Los Angeles Rams 2023 NFL Draft Recap
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New LA Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett IV was drafted with the 132nd overall pick in this year's draft.
The Los Angeles Rams went into yet another draft without a first-round pick but they may end up getting top value with their 36th overall pick in center Steve Avila, who we spotlighted during the college football season.
But the fun was just getting started for the team. They not only drafted 14 players, they also signed 24 as undrafted priority free agents. Of the latter, Rhode Island’s Jordan Jones, UCF long snapper Alex Ward, Boston College’s Jaiden Woodbey, NC State’s Christopher Dunn, Louisville’s Tiyon Evans, Florida’s Rashad Torrence, West Virginia’s Sam James and NC State’s Tanner Ingle were all featured in our 2023 NFL Draft Guide. But it was another undrafted free agent who took the top spot as the representative for the club’s No. 1 undrafted free agent signing.
Regardless of any analysis, it was clear that the Rams know that they need to add depth and competition to improve its roster. Their undrafted free agents made up two more draft classes.
| LA Rams 2023 NFL Draft Recap | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | |||||
| Selection | Player Selection | Position- School | DN Big Board Rank/ Grade | Notes | Value (1-5): |
| 2 (36) | Steve Avila 6’3 330 | OC-OG-TCU | 36/2nd Round | Avila, a left-handed snapper at center, may slide into the left guard spot initially but brings value at all three interior line spots if needed. | 5 |
| 3 (77) | Byron Young 6’2 250 | OLB-Tennessee | 94/3rd Round | Young’s final career game in the 2022 Orange Bowl exhibited his range, motor and pass rush capability. He still needs to gain a better feel as a pass rusher, as he often negates his 4.4 speed by stopping his feet too early in the rush.l exhibited his range, motor and pass rush capability. He still needs to gain a better feel as a pass rusher. | 4.5 |
| 3 (89) | Kobie Turner 6’2 288 | DT-Wake Forest, Richmond | N/A | Turner’s one-gap penetration capability worked well at Richmond and translated as a disruptor at Wake Forest in his only ACC campaign. | 3 |
| 4 (128) | Stetson Bennett IV 5’11 192 | QB-Georgia | 156/3rd Round | Bennett IV has a number of similarities to John Wolford coming out of Wake Forest, but he may be a better athlete. This is a player who should fit well in Sean McVay’s system behind fellow Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford. Bennett IV, a Heisman finalist, threw for 4,127 yards in 2022. | 4.5 |
| 5 (161) | Nick Hampton 6’2 236 | OLB/Appalachian State | 172/3rd Round | Hampton’s length shined as a pass rusher at the collegiate level and also on special teams running down on the kickoff team. The two-time All-Sun Belt performer finished his career with 40 tackles for loss and contributed six forced fumbles. | 5 |
| 5 (174) | Warren McClendon 6’4 306 | OT-Georgia | 202/4th Round | His technique has been adequate against SEC pass rushers partly because he frequently slides his feet well enough laterally to win to a spot. This has created a cup for the quarterback in the pocket. He is going to have to improve in getting his second step in the ground when man blocking. | 4.25 |
| 5 (175) | Davis Allen 6’5 250 | TE-Clemson | 181/3rd Round | Allen’s best season catching the ball came at a time when he also continued his stellar work on special teams (nine career tackles). He was a major factor in the Red Zone during his career. | 5 |
| 5 (177) | Puka Nacua 6’1 206 | WR/BYU | 207/4th Round | Nacua, who is capable enough of the contested catch, often lined up as a running back to run off-tackle. The foot speed reveals a build into it type of gear that still presents turnover. | 4.75 |
| 6 (182) | Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson 5’8 178 | CB-Nickel-TCU | 122/3rd Round | The Jim Thorpe Award winner has more than enough competitiveness to last on the outside, if need be, but he could grow into an All-Pro player at the interior nickel back spot due to his vision, awareness and toughness. | 5 |
| 6 (189) | Ochaun Mathis 6’5 250 | DE-OLB-Nebraska | 188/3rd Round | It was not as if he dominated the Big Ten by any stretch, but games like the fourth quarter of the Rutgers contest illuminate his overall upside. Mathis could become a better pro than collegian. | 5 |
| 6 (216) | Zach Evans 5’11 202 | RB-Ole Miss, TCU | 88/3rd Round | Evans, a former four-star recruit, has all of the skills but injuries and an inability to unseat No. 1 RB Quinshon Jenkins at Ole Miss resulted in a Day 3 slide. He could become a find for the Rams. | 5 |
| 7 (223) | Ethan Evans 6’3 5/8” 233 | P-Wingate | 359/5th Round | Our No. 1 ranked punter has a number of physical similarities to his idol was Thomas Morstead. Evans excelled at the Kohl’s Kicking Combine and was outstanding in the postseason. The best athlete in the draft at the position (700-pound squatter), Evans can kickoff and punt and boasts hang times clearing 5 seconds with 70-yard distances. | 5 |
| 7 (234) | Jason Taylor II 6’0 208 | S-Oklahoma State | 144/3rd Round | Angles were an issue for Taylor as either an eighth man in the box or in the open field, but he has been a playmaking safety since 2020 and finished with touchdowns on a fumble return, kickoff return and interception in school. | 5 |
| 7 (259) | Desjaun Johnson 6’2 285 | DT-Toledo | 592/6th Round | Johnson got up into the 285-pound range during pre-draft workouts and sacrificed some quickness. But he still has produced as a one-gap penetrator who can play the 6i-DE spot. The first-team All-MAC performer has frequently battled interior linemen in school at the three-technique defensive tackle position. | 4 |
| No. 1 UDFA signing: | Quindell Johnson 6’0 207 | S-Memphis | 200/4th Round | Johnson’s game is defined by film study, eye speed and overall instincts from the safety spot. There were questions about his pure speed, but he answered most of those in the postseason. | 5 |
| Draft Grade: | 4.64 |
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