San Francisco 49ers: Analyzing NFC West draft classes from 2023

Los Angeles Rams

Draft class

• No. 36: Steve Avila, Guard/Center, TCU
• No. 77: Byron Young, EDGE, Tennessee
• No. 89: Kobie Turner, Defensive Tackle, Wake Forest
• No. 128: Stetson Bennett, Quarterback, Georgia
• No. 161: Nick Hampton, Linebacker, Appalachian State
• No. 174: Warren McClendon, Offensive Tackle/Guard, Georgia
• No. 175: Davis Allen, Tight End, Clemson
• No. 177: Puka Nacua, Wide Receiver, BYU
• No. 182: Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, Cornerback, TCU
• No. 189: Ochaun Mathis, EDGE, Nebraska
• No. 215: Zach Evans, Running Back, Ole Miss
• No. 223: Ethan Evans, Punter, Wingate
• No. 234: Jason Taylor, Safety, Oklahoma State
• No. 259: Desjuan Johnson, Defensive Tackle, Toledo

Overview

The Super Bowl window is well and truly closed for the Rams and the lack of first-round picks in recent seasons has left the franchise sorely lacking for any sort of real future. The team had to start afresh starting right now, so it wasn't surprising to see the team go with a huge 14 selections in a variety of positions.

The team will be hoping Stetson Bennett can develop into a starter with Matt Stafford at the end of his career. Bennett might be short, but he's a true leader who has a passable arm. The Rams also went with plenty of weapons with no less than three picks devoted to a running back, receiver and tight end with a few more to the offensive line including their top pick in the versatile Steve Avila.

Defensively, the Rams spread their picks, too, with Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson a slot corner who was frequently mocked to the 49ers. Byron Young, in particular, is an edge rusher with some high upside.

The Rams will be rebuilding for a while yet without first-round picks to bolster the roster, but that'll change next year. The team otherwise did a good job beginning to start from the ground up in a variety of positions.