The Los Angeles Rams NFL draft picks 2023 is the annual selection of college football players by the Los Angeles Rams, a professional American football team based in Los Angeles, California. The Rams are one of the 32 teams that participate in the National Football League (NFL) draft, which is held every year in late April or early May. The draft is a way for teams to acquire new players and improve their rosters for the upcoming season. The Rams have nine picks in the 2023 NFL draft, including one in each of the first five rounds and four in the seventh round.
History: The NFL draft has a long and rich history that dates back to 1936. The draft was proposed by Bert Bell, the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, as a way to create competitive balance among the teams and ensure their financial viability. The first NFL draft was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia on February 8, 1936, with 90 names written on a blackboard from which the teams could choose. The draft has evolved over the years, especially with the emergence of the American Football League (AFL) in 1959, which competed with the NFL for draft picks and players. The two leagues merged in 1970, creating a common draft and a unified league. The draft has also changed its format, location, and media coverage over time, becoming one of the most popular and anticipated events in sports.
Here is a list of the Los Angeles Rams NFL draft picks 2023, along with some information about each player:
2-Round Pick, 36th overall: TCU G Steve Avila. Avila is a versatile and athletic offensive lineman who can play both guard and tackle positions. He started 35 games at TCU, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior. He has good size, strength, and mobility, and can excel in both run blocking and pass protection.
3-Round Pick, 77th overall: Tennessee OLB Byron Young. Young is a speedy and explosive edge rusher who can disrupt opposing quarterbacks. He transferred to Tennessee from junior college and had a breakout season in 2022, recording 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. He has a high motor, good bend, and a variety of moves to get to the backfield.
3-Round Pick, 89th overall: Wake Forest DL Kobie Turner. Turner is a powerful and productive defensive lineman who can play both inside and outside positions. He had a stellar career at Wake Forest, earning second-team All-ACC honors as a senior. He finished with 21 sacks and 38 tackles for loss in his four seasons. He has great strength, quickness, and awareness, and can dominate at the point of attack.
4-Round Pick, 128th overall: Georgia QB Stetson Bennett. Bennett is a smart and gritty quarterback who led Georgia to the national championship in 2022. He started 14 games for the Bulldogs, throwing for 2,837 yards and 25 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. He has good accuracy, decision-making, and leadership skills, and can also make plays with his legs.
5-Round Pick, 161st overall: Appalachian State OLB Nick Hampton. Hampton is a fast and athletic outside linebacker who can cover a lot of ground. He was a three-year starter at Appalachian State, earning first-team All-Sun Belt honors as a senior. He had 9.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in his final season. He has good instincts, range, and tackling ability, and can also contribute on special teams.
5-Round Pick, 174th overall: Georgia OT Warren McClendon. McClendon is a solid and reliable offensive tackle who played alongside Avila at Georgia. He started 26 games for the Bulldogs, earning second-team All-SEC honors as a senior. He has good size, technique, and balance, and can handle both power and speed rushers.
7-Round Pick, 217th overall: Clemson TE Davis Allen. Allen is a big and physical tight end who can block and catch. He was a two-year starter at Clemson, catching 37 passes for 514 yards and seven touchdowns in his career. He has good hands, body control, and toughness, and can also line up as an H-back or fullback.
7-Round Pick, 228th overall: BYU WR Puka Nacua. Nacua is a dynamic and explosive wide receiver who can stretch the field. He transferred to BYU from Washington and had an impressive season in 2022, catching 49 passes for 1,021 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has great speed, agility, and ball skills, and can make defenders miss in the open field.
7-Round Pick, 240th overall: TCU CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson. Hodges-Tomlinson is a small but scrappy cornerback who can play both outside and slot positions. He is the nephew of former NFL star LaDainian Tomlinson. He started 25 games at TCU, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors as a junior. He had six interceptions and 23 pass breakups in his career. He has good quickness, footwork, and ball awareness, and can also return punts.
7-Round Pick, 253rd overall: TCU DE Ochaun Mathis. Mathis is a long and lean defensive end who can rush the passer. He was a three-year starter at TCU, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior. He had 17 sacks and 28 tackles for loss in his career. He has good length, burst, and bend, and can also drop into coverage.
