Rams’ third-day picks
BRENNAN JACKSON, edge
6 feet 4, 264 pounds, Washington State, Round 5, Pick 154
Notable: Jackson, who played at Great Oak High in Temecula, had 20 career sacks, which rank eighth in Washington State history. He also had 33½ tackles for lost yardage.
Last season: Jackson had 8½ sacks and 12½ tackles for lost yardage for the Cougars.
Why the Rams drafted him: Jackson’s selection continued their heavy emphasis on pass rushers to help fill the void left by Aaron Donald. They selected Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse in the first round and Florida State tackle Braden Fiske in the second. Jackson joins a position group that includes second-year edge rusher Byron Young and veteran Michael Hoecht.
TYLER DAVIS, defensive lineman
6 feet 2, 301 pounds, Clemson, Round 6, Pick 196
Notable: Davis was selected first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference in each of the last three seasons.
Last season: Davis played in 13 games and had 3½ sacks. As a junior, he had 9½ tackles for lost yardage, including 5½ sacks.
Why the Rams drafted him: It has become more than a trend. Davis is the fourth defensive lineman selected to help make up for the loss of Donald. Davis is the second interior line prospect, joining second-round pick Fiske. Davis is a nose tackle who could allow Kobie Turner to move to the three-technique spot. Bobby Brown III is in the final year of his rookie contract.
JOSHUA KARTY, kicker
6 feet 2, 207 pounds, Stanford, Round 6, Pick 209
Notable: Karty, who was All-Pac-12 the last two seasons, is the first kicker drafted by the Rams since they took Sam Sloman in the seventh round in 2020.
Last season: Karty made 23 of 27 field-goal attempts and all 21 extra-point attempts.
Why the Rams drafted him: They desperately needed a reliable kicker after the debacle that was last season. They started with veteran Brett Maher and then turned to rookie Lucas Havrisik before returning to Maher. The Rams no doubt are hoping Karty can become an effective weapon the way Greg Zuerlein was after being drafted in 2012.
JORDAN WHITTINGTON, wide receiver
6 feet 1, 205 pounds, Texas, Round 6, Pick 213
Notable: Whittington moved from running back to receiver after the 2019 season. He caught a combined 92 passes in the last two seasons.
Last season: Whittington played in 14 games and caught 42 passes for 505 yards and a touchdown.
Why the Rams drafted him: Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and Demarcus Robinson are the starting receivers, and Tutu Atwell also will play. The Rams need depth, however, because Kupp is entering his eighth season and was injured for much of the last two, Robinson is playing on a one-year contract and Atwell is in the final year of his rookie contract.
BEAUX LIMMER, center/guard
6 feet 5, 302 pounds, Arkansas, Round 6, Pick 217
Notable: Limmer played several seasons at right guard before moving to center for his final college season.
Last season: Limmer started 11 games at center and played one at left guard.
Why the Rams drafted him: Coleman Shelton, who started at center last season, signed with the Chicago Bears. The Rams released veteran Brian Allen. So second-year pro Steve Avila is moving from left guard to center for a line that was bolstered by re-signing guard Kevin Dotson and signing free agent Jonah Jackson. Limmer will provide depth at center and possibly guard.
KT LEVESTON, offensive line
6 feet 4, 326 pounds, Kansas State, Round 7, Pick 254
Notable: Leveston mainly played left tackle during his college career, but he is projected as an NFL guard.
Last season: Leveston started 13 games for a Kansas State team that finished 9-4 and 6-3 in the Big 12.
Why the Rams drafted him: Leveston could provide depth for an offensive line that has been fortified by the re-signing of Dotson and the free-agent signing of Jackson. Leveston’s experience at tackle also could make him an eventual successor to Joe Noteboom as a swing tackle. With no pressure to play right away, Leveston can learn from the veterans.