With the close of the 2018 NFL Draft, 11 college prospects can now call themselves Los Angeles Rams.
After a draft haul that saw the franchise make moves to acquire 10 selections in Day 3 alone, the Rams were able to replenish depth at multiple positions — bringing in several new, dynamic playmakers.
And now that the big event has come and past, therams.com will be taking a look at each member of the club’s 2018 Draft Class
The Rams made John Franklin-Myers
the club’s first defensive pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, selecting the Stephen F. Austin product at No. 135 overall.
Franklin was one of SFA’s most productive defensive performers of all time — amassing 130- career tackles, 37.5 for loss, and 17.5 sacks. He led the Lumberjacks in all three categories in his last three seasons and was named a second-team all-conference player in 2017.
Though the defensive end has called Texas home for the majority of his life, Franklin was actually born in Los Angeles. And he is eager to get back to his hometown to continue his football career at the next level.
Here is John Franklin in his own words:
On getting the phone call to be drafted:
“It feels good. It was a dream come true. I’ve been waiting on this my whole life. I’m very excited. I’m excited to get to work.”
On how he views his role within the Rams:
“I’m willing to do whatever. Like I told Coach Johnson, I’ve played a little outside backer, dropped into coverage, I’ve played defensive end and I’ve played defensive tackle. Obviously, they don’t need D-tackles right now. I’m willing to go in there and do whatever it takes to win.”
On if he has spent any time in Los Angeles besides at the NFLPA game:
“I was actually born in Los Angeles. My sister is down there and my brother is down there also. So I’m looking forward to heading back to L.A…I lived in L.A. for about eight or nine years and then moved to Texas with my grandfather.”