The Los Angeles Rams rode the backs of elite offense to the NFC Wild Card Round. Leaping into the top tier of NFC contenders means improving a defense that – despite exceeding expectations – ranked 20th in expected points added per play.

While strong seasons from defensive tackle Kobie Turner and linebacker Ernest Jones helped matters, most pass rushes and secondaries are better stocked with talent. Both will likely be addressed this offseason.

Another priority, however, is keeping veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford upright. He isn’t getting any younger, and Los Angeles can’t risk another Stafford absence. His brief thumb injury was fortunate enough to come close to the bye, but it certainly put the Rams’ season at risk.

Matt Miller took a stab at addressing these needs in ESPN’s latest two-round mock draft. With Los Angeles’ first-round pick – 19th overall – he took Oklahoma tackle Tyler Guyton to protect Stafford’s blind side.

“Guyton would anchor the 2024 draft class in this scenario and give the Rams a potentially elite tackle at either the left or right side …” Miller wrote. “Tackle might not be the team’s biggest need on paper right now, but Guyton’s upside at arguably the second-most-important position in football makes this a great value addition.”

Veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein played well this year but left tackle Alaric Jackson is a restricted free agent and lineman Joe Noteboom didn’t inspire optimism. Guyton’s imposing size is lucrative for teams looking to be physical at the line of scrimmage.

With the 52nd pick, Miller went back to the trenches, selecting Washington edge rusher Bralen Trice.

Trice played well in the college football playoffs and offers tantalizing athleticism.

“He has fantastic pass-rush moves in his toolbox,” Miller noted. “His quickness off the ball stuns offensive tackles and will get him into the Rams starting lineup as a rookie.”

Los Angeles is badly in need of a potent pass rusher alongside 2023 rookie Byron Young. Adding the speed to dictate linemen and the technical ability to complement his explosiveness could render the Rams even more dangerous in 2024.