HERMOSA BEACH, Calif. — The best way to describe the 2024 Los Angeles Rams draft: meat-and-potatoes picks. While the Rams explored opportunities to make a splash into the top 10 the morning of the first round, they decided to stay put as the draft began and let the board fall. In doing so, their course seemed set: They selected an immediate impact player at edge/outside linebacker in Jared Verse, then his partner in college in Braden Fiske via a trade up (the cost of which raised a few eyebrows).
From there, the Rams filled what they believed were needs, with players they liked. Coach Sean McVay wanted to find a second running back, and he and position coach Ron Gould hoped to bring in a player similar to lead rusher Kyren Williams so that nothing schematic would need changing if Williams (who has dealt with injuries the last two seasons) were to miss any time or has to keep fresher legs through a long season.
With later picks, the Rams added depth at safety, along the defensive and offensive line and — joy of joys for the fan base — a kicker.
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The picks
| Round | Pick | Name | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 19 | Jared Verse | Edge | Florida State |
2 | 39 | Braden Fiske | DT | Florida State |
3 | 83 | Blake Corum | RB | Michigan |
3 | 99 | Kamren Kinchens | S | Miami |
5 | 154 | Brennan Jackson | Edge | Washington State |
6 | 196 | Tyler Davis | DT | Clemson |
6 | 209 | Joshua Karty | K | Stanford |
6 | 213 | Jordan Whittington | WR | Texas |
6 | 217 | Beaux Limmer | C | Arkansas |
7 | 254 | KT Leveston | G | Kansas State |
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Los Angeles Rams NFL Draft picks 2024: Grades, fits and scouting reports
Best value pick
Verse will be expected to start right away, and in seeing him in person at the Rams’ draft house in Hermosa Beach on Friday, it’s clear why he will fit in on an NFL practice field. He has a huge frame — he is built more like a pure defensive end than an outside linebacker, although the Rams will start him out as a true edge — and a larger-than-life personality with energy to match.
The Rams’ biggest need in the previous two offseasons (until Verse’s arrival) was a second outside pass rusher. They found a full-time starter in 2023 in Byron Young, who will now enter his second NFL season. Verse is a great power/versatility complement to Young’s speed, but the coaches think each having a partner on the opposite end could unlock more opportunities for both players to develop other elements to their rush, not just their trademark tools.
Most surprising pick
Actually, the biggest surprise here is that the Rams went with a patient draft strategy for a second consecutive year, matching clear needs with some of their favorite players in the class. Before 2023, it was not unusual to see their early picks gravitate toward offensive-skill players. Two years in a row, the asking prices for potential trades up in or into the first round were steep enough — and evaluations of non-skill players were high enough — to keep them on what I earlier referred to as the meat-and-potatoes track.
In terms of specific players, Jordan Whittington ultimately could prove to be a surprise. He is a strong yards-after-catch player who might find an immediate role on special teams. Generally, when the Rams use a pick on a skill player late in the sixth or the seventh rounds, it’s because they believed he would be a high-interest undrafted free agent they might not be able to sign, or another team could draft them to poach them.
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Biggest question mark
Questions remain about the cornerbacks, despite several veteran signings, because Tre’Davious White is still recovering from an Achilles repair surgery. In the future, the Rams will need to look higher in the draft at tackle (Rob Havenstein is a veteran, and Alaric Jackson is essentially playing on a one-year deal) and at receiver.
Remaining needs
The Rams could still use depth at inside linebacker, and I would expect their undrafted free-agent class to include a few players at that position.
While the Rams have a full room at receiver this season (including a healthy Cooper Kupp), it would not have been surprising to see them select players at the position with higher draft picks.
Post-draft outlook
The Rams discussed the price to trade into the top 10 at the start of the draft and looked into trading back from No. 19, but they quickly decided to stay patient as the board fell with a unique opening run on offensive players.
In doing so, they spent picks on specific priorities, continued to build their identity along the defensive line, identified a true complement to lead running back Williams in Blake Corum and shored up depth in other areas with later picks.
(Photo of Jared Verse: Isaiah Vazquez / Getty Images)
