People overvalue draft picks. The vast majority never validate their draft position. Then many of those same people overvalue aging vets.
IMO the key is to find those young vets in their first contract or coming off their first contract who have proven they can play at this level. I have a feeling that Long is a guy they may have looked at in his draft so they knew what he brought to the table. Much the same way as they traded for Corbett whom they targeted but who was taken before they could take him. Cleveland couldn't find a place for him apparently because he was on the bench when the Rams traded for him.
Most teams trying to strictly build through the draft never get there because it takes too long. On the other hand, the Rams roster even with the subtractions have largely a built roster. They need an edge, LB, and perhaps a CB on defense and a QB2, #3 RB, and OL depth on offense. Most here weren't happy with the OL in 2021 but it proved them wrong. The Rams are looking at a similar situation with this OL IMO.
This year they have their franchise QB Stafford for at least one more year, Akers who is running strong, Williams as a legit #2 RB, and a good WR room. They have Higbee for one more year and traded for Long who could be his replacement. On the OL the biggest loss was Shelton who would have been a successor to Allen, and probably two new IOL in Bruss and Thomas. Noteboom if healthy or Jackson if he isn't at LT and Havenstein for one more year.
The defensive front is up in the air but they do have Hardy at edge, AD, and Hoecht IDL with a drafted edge probably taking over at the other edge. The Rams could draft two edges, one in the second and the other early in the 3rd. The Rams have options at that DE position with either Hoecht or Donald with the other playing 3T. Brown takes over for A'Shawn Robinson on early downs being replaced by Murchison on passing downs. The LBs of Jones and Howard aren't a bad pair. I honestly think Morris will play a two-high shell with Lake and Yeast deep with Fuller playing the middle zone. CB Morris has Durant and Rochell if he comes off his attitude and actually coaches the kid up. I'm hoping that is a reason they quickly brought back Aubrey Pleasant.
This roster isn't looking for a team full of starters in free agency and the draft. This team is looking for one maybe two starting edges, maybe a starting boundary CB but otherwise they need depth.