Who will the Rams take on day two of the NFL Draft?
The Los Angeles Rams made one of the biggest moves of the first round when they traded down with the Atlanta Falcons. While a trade down was expected, the fact that general manager Les Snead got a 2026 first round pick in return was not. The Rams did give up a third round pick in the trade and will still only have two selections on Friday. However, both picks will land in the top 100.
46th Overall – TE Mason Taylor, LSU
I’m sticking with my prediction from my pre-draft mock. As I noted then, “the Rams may not take Taylor at 26, but he is someone that will be high on their board and could be had in a trade back scenario.”
Well, here we are on Friday morning and the Rams traded back. It’s certainly possible that Taylor is still available with the 46th overall pick. The Rams and McVay missed out on a tight end and wide receiver in the first round. Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren both went inside the top-15. Additionally, the Rams tried to trade up for Tet McMillan and could not while Matthew Golden and Emeka Egbuka were both selected as well.
It will be interesting to see how far Michigan cornerback Will Johnson and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders fall. Johnson has been nursing a knee injury and was not able to run a 40-yard dash at his pro day. It’s clearly something that teams are wary of before selecting him. If he’s available at 46, is that a risk worth taking? A wide receiver like Jaylin Noel or Jayden Higgins could be an option. In the end, we’ll presume Johnson is gone and McVay gets his receiving tight end. Taylor may not be the prospect that Loveland is, but he is a good route runner and a natural receiver.
90th Overall – OT Jalen Travis, Iowa State
After getting a future first round pick in a trade back, that is something that is very difficult to turn down. At the same time, the Rams had an opportunity at 26 to take arguably the best offensive tackle in the draft in Josh Simmons. Simmons would have given the Rams a sixth offensive lineman in 2025 as he continues to get healthy. He also would have provided a long-term option at right tackle.
If Ozzy Trapilo is available, he should be the pick. However, Jalen Travis from Iowa State is another player that the Rams will like. Travis has 27 starts between left and right tackle with double-digit starts at both. He may not be polished, but he has the traits that make for a strong tackle in the NFL. Travis has good initial quickness and is light on his feet. He should excel in zone-based concepts.
