Grading every Rams pick in the 2022 NFL draft
Fans of the Los Angeles Rams have grown accustomed to waiting for their beloved team to make a selection in the NFL draft in recent years. The Rams have taken an aggressive approach in trading picks in exchange for proven talent, which resulted in them winning a Super Bowl this past season.
On Friday night, the Rams finally made their first selection of the 2022 NFL draft at pick No. 104. Los Angeles took Logan Bruss out of Wisconsin, an interior offensive lineman that addresses a need on the roster.
While we won’t know if certain picks are a success for years to come, I’ll be handing out grades for each prospect the Rams select in the draft. Each grade is based on the team’s needs, other prospects that were available at the pick, and whether or not the prospect fits the makeup of the current roster.
Round 3, Pick 104: Logan Bruss (IOL, Wisconsin)
Sep 4, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Logan Bruss (60) during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: B+
To the surprise of some, the Rams stayed put with the 104th overall pick, using the selection on Bruss out of Wisconsin. Bruss is an interior offensive lineman that joins Los Angeles following the departure of Austin Corbett in free agency.
We’ve seen the Rams take a liking to offensive linemen out of Wisconsin, with David Edwards and Rob Havenstein playing for the Badgers in college. Bruss should fit Sean McVay’s zone running scheme and McVay made it clear that Bruss will certainly compete for the starting job at right guard with Coleman Shelton, Bobby Evans, and Tremayne Anchrum Jr.
Despite addressing the offensive line, there were some talented cornerback prospects available at pick No. 104 and I had a couple of interior offensive linemen ranked ahead of Bruss. That being said, Bruss is a solid pick that could immediately become a starter, making him a potential nice find in the third round.
Round 4, Pick 142: Decobie Durant (CB, South Carolina State)
South Carolina State defensive back Decobie Durant (14) celebrates his sack against Jackson State during the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday December 18, 2021.
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Grade: B-
With the 142nd overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the Rams took Decobie Durant out of South Carolina State. Durant accrued 12 interceptions in his four seasons at South Carolina State and displayed excellent ball skills throughout his collegiate career.
Durant might be an undersized cornerback at around 5’10”, 175 pounds, but he’s shown the ability to play inside or outside. The Rams love cornerbacks that can move around in the secondary, especially with how they deploy Jalen Ramsey.
Zyon McCollum was still on the board when the Rams announced their pick, however, it’s clear that the Rams have a type they are looking for. And with Darious Williams now on the Jacksonville Jaguars, they wanted to find a cornerback that is of the same mold.
Los Angeles reunited with Troy Hill via trade with the Cleveland Browns, so it remains to be seen what Durant’s role will be alongside Ramsey, Hill, Robert Rochell, and David Long Jr. There’s a chance he could win the nickel job if he excels in the offseason.
Round 5, Pick 164: Kyren Williams (RB, Notre Dame)
Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) runs against Navy in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Grade: C+
It wouldn’t be a McVay draft if the Rams didn’t draft a running back and Los Angeles waited until the fifth round to take the guy they wanted. After trading up to move into pick No. 164, the Rams took Kyren Williams out of Notre Dame.
Williams is likely going to be a popular choice for fans due to going to Notre Dame and having solid production in his final two seasons. In his final two collegiate seasons, Williams racked up 2,127 rushing yards and 27 rushing touchdowns, but he tested poorly during the pre-draft process.
Besides his poor athletic numbers, Williams wasn’t extremely explosive in hitting another gear, though, he’s a powerful runner at 200 pounds. Other running back prospects would have been a better fit for the Rams, but Williams should provide depth behind Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson this season.
Round 6, Pick 211: Quentin Lake (S, UCLA)
UCLA defensive back Quentin Lake (37) defends in the second half during an NCAA college football game against Utah Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Grade: B
Whether it was at cornerback at safety, the Rams used a few of their draft picks to improve their secondary in the draft. With their first pick in the sixth round, Los Angeles added Quentin Lake, who won’t have to travel far after playing college football at UCLA.
Lake isn’t the most athletic safety in this year’s class, but he’s a solid late-round selection at the safety position. Throughout his five seasons with the Bruins, Lake combined for 179 tackles, 15 pass breakups, and six interceptions.
We’ve seen the Rams select instinctual defensive backs like Jordan Fuller and Terrell Burgess in recent years, so it’s not a surprise to see them take a safety like Lake. The decision to select Lake gives Los Angeles plenty of depth at safety alongside Fuller, Burgess, Nick Scott, and Taylor Rapp.
Round 6, Pick 212: Derion Kendrick (CB, Georgia)
Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Derion Kendrick (11) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Grade: B+
Once again, it’s evident that the Rams entered this year’s draft with the intent to strengthen their secondary. Besides selecting Durant in the fourth round, and trading for Hill, Los Angeles took Derion Kendrick with the 212th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.
Kendrick was part of a tough, physical Georgia defense that has had plenty of their starters selected in this year’s draft. While Kendrick wasn’t touted as one of the premier prospects from Georgia, I love the value in taking him in the sixth round.
Outside of Ramsey and Hill, the Rams will likely hold a competition for the rest of the spots on the depth chart, giving Kendrick an opportunity to become a steal in the draft. Even with Kendrick needing improvement in certain areas of his game, there’s a chance he develops into a solid contributor in the future.
Round 7, Pick 235: Daniel Hardy (Edge, Montana State)
Grade: C+
It was known that the Rams were likely going to take an edge rusher in the 2022 NFL draft, but it was expected to be sooner than the seventh round. That being said, with the 235th overall pick, Los Angeles took Daniel Hardy out of Montana State.
Hardy was extremely productive in 2021, recording 16.5 sacks and 24.5 tackles for loss. He was able to beat up inferior competition at Montana State, however, he will need to improve his hand usage and his ability to set the edge in the NFL.
There is some upside with Hardy in the seventh round, especially if the Rams can help him sharpen his skill set. Meanwhile, it would have been better to see Los Angeles address edge rusher earlier in the draft, unless they have plans of bringing in a proven veteran.
Round 7, Pick 253: Russ Yeast (S, Kansas State)
Grade: B+
Are the Rams trying to see how many defensive backs you can humanly fit onto an NFL roster? Nevertheless, Los Angeles added to a heavy defensive-back class by taking Russ Yeast out of Kansas with the 253rd pick in the seventh round.
Despite going in the seventh round, Yeast is a nice value due to his ability to make plays on the ball. Yeast recorded four interceptions and 10 pass breakups in his lone season at Kansas State in 2021 after transferring from Louisville.
Before moving to safety, Yeast played cornerback earlier in his collegiate career, which could help him carve out a role with the Rams. He also flashed upside as a returner and contributor on special teams, so he could be a late-round gem for Los Angeles due to the value he can provide in multiple areas.
Nov 26, 2021; Austin, Texas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats defensive back Russ Yeast (2) breaks up a pass intended for Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy (8) during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Round 7, Pick 261: Aj Arcuri (OT, Michigan State)
Grade: B
Sep 8, 2018; Tempe, AZ, USA; Michigan State Spartans offensive tackle AJ Arcuri (76) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Offensive tackle wasn’t a glaring need for the Rams entering the 2022 NFL draft, but with Andrew Whitworth retiring and Joseph Noteboom replacing him, Los Angeles could use depth at tackle. The Rams addressed the interior of their offensive line with Logan Bruss in the third round, and with their final selection of the draft, Los Angeles took Aj Arcuri out of Michigan State.
Arcuri is a strong tackle that handled his own in the Big Ten, earning Academic All-Big Ten five times, becoming just the fifth player in program history to achieve that feat. In the NFL, Arcuri will need to improve his ability to counter speed rushers and finish blocks.
The good news is that Arcuri won’t be asked to start immediately and he can develop behind Noteboom and Rob Havenstein. While AJ Jackson, Chandler Brewer, and Max Pircher are the current backups at tackle, Arcuri could certainly earn a reserve role in 2022.
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