When the Los Angeles Rams go on the clock at No. 31 overall in next month’s draft, they can look at a few different positions. The secondary could use some added depth, while the pass rush can never have enough reinforcements. And what about the defensive line, which is set to lose Ndamukong Suh.
There are several positions of need in L.A., and the offensive line certainly shouldn’t be overlooked. The Rams lost Rodger Saffold and moved on from John Sullivan, opening the door for two unproven players to become starters (Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen).
In Doug Farrar’s latest mock draft for Touchdown Wire, he has the Rams turning their attention to the center position, selecting N.C. State’s Garrett Bradbury.
The Rams moved on from center John Sullivan and left guard Rodger Saffold after their Super Bowl defeat, and if they want to get back to that big game, interior protection for Jared Goff is a must. Bradbury isn’t an old-school power center, but his near-flawless fundamentals, second-level speed and understanding of schematic concepts would allow Sean McVay to not only unleash his passing concepts, but also to extract the most out of his run game.
Allen is a capable replacement for Sullivan, but Bradbury has the potential to be a 10-year starter in the NFL. He’s arguably the best center in the draft and would be an upgrade over Allen, but is it worth the price of a first-round pick?
That question will be answered depending on who’s available at No. 31. If a pass rusher or defensive tackle like Dexter Lawrence fall into the Rams’ lap, it’ll be difficult to pass in favor of a center. But if the Rams are wiped out of their defensive targets and can’t move back, Bradbury would be a great option.