Rams solid at every spot but still have work to do during 2026 NFL Draft

With free agency now in the bargain shopping phase, the NFL has turned its attention to the draft.

The Rams were active to start the offseason, turning their one weakness, cornerback, into a strength by trading for Chiefs star Trent McDuffie and signing his Kansas City teammate, Jaylen Watson.

It was impressive work across the organization, tapping into general manager Les Snead’s aggressive nature, COO Tony Pastoors’ salary cap brilliance, and, of course, owner Stan Kroenke’s checkbook.

The work they collectively did in the secondary leaves the Rams with as airtight a roster as there is in the NFL. It’s hard to argue they even have a weakness now.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t work to do, be it for the present or the future.

Here are three areas the Rams will monitor in the draft and secondary free agency:

Wide receiver

The Rams dabbled with the thought of making a big change at wide receiver, potentially even trading away Davante Adams and trading for Eagles standout A.J. Brown. Ultimately, they concluded Adams was the better option and have big plans for the veteran receiver as he enters the last year of his contract.

The club also remains hopeful that Puka Nacua, who recently checked into a holistic treatment facility to help deal with some personal issues, will put his recent off-field issues behind him and be the dominant force he’s always been.

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That said, it’s clear they need another big-time wide receiver option to complement Nacua and Adams, and also be Adams’ eventual replacement.

Holding the 13th pick overall, it remains to be seen if any of the top wide receiver prospects fall to them. In a perfect world, either Ohio State’s Carnell Tate or USC’s Makai Lemon would be available. 

But that is a big if.

Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. and Washington’s Denzel Boston are the next top options, but 13 might be too high to pull the trigger. If the Rams are determined to use the first round to upgrade their wide receiver room, trading down to pick up some additional draft assets, then using the later pick in the first round to grab one player from that group could be an option.

Louisville’s Chris Bell, Alabama’s Germie Bernard, Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II and UConn’s Skyler Bell could be options on Day 2 of the draft.

Backup quarterback

You know your roster is in great shape when backup quarterback is a top-three area of consideration.

In the Rams’ case, though, this is a sneaky big need, and not only as an insurance policy if an injury sidelines starter Matthew Stafford.

With the club in constant work management mode with the 38-year-old Stafford, they need someone they can trust during training camp and sometimes during game-week practices to deliver quality quarterback play.

That is where Jimmy Garoppolo was so valuable the last two years when he sat in for Stafford during practice. It allowed the rest of the Rams’ offense, and their defense, to prepare while working alongside and against a quarterback that was still good enough to start for a handful of NFL teams.

The Rams would love to have Garoppolo back, but there are no guarantees that will be the case.

Kirk Cousins is no longer an option after signing with the Raiders, leaving Tyrod Taylor and Russell Wilson as potential options.

The Rams are also thinking about life after Stafford, so don’t rule out a premium draft pick being devoted to a quarterback. Could Alabama’s Ty Simpson be an option at 13? If the Rams truly believe he has the long-term potential to be a playoff-caliber quarterback, they will give it strong consideration.

Offensive line

The Rams are in good shape along the offensive line for 2026, with tackles Alaric Jackson and Warren McClendon Jr., guards Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson and center Coleman Shelton all returning.

It gets dicey after this year, though, with only Jackson under contract for 2027.

The only other offensive linemen under contract beyond 2026 are Beaux Limmer, Dylan McMahon, Wyatt Bowles and AJ Arcuri.

The Rams will undoubtedly get some of that squared away with contract extensions but expect them to also use the draft to add some prospects they can groom for big roles in the future.

Utah’s Spencer Fano, Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane, Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor, Clemson’s Blake Miller and Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor could all be options in the first round, especially if the Rams trade down.

Utah’s Caleb Lomu, Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon, Florida’s Austin Barber, Iowa’s Gennings Dunker, Georgia Tech’s Keylan Rutledge and Kentucky’s Jalen Farmer are names to keep an eye on in the second and third rounds.