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          Los Angeles Rams NFL draft picks 2022: Analysis for every selection

          • Sarah Barshop, ESPN Staff WriterApr 30, 2022, 10:47 PM
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              Sarah Barshop covers the Los Angeles Rams for ESPN. She joined ESPN in 2016 to cover the Green Bay Packers for ESPN Milwaukee. She then moved to Houston to cover the Texans. She came to ESPN after working as a writer and editor for Sports Illustrated. You can follow her on Twitter @sarahbarshop.
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          THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- The 2022 NFL draft is now in the books and every Los Angeles Rams' draft pick will be analyzed here.

          The draft will be held in Las Vegas on the strip in the area adjacent to Caesars Forum two years after it was initially scheduled. The 2020 NFL draft was turned into a virtual event because of COVID-19.

          Here's a pick-by-pick look at how each player Los Angeles has selected will fit.

          Analysis of every NFL pick | Updated depth charts

          Round 3, No. 104 overall: Logan Bruss, OG, Wisconsin

          My take: With their first pick of the draft -- the latest a defending Super Bowl champion has ever waited to make its first selection -- the Rams added to an offensive line that lost two of their starters from their Super Bowl LVI victory. Los Angeles led the NFL in pass block win rate in 2021, according to ESPN Stats & Information, but no longer have left tackle Andrew Whitworth (retired) or right guard Austin Corbett (signed with the Carolina Panthers). Last season, the Rams’ top-five offensive line combination played 717 snaps together, which was the fourth-most in the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Info. The Rams didn’t draft an offensive lineman in 2021 but add another former Wisconsin lineman this year, as Bruss joins right tackle Rob Havenstein and left guard David Edwards. He'll figure into the guard mix with Bobby Evans, who was a third-round pick in 2019 and has started eight games in three seasons.

          What’s next: The Rams had two quiet days to start the draft, but will have a busy Day 3. Los Angeles has seven picks Saturday, including one in the fourth round (No. 142), one in the fifth round (No. 175), three in the sixth round (Nos. 211, 212, 218) and two in the seventh round (Nos. 238, 253). The Rams could use more help on the offensive line, as well as cornerback.

          Round 4, No. 142 overall: Decobie Durant, CB, South Carolina State

          My take: The Rams had a need in the secondary after starting cornerback Darious Williams signed with the Jaguars during free agency, and they added to the unit by drafting Durant in the fourth round. Durant, who led the MEAC with 14 passes defensed, was tied for second with 14 interceptions in the conference last season. The Rams allowed the second-most yards after contact on receptions (755) last season, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

          Round 5, No. 164 overall: Kyren Williams, RB, Notre Dame

          My take: The Rams already have two solid backs in Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr., but Williams provides a specific skillset. Expect the former Notre Dame standout to compete immediately on passing downs given his blocking and receiving abilities. From 2020 to 2021, Williams ranked fifth among FBS among running backs in both catches (77) and receiving yards (663).

          Round 6, No. 211 overall: Quentin Lake, S, UCLA

          My take: Drafting the versatile Lake in the sixth round gives Los Angeles more help in the secondary. Lake, who played five years at UCLA, had three interceptions and six passes defensed last season. The Rams allowed the highest completion percentage in the NFL last season on throws inside the numbers (78.8%), according to ESPN Stats & Information, also the second-highest rate in the past 15 seasons.

          Round 6, No. 212 overall: Derion Kendrick, CB, Georgia

          My take: The Rams use back-to-back picks to improve their secondary, taking their second cornerback of the draft. Kendrick's four interceptions in 2021 was tied for the third-most in the SEC and, according to ESPN Stats & Information, he did not allow a touchdown as the primary defender in 2021.

          Round 7, No. 235 overall: Daniel Hardy, LB, Montana State

          My take: Last season at Montana State, Hardy started all 15 games and had 77 tackles, 16.5 sacks and 24.5 tackles for a loss. He may eventually help a team that lost Von Miller, who signed with the Buffalo Bills in free agency. Miller had 18 pressures last postseason, which was tied with Aaron Donald for most in the NFL. They combined for 36 of the Rams 59 pressures, while no other player on the team had more than five, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

          Round 7, No. 253 overall: Russ Yeast, S, Kansas State

          My take: On the Rams’ seventh selection of the draft, they use their fourth pick on the secondary. Yeast had four interceptions and 10 passes defensed last season, both the second-most in the Big 12 . Los Angeles has now picked defensive players with five of its seven picks as the Rams look to build depth on that side of the ball.

          Round 7, No. 261 overall: AJ Arcuri, OT, Michigan State

          My take: With their final pick of the 2022 NFL draft, the Rams again added to their offensive line. Arcuri, who spent six seasons at Michigan State, started 17 games at left tackle and eight at right tackle. Arcuri is the second offensive lineman and third offensive player taken by the Rams.