2019 NFL mock draft: Eric McCoy can help keep the Rams’ Super Bowl window open

We’ve arrived at the penultimate selection in the SB Nation NFL writers’ mock draft. How dramatic.

The choice, of course, belongs to the Los Angeles Rams. The Super Bowl runners-up were the darlings of the NFL for much of last season with their high-powered offense and boyish head coach Sean McVay. The Rams are a team that checks a lot of boxes for a great NFL team. A young and affordable franchise quarterback? Check. An innovative offensive-minded head coach? Check. A superstar game changer on defense? Check. It’s easy to see why the Rams should be competing for the Super Bowl again this season.

First, though, the team does need a little fine-tuning. The back seven of the defense, while bolstered by veteran safety Eric Weddle, can use some players. After a good showing in the playoffs, defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh still needs replaced. The depth behind running back Todd Gurley could be addressed, especially after he became ineffective at the end of last season.

The most important upgrade for Los Angeles is in front of rising quarterback Jared Goff on the offensive line. Fortunately, the venerable 3k from Turf Show Times is up in our mock draft to help out.

3k: The Rams got their offensive line transition underway a year ago in the 2018 NFL Draft with the selection of guard Joseph Noteboom and center Brian Allen with the 89th and 111th picks, respectively. Now that starting left guard Rodger Saffold III and starting center John Sullivan have left town, the transition can begin in earnest. But with left tackle Andrew Whitworth around for one last ride and right guard Austin Blythe set to prove his 2018 season was no fluke, there’s not much long-term stability on the line.

McCoy’s a fine interior line prospect. While he was a three-year starter at center, he does have experience at right guard. That kind of versatility has been known to be valuable to Rams run game coordinator and offensive line coach Aaron Kromer. So which position would McCoy compete for? Don’t know, but it probably doesn’t matter. The Rams’ staff can sort it out in training camp and through the preseason as they look to build their line of the future …

Starting now.

Analysis: Momentum for McCoy has been building since the start of last college football season. He was named Texas A&M’s team MVP, had a good showing at the Senior Bowl, and really helped himself at the NFL Combine. Whether he can carry that momentum into the first round of the draft is to be seen. McCoy is a mobile and intelligent blocker up the middle, and he plays with good intensity. He’s not a powerhouse mauling blocker, but he gets by. He’s a safe pick, which is something the Rams need in order to stay in contention.

Hopefully you know this by now, but the final choice in this year’s SB Nation NFL writers’ mock draft will up at 1 p.m. ET. Making the choice is Rich Hill of Pats Pulpit for the New England Patriots.