It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Rams have two first-round picks this spring. They have needs at premium positions including corner, receiver, and long-term at quarterback.
Who did they select in The Athletic’s first-round mock? Let’s take a look.
No college football pass catcher displayed better hands, route running or toughness than Lemon, who won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver. Perhaps his dimensions (5-11, 195) won’t wow scouts, but his production and intangibles are top-shelf. He was the reason USC won nine games this season and would be a gift for Matthew Stafford and company.
ACC offenses wisely stayed away from Terrell this year, but that didn’t limit his impact. The younger brother of Falcons starter A.J. Terrell, Avieon didn’t record an interception but broke up nine passes and forced five fumbles. His play is reminiscent of former LSU and NFL star Tyrann Mathieu.
JB’s thoughts
This is sound strategy for the Rams, at least high level.
I like the idea of re-signing the relatively more affordable option between Cobie Durant and Roger McCreary, maybe even picking up another veteran, and then attempting to solve the hole at corner long-term with an early selection. Terrell doesn’t have a ton of on-ball production; however, this can be an overrated trait in corners. What matters most is coverage on a down-to-down basis.
With that said, I’m not sold that Terrell is the right choice for the Rams specifically. He’s listed at 5-11, 180 lbs. This doesn’t correct LA’s lack of size on the perimeter, though a multifaceted approach could. Terrell also has inside/outside versatility and played 20% of his snaps from the slot in his final season at Clemson. Los Angeles needs outside corners. They just resigned Quentin Lake and are set in the slot, barring major positional or usage changes.
While the need at corner will be one of the most discussed offseason issues, improving at corner is lower profile and a bit more complicated. The Rams have one of the best receivers in football in Puka Nacua. Davante Adams could return, though LA would save $14M if they move on. They have young players with some production in Jordan Whittington, Xavier Smith, and Konata Mumpfield.
It’s difficult to disagree with using the two first round picks on two of the most premium positions in football. Free agent price tags for receivers and corners are staggering. It’s much wiser to solve these needs organically, which is a more sustainable approach in the long run.
But none of this matters if the Rams cannot stick the landing from Matthew Stafford to the next franchise quarterback. You cannot win games in the NFL without a capable player, and it simply is unimportant how talented the rest of the roster is if they don’t successfully pivot either in 2026 or beyond.
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