Should Rams trade up, trade back, or build for the future? Here are 5 mock draft scenarios
The Los Angeles Rams enter another important draft season in which they’ll have to add premier talent to the roster if they are going to make a push at another Super Bowl title. With less than a week until the NFL Draft, teams are working through different scenarios and mock drafts of their own to prepare for draft night. Below are five different mock draft scenarios in the first four rounds that lay out a few of the possibilities that Les Snead will have to consider.
Scenario 1: Building for the Future
- 26th Overall: QB Jalen Milroe
- 90th Overall: LB Demetrius Knight Jr.
- 101st Overall: OT Jalen Travis
- 127th Overall: RB Dylan Sampson
It’s hard to see many being too pleased with this particular scenario. While the Rams need a quarterback for the future, that player may not be in this draft. There’s no reason to force the issue. Milroe may have elite athleticism, but he has a lot of work to do as a passer and a processor. This isn’t exclusive to Milroe either as the same can be said about Jaxson Dart at this spot as well. The Rams are likely better off waiting until 2026 when LaNorris Sellers and other top quarterback potentially become available. After Milroe, the Rams get their
Scenario 2: Trade Back From 26
- 46th Overall: TE Mason Taylor
- 78th Overall: DL Shemar Turner
- 90th Overall: CB Jacob Parrish
- 101st Overall: LB Smael Mondon Jr.
- 127th Overall: QB Kyle McCord
A popular scenario for the Rams heading into the draft will be one in which the Rams trade back. Depending on the trade package, the general manager Les Snead should be able to acquire another third or fourth round pick. In this scenario, the Rams miss out on Colston Loveland, but get another receiving tight end inside the top-50 as well as a run-stopping defensive lineman. With the benefit of an extra pick, the Rams get a long-term backup quarterback in Kyle McCord.
Scenario 3: Trade Up From 26
- 9th Overall: TE Tyler Warren
- 101st Overall: LB Jeffrey Bassa
- 127th Overall: WR Isaac TeSlaa
While not a scenario that many would like to see, there is a situation in which the Rams trade up. A team like the New Orleans Saints at nine could make sense as a trade partner. It puts them in the range of Jalen Milroe and Jaxson Dart towards the end of the first round and gives them ammo in 2026 to rebuild. The Rams gave up 26, 90, and a 2026 second round pick to move up. There aren’t many prospects worth moving up for, but Tyler Warren is one of them.
Scenario 4: Offense Heavy
- 26th Overall: WR Matthew Golden
- 90th Overall: TE Harold Fannin Jr.
- 101st Overall: RB Bhayshul Tuten
- 127th Overall: OT Chase Lundt
It was somewhat a surprise when four of the first five Rams draft picks last season all came on the defensive side of the ball with Sean McVay as the head coach. With that said, it would not be a surprise if the Rams went the complete opposite direction in this year’s draft. The Rams get an explosive wide receiver in Matthew Golden and add a receiving tight end in the third round with Harold Fannin Jr.
Scenario 5: Adding to the Defense
- 26th Overall: EDGE James Pearce Jr.
- 90th Overall: DL Shemar Turner
- 101st Overall: CB Quincy Riley
- 127th Overall: LB Danny Stutsman
The Rams going defense heavy seems very unlikely. However, there is a scenario in which the best player on the board is James Pearce Jr. It may seem like an odd choice considering the Rams just drafted Jared Verse in the first round last season. However, Pearce is more of a designated pass rusher early in his career and the Rams use three edge rushers in overloaded fronts often. At some point, decisions will need to be made on who to extend on second contracts. Therefore, bringing in another edge rusher to supplement Byron Young could make sense.
