Top-40 best players available for the Rams on day 2 of NFL Draft

Who are the best players available for the Rams on day two?

The Los Angeles Rams selected edge rusher Jared Verse in the first round. That fills a huge need that the team had at the edge rusher position. However, they still have holes to fill on the defensive line and in the secondary. With three picks on day two coming at 52, 83, and 99, the Rams are set up to be in a good spot. Here are 40 players that they could choose from in the second and third rounds.

Trade up/Hope they fall to 52

1. DL Johnny Newton, Illinois
2. DB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
3. WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas
4. WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
5. CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
6. S Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
7. DT Ruke Orhororo, Clemson
8. WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia

If the Rams trade up from 52, which seems like the least likely scenario, Johnny Newton would make the most sense. As Byron Murphy was falling down the board, it would have to be assumed that he is a player that he was a player that the Rams wanted. Instead, they will be playing him two times per season.

The next best thing would be Newton from Illinois. Newton is a first-round talent that is now in the second round. He immediately makes an impact on the defensive line. One other player that the Rams may hope falls to them at 52 will be Keon Coleman. Coleman would be a great fit for them as their “x” receiver and would give them big body on the outside.

Potential Picks at 52

1. DT Michael Hall, Ohio State
2. CB Max Melton, Rutgers
3. CB Mike Sainrstil, Michigan
4. LB Payton Wilson, NC State
5. DT Braden Fiske, Florida State
6. WR Roman Wilson, Michigan
7. LB Junior Colton, Michigan
8. WR Malachi Corley

The big question here becomes how much do the Rams think they need a cornerback. They signed Tre White and Darious Williams in free agency. With that said, they lack a true future at the position, especially on the outside. Max Melton is a great fits and gives them that. He also had success against Marvin Harrison Jr. who was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals.

If the Rams are going to prioritize the defensive line, they could re-unite Jared Verse and Braden Fiske. Fiske has a quick get-off, is extremely explosive, and is stout in the run game. The Rams may not get Newton, but Fiske would be awesome plan b.

Trade Back Options

1. S Cole Bishop, Utah
2. OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
3. iOL Christian Mahogany, BC
4. LB Cedric Gray, UNC
5. DT Maason Smith, LSU
6. CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
7. CB Andru Phillips, Kentucky
8. CB DJ James, Auburn

I’ve said for most of the draft process that Cole Bishop feels like a Rams draft pick. The need for a safety may not be pressing, but Bishop can do so much and line up almost anywhere in the secondary. He’s a physical safety that could be an enforcer in the middle of the field.

Again, the Rams may not go cornerback in the second round, but day two is a great spot to address the position. The Rams met with Andru Phillips and he’s a good fit. Phillips would be a good depth piece behind White and Williams.

Third Round Options

1. S Jaden Hicks, Washington State
2. OT Kiran Amegadjie, Yale
3. DT DeWayne Carter, Duke
4. iOL Dominick Puni, Kansas
5. QB Spencer Rattler
6. DL Mekhi Wingo, LSU
7. WR Javon Baker, UCF
8. CB Nehemiah Pritchett, Auburn

Mekhi Wingo and Javon Baker would be two of my favorite third-round options for the Rams. If they were to leave day two with both players, most would be ecstatic. Wingo is undersized, but awesome against the run. His quick get-off and ability to move along the defensive line is valuable.

Adding depth at wide receiver behind Demarcus Robinson would make a lot of sense. Baker fits perfectly at the ‘x’, is a good enough route-runner, and does work in the run game as a blocker. If the Rams are looking to add a wide receiver on day two, he’ll be in consideration.

Third Round Trade Back Options

1. CB DeCamerion Richardson, Mississippi State
2. S Malik Mustapha, Wake Forest
3. RB Audric Estime, Notre Dame
4. DT Leonard Taylor III, Miami
5. WR Johnny Wilson, Florida State
6. iOL Brandon Coleman TCU
7. EDGE Jalyx Hunt
8. CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon

Malik Mustapha started his college career at Richmond and then transferred to Wake Forest and flourished. Does that story sound familiar? It should, because that was the exact route taken by Kobie Turner who the Rams selected in the third-round a year ago. If the Rams are looking to add a safety, Mustapha makes a lot of sense.

At some point, it should be expected for the Rams to add offensive line depth. There are two schools that they’ve targeted much of their offensive line from and that’s Wisconsin and TCU. Coleman’s 2022 tape was better than 2023, but he brings depth on the left side and could eventually start at left guard.