Rams get their receiver and quarterback with first two picks in Todd McShay mock

Christian Hackenberg brings a load of potential but an uneven college track record to the draft. Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Nothing has changed for the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay's latest mock draft. Yes, Mississippi wide receiver Laquon Treadwell remains the most common name linked to the Rams in many mock drafts, including McShay's and Mel Kiper Jr.'s.

Treadwell still occupies the No. 15 spot in McShay's 4.0 mock, released Thursday. But this version adds a little bit of a twist as McShay went a full two rounds. Adding that extra round also adds important context on how McShay sees teams and their needs.

As such, it should be no surprise that McShay has the Rams following up their Treadwell pick with a much-needed quarterback. It's a commonly held belief (including right here) that the Rams' two greatest needs are at quarterback and receiver. In this instance, McShay has the Rams using the No. 43 overall pick on Penn State signal-caller Christian Hackenberg.

Hackenberg has all the physical tools of an NFL starter but was never able to put it all together for the Nittany Lions and comes with plenty of questions. Of course, as with all of the quarterbacks in this draft, Hackenberg doesn't look like the type who will be able to start from Day 1.

Still, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Rams go after someone like Hackenberg, though I wonder if Memphis' Paxton Lynch or Michigan State's Connor Cook might be more appealing. Both are forecast to be available when the Rams pick in the first round, but then they'd be left sifting through lesser options at wide receiver.

With the team's second second-round pick, No. 45 overall, McShay has the Rams drafting Miami cornerback Artie Burns. It's certainly not out of the realm of possibility the Rams will use one of their first three picks on a cornerback after losing starter Janoris Jenkins in free agency.

In fact, coach Jeff Fisher mentioned that newly signed corner Coty Sensabaugh would be competing for a starting job on the outside with E.J. Gaines and/or a draft pick. If it's a draft pick, one could conclude he's likely a player the team drafted relatively high.

But in looking at McShay's other picks after Burns, there are some more appealing options in my eyes. Namely, Arkansas tight end Hunter Henry, who is widely regarded as the best at his position in the draft and would allow the Rams to continue bolstering an offense in need of a lot of help.

If the Rams do look for help in the secondary as soon as the second round, a free safety might also be more pressing than cornerback. For what it's worth, McShay has Ohio State's Vonn Bell and Florida's Keanu Neal as safeties going in the second round after the Rams make their first pick in the round.