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The last five top draft picks by the Los Angeles Rams are as follows:
- 2021 (No. 57 overall): Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville. Atwell is a speedy and elusive wide receiver who can make big plays down the field. He had 140 receptions for 2,307 yards and 21 touchdowns in his three seasons at Louisville.
- 2020 (No. 52 overall): Cam Akers, RB, Florida State. Akers is a powerful and versatile running back who can run, catch, and block. He had 2,874 rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns in his three seasons at Florida State.
- 2019 (No. 61 overall): Taylor Rapp, S, Washington. Rapp is a smart and instinctive safety who can play both free and strong positions. He had seven interceptions and 8.5 tackles for loss in his three seasons at Washington.
- 2018 (No. 89 overall): Joseph Noteboom, OT, TCU. Noteboom is a solid and reliable offensive tackle who can play both left and right positions. He started 40 games at TCU, earning second-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior.
- 2017 (No. 44 overall): Gerald Everett, TE, South Alabama. Everett is a dynamic and athletic tight end who can create mismatches in the passing game. He had 107 receptions for 1,584 yards and 13 touchdowns in his two seasons at South Alabama.
ALSO READ: Miami Dolphins Draft Picks 2023: Complete Round-by-Round Selections and Analysis
FAQs
Q: Who are the Los Angeles Rams NFL draft picks 2023?
A: The Los Angeles Rams NFL draft picks 2023 are the following players: TCU G Steve Avila, Tennessee OLB Byron Young, Wake Forest DL Kobie Turner, Georgia QB Stetson Bennett, Appalachian State OLB Nick Hampton, Georgia OT Warren McClendon, Clemson TE Davis Allen, BYU WR Puka Nacua, TCU CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU DE Ochaun Mathis, TCU RB Zach Evans, Texas A&M WR Ethan Evans, Oklahoma S Jason Taylor II, and Texas Tech DT Desjuan Johnson.
Q: Why did the Los Angeles Rams trade their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft?
A: The Los Angeles Rams traded their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft to the Detroit Lions as part of the deal that brought quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Rams. The Rams also gave up their 2022 first-round pick and quarterback Jared Goff in exchange for Stafford.
Q: How did the Los Angeles Rams acquire four seventh-round picks in the 2023 NFL draft?
A: The Los Angeles Rams acquired four seventh-round picks in the 2023 NFL draft through various trades with other teams. The Rams received the 217th overall pick from the Miami Dolphins as part of the trade that sent linebacker Kenny Young and a 2022 sixth-round pick to Miami. The Rams received the 228th overall pick from the Houston Texans as part of the trade that sent wide receiver Brandin Cooks and a 2022 fourth-round pick to Houston. The Rams received the 240th overall pick from the Baltimore Ravens as part of the trade that sent offensive lineman Austin Corbett and a 2022 sixth-round pick to Baltimore. The Rams received the 253rd overall pick from the New England Patriots as part of the trade that sent tight end Tyler Higbee and a 2022 fifth-round pick to New England.
Q: Who is the highest-rated Los Angeles Rams NFL draft pick 2023 according to experts?
A: According to experts, the highest-rated Los Angeles Rams NFL draft pick 2023 is TCU G Steve Avila, who was selected with the 36th overall pick in the second round. Avila is considered a versatile and athletic offensive lineman who can play both guard and tackle positions. He started 35 games at TCU, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior. He has good size, strength, and mobility, and can excel in both run blocking and pass protection.
Q: Who is the most surprising Los Angeles Rams NFL draft pick 2023 according to fans?
A: According to fans, the most surprising Los Angeles Rams NFL draft pick 2023 is Georgia QB Stetson Bennett, who was selected with the 128th overall pick in the fourth round. Bennett is a smart and gritty quarterback who led Georgia to the national championship in 2022. He started 14 games for the Bulldogs, throwing for 2,837 yards and 25 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. He has good accuracy, decision-making, and leadership skills, and can also make plays with his legs. Some fans were surprised that the Rams drafted another quarterback after acquiring Matthew Stafford, while others were impressed by Bennett’s performance and potential.
