The Los Angeles Rams used their final pick of the 2026 draft to select defensive tackle Tim Keenan III from Alabama. It’s their first pick on defense after taking offensive players four selections in a row, bolstering the line up front.
Here are four instant observations about the selection and what it means for the team moving forward.
The Rams are about to pay Kobie Turner
Drafting a player like Keenan gives the Rams another interior defensive lineman in a position filled with players. Why? Because after this season, several of those players are likely to leave, freeing up the cap space to extend Turner.
If the Rams cut Poona Ford next season, they’ll save over $9 million against the cap. The rest of the defensive line either has expiring contracts or low cap hits. Drafting Keenan now allows the Rams to develop him to be a depth piece, while Tyler Davis and Ty Hamilton develop to take over Ford’s role. The Rams need a top guy at the position for their defense to work.
Chris Shula’s defense is predicated on interior pressure. Thus, Turner is about to get paid and having cheaper contracts supplementing him is how the Rams are going to pay for it.
The Rams are also about to spend a lot of money
The Rams’ final three picks were offensive line, wide receiver, and defensive tackle. The Rams have four offensive linemen who are in contract years, Davante Adams’ contract expires after this season, and we already talked about defensive tackle.
It’s my belief that those selections were made because players at those positions are about to get paid and someone needs to go in order to make that happen. I see the Rams replacing a piece on their offensive line to keep Kevin Dotson, and possibly extend Byron Young, while Puka Nacua gets his extension as well. I also believe an extension for Nacua and Matthew Stafford will be finalized before the season.
Les Snead lived up to his promise
Snead told reporters before the draft that he wanted to use free agency and the trade market to address pressing needs, so the team isn’t desperate in the draft. This draft was anything but desperate. In fact, it was casual. While the Seahawks and Eagles rearmed for a bitter race in the NFC, and the 49ers and Cardinals made bold choices, the Rams were taking it easy.
It’s clear Snead believes he has a championship roster in place. Let’s see if he’s right.
Keep an eye on Alabama
Two players from Alabama. Snead, who has historically avoided selecting players from his alma mater’s arch rival, has now picked two players from the Crimson Tide: Simpson and Keenan. Sean McVay spoke about the similarities in scheme as a reason they could easily evaluate those players.
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer coached Ronnie Rivers and had Rams tight ends coach Scott Huff on his staff at Washington. The top teams like the Seahawks and Eagles invest in SEC talent, just as the Rams did this year.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 4 takeaways from Rams using final pick on DT Tim Keenan III
Reporting by Brock Vierra, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
