Griffin Wong previews and breaks down everything you need to know about the Los Angeles Rams heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
Perhaps no NFL team encapsulates “all-in” more than the Los Angeles Rams.
It makes sense; quarterback Matthew Stafford won MVP in 2025, star wideout Puka Nacua — for all of his off-the-field controversies — remains arguably the best in the league, and outside linebackers Jared Verse and Byron Young form the meat of one of the more intriguing defenses in football. The Rams were arguably a slightly better secondary away from winning the Super Bowl, and they brought in Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to remedy that woe during the offseason. At +750, Los Angeles currently has the best odds to win the Super Bowl at DraftKings Sportsbook.
The Rams haven’t typically placed much emphasis on the draft in recent seasons, as Verse was selected with their only first-round pick since 2016, when they took Jared Goff first overall. Of the 24 players who appeared in at least 50% of the team’s snaps on offense, defense, or special teams in 2025, only 10 players were drafted by Los Angeles. Still, the Rams have gotten plenty of impact from late-round draft picks, so any of their seven picks could play a role on a Super Bowl-winning team, especially since they own the 13th overall selection after trading out of the first round last season.
Los Angeles filled its biggest draft need with its first-round pick, acquiring McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs for the 29th overall pick. McDuffie, an All-Pro honoree in 2022 and 2023 and a two-time Super Bowl champion, had a little bit of a down season, allowing a career-high 95.5 passer rating in coverage, but he still ranked as Pro Football Focus’ 13th-ranked defensive back. The Rams then signed Watson (No. 17 of 112 qualified corners) in free agency. They still might select a cornerback at some point in the draft, but 13th overall seems unlikely.
Instead, Los Angeles is projected to select a wide receiver (-105 odds at DraftKings Sportsbook) in the first round. While Nacua and Davante Adams were arguably the best wideout duo in the NFL, combining for 189 catches, 2,504 receiving yards, and 24 touchdowns, Adams is 33 years old and Nacua could face a league suspension for his off-the-field conduct. Beyond Nacua and Adams, Stafford’s next-leading wide receiver target was Jordan Whittington, who garnered just 25 targets and turned them into 18 catches and 171 yards. Adding a third reliable target would help protect against a situation like the Rams faced in the NFC Championship Game, when Adams didn’t record a catch in the fourth quarter. Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon, and Carnell Tate could all be options with the 13th pick. Lemon, a sure-handed slot receiver, and Tyson, an all-around talent with injury and drop concerns, are more likely be available than Tate.
If all three are off the board — the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, and Miami Dolphins will all select before Los Angeles and need a wideout — Rams general manager Les Snead could turn to the offensive line. In the regular season, Los Angeles’ offensive line finished with the 13th-worst pass-blocking grades, and Stafford was hit the sixth-most times. All of the Rams’ starting linemen finished with top-17 grades at their respective positions, but they could use a backup tackle because Rob Havenstein retired. At least one of Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano, and Kadyn Proctor could be on the board at No. 13 overall, and each would be a good fit in case either Warren McClendon Jr. or Alaric Jackson suffers an injury. Fano is the only one of the three who has started at both tackle spots.
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