Way-too-early 2026 Rams mock draft: Who is the QB of the future?

LaNorris Sellers should be the early favorite for Rams as top option at quarterback

The 2025 NFL Draft is over which means it’s time to start looking ahead to 2026. Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams are set to have multiple first round picks, including one projected inside the top-10. That should give them the opportunity to take a quarterback and heir to Matthew Stafford. A lot will happen between now and next April with players falling and others shooting up draft boards. Let’s take a way-too-early look at the 2026 draft class.

10th Overall – QB LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

Heading into the 2025 college football season, LaNorris Sellers is going to be my top quarterback. His athleticism and ability to avoid sacks is reminiscent of Patrick Mahomes. That’s not to make any lofty comparisons, but the athleticism, arm strength, and ability to extend plays with his legs are all there.

Even if Sellers is not available, the Rams should have options. They could stay here at 10 or trade up into the top-5 if needed. With Cade Klubnik, Drew Allar, and Garrett Nussmeier all part of this class, there is a strong likelihood that one of them falls to the Rams at 10. However, Sellers is the player that teams should want. He is everything that a modern quarterback needs to be physically, and he’s very smart pre and post-snap.

24th Overall – OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

The Rams went the entirety of the 2024 draft class without taking a tackle. While they have their starters locked up in Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein, the depth behind them gets concerning. Havenstein could retire at the end of the year. It’s possible that the Rams could spend on or trade for a tackle.

However, good offensive tackles don’t typically become available. Lomu will be one of the younger prospects going into next year and brings a lot of upside. For someone who is 6’6, he moves very well. The best spot for the Rams to take a tackle will likely be the draft. Having an extra first round pick in a much better tackle class gives them the opportunity to do just that.

56th Overall – CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

Another position that was a surprise when the Rams didn’t address it at all in the draft was cornerback. It’s certainly possible that the Rams could trade for Jalen Ramsey. At the same time, the Rams have a lot of question marks at cornerback and nobody to really build the secondary around. McCoy is a physical, aggressive tackler and has no issues bringing that same mentality against wide receivers.

88th Overall – S Bud Clark, TCU

Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Rams could be looking pretty thin at the safety position. Quentin Lake and Kam Curl are both set to be free agents. It’s possible that the Rams could re-sign them, but the Rams don’t typically invest heavily at safety. Clark has great ball skills with 11 interceptions over the last three years and missed just 7.7 percent of his tackles last season.

133rd Overall – WR Barion Brown, LSU

With Tutu Atwell and Davante Adams essentially on one year deals, the Rams could have a hole at wide receiver next year. It wouldn’t be surprising for them to address the position much earlier than this. One wide receiver to watch this year will be Barion Brown at LSU. He transferred from Kentucky where he was recruited by and played under Liam Coen. While Coen is now the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Brown will have some experience in that style of offense. This could be McVay’s DeSean Jackson in this offense. Brown brings returning ability and would be a good replacement for Atwell. He still needs development as a route runner

153rd Overall – LB Jack Kelly, BYU

Despite drafting Chris Paul Jr., the Rams could use a linebacker in next year’s draft as well. Troy Reeder and Nate Landman are both on one year deals. Paul has upside, but is just a rookie and it’s unknown how Omar Speights develops. Kelly returned to BYU for one more season after transferring from Weber State. The BYU linebacker brings good speed and is an effective blitzer. He’ll look to build on a strong first season with the Cougars.

178th Overall – RB CJ Baxter, Texas

Baxter missed all of last season injured, but the breakaway speed and contact balance was there the last time he saw the field. He’ll be coming back from a torn ACL and all eyes will be on him to see how he’s recovered. The Rams have drafted a running back in each of the last eight drafts. If Kyren Williams does not return, they could look at the position once again.

221st Overall – CB Zion Tracy, Penn State

At this point in the draft, it’s about filling depth and the Rams could use it at cornerback. It remains to be seen what the Rams will have in Emmanuel Forbes and Derion Kendrick coming off of an ACL tear. Cobie Durant will be a free agent. Tracy has made some big plays in big moments for the Nittany Lions. He also brings special teams ability.