How do you do NFL Draft projections for a team — like the Los Angeles Rams — that doesn’t really care about the NFL Draft? It’s a challenge that includes making projections on where prospects will fall in the third, fourth, and fifth rounds.
2022 NFL Draft Prospects the Los Angeles Rams should target
First, the Rams traded their first-round pick to the Lions for Matthew Stafford. Then, the Rams sent their second and third-round picks to the Broncos for Von Miller. As part of the Brandin Cooks deal, the Rams traded their fourth-round pick to the Texans. And the Rams dealt their sixth-round pick to the Patriots for Sony Michel.
However, Les Snead wisely played the compensatory pick game and got back a lot of capital for free agents lost in 2021. So here is the Rams’ draft pick inventory in 2022: 3-104, 4-142, 5-175, 6-212, 6-213, 6-219, 7-239, 7-254,
Their team needs include edge defender, cornerback, guard, linebacker, and safety. So who are some of the prospects the Rams could target in the 2022 NFL Draft?
Zach Tom, OT, Wake Forest
Andrew Whitworth is retired, and the plan is to replace him with Joe Noteboom, who signed a three-year, $40 million contract keeping him in Los Angeles. So pencil in Noteboom at left tackle and Rob Havenstein (in a contract year) at right.
Still, the Rams could use a youth infusion at the position, and that’s where Zach Tom makes sense. A 37-game starter at Wake Forest, Tom was first-team All-Conference in 2021 and the Jim Tatum Award winner. He’s also really smart, earning a spot on the All-ACC Academic Team three straight years.
According to Wake Forest, Tom played more than 1,100 plays and has graded out at 94% for the season and above 90% in every game.
Luke Goedeke, OT, Central Michigan
All the background we used for Tom applies to Luke Goedeke as well. Both are likely Day 2 picks. Will one (or both) be available when the Rams pick at 104? That’s the unknown.
Goedeke intrigued the Washington Commanders enough that they brought him in for a top-30 visit. It’s entirely possible (and probably likely) that others have as well.
Goedeke is probably a guard on the NFL level but has position flexibility. He missed the entire 2020 season with a knee injury that needed surgery but returned to action in 2021.
Alec Lindstrom, C, Boston College
If the last name sounds familiar, it should. Alec Lindstrom‘s brother Chris also played offensive line at Boston College. Alec won’t be a first-round pick like his big bro. Rather, he’ll probably go on Day 3.
That’s fine with the Rams. They have seven picks that day. Alec Lindstrom, a three-year starter at BC, is a bit undersized and has athletic limitations. He’d be a developmental player on a team with an incumbent starter in Brian Allen.
K.D. Nixon, WR, USC
The Rams might have the best collection of wide receivers in football. But apparently, that’s not enough for Sean McVay.
PFN Insider Aaron Wilson reported in early April that the Rams and Raiders were among the teams intrigued by Nixon, particularly after he ran a 4.54 at Southern Cal’s Pro Day.
Nixon spent just one year in LA after graduating from Colorado in four seasons. He was a part-time player at USC, but in his collegiate career, Nixon caught 107 passes for 1,285 yards (12.0 avg) with 8 TDs. Nixon projects as a Day 3 pick/undrafted free agent.
Roger Carter, H-Back, Georgia State
The Rams have their top two tight ends back from 2021 in Tyler Higbee and Kendall Blanton. So they’re not looking for a starter in the draft. That’s fine because Carter, at his best, would probably be a situational player in the NFL. He’s probably more of a blocker than a pass catcher, although he did average 16.1 yards per reception in 2021.
