The 2026 NFL Draft is only one month away and as the big event inches closer, the Los Angeles Rams’ top targets have come into clearer focus. Cornerback and safety have both been pushed down their list of needs, while wide receiver moves closer to the top – if not at the very top.
Warren McClendon Jr.’s emergence at right tackle last season makes offensive tackle less urgent, particularly after it looked like it might have been their most pressing need with Rob Havenstein’s future in doubt
Mock drafts are dropping seemingly daily, and with so many new ones being released by experts, it’s a perfect time to round up some of the latest projections for the Rams. Here’s who experts have the Rams taking at No. 13 overall – or later in the draft after trading back.
There’s no real consensus on which position they will address first, though wide receiver and offensive tackle have become popular picks. One expert even projected the Rams to take a safety, despite the return of Kam Curl.
Interestingly, there are no cornerbacks in this roundup of mock drafts, so that’s been deprioritized by experts who are projecting the Rams’ targets. That’s understandable after the additions of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
USA TODAY: WR Makai Lemon, USC
Much of the conversation surrounding the Rams’ offseason has centered on the team tilting its efforts toward another title push for Matthew Stafford. Here, however, that notion isn’t at odds with serving the roster’s long-term interests. Lemon would give the passing attack a needed tertiary option as well as an eventual replacement for Davante Adams as a high-powered No. 2 threat behind Puka Nacua.
Todd McShay: WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Finding Matthew Stafford another playmaker to fit alongside Puka Nacua and Davante Adams is a direction I could see Les Snead and Sean McVay going here. Tyson is a tall, tightly packed, and versatile receiver with dynamic route-running skills, and he vastly improved his contested-catch ability (66.7 percent contested catch rate and 1.6 percent drop rate in 2025) during his time working with ASU WR coach (and former Steelers great) Hines Ward. Durability will be the big question with Tyson, but when healthy, he’s the most talented receiver in the class.
Mel Kiper Jr.: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami
The dominoes of the Jaylen Waddle trade impacted the Rams’ pick. I had Jordyn Tyson here as their new WR3 behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, but there’s no way Miami would let the top-tier receiver slip past No. 11. Instead, I’m pivoting the Rams’ selection to the right tackle position. Mauigoa started 42 games in college, over which time he put together some really good tape. He uses his strength to dominate pass rushers, and he can clear out running lanes. Warren McClendon Jr. is under contract for only one more season, and run blocking is so important in the Rams’ offense.
PFSN: OT Spencer Fano, Utah
The Rams were a major headliner in free agency following the addition of Kansas City defensive backs Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie, eliminating the need to address that position in the first round. Receiver is seemingly the next most appropriate option, but I’m going to venture off the beaten path with Spencer Fano.
NBC Sports: S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
I strongly considered a wideout or Kenyon Sadiq here. The Rams explored trading up for a skill position player in recent drafts and were reportedly in on the A.J. Brown sweepstakes for a minute. Instead, I have them adding a wildcard on defense. Thieneman played hundreds of snaps as a box safety, slot corner, and deep safety during three years of college ball. I don’t know what he’ll do in LA, but I bet Sean McVay and Chris Shula can figure it out.
PFF: OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
There’s still a chance the Rams could trade this pick, as they like to do. However, if they are going to stay put, they might as well address a premier position like tackle.
Freeling played both left and right tackle at Georgia but started at left tackle in 2025. He surrendered just two sacks, no quarterback hits and six pressures on 891 pass-blocking snaps in 2025. Freeling’s 86.1 pass-blocking grade this past season ranks third in the draft class.
NFL.com: WR Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana (trade)
Cooper can play in the slot or on the perimeter because of his strength, quickness and outstanding body control. He will be a fantastic complement to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams this season and could take on a larger role the following year, as both Nacua and Adams are free agents in 2027.
CBS Sports: WR Makai Lemon, USC
They add to their receiver room, giving them a little more juice. We know that Davante Adams isn’t a kid anymore, so why not get a young receiver to develop for the future?
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams mock draft roundup: 2 positions emerging as top targets for LA
Reporting by Cameron DaSilva, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
