Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams: 2017 Three-Round NFL Mock Draft

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 23, 2016; London, ENG; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the first quarter against the New York Giants at Twickenham Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

The 2016 season for the Los Angeles Rams has been “festive” to say the least.

As if the move from St. Louis to Los Angeles was not enough for a team to endure, so far this season. The Rams have had to usher in the Jared Goff era, extend the contract of head coach Jeff Fisher for two more seasons, have a conflict between Rams legend Eric Dickerson and Fisher, plus have their star running back Todd Gurley only average 3.2 yards per carry on the season with just four rushing touchdowns.

Sitting at 4-8 on the season, the Rams are headed for their 12th straight non-playoff season. In their favor, they do have prime assets. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald is a top-5 defender in the NFL regardless of position, Gurley is still a legit weapon and will be for another decade, and linebacker Alec Ogletree is an underrated defender in his own right. The jury is still out on rookie quarterback Goff but his skills are translatable to this level.

To prepare the Rams for what appears to be a busy offseason, here is a three-round mock draft for the young bunch out of sunny California.

Dec 3, 2016; Annapolis, MD, USA; Temple Owls hoist the American Athletic Conference football trophy after defeating Navy Midshipmen 34-10 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Dion Dawkins

OT, Temple

The offensive line for the Rams has been arguably their biggest issue on the field this season. The group is 25th in the league in sacks allowed with 29, 31st overall in yards per carry at 3.3, and have given up 64 quarterback hits this season.

Former second-overall pick Greg Robinson has not found consistency and rumors have swirled that his future as a Ram is in serious jeopardy. His recent benching has been a clear sign delivered. Robinson can not be singled-out as issues have resonated at guard and center and right tackle Rob Havenstein has been considered the best player on the line even though he is average at best.

The Rams are without a first-round pick in the 2017 draft due to their massive trade in this year’s draft to select Goff. The selection of Dawkins in the second round gives the Rams an athletic tackle with plenty of potential.

While they have heard that statement before with Robinson, Dawkins provides plenty of size at 6’5 and 320 pounds with the skill set to either provide depth in case of a turnaround from Robinson or provide an insurance policy. Dawkins is more profound in run blocking but has made considerable strides this season in pass protection.

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Travin Dural (83) catches a touchdown pass ahead of Alabama Crimson Tide defense during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Travin Dural

WR, LSU

With a franchise quarterback in place, and the young bull in Gurley toting the ball, the Rams offense is still in need of a spark on offense. Receivers Kenny Britt and Tavon Austin have provided production, but with a tall quarterback such as Goff, who has experience in college in an up-tempo scheme, having a wide receiver who can take the top off a defense will open things up underneath for Austin, Gurley, and others.

Enter the 203 pound option out of LSU in Dural. Possessing plenty of talent, Dural was misused in LSU as the scheme was run-heavy, but Dural has the size and speed to become a deep threat for the strong armed Goff.

In his first three seasons in Baton Rouge, Dural averaged at least 19 yards per catch with his best season coming in 2014 in which he totaled 758 yards and seven touchdowns on 37 catches. He does have an injury history, but there is no doubt that Dural looked a little out of place at LSU but will be a welcoming addition for a Rams offense in need of some more punch.

Sep 12, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Kevin King (20) intercepts a ball intended for Sacramento State Hornets wide receiver Shane Harrison (bottom) during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Washington won 49-0. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin King

CB, Washington

The Rams defense has quietly been very reliable this season, ranking 10th in overall defense at the moment.