• A new QB in town: Some see Bo Nix's age as a negative, but it has made him one of the more knowledgeable QB prospects with a better pre-snap understanding of defenses than most.
• Amarius Mims has elite potential at tackle: It's hard to believe how the 6-foot-7, 340-pound Mims can sit down in his stance and run to cover ground.
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As the 2024 NFL Draft nears, our seven-round team mock draft series continues with the Los Angeles Rams.
Round 1, Pick 19: T Amarius Mims, Georgia
It's hard to believe how the 6-foot-7, 340-pound Mims can sit down in his stance and run to cover ground. He also has elite length for the position. While his physical potential is through the roof, he lacks experience. He played only 682 snaps over the past two seasons with just eight starts, due to biding his time at a talented program and injury in 2023. He is a strong player who can maintain blocks well with good upper-body strength. Mims is more smooth than he is truly explosive as an athlete, which takes away some of his punch at contact. His feet are also a bit slow in pass protection, which can cause some clunky kick backs and oversetting.
Round 2, Pick 52: QB Bo Nix, Oregon
Some see Nix's age as a negative, but it has made him one of the more knowledgeable QB prospects with a better pre-snap understanding of defenses than most QBs. When the ball comes out of his hands, it has a consistent pace with good control. His pocket presence is good, but he could stand to climb the pocket more instead of fading away. He is an above-average athlete for the position and is always a threat to keep an RPO or scramble. As a passer, he is also accurate out of structure. He gets in trouble due to his footwork, as his feet are not as light as they could be. His knack for avoiding negative plays, including sacks, is top of the class.
Round 3, Pick 83: EDGE Xavier Thomas, Clemson
Though he does not bring much from a measurable standpoint, his five-star athleticism is alive and well. His feet are lightning quick, which allows him to consistently get his foot in the ground to drive his legs when bull rushing. He also is an excellent hand fighter. He makes up for his lack of length by always keeping the hands and arms moving to stay unblocked and eventually get away. He is a relentless pass rusher but is not as effective a run defender when he can't shoot a gap.
Round 3, Pick 99: RB Blake Watson, Memphis
Watson started his college career as a wide receiver at Old Dominion and switched to running back in his third year before transferring to Memphis in 2023. He is at his best when he gets out to the sideline in wide-zone blocking schemes. This allows him to use his difference-making top speed and one-cut ability. His body control is impressive. He can stop on a dime with precision and explosiveness. His patience behind man/gap schemes needs work, but it is improving. He is an excellent receiver out of the backfield. He can fully extend for catches and is confident in his routes. Watson is a willing pass protector but could be more confident.
Round 5, Pick 154: LB Cedric Gray, North Carolina
His scouting report starts with his speed. He has very good short-area burst and long speed to meet ball carriers at the sideline. He has long arms, which aid him in wrapping up ball carriers. As a blitzer, his lateral movements are quick and explosive. He is a bit light and would do best more as a Will linebacker in space. His coverage in the box is good, but his slot coverage was inconsistent. His biggest area of concern is his anticipation. After three years as a starter, you would like to see him anticipate more than he does now, often reacting to where the ball is going after it moves.
Round 5, Pick 155: CB Myles Harden, South Dakota
Harden is smaller, which will be an issue if he is to stay at outside corner in the NFL. However, he is feisty and a willing run defender. He likes to get his hands on receivers and make them work for their route. His long speed is a concern against vertical receivers, but his short-area quickness makes up for it on in-breaking routes and underneath throws.
Round 6, Pick 196: LB Michael Barrett, Michigan
Barrett is a natural football player, but he's too small to play linebacker and not athletic enough to play safety. He projects as a potential special teams ace with some defensive responsibilities in dime situations.
Round 6, Pick 209: TE Tip Reiman, Illinois
Reiman is a throwback tight end with size and physicality. He is limited as a lateral athlete but has the potential to be a TE2 in an NFL offense that likes bigger tight ends.
Round 6, Pick 213: EDGE Cedric Johnson, Ole Miss
Johnson has the mold of an athlete that teams would want to draft and develop, but he must continue to improve his hand speed and usage when rushing the passer. He must also work on getting off blocks if he is going to get the playing time needed to showcase that above-average weight-adjust athletic ability.
Round 6, Pick 217: CB Elijah Jones, Boston College
Jones has the length and movement skills to find a role as a backup outside corner for a team that likes to play a lot of press-man coverage.
Round 7, Pick 254: TE Jack Westover, Washington
Westover showcased a safe pair of hands in 2023, dropping just one of the 47 catchable passes thrown his way. He also posted a 98th-percentile PFF Game Athleticism Score, so he could be a good sleeper pick late in the draft or as an undrafted free agent.
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