It would be an understatement to say the Los Angeles Rams hit with their 2023 draft class. That collection of picks was an absolute home run, better than most classes in franchise history.
It helps that the class was 14 players deep, but the quality of it far outweighs the quantity. It started with three terrific selections with Steve Avila, Byron Young and Kobie Turner, followed by Warren McClendon Jr. and Puka Nacua in the fifth round. Sprinkled in were Davis Allen and Ethan Evans, who have also contributed in the last three years.
Collectively, it was arguably the best haul of any team that year, completely reshaping the future of the Rams following a terrible 5-12 season in 2022.
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco regraded every team’s 2023 draft haul and he gave the Rams a perfect A+ after initially grading it as a B three years ago.
The skinny: They had 14 picks in the draft and five of them are starters with the best of them being fifth-round receiver Puka Nacua. He has proven to be a star and a steal. They also got starters in guard Steve Avila (second), defensive linemen Byron Young and Kobie Turner in the third and right tackle Warren McClendon in the fifth. Backup tight end Davis Allen also came in the fifth. Backup quarterback Stetson Bennett came in the fourth.
The Rams have yet to sign anyone from the 2023 draft class but there are several extension-worthy players on the docket. Nacua is bound to sign a lucrative deal at some point, while Turner and Young could also be next for long-term extensions. The same goes for Avila and McClendon, who are penciled in as starters in 2026.
The Rams wouldn’t have made three straight playoff appearances without this 2023 draft class, showing just how crucial it’s been to the success of the team.
Los Angeles was one of just two teams to receive an A+ grade from Prisco, with the other being the Seattle Seahawks.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams receive perfect score in 2023 draft regrade
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
