Finally, in a seven-round mock, The Athletic’s Vinny Bonsignore has L.A. trading its first-round pick to Washington in order to gain more draft capital.
Bonsignore writes ($$), “The potential fall of Duke quarterback Daniel Jones, and Washington’s need to secure a quarterback of the future, creates a trade match. The Rams swap their first-round pick for Washington’s second-round pick (at No. 45) and third-round pick (at No. 96). Also, the Rams throw in one of their third-round picks (No. 99) and get Washington’s third-round pick (at No. 76). In doing so, the Rams end up with four of the draft’s first 96 picks (Nos. 45, 76, 94 and 96).”
So with the first pick in this scenario, Bonsignore has Los Angeles selecting Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons — who tore his ACL while preparing for the NFL Combine.
“Before his injury, Simmons was considered a top-10 pick with Pro Bowl potential, as a fierce inside pass rusher and a dominant run stopper. A case could be made for drafting Tillery or Wilkins, both of whom project as day-one starters and are on track to get on the field much sooner than Simmons. For a team in win-now mode, it makes plenty of sense for the Rams to go with an immediate-impact option. Still, it’s not every day a player as talented as Simmons is available in the second round. Their need to fill the hole left by Suh is pressing, but the Rams think big-picture at No. 45 and land one of the best players in the draft,” Bonsignore writes.
The rest of Bonsignore’s picks in his mock scenario are:
No. 76 (from Washington): Zach Allen, DE, Boston College
No. 94: Julian Love, CB Notre Dame
No. 96 (from Washington): Michael Jordan, G, Ohio State
No. 133: Cameron Smith, ILB, USC
No. 169: Isaiah Johnson, CB, Houston
No. 203: Mike Weber, RB, Ohio State
No. 251: Will Harris, S Boston College