Los Angeles Rams 7-round 2020 mock draft after Brandin Cooks trade

The Los Angeles Rams traded Brandin Cooks for a second-round pick, which opens up opportunities to improve in a new 7-round 2020 mock draft.

Just a few weeks after releasing running back Todd Gurley, the Los Angeles Rams have made another financially motivated decision. On Thursday, the Rams agreed to trade wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Houston Texans. Say what you will about the Texans’ moves but Los Angeles made a smart business decision to move on from an expensive asset and recoup a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, giving up a 2022 fourth-rounder in the process.

As the Rams have been big proponents for dealing draft capital to compete now, getting a second-round pick, even if it’s just No. 57 overall, is huge for the franchise. They can address holes on the roster, including getting another threat at wide receiver, with another top-60 selection, giving them two in total.

So with Cooks and Gurley gone, the Jared Goff-led Los Angeles Rams are going to look much different. Having said that, here’s what they can accomplish in the 2020 NFL Draft as we run through a full 7-round mock draft, simulated using The Draft Network mock draft machine.

After losing Cory Littleton in free agency, as expected, the Los Angeles Rams are in a tight spot at linebacker. Plainly, they don’t have a playmaker at the position left on the roster. Micah Kiser is a fine player and run defender but he lacks an athletic profile. Meanwhile, Kenny Young and Travin Howard are useful role players but nothing more than that.

So with the 52nd overall pick, the Rams identify that position as their most glaring need and make a move to fix that. The pick is Willie Gay Jr. out of Mississippi State, who absolutely tore up the NFL Combine. At 6-1, 243 pounds, Gay ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash while jumping 136 inches in the broad and 39.5 inches in the vert with 21 bench press reps as well.

Gay’s athleticism is abundantly clear on tape. He’s a supreme athlete that can fly all over the field and make explosive plays either by getting to the ball or lighting up the ball-carrier. Where he’s severely lacking is experience. Gay had just six career starts at Mississippi State, meaning the linebacker needs to develop his football IQ.

Overall, however, the former Bulldog possesses elite athletic traits that are rare. He has the tools physically to occupy any role at the NFL, replacing Litteton’s coverage ability and also improving against the run. Having said that, the Rams will need to coach him up and get him experience. Even then, he can be of great value at No. 52.