Going Deep in draft: Rams late to party, pick potpourri of prospects

The Los Angeles Rams have eight picks in the NFL Draft, including No. 37 overall in the second round, during the second day of the draft that starts April 27 with the first round in Philadelphia.

It will seem like an interminable wait as the Rams sit around all night Thursday, waiting for the second day and being able to exercise the fifth pick in the second round.

With Sean McVay now the head coach, his charge will be developing quarterback Jared Goff, who was selected with the first overall pick last year. It was trade up that to that spot that cost the Rams this year's first-round pick, so upgrading the roster won't be easy. Most important, the Rams need play-makers to help Goff.

In addition, there is a change in defensive scheme with Wade Phillips now the defensive coordinator, so it's realistic to wonder how Robert Quinn will be at outside linebacker and if Aaron Donald can continue to be disruptive on the line.

Here is a look at the Rams' five-year draft record with roster tallies reflecting totals as of the end of the 2016 season. Below that are key personnel moves made this year and the team's current needs heading into this draft and our projection for all their 2017 picks.

FIVE-YEAR DRAFT BREAKDOWN

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .2012 . .2013 . .2014 . .2015 . .2016

TOTAL PICKS . . .10 . . . . . .7 . . . .11 . . . . .9 . . . .6

STARTERS . . . . . .4 . . . . . .3 . . . . .5 . . . . .3 . . . .1

BACKUPS . . . . . .0 . . . . . .0 . . . . .1 . . . . .4 . . . .5

OTHER TEAMS . . .1 . . . . .0 . . . . .2 . . . . .0 . . . .0

OUT OF LEAGUE . .5 . . . . .4 . . . . .3 . . . . .2 . . .0

Top three draft needs

1. Wide receiver: It's a been a well-established problem for the Rams, but they simply haven't been able to uncover a game-changing wide receiver. And while they added veteran Robert Woods in free agency, he isn't the elusive big-time downfield threat they sorely need.

2. Safety: Veteran T.J. McDonald signed as a free agent with the Dolphins, leaving the Rams with only Maurice Alexander as a starting safety. With precious few desirable free-agent possibilities, the Rams figure to address the position in a draft fairly deep at the position.

3. Center: The Rams released veteran center Tim Barnes during the early stage of free agency, and while they chased Buffalo restricted free agent Ryan Groy with a contract offer sheet, the Bills wasted little time matching the offer. The Rams did reach agreement with John Sullivan, but that is, at best, a short-term solution.

MOCK DRAFT

Below is a list of every pick for the Rams in the 2017 NFL Draft, with players suggested by NFLDraftScout.com Sr. Analyst Dane Brugler. Who would you take? Let us know in comments.

Round and overall pick number listed, along with player, position, school, height, weight and 40-yard dash time. (* - indicates compensatory pick)

2/37: Takk McKinley, DE/OLB, UCLA (6-2, 250, 4.59)

3/69: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC (6-1, 215, 4.54)

4/112: Tyler Orlosky, OC, West Virginia (6-3, 298, 5.37)

4/*141: Danny Isidora, OG, Miami (Fla.) (6-3, 306, 5.00)

5/149: Jadar Johnson, S, Clemson (6-0, 206, 4.60)

6/189: Nate Hairston, CB, Temple (6-0, 196, 4.52)

6/207: Tanner Vallejo, LB, Boise State (6-1, 228, 4.65)

7/234: Cethan Carter, TE, Nebraska (6-3, 241, 4.65)

Now it's your turn. NFLDraftScout.com is ready to help with its list of the top 1,000 prospects in this draft.

--Frank Cooney and TSX NFL team insiders contributed to this anlaysis.