Rams select South Carolina WR Pharoh Cooper with 117th pick in NFL draft
The Rams drafted their quarterback of the future in No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff, then proceeded to surround him with pass-catchers. Pharoh Cooper, the Rams’ second fourth-round pick, could become a useful option for Goff. He has Tavon Austin-like explosiveness and shiftiness, but he’s a better all-around receiver than the Rams’ 2013 first-rounder. Cooper could grow alongside Goff and become a nice option on short or intermediate routes where he can create after the catch.
The Rams selected South Carolina wide receiver Pharoh Cooper in the fourth round with the 117th pick in the NFL draft.
The Rams had the 113th pick but traded it to the Chicago Bears for the 117th and 206th picks.
“Honestly, I was expecting to get a call earlier [Friday] but it didn’t pan out,” Cooper said during a conference call with reporters. “God has plan and this is where I’m supposed to be. I’m excited to be a part of the Rams organization.”
Cooper, 5-feet-11 and 203 pounds, had 66 catches for 973 yards and eight touchdowns last season. He also rushed for one touchdown and passed for another.
Like Rams receiver Tavon Austin, Cooper is versatile. He can line up in the backfield and return punts and kickoffs.
“My biggest asset would probably be making plays after the catch,” he said. “Once I catch the ball I can easily gain another five to 10 yards after the catch.”
Cooper played quarterback in high school, an experience that shaped his game, he said.
“I got hit a lot, being tackled and running through holes and fighting for extra yards,” he said. “That’s what I love to do. That’s the biggest part of my game.”
The Rams drafted California quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 pick in the draft on Thursday night. Cooper said he was looking forward to working with Goff.
“I threw with him at the [NFL scouting] combine -- he’s a great quarterback,” Cooper said. “It’s going to be great to start throwing with him and building chemistry with him when I get there.”
Cooper also said he followed Austin’s career when the multipurpose standout played at West Virginia.
“If we’re both on the field at the same time, it could be dangerous,” Cooper said.
Cooper might help fill a huge need for the Rams, who need to improve a passing game that ranked last in the NFL last season.
He sounded determined to prove that the Rams got great value by selecting him in the fourth round.
“It’s absolutely motivation ... to go in and prove I should have been a first-round pick or second-round pick,” he said. “But I ended up in the right spot, I believe, and we’re going to see how it goes from there.”
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