With the flexibility that their roster construction gives them, the Rams have a variety of paths that they could follow in this month’s NFL draft.
Use the first-round pick, the team’s second since 2016, for an immediate-impact player to add to a team that won a playoff game a year ago? Take a longer-term prospect that may not play right away in 2025 but could be a key piece in 2026 or beyond? Take the aggressive approach and move up for a targeted player? Or move back in a weaker draft and add an additional pick or two to the war stash?
You can make the argument for any path, but in this exercise as we do a mock draft to simulate the organization’s game plan for later this month, we will ignore the potential for trades. And as, using Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator, we watch the board unfold, we see the top linebackers and corners go before No. 26. This leaves just a couple of options for the Rams, one that takes a more patient approach to roster building.
Round 1 (No. 26 overall)
The pick: Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 317 pounds
Analysis: If Simmons is available at No. 26, it might be because of concerns of the torn patellar tendon he suffered in October, though Simmons told reporters at the NFL combine that his recovery was ahead of schedule. Still, even if Simmons needs time to play his way back into football form as a rookie, the Rams can afford to take a long-term approach. Left tackle Alaric Jackson just signed a big, three-year contract and right tackle Rob Havenstein is back for Year 11.
Simmons has starting experience on both sides of the offensive line. He played right tackle at San Diego State as a freshman before he transferred to Ohio State and moved to the left, where he allowed one sack as a sophomore. He plays with low pads and through the whistle, the type of effort player the Rams like.
Also considered: Michigan TE Colston Loveland, South Carolina LB Demetrius Knight Jr., Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart
Round 3 (No. 90 overall)
The pick: Virginia Tech cornerback Dorian Strong
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 185 pounds
Analysis: The Rams could use some long-term answers at corner – Decobie Durant and Ahkello Witherspoon are free agents after 2025, and Darious Williams is entering his age-32 season. Strong held opposing quarterbacks to an absurd 11.8 passer rating in 2023, allowing nine receptions off 33 targets. Those numbers returned closer to the norm last season — a 61.6 passer rating when targeted 58 times for 27 receptions. But Strong has good zone coverage skills and is disruptive at the point of the catch, and that should translate to the NFL.
Also considered: Texas TE Gunnar Helm, Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa, Kansas State CB Jacob Parrish
Round 3 (No. 101 overall)
The pick: Texas TE Gunnar Helm
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 250 pounds
Analysis: After passing on Loveland in the first round, the Rams go for value in a deep tight end class. Helm is more of an F tight end who lines up frequently in the slot as opposed to exclusively lined up tight next to a tackle. While he has room to grow as a run blocker, he’s a good pass catcher who is particularly good at picking up yards after the catch. He’d been bring some versatility to the Rams’ tight end room.
Also considered: Clemson LB Barrett Carter, Kansas State CB Jacob Parrish, Texas WR Isaiah Bond
Round 4 (No. 127 overall)
The pick: Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 200 pounds
Analysis: The Rams need receiver depth, and someone who can help Puka Nacua and Jordan Whittington with some of the dirty work in the run game. Bryant brings plenty of that as well as some good route running and contested-catch ability, with just a 1.8% drop rate as a senior. He’d help fill the gaps in the Rams’ receiver room, and paired with Helm would give head coach Sean McVay some new options to scheme around in the passing game.
Also considered: Ohio State LB Cody Simon, UCF WR Kobe Hudson, Texas QB Quinn Ewers
Round 6 (No. 190 overall)
The pick: Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins
Measurables: 6-foot, 224 pounds
Analysis: Higgins is a scheme fit in the Rams’ 3-4 system and fills a need the Rams have for a coverage linebacker. Omar Speights improved in that area as a rookie but it’s still not a strength, while free-agent signing Nate Landman is pretty much exclusively a run stopper. Enter Higgins, who had five passes defended and four interceptions as a senior. He’s no slouch as a run defender, either, and could contribute early for the Rams.
Also considered: Louisville QB Tyler Shough, Florida DT Cam’Ron Jackson, California LB Teddye Buchanan
Round 6 (No. 195 overall)
The pick: Florida defensive tackle Cam’Ron Jackson
Measurables: 6-foot-6, 342 pounds
Analysis: The Rams could still use a little beef in the middle of the defensive line, even after the addition of Poona Ford. Jackson would provide a lot more size in the run game after posting a 9.3% run-stop rate as a senior. And a 6.8% pass-rush win rate as a senior indicates he could add some value in that area, too.
Also considered: Louisville QB Tyler Shough, California LB Teddye Buchanan
Round 6 (No. 201 overall)
The pick: Auburn wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 182 pounds
Analysis: With the first of back-to-back picks, the Rams add again to the receivers room. Lambert-Smith had steady production in college and was good at adding yards after the catch.
Also considered: Louisville QB Tyler Shough, Tennessee WR Dont’e Thornton Jr.
Round 6 (No. 202 overall)
The pick: Louisville QB Tyler Shough
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 225 pounds
Analysis: With all other needs met, the Rams can take a swing at a late-round quarterback. Shough is already 25 with an extensive injury history, but he has good enough arm talent and accuracy that he could make for an interesting long-term project.
Also considered: Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke, Missouri QB Brady Cook
