It would be a huge surprise if the Los Angeles Rams didn’t add pass-rush help at some point in the draft this weekend. Leonard Floyd is their only reliable edge rusher after Von Miller’s departure, and Aaron Donald can only do so much to carry the pass rush from the interior.
Starting on Day 1 as an edge rusher is difficult in the NFL, especially if you’re drafted outside the first round. That makes the idea of the Rams landing an immediate starter in the third round or later a precarious one.
Here’s one edge rusher the Rams could target in each round of the draft, from the third to the seventh.
3rd round: Sam Williams, Ole Miss
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Williams might be the ideal third-round prospect for the Rams. He has great size (6-4, 261), impressive athleticism (4.46 40-yard dash) and finished his college career with an impressive 12.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss. He’s firmly projected to go in the third or fourth round, making him likely to be around at the Rams’ pick at No. 104 overall.
What has weighed down Williams’ draft stock is his lack of impact against the run. He’s plenty good as a pass rusher, but he’s not yet a complete edge player because of his struggles as a run defender. With the Rams, he’d be used initially as a situational pass rusher, coming onto the field for a superior run defender in Justin Hollins.
4th round: Amare Barno, Virginia Tech
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Barno is far from a polished player himself, but he has the skills to become a really good edge rusher. Part of the reason he’s still viewed as a raw pass rusher is he began his college career as an off-ball linebacker before moving to edge rusher for two seasons at Virginia Tech. His experience playing off the ball gives him added position flexibility, similar to Hollins’ versatility.
In his first season at Virginia Tech, Barno had 16 tackles for a loss and 6.5…