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Los Angeles Rams 2021 NFL draft picks: Grades, how they fit, full scouting reports
The Los Angeles Rams drafted Louisville wide receiver Tutu Atwell and South Carolina linebacker Ernest Jones with their first two picks.
theathletic.com
Los Angeles Rams 2021 NFL draft picks: Grades, how they fit, full scouting reports
Los Angeles Rams 2021 NFL draft picks: Grades, how they fit, full scouting reports
The Los Angeles Rams drafted Louisville wide receiver Tutu Atwell and South Carolina linebacker Ernest Jones with their first two picks.
theathletic.com
By The Athletic NFL Staff May 1, 2021
The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2021 NFL Draft with six picks during the three-day event.
The Rams went 10-6 last season and won in the wild-card round in the playoffs before falling to Green Bay in the divisional round. They made one of the biggest moves of the NFL’s offseason when they traded Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford at the end of January.
The Rams don’t have a lot of picks in this draft and that makes them candidates for acquiring additional selections throughout the weekend. Center Austin Blythe is gone and it’s unclear the direction the Rams will go at that position that is important with Stafford coming over from Detroit.
LIVE BLOG: Updates from the NFL Draft
BIG BOARD: Dane Brugler’s best available players
ROUND 2
No. 57: Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville
Jourdan Rodrigue’s analysis: Atwell was a bit of a surprise move for the Rams’ first pick because centers Creed Humphrey and Quinn Meinerz were both available at the time (perhaps hinting that the Rams would seek Stanford’s Drew Dalman with a later pick), as well as a bevy of cornerbacks. But NFL Network said Rams coach Sean McVay referred to Atwell as “DeSean Jackson Jr.” (the Rams also signed Jackson this spring on a one-year, incentive-heavy deal), and there’s no denying the bond McVay shared with a younger, similarly skilled Jackson during his Washington days. Jackson’s presence on the roster won’t preclude Atwell from being worked into the rotation as Atwell is versatile enough to align from a variety of places (including from the backfield on sweeps and reverses) and will certainly compete at punt and kickoff return.Dane Brugler’s analysis: Stafford tossing bombs to Atwell will be a thing in 2021. Atwell is tiny and the lack of size is an obvious concern, but he has elite speed to stretch out the defense, very similar to Hollywood Brown. The threat of his deep speed will help open up the field for Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: C-. Atwell (5-foot-9, 155 pounds) is small, but he was productive in college with 140 catches for 2,307 yards and 21 touchdowns. The size is a legit concern. Atwell missed two full games and parts of others last season because of a back injury. He also had issues with drops (15 in the last three seasons). If Atwell works out, the Rams will have a new version of Jackson. But they’re betting on the exception here, which is risky for a team with limited resources. Atwell was Brugler’s 95th-ranked prospect.
ROUND 3
No. 103: Ernest Jones, LB, South Carolina
Jourdan Rodrigue’s analysis: Jones, who led South Carolina in tackles as their “Mike” linebacker for two seasons, was “their guy” through and through, according to Jones, coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead.Dane Brugler’s analysis: While he appears stiff with his redirect in coverage, Jones is a long, physical linebacker who can mirror at the line of scrimmage and shut down the run. He led the Gamecocks in tackles each of the last two seasons and should be a quality early down player as a rookie.
Sheil Kapadia’s grade: B. Jones (6-foot-2, 230 pounds) had a productive college career. He started 21 games and led South Carolina in tackles in 2019 and 2020. Jones will need to prove himself in coverage to stay on the field, but he’s a nice option for the Rams at this stage of the draft.
ROUND 4
No. 117 Bobby Brown, DT, Texas A&M
Jourdan Rodrigue’s analysis: Bobby Brown at No. 117 is a pretty intriguing one in my mind, because while he could use some technical development, he’s about to funnel into the Eric Henderson system — where Henderson will see a lot to do with the explosive power and raw athleticism Brown is described by evaluators to have. Even after losing 2 DL in free agency, Brown needs/can get a redshirt year.Dane Brugler’s analysis: Overall, Brown might require an NFL redshirt year as he figures out how to use all of his gifts, but he is one of the youngest players in this class and NFL coaches will view him as moldable clay due to his raw power and athletic traits. He projects as a developmental tackle.
No. 130 Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas
Jourdan Rodrigue’s analysis: This is a pick I am very, very interested in. Rochell has a great frame (6-0, 193) and has a TON of potential upside because of his high athleticism, speed and reactive traits.Dane Brugler’s analysis: Rochell is an NFL-level athlete with his immediate acceleration and reactive twitch to match up against pro speed. While he is athletic, his base fundamentals and process are sporadic (leading to big plays allowed) and he needs to stay locked in every snap. Whether he lives up to his NFL starting-level upside comes down to the development of his technique and discipline.
No. 141 Jacob Harris, WR, UCF
Jourdan Rodrigue’s analysis: Harris was described to me as an “athletic project” as it pertains to the offense specifically — but, the Rams expect him to contribute immediately on special teams and in fact was their top-ranked special-teamer on the board (this is about when those guys start coming up). ST coordinator Joe DeCamillis (former Jaguars) is very familiar with Harris.Dane Brugler’s analysis: Harris plays with controlled burst and long strides to challenge defensive backs, flashing potential to run the full tight end route tree. In order to make it at the next level, he must improve his focus and finish as both a pass-catcher and blocker. Overall, Harris faces obvious growing pains and is older than ideal for a developmental prospect, but his blend of size and athleticism is rare and his special teams skills will keep him on an NFL roster as he develops. Several teams view him as a tight end while others grade him at wide receiver.
ROUND 5
No. 174 Earnest Brown IV, DE, Northwestern
Jourdan Rodrigue’s analysis: Brown has the exact length that new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is looking for (6-5). Brown could rotate in, especially in sub-packages in which Rams are in even fronts/perhaps develop into an outside-inside player.Dane Brugler’s analysis: Brown plays with strong hands at the point-of-attack to stack, shed and find the football. However, he is too segmented with his movements and lacks the upfield juice to threaten blockers as a pass rusher. Overall, Brown is a slow-twitch player, but he sets a physical edge and stays assignment sound versus the run. He projects as a backup base defensive end in a four-man front.
ROUND 7
No. 233 Jake Funk, RB, Maryland
Jourdan Rodrigue’s analysis: The Rams’ pick of running back Jake Funk at No. 233 feels like a total special teams move to me considering his noted prowess there, and his promising athletic profile aligns with the developmental prospects they have targeted all throughout today’s picks. Funk (Maryland) has also had two ACL repair surgeries.Jeff Zrebiec on Funk the player: Funk felt like he answered some questions with his performance last month at Maryland’s pro day. He clocked a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash, registered a 38-inch vertical jump and did 22 reps of 225 pounds.
No. 249 Ben Skowronek, WR, Notre Dame
Jourdan Rodrigue’s analysis: The Rams’ pickup of Notre Dame receiver Ben Skowronek will raise some eyebrows, but his potential is as bigger-bodied blocking help, and maybe special teams tenure. The Rams are making a lot — a LOT — of special teams picks in these later rounds; another sure sign that Sean McVay was pissed about how the unit performed last year. They’re on their third coordinator in as many years.Dane Brugler’s analysis: Skowronek allows defensive backs to stay on top of him, but his catch radius and competitive chops will give him a chance at sticking on an NFL roster. He projects as a back-end receiver or tight end who will make an impact on special teams.
