The 2024 NFL Draft is April 25-27 in Detroit. Here is the first-round order, per Tankathon.
The Los Angeles Rams bounced back from a five-win season in 2022 to win 10 games and return to the playoffs in 2023. It was a big turnaround for head coach Sean McVay, but it was also a season that highlighted the team’s flaws that still exist and must be addressed in the 2024 NFL Draft.
2023 record: 10-7 | First-round pick: No. 19 | Team needs: EDGE, CB
Potential first-round picks | Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State; Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson; Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama; Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
The Rams are in uncharted territory when it comes to the draft, mainly because they will actually get to participate in the first round. Because of their win-now approach and willingness to use first-round picks as trade capital, the Rams have not made a pick in the first round since they selected quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 overall pick in 2016.
The Rams have 10 selections in 2024, including the No. 19 overall pick in the first round and two selections in the third round.
Pass defense clearly must be addressed, especially pass-rushers and defensive backs.
Despite their success in 2023, the Rams did not make enough splash plays against the pass. They were 20th in the league in passing yards against (231.1), intercepted just 10 passes (23rd in the NFL) and had only 41 sacks (24th in the NFL). The secondary has been a concern for the Rams since last March’s trade of cornerback Jalen Ramsey to Miami.
Arnold and DeJean seem like good fits in the secondary, as each has excellent play-making ability. Arnold intercepted five passes for the Crimson Tide last season while DeJean is something of a Swiss army knife who can play anywhere in the secondary. He intercepted seven passes during his career at Iowa, scoring three defensive touchdowns.
To restore the team’s push up front, Verse would be an excellent option. He is a wildly productive pass-rusher who recorded 18 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss the past two seasons. Edge-rusher Byron Young had a promising rookie year for the Rams last season, logging eight sacks, but he needs help on the other side of the field.
