The NFL Draft is a crapshoot. Teams are not as willing to draft prospects highly if they don’t pass the typical height, weight or length that teams require from certain positions unless it comes with a ridiculous skill set.
Los Angeles Rams rookie EGDE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is a fine example. He produced in his final two seasons at one of the country’s biggest programs at Oklahoma and was ranked Pro Football Focus fourth-best edge among the 2018 edge class.
Personally, Okoronkwo was one of my favorite prospects this year. I believed that he could provide the Rams a solid sub package or rotational piece as a pass rusher and could develop into a starter in time.
But as the 160th pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, is it too early to ask much of him at this point?
Roster Battle
The outside linebacker depth chart is a complete toss up at this point of the year.
In my opinion the only player that has a leg up as a starter is second-year EDGE Samson Ebukam. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the roster will fall with honestly a list of no-name players that have the opportunity and maybe the talent to make a name for themselves.
Expectations
Before Okoronkwo broke his foot and that he wouldn’t return until sometime during training camp, I imagined that after the preseason he would have carved out a role as backup or situational rusher.
Now, it would appear that he could have a tough time finding a way to get on the field on Sundays at the beginning of the season. It will be worth watching his reps during the preseason to watch how he is progressing after his injury.
Chance of making the final roster (10/10)
Okoronkwo has the potential to be a solid contributor on the edge and could end up being a bargin for the Rams where they drafted him. The main question will be how will he overcome his first major injury in the NFL and will it set him back.
And if so, for how long.