ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr., and Todd McShay went through the first three rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft with a back-and-forth mock through three rounds (ESPN+ subscription required) that saw them bounce picks against one another.
Now with a week to the draft, we’ve got conventional wisdom at the top of the draft and more intrigue than ever beyond the top 6 or so.
So ESPN’s draft veterans bounce their mock to the Los Angeles Rams at #31 with McShay mocking:
#31.): Garrett Bradbury, C, N.C. State Wolfpack
I can’t believe Kiper left the offensive lineman who I think is the most NFL-ready for me all the way at the back of the first round. With no more John Sullivan or Rodger Saffold, this makes all the sense in the world.
Hard to knock on the roster gap. Especially when we’ve seen it so often before.
On to the third where Kiper uses the Rams’ first third-rounder on:
#94.) D’Andre Walker, OLB, Georgia Bulldogs
Walker has stellar traits. Why didn’t he produce for the Bulldogs? There’s a wide range on where he’ll go, but a team that runs a 3-4 defense — hello, Wade Phillips — could take him in Round 3.
An edge rusher who came on late, Walker would be an interesting candidate for the Rams’ defense. I’m not sure he’s an upgrade anywhere, but he is an option to push more of the same through the depth chart. Is that warranted? It was when the Rams traded for Dante Fowler, Jr., last year when the Rams were 8-0. Perhaps he’s a Fowler replacement? Perhaps an upgrade over Samson Ebukam? A plug ahead of Ogbonnia Okoronkwo? Not sure. Not all that interested either.
#99.) David Montgomery, RB, Iowa St. Cyclones
The Rams need someone to spell Todd Gurley, both on third down and if Gurley’s knee isn’t 100 percent. I like Montgomery’s ability to turn dump-offs into big gains in the passing game.
Harumph.
I won’t put the suggestion that the Rams should take an insurance pick to backup Gurley in the trash bin, but cmon. We had C.J. Anderson if we wanted to re-sign him. We have Malcolm Brown. We took John Kelly last year. There’s a referendum on Rams media here that’s so overwhelming it’s hard to accept. If anything, I’d delay the Rams taking a Gurley insurance pick until Day 3 so we don’t have to bury Rams media for their treatment of Gurley’s postseason.
#31.): Garrett Bradbury, C, N.C. State Wolfpack
#94.) D’Andre Walker, OLB, Georgia Bulldogs
#99.) David Montgomery, RB, Iowa St. Cyclones
Not a familiar trio based on what we’ve seen the last few weeks/months, but one worth considering at this point.
What say you, Rams fans?