For nearly a full year we’ve wondered what the Los Angeles Rams plan to do with multiple first round picks. We rarely see this team make a selection in the NFL Draft’s opening round let alone appear on the clock twice.
Could Sean McVay and Les Snead use the additional first rounder from the Atlanta Falcons to build for the future and select the heir apparent to Matthew Stafford?
In a similar vein, they will also need to make a decision within the calendar year whether they want to extend EDGE rusher Byron Young or let him walk in free agency ahead of the 2027 season. You can never have too many pass rushers. Would the Rams replace Young a year before they need to? This would give them serious chops against opposing quarterbacks as they look to make a Super Bowl push and help them sustain defensive growth into the foreseeable future.
Using SumerSports’ draft guide, let’s take a look at the early options for when LA is on the clock at 13th and 29th overall:
Options at #13
This is an odd year at the top of the draft order for EDGE rushers. There doesn’t yet seem to be a consensus favorite at this position. The group is prime for surprises and we could see teams buck popular draft boards in favor of scheme and stylistic fits.
David Bailey, Texas Tech
Bailey is the most dynamic EDGE rusher in this class. He could start his career more as a pass rush specialist than every-down player as he weighs 251 pounds.
With that said, Bailey is a better run defender than you’d think. He misses nearly 13% of his tackle attempts and must improve in this area. You’d be drafting him for his pass rushing prowess and betting on him bulking up and finding ways to stay on the field.
Rueben Bain, Miami
The main concern with Bain will always be his arm length. He’s a power rusher and the Rams seem to prefer these types of late. Bain would be an interesting pairing with Jared Verse, though it could make more sense to favor a more explosive-type or speed rusher to present differing threats to opposing QB’s.
Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
You would only take Howell if you miss out on Bailey, though Howell does fit the mold of a speed rusher if the Rams are looking for this skillset opposite Verse. He’s a sure-handed tackler that also displays impressive effort. Howell is nearly age 25 and that is a concern.
Options at #29
Ahkeem Mesidor, Miami
Some draft analysts prefer Mesidor over his teammate, Bain. However, Mesidor is much older at nearly 25 while Bain has yet to turn 22. How do you measure production versus potential with such a substantial age gap between two players on the same team?
Consensus boards slot Mesidor to the Dallas Cowboys at pick #20. If he falls, he could prove too much of a bargain for the Rams to pass up. It’s possible given his age.
Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
People will probably be surprised to see Thomas included on a draft list for the first round; however, more analytically-oriented draft circles will be favorable on his profile. For the Rams—since they already have Young—it might make sense to invest in a prospect that has yet to turn 22 and let him develop for a year. Thomas has great traits but is more of a risky bet.
Zion Young, Missouri
I could get excited about a pairing of Zion Young and Verse. Young is 6-6, 262 lbs. compared to Verse at 6-4, 265 lbs. There remains potential that this group could be more explosive, but in theory you could add in a third EDGE rusher that brings a complimentary skillset. Young is one of my favorite prospects in this class and would be enticing at the back of the first round.
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