Rams figure to focus on defensive line picks early in draft

We've reached April, and, for now, the Rams still have their first-round pick in this month's NFL draft.

In fact, the Rams are flush with draft capital with 11 picks and their first first-rounder since trading up for Jared Goff and the No. 1 overall pick in 2016. With the surplus of picks and their position in the first round, the Rams have options to do anything, whether it's move up or down or stand put.

With the draft three weeks away, taking place April 25-27 in Detroit, here's a sevenround mock draft for the Rams' 11 picks, using Pro Football Focus' mock draft generator.

Byron Murphy I

Defensive tackle, Texas, 6-1, 308

For the sake of this exercise, we didn't allow trades, but the Rams don't need to move up to get their ideal prospect in the first round. They land the draft's top interior defensive lineman to begin filling the massive hole left by Aaron Donald's retirement. Murphy is a three-down tackle who had 45pressures and six sacks as a junior at Texas. He is known for his explosiveness at the line of scrimmage, and at 21years old he has room to grow alongside second-year tackle Kobie Turner.

Chris Braswel

Edge rusher, Alabama, 6-3, 255

The Rams double-dip on the defensive front to open the draft after not making any additions to the group via free agency. Braswell is a strong, explosive and fast rusher on the edge who had 13sacks and 56pressures as a junior. He also was serviceable when asked to drop into coverage with a 71.7grade from Pro Football Focus in 52pass coverage snaps. Between Braswell, Murphy, Turner and secondyear edge rusher Byron Young, the Rams would have a solid core up front for first-year coordinator Chris Shula to work with.

Edge Chop Robinson, Penn State; Tackle Troy Fautanu, Washington

S Calen Bullock, USC; LB Tommy Eichenberg,

Ohio State; CB D.J. James, Auburn

Edge Adisa Isaac, Penn State; S Javon Bullard, Georgia; Tackle Jordan Morgan, Arizona

Malachi Corle

Wide receiver, Western Kentucky, 5-11, 210 The Rams re-signed Demarcus Robinson, but a one-year deal for a veteran shouldn't stop the Rams from thinking of the future of the receivers room. Corley is a former running back with 4.47-second speed in the 40that could give Rams head coach Sean McVay some fun options for how to integrate him into the run game as a rookie. Robinson, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua would allow Corley to develop his route tree until he's ready to be a bigger contributor in 2025.

QB Spencer Rattler, South Carolina; CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon; LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson

Christian Jones ffensive tackle, Texas, 6-6, 321

The Rams could use a developmental right tackle to one day replace Rob Havenstein. Jones fits the bill, with two years of starting experience at Texas and four sacks allowed over that span.

Kamal Hadde Cornerback, Tennessee, 6-1, 197

The Rams add a lanky outside corner who can come along slowly behind veteran offseason additions Darious Williams and Tre'Davious White. Hadden's senior season was cut short by a shoulder injury, but he allowed only 12 receptions in seven games before the injury.

RB Dillon Johnson, Washington; C Drake Nugent, Michigan; T Walter Rouse, Oklahoma

Drake Nugen

Center, Michigan, 6-2, 301 Undrafted free agent Mike McAllister is currently the Rams' backup center behind Steve Avila. Nugent shores up that position and fits into the Rams' run blocking philosophy after being part of a physical line at Michigan that ran duo concepts.

Frank Gore Jr.

Running back, Southern Mississippi, 5-8, 195 The Rams tendered Ronnie Rivers, but could stand to add to the backup competition behind Kyren Williams. Gore averaged 4.9 yards per carry and ran for 10TDs and, more importantly for a potential backup, received a 75.4PFF pass blocking grade as a senior.

B Steele Chambers, Ohio State; Edge Brennan Jackson, Washington State; DT Zion Logue, Georgia

Linebacker, Ohio State, 6-1, 232

The Rams add a dependable option behind Ernest Jones IV and Christian Rozeboom who can contribute on special teams right away.

S Omar Brown, Nebraska; LB Jaylan Ford, Texas; K Will Reichard, Alabama

Will Reichard

Kicker, Alabama, 6-1, 194

The Rams sat out the kicker market during free agency, and last year showed a preference for adding a kicker on a price-controlled contract. They get that chance with Reichard, a kicker with plenty of big-game experience. He made 88% of his field goals as a senior, including 5for 5from 50yards. Two of those 50-yarders came in the CFP semifinal. And as for reliability, Reichard missed two extra points in five collegiate seasons.

RB Dillon Johnson, Washington; T Walter Rouse, Oklahoma

S Omar Brown, Nebraska; LB Jaylan Ford, Texas

Omar Brown

Safety, Nebraska, 6-1, 200

Same story as Chambers; adds depth to the safety position and gets early work on special teams.

Jaylan Ford, Texas;

J.J. Weaver

Edge rusher, Kentucky, 6-5, 244

The Rams close out this mock draft by adding another body along the defensive line. Weaver is a lanky pass rusher who also is steady in run defense.

QB Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland; Edge Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Washington