The Los Angeles Rams selected Florida State running back David Akers and Florida wide receiver Van Jefferson in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Rams watched the first day draft come and go without any picks once again for the fourth year in a row. Fortunately, the extra day off allowed them to better prepare for what was expected to be an eventful Day 2 with two picks in the second round and two picks in the third round.
General manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay have proven more than capable of finding immediate, impact players in these rounds. They will need to do some damage control after enduring some significant turnover to their roster this offseason with the loss of linebackers Cory Littleton and Dante Fowler Jr. in free agency that was then followed up by their decision to part ways with running back Todd Gurley and wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
As a result, Los Angeles came into the draft with some empty spots to fill on both sides of the ball. They ultimately opted to put an emphasis on their offense to start by adding yet another potential weapon in Akers with the No. 52 pick.
McVay and Snead expressed plenty of optimism about building a potential “two-headed monster” in the backfield this offseason and it seems they have found their second piece in Akers. He will now have a chance to develop a 1-2 punch with running back Darrell Henderson, who was taken in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Akers joined some elite company during his time at Florida State by becoming just the third Seminole since Warrick Dunn and Dalvin Cook to rush for multiple 1,000-yard seasons. His versatile skill set as a tough runner and early downs paired his pass-catching ability could help him etch out an integral role for himself in the 2020 NFL season.
The Rams were also able to address the void left by Cooks by selecting Jefferson with the No. 57 pick that they got from the Houston Texans in exchange. He finished his career at Florida with 175 receptions for 2,159 yards and 16 touchdowns in 45 games.
Jefferson boasts an impressive pedigree with his father, Shawn Jefferson, having played in the NFL and currently serving as the wide receiver coach for the New York Jets. It is safe to say that this played a part in helping him to become an elite route-runner. This should play huge dividends when the time comes to compete with Josh Reynolds for the No. 3 spot in the receiving corps.
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