Los Angeles Rams: 2018 NFL Draft targets to stay atop NFC West

The Los Angeles Rams have hole, but they are still a team to be feared. And with 2018 NFL Draft they can fill those positions and stay atop the NFC West

The Los Angeles Rams shocked the NFL by taking a giant leap from 4-12 to 11-5 and becoming NFC West champs under rookie head coach Sean McVay this past season. The Rams won with some key free agents, but more importantly, they did it with homegrown talent. General manager Les Snead opted to keep it quiet with no big time free agent signings, so he’ll again turn to the NFL Draft to improve his team.

So far this offseason, the Rams have parted ways with the bulk of their linebacker corps, including trading away sack leader Robert Quinn. Alec Ogletree was shipped to the Giants for a fourth- and sixth-round pick. And Connor Barwin is still unsigned, oddly leaving only Mark Barron. On the offensive side of the ball, Sammy Watkins left for greener pastures after the Rams traded a second-round pick and EJ Gaines to Buffalo for him last year.

With a depleted linebacker corps, the Rams have to find the pieces that best fit Wade Phillips’ defense. Additionally, on offense, despite Watkins’ short tenure, the Rams have to replace what he brought to the table as a versatile boundary receiver. It’ll be nearly impossible to fill each position with Pro Bowl talent in one draft, plus the Rams don’t need to.

Still, Les Snead’s track record is stellar when it comes to the draft. While the Rams only have two picks in the first three rounds they can get some guys who’ll become contributors early.