Entering the offseason, the Rams had a pretty glaring need to address with their first-round pick in April’s NFL draft. With left tackle Alaric Jackson entering unrestricted free agency and right tackle Rob Havenstein considering if he wants to continue playing, offensive tackle was a clear priority.
That remains true, but the latest update from the Rams will add to the front office’s conversation as it prepares for the draft. The Rams’ decision to move on from wide receiver Cooper Kupp makes receiver a much bigger need for the team this offseason. Beyond Puka Nacua, the Rams have just Jordan Whittington and Xavier Smith under contract at the position entering the offseason. That pair combined for 24 receptions for 299 yards in 2024, so the Rams have a lot of production to replace.
So do they secure the trenches? Add more firepower to the offense? It remains to be seen, but here’s an early stab at what the Rams will do in the draft, using Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator.
Round 1 (No. 26 overall)
The pick: WR Matthew Golden, Texas
Measurables: 6-foot, 195 pounds
Analysis: The Rams don’t have another pick until late in the third round after trading this year’s second-rounder to Carolina to move up to get Braden Fiske last spring. So the Rams have to decide between an offensive tackle, a receiver or a tight end with the knowledge that they likely won’t get a chance at a premium player at the other two positions.
In this scenario with Golden available, we’d expect the Rams to go receiver. The team has a history of finding offensive line talent around the margins – a sixth-round pick on Beaux Limmer in April, signing Jackson as an undrafted free agent in 2021, trading a pick swap for Kevin Dotson late in training camp in 2023 – and here can take a swing on a top-of-the-line receiver to pair with Nacua.
Head coach Sean McVay talked about adding versatility to the offense in 2025, and Golden provides that with his ability to line up inside or out. He also provides the type of downfield threat the Rams need, but the team will need to feel comfortable with him as a run blocker to make this kind of investment.
Other options
Oregon OT Josh Conerly: If the Rams want to go offensive line, Conerly makes the most sense. An experienced left tackle who allowed only two sacks in his two years as a starter across 1,061 pass-blocking snaps, he could be an immediate contributor.
Michigan TE Colston Loveland: The Rams reportedly tried to move up for Brock Bowers a year ago, so adding a first-round tight end could be in the cards. Loveland is big bodied and strong at the point of the catch, but leaves something to be desired as a route runner.
Round 3 (No. 90 overall)
The pick: CB Mello Dotson, Kansas
Measurables: 6-1, 190 pounds
Analysis: The Rams need some help at corner after investing as much as they have in the defensive front the last two drafts. Dotson is an outside corner with nine interceptions as a junior and senior at Kansas. He’s been adept at man and zone coverage and could provide a building block for the Rams at corner as Cobie Durant enters the final year of his rookie contract.
Other options
Kansas CB Cobee Bryant: Like Dotson, an outside corner who is good in zone and man, but at 6-1 and 175 pounds might struggle to adjust to the physicality of the NFL game.
Ohio State QB Will Howard: Do the Rams keep taking shots at a quarterback of the future? It seems unlikely at the end of the first round, but Howard or Texas QB Quinn Ewers could be of interest late in the third.
Round 3 (No. 100 overall)
Note: This is a projected compensatory pick the Rams will receive due to Raheem Morris’ hire by the Atlanta Falcons last year.
The pick: Offensive tackle Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, Florida
Measurables: 6-7, 322 pounds
Analysis: The Rams need to address tackle in this draft, and Crenshaw-Dickson could be an ideal candidate. Experienced at left and right tackle and with a massive frame, Crenshaw-Dickson showed improvement throughout his college career, allowing only one sack as a senior. He’s a better zone blocker in the run game than gap scheme, but given his size, that’s something the Rams could work with him on during OTAs and training camp.
Other options
Oregon TE Terrance Ferