Cooper Kupp is best example of how Rams have hit it big in third round of NFL drafts

No first-round decide. No second-round decide.

No worries.

That’s the mindset among the many Tremendous Bowl champion Rams’ entrance workplace on the eve of the three-day NFL draft, which begins Thursday in Las Vegas.

The Rams have legitimate motive to not fret.

In the course of the Sean McVay period, which started in 2017, the third spherical has proved bountiful for a franchise that aggressively indicators or trades for star gamers after which surrounds them with mid- to late-round contributors.

Eight gamers on the roster for the Tremendous Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals had been chosen by the Rams within the third spherical of the final 5 drafts, together with star receiver Cooper Kupp, the NFL offensive participant of the yr.

“Generally it’s just a little, possibly not simpler, however refreshing in that if you’re selecting earlier, you’re usually looking for a freak, one thing freakish, one thing wow,” Rams basic supervisor Les Snead mentioned. “The place often if you get into the second, third, fourth rounds, you’re simply, ‘Hey, let’s discover gamers that may play good soccer for us.’ ”

Barring a commerce to maneuver into the primary spherical, the Rams is not going to be energetic throughout opening evening. The Rams haven’t chosen a participant within the first spherical since 2016, after they traded up 14 spots to select quarterback Jared Goff. They gave up this yr’s first-round decide as a part of the January 2021 commerce that despatched Goff to the Detroit Lions for quarterback Matthew Stafford.

The Rams additionally lack a second-round decide, courtesy of October’s commerce with the Denver Broncos that netted outdoors linebacker Von Miller, who has since signed a free-agent contract with the Buffalo Payments.

McVay, Snead and the personnel employees will spend a lot of early Friday night getting ready to ramp into excessive gear when the third spherical begins.

The Rams have eight picks, together with one within the third spherical (No. 103), one within the fourth (No. 142), one within the fifth (No. 175), three within the sixth (Nos. 211, 212 and 218) and two within the seventh (Nos. 238 and 253).

Inspecting the gamers the Rams have chosen within the third spherical since 2017:

2017

Gamers chosen: Receiver Cooper Kupp (No. 69) and security John Johnson (No. 91).

How they fared: Kupp has develop into the poster boy for third-round draft picks.

As a rookie, he teamed with veteran receivers Robert Woods and Sammy Watkins to provide the group a potent passing assault that complemented star operating again Todd Gurley and helped the Rams make the playoffs for the primary time since 2004.

In 2018, a midseason knee harm sidelined Kupp for the Rams’ Tremendous Bowl run however he amassed greater than 1,100 yards receiving in 2019. Kupp signed an extension earlier than the 2020 season and emerged as a star in 2021, profitable the league’s offensive participant of the yr award. He’s due for an extension that might make him one of many NFL’s highest-paid receivers.

Johnson grew to become a starter early in his rookie season. In 12 months 2, his interception towards the New Orleans Saints within the NFC Championship recreation arrange a game-winning area aim that despatched the Rams to the Tremendous Bowl. In March 2021, Johnson signed an enormous free-agent contract with the Cleveland Browns.

2018

Participant chosen: Offensive lineman Joe Noteboom (No. 89).

How he fared: Chosen because the inheritor obvious to left deal with Andrew Whitworth, Noteboom confirmed his versality throughout a four-year apprenticeship.

In 2019, Noteboom began at guard earlier than he suffered a season-ending knee harm. He performed as a reserve deal with the final two seasons, and in addition was utilized as an additional tight finish in so-called heavy formations.

In March, simply earlier than Whitworth introduced his retirement, Noteboom signed a three-year contract that included $25 million in ensures and could possibly be price as a lot as $40 million.

2019

Gamers chosen: Working again Darrell Henderson (No. 70), cornerback David Lengthy Jr. (No. 79) and offensive lineman Bobby Evans (No. 97).

How they fared: Henderson ostensibly was drafted as a possible change-of-pace again to enrich Gurley. Henderson has been vulnerable to accidents however has been productive when bodily sound.

Rams cornerbacks David Lengthy Jr. celebrates his interception for a landing towards the Cardinals in a wild card recreation on Jan. 17.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Instances)

Lengthy started final season as a starter and intercepted a move within the opener towards the Chicago Bears however misplaced his job after struggling in a defeat towards the Arizona Cardinals. Lengthy saved working, reemerged as a invaluable contributor late within the season and began within the Tremendous Bowl.

As a rookie, Evans stepped in for injured proper deal with Rob Havenstein and began seven video games. He additionally has performed guard.

2020

Gamers chosen: Exterior linebacker Terrell Lewis (No. 84) and security Terrell Burgess (No. 104).

How they fared: At 6-foot-5 and 262 kilos Lewis seems to be the a part of an elite edge rusher. However a knee challenge slowed him for many of his rookie season, and in 2021 he struggled to crack a depth chart that within the second half included Miller, Obo Okoronkwo and Justin Hollins. Lewis nonetheless completed with three sacks. The departures of Miller and Okoronkwo may present him with a possibility to satisfy his potential.

Burgess was approaching as a rookie earlier than struggling a season-ending ankle harm. Final season, he was a rotational participant on protection and a particular groups mainstay.

2021

Participant chosen: Linebacker Ernest Jones (No. 103).

How he fared: Jones’ fast growth was one motive the Rams traded linebacker Kenny Younger close to midseason.

Jones intercepted a move towards the Houston Texans in his first begin and performed properly earlier than struggling a late-season ankle harm that sidelined him for the final two regular-season video games and the primary two video games of the playoffs.

With the addition of six-time All-Professional inside linebacker Bobby Wagner, Jones has a premiere mentor.