Rams Mock Draft: Offense adds big receiving threat at tight end

Michigan TE Colston Loveland would be a perfect fit for the Rams at 26

The Los Angeles Rams season is officially over which means, it is now Mock Draft season! While the Rams may not have the draft capital that they have in recent years, they will still have seven selections, including one in the first round. After re-tooling the roster the last few years, the Rams are in a good spot, but they still have plenty of needs. Here’s my first official mock draft of 2025!

First Round (26th Overall) – TE Colston Loveland, Michigan

It would be easy to see the Rams go cornerback or even left tackle at this spot depending on what happens with Alaric Jackson. However, adding another legitimate receiving threat to the offense that can create, especially at tight end, will be under consideration. The Rams offense lacked at the tight end position this season despite adding Colby Parkinson in free agency. Tyler Higbee had back-to-back 50 yard games in the postseason and three straight games of five or more receptions. Parkinson had one of each in a whole season of work.

The Rams have shown interest in Dalton Kincaid and Brock Bowers in each of the last two drafts. While the Rams could potentially take Tyler Warren from Penn State, Loveland seems to be a better fit for what the Rams want. Loveland is alignment versatile, a smooth route-runner, and an effective blocker. He’s only 20 years old and has a lot of upside.

Third Round (90th Overall) – LB Barrett Carter, Clemson

One of the bigger weak points of the Rams defense in 2024 was at linebacker. While the Rams haven’t drafted a linebacker in the top-100 in the Sean McVay era, they did take Ernest Jones in the third round back in 2021. Carter gives the Rams exactly what they need at the linebacker position to pair with Omar Speights in 2025.

The Clemson linebacker is one of the better coverage linebackers in the class. He has really good speed and has no issues covering tight ends and running backs. Carter will need to continue to improve against the run, but having someone like Speights next to him will help. Both players will complement each other well.

Third Round (100th Overall) – CB Zy Alexander, LSU

The Rams will need to take a cornerback at some point in the NFL Draft. There is no guarantee that Darious Williams or Ahkello Witherspoon are back next year. Ideally the Rams would have Williams back, but he’s due $9.1-million next year. That leaves them with a high-upside guy in Emmanuel Forbes, Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick, and not much else.

Alexander gives the Rams length at cornerback that they need and speed which they covet at the position. He’s a physical player with good ball skills as he had four interceptions and 11 pass breakups over the last two years. With good coaching, he could develop into a starting cornerback on the outside.

Fourth Round (125th Overall) – RB Raheim Sanders, South Carolina

It’s no secret that the Rams need more burst and home-run ability in the backfield. This is not to say that Sander should take over for Kyren Williams or move ahead of Blake Corum on the depth chart. However, he provides something that they don’t have on the roster right now. They need some creativity and explosiveness in the backfield. Sanders didn’t show as much explosiveness coming off the injuries in 2023, but he does still possess good burst.

With that said, he has the nickname “rocket” for a reason. He has the ability to outrun defensive backs at the second and third level. Again, he may not be a lead guy, but the Rams don’t need him to be. At the end of the day, he’s a different style runner and a good fit in the Rams’ gap run scheme.

Sixth Round (188th Overall) – DL Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech

If the Rams end up losing Bobby Brown III, they’re going to need to add some depth along the defensive line. Ty Davis makes the most sense to fill that role as a run defender. Still, the Rams could continue to add to the pass-rush depth behind Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner.

Peebles is exactly the type of defensive lineman that the Rams like. He’s a little undersized at just 290-pounds, but he is disruptive. He has an elite get-off and is a better run defender despite his smaller size. The Rams could spare to add another bigger defensive lineman with Larrell Murchison and Neville Gallimore set to hit free agency. Still, Peebles provides more depth as the Rams continue to build their defensive line rotation.

Sixth Round (199th Overall) – OL Connor Colby, Iowa

It’s unlikely that Joe Noteboom gets brought back and it never hurts to continue adding to the offensive line depth. The Rams did a good job navigating through the offensive line injuries this season, but could always add more pieces. Colby has 2800 career snaps along the offensive line, 2000 of which come at right guard. He also has experience and left guard and right tackle. He’s one of the more experienced offensive linemen in the class.

Sixth Round (200th Overall) – QB Kyle McCord, Syracuse

The Rams may not take a quarterback early, but that doesn’t mean they won’t take a quarterback. Stetson Bennett could be brought back again next year, but there’s always a chance that they move on from him. He hasn’t shown a lot in the preseason over the last two years. McCord has the ability to develop into a long-term backup which is what the Rams wanted with Bennett. He doesn’t add a lot of mobility, but could thrive in a timing-based offense that prioritizes accuracy like the McVay-Shanahan offense.