB Tyrice Knight, UTEP (Potential Backup Rams ILB)
Knight might go in the fifth round but still I think he’s a bit of a sleeper here. He offers a more built frame at 6-foot and 238 pounds. He was a three-year starter at UTEP who was a monster in the run game. His run defense alone will get him drafted it’s that good.
33. LB Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington (Potential Backup Rams ILB)
Ulofoshio might go higher than anyone on this list and maybe in the fourth round but it seems like he isn’t getting the buzz he should. Ulofoshio has great athleticism and is just the type of aggressive player you want on your defense. The key with him is that he’s not just going to help your defense if he gets on the field, he’s a very good special teamer as well.
34. CB Chigozie Anusiem, Colorado State (Potential Rams CB5)
Anusiem has a fantastic size and speed combination. He only had one interception in college but he is physical in the run game, a reliable tackler and has the potential to have a role on an NFL roster.
35. CB Miles Battle, Utah (Potential Rams CB5)
Battle was a surprising snub from the NFL Combine. He ran a 4.37 at his Pro Day and measured in at 6-foot-3 and 196 pounds. Battle can stick receivers in coverage and play the run better than most corners. He’s definitely worth a pick.
36. CB Marcellas Dial, South Carolina (Potential Rams CB5)
Dial is a fun player to watch on tape as he forced 31 pass breakups over the course of the last three years. He has great speed and ball skills to be worthy of a 53-man roster spot.
37. CB Willie Drew, Virginia State (Potential Rams CB5)
This is a fun and toolsy prospect that is meant to be drafted and stashed. He could develop into a legitimate contributor on defense. Drew offers length, speed and ball skills as he had 11 interceptions the last two years.
38. CB Myles Harden, South Dakota (Potential Rams CB5)
Harden is a prospect I am very excited about. He started four years at South Dakota, he doesn’t have any elite speed or anything like that but he’s got good size for the position and is very balanced overall as a corner. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Harden starting somewhere someday.
39. CB Reddy Steward, Troy (Potential Rams CB5)
Steward is an intriguing option who struggled a bit in man coverage but was outstanding in zone. He fits the Rams defense, Steward in zone coverage had a targeted passer rating of 16.3 which is good for 6th among all draft-eligible cornerbacks.
40. CB Qwan’tez Stiggers, Toronto Argonauts – CFL (Potential Rams CB5)
Stiggers was surprising snubbed from the NFL Combine but he’s got one of the best stories in the draft and is definitely worth drafting. Stiggers dropped out of college following the death of his father and eventually went on to have a breakout year and become a star in the CFL playing for Toronto. I genuinely think he has the upside to start in the NFL.
41. CB Mikey Victor, Alabama State (Potential Rams CB5)
Victor is 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds which is a great frame for a cornerback. He’s got serious length at 33 1⁄2 arms. Victor has some pop behind his pads that he uses in the run game and in the coverage area of his game he displays physicality to disrupt receivers off the line of scrimmage. Victor is a draft and stash option, while I wish he had more speed, he’s still very intriguing with everything else he has going for him.
42. SAF Omar Brown, Nebraska (Potential Backup Rams SAF)
Brown has a chance to be a very good player at the next level. He doesn’t have elite athleticism but he’s consistent and a fluid mover. The former Northern Iowa transfer stands at 6-foot and 206 pounds and he ran a 4.53 which isn’t bad. Brown will be best utilized in sub packages and special teams early on but when the NFL slows down for him he will likely make a run to push for a starting gig.
43. SAF Akeem Dent, Florida State (Potential Backup Rams SAF)
Dent is an explosive prospect that could play any position in the secondary. He has some things to iron out but he could find himself on an NFL starting defense down the road. At the very least, his special teams ability is a great consolation prize.
44. SAF Thomas Harper, Notre Dame (Potential Backup Rams SAF)
Harper is a very talented defensive back who will be looked at by some as a nickel or a safety. He has the versatility to be used around the secondary and on special teams. Harper just doesn’t get beat much in coverage, he’s explosive and has the upside to eventually crack a starting lineup.
45. SAF Sanoussi Kane, Purdue (Potential Backup Rams SAF)
Kane is a very intriguing athlete who has a chance to be a top special teamer in the league. He’s a very sound tackler and has some potential to play on the defense if developed.
46. SAF Kenny Logan Jr., Kansas (Potential Backup Rams SAF)
The Kansas safety started a total of 44 games at safety. Logan Jr. is a very experienced football player who is loaded with instincts. He’s a great tackler and very intelligent player overall. Logan Jr. didn’t test particularly well which will lead to his fall into the late day three portion of the draft. He’s worth the selection for anyone’s special teams unit.
47. SAF Tyler Owens, Texas Tech (Potential Backup Rams SAF)
Owens is very explosive he has day two traits to him but he will likely go on day three. He offers the ability to play the STAR role in the Rams defense but he also could be vital on special teams. Definitely worth a look.
48. SAF Mark Perry, TCU (Potential Backup Rams SAF)
The Colorado transfer is an explosive athlete that the Rams have already met with. Perry displays recovery speed but more importantly his athleticism translates to special teams which is where he would likely have to earn his keep. Perry is intriguing and could eventually crack a starting spot if he is developed properly.
49. SAF Josh Proctor, Ohio State (Potential Backup Rams SAF)
Proctor is very underrated in my opinion. Offers an option in run support and on special teams. He’s a stereotypical box safety but he’s got length and moves pretty well to feel good about his future.
50. SAF Trey Taylor, Air Force (Potential Backup Rams SAF)
Jim Thorpe award winner Trey Taylor was outstanding for Air Force this past year. He has great size at 6-foot and 206 pounds and he’s a very good athlete to go along with that. Taylor is a very instinctive player who flashes NFL starting upside all over his tape. I would say he’s got future NFL starter upside.
Honorable Mention: EDGE AJ Simon, Albany
I sadly just learned of the passing of AJ Simon right before writing this piece. I had just gone through Simon’s film and envisioned him as a draft-able prospect who had some intriguing upside and athleticism. Sadly, Simon has passed away at the age of 25. I wanted to honor a kid who was local to my area and one that was likely going to be drafted in this year’s NFL Draft. Simon’s family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login