2017 NFL mock draft: Los Angeles Rams take cornerback Kevin King

It’s way too soon to dismiss Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff. But until he becomes what you’d expect from a first overall pick, people will question the haul of picks the Rams gave up to get him in last year’s draft. In giving up a first-rounder from this year as part of the deal, the Rams are left waiting until the No. 37 selection to make their first pick. That leaves them in a bind in a draft light on the offensive linemen they need.

In the SB Nation NFL writers’ mock draft, that leaves Joe McAtee of Turf Show Times falling back on a player who more than likely will be taken in the first round of the real draft.

McAtee: This mock hasn’t gotten to the Rams as fortuitously as many others have. Many of the easy best-player-available options here are gone, from Utah offensive tackle Garrett Bolles to the Seattle Seahawks at No. 26 on down.

So while I think (and maybe hope) that one of those options falls to the Rams as they make their first pick of the 2017 NFL draft, I think the prudent decision for this mock is to go with Washington cornerback Kevin King. He offers the unusual size for a cornerback at 6’3, which the Rams may need. The only cornerback the Rams have in the top rotation that is taller than 6’0 is Trumaine Johnson, who is on a franchise tag for the second season in a row indicating a hesitancy (either on the Rams’ part or Tru’s ... or both) to complete a long-term deal that now reportedly has him on the trading block. So beyond 2017, the Rams are understaffed with sizable corners who can attack the high point. With new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips set to remake the Rams’ secondary, King would be a logical starting point.

Analysis: When I was putting together this week’s mock draft, I found the pick for Los Angeles to be extremely difficult. Before settling on wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, I had Ohio State offensive lineman Pat Elflein penciled in. Looking back, it should have been a cornerback. In other words, Joe was right above and I was probably wrong. If you go through the history of Wade Phillips’ defenses, he always has really good cornerbacks. Really, the only good cornerback on the Rams’ roster is Johnson, so finding a good player in the secondary has to happen this draft. That’s particularly true with the No. 37 pick and the top offensive linemen gone. To get King, then, is a coup. After injuries hit cornerbacks Sidney Jones and Fabian Moreau this offseason, King’s draft stock has been boosted.

Our next pick of the day will be up at noon ET and it’s coming from the Los Angeles Chargers and Bolts from Blue.