The Los Angeles Rams find themselves in an interesting spot with the 13th overall pick. In a draft that’s thinner at the top, it’s possible that the board favors a trade down scenario. At the same time, as seen in recent years, the board doesn’t always fall as many expected. In the case of 2024, nobody would have expected Jared Verse to be available with the 19th overall pick. The Rams likely couldn’t get on the phone fast enough to call in that pick.
Now, bear with me as we take a bit of a detour here. Growing up, my mom was a real estate agent which meant evenings were often met with watching HGTV shows such as “House Hunters” and “Love It or List It.” In the case of “Love It or List It”, a couple would show their current house to an interior designer while a real estate agent showed them listings that met their needs. At the end of the episode, the couple would decide whether they loved the design changes to their current house or list their current house and buy one of the listings.
How does this connect to the draft? NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah posted on Tuesday evening that watching Love It or List It had him thinking about players and team fits in the draft. Generally speaking, the same concept applies. If teams love a player that falls to them, they are going to draft that player. If the board hasn’t fallen how they’d hoped, they are going to list their pick and try to trade back. Below I’ll list a few common players being mocked to the Rams and whether or not the Rams should “Love” or “List” the player.
1. OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia: List It
In Field Yates’ most recent mock draft for ESPN, he had the Rams taking Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling. Said Yates,
“The Rams don’t have many glaring needs, so there’s an argument for them to draft a player who can boost their Super Bowl odds immediately. However, Freeling is too good of a prospect to pass up if the board fell this way. He has the most upside of any offensive lineman in this draft, with excellent size (6-7, 315 pounds) and athleticism (4.93-second 40-yard dash).”
As we head into late-March, it’s still odd to see analysts give the Rams a tackle in the first round. Yates wasn’t the only one to give the Rams Freeling either. Jordan Plocher of Pro Football Focus made the same pick as well. It wouldn’t be surprising if they took one eventually to be that sixth-man on the offensive line. However, the 13th overall pick is too early for that. If the best player on the board is a tackle such as Freeling or Spencer Fano, the Rams will likely be looking to trade back in that scenario.
2. WR Makai Lemon, USC: List It
Many may disagree here and would sprint to the podium with the draft card if Makai Lemon is still available. In Bucky Brooks’ most recent mock draft, he had the Rams taking Lemon and said,
“The Rams need a WR2/WR3 candidate in the fold to eventually replace 33-year-old Davante Adams on the perimeter. Lemon has inside/outside positional flexibility with a polished game that will quickly earn the trust of reigning MVP Matthew Stafford.”
As I wrote on Tuesday, Lemon’s fit within the current infrastructure of the offense doesn’t make sense. Early in his career, he projects as a slot-only wide receiver. However, that takes away from some of what Puka Nacua did best last season. There is no doubt that other teams would jump at the opportunity to draft Lemon which gives the 13th overall pick a lot of value if he’s available. The Rams could trade back and be in a better spot to draft Omar Cooper Jr. or KC Concepcion who both fit better within the offense.
3. WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State: Love It
If the Rams get the opportunity to select a player such as Carnell Tate, they would undoubtedly jump on it. While The Athletic’s Vic Tafur has the Rams trading up for Tate, he only has them moving up three spots. Said Tafur,
“The Rams are all-in, and while they couldn’t get the Eagles to trade them A.J. Brown, this move might even be better. They give up the No. 13 pick and a third-rounder to nab the best receiver in the draft.”
Over the past decade, Ohio State has been wide receiver university to say the least. Tate may not have the pedigree of players like Chris Olave or Marvin Harrison Jr. as a prospect. Tate may even be a step below 2027 draft prospect Jeremiah Smith. However, he fits exactly what the Rams need as a “Z” receiver who can win vertically.
4. WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State: List It
This is another wide receiver, but it also goes to show how that position is one that the Rams will seriously consider. At the very least, they need depth behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams and a rookie works best in that WR3 spot. The Ringer’s Todd McShay recently gave the Rams Tyson in his mock draft saying,
“Finding Matthew Stafford another playmaker to fit alongside Puka Nacua and Davante Adams is a direction I could see Les Snead and Sean McVay going here. Tyson is a tall, tightly packed, and versatile receiver with dynamic route-running skills, and he vastly improved his contested-catch ability (66.7 percent contested catch rate and 1.6 percent drop rate in 2025) during his time working with ASU WR coach (and former Steelers great) Hines Ward. Durability will be the big question with Tyson, but when healthy, he’s the most talented receiver in the class.”
Tyson may be one of the more complicated prospects on this list. From a pure fit perspective, Tyson is exactly what the Rams need at the position. He works best as an “X” receiver who can develop behind Adams, but he can also move around the formation and line up at any of the three wide receiver positions. If there is a wide receiver with true WR1 upside, it’s Tyson. However, Tyson is complicated because of the injury history. This could change depending on how Tyson’s workout goes pre-draft. He’s set to do positional drills on April 17. With that said, the injury history might be too risky at 13th overall.
5. QB Ty Simpson, Alabama: Love It
Simpson is another complicated prospect and many would want the Rams to trade back or pass on Simpson entirely. The decision here is truly dependent on how the Rams feel about Simpson. If the Rams fall in love with Simpson during the pre-draft process and see him as the guy post-Stafford, they should absolutely have the NFL Commissioner on speed dial.
It’s true that this isn’t a great quarterback class and this isn’t to say that Simpson doesn’t come with his concerns. Still, let’s assume that the Rams are drafting at 32nd overall in 2027. While that may look to be a better class at the quarterback position, nothing is guaranteed and quarterbacks tend to be drafted early. If the Rams like Simpson, taking advantage of the 13th overall pick and zagging when the rest of the league zigs on the quarterback class may not be a terrible option. Again, this is all under the stipulation that the Rams love Simpson and have conviction that he’s the guy moving forward. If not, this is a “List It.”
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