The 2024 NFL draft is rapidly approaching and while free agency isn’t over, the Los Angeles Rams have made the bulk of their additions on the market this offseason. As a result, their top positions of need are coming into focus, with their biggest depth chart hole remaining unchanged from the start of the offseason.
Aaron Donald’s retirement obviously complicates things on defense because the Rams will need help along the defensive line, potentially making it a position they’ll target in Round 1. Elsewhere, the signings of Jonah Jackson and Kevin Dotson solidify the interior O-line, and the tight end position is in much better shape with Colby Parkinson signed. The same goes for the secondary with the additions of Darious Williams, Tre’Davious White and Kamren Curl.
As it stands now, here are the Rams’ biggest draft needs
Despite being the Rams’ biggest position of need at the start of the offseason, the outside linebacker group hasn’t had a single player added to it. Michael Hoecht and Byron Young remain the projected starters at edge rusher, though it’s hard to imagine the Rams passing on the top edge rushers in the first couple of rounds in the draft.
This is still the team’s biggest need and a position that must be addressed early, especially now that the Rams don’t have Aaron Donald to rely on from a pass-rush perspective on the interior.
When a future Hall of Famer and 10-time Pro Bowler retires, it throws a wrench into things — even if Los Angeles was anticipating Donald stepping away. Fortunately, Kobie Turner is coming off an outstanding rookie season so he’ll be a building block moving forward, but there’s no replacing Donald.
This doesn’t mean the Rams should force a pick on a defensive tackle in the first round, but they need to get Turner some help in the middle of the line. Adding someone like Byron Murphy II or Johnny Newton would certainly lessen the blow of losing Donald.
The additions of Darious Williams and Tre’Davious White will be the two starting cornerbacks on the outside, with Quentin Lake likely manning the slot once again. As beneficial as the additions of Williams and White will be, they shouldn’t prevent the Rams from drafting a cornerback early.
White is injury-prone and on a one-year contract, while Williams is 31 years old. The draft isn’t just about filling immediate holes, but more so about finding players who can help you for several years. The Rams still need a young cornerback to build the secondary around.
Tendering Alaric Jackson allows the Rams to keep their offensive line in great shape, knowing he’ll maintain his starting role at left tackle for another year. If he plays poorly or the Rams want to move on after 2024, they do that easily, but they’ll need a replacement as Matthew Stafford’s blindside protector.
Not to mention, Rob Havenstein only has two years left on his contract so the Rams could need a new right tackle relatively soon, too. Offensive tackle is a premier position because of how difficult it can be to find high-end starters.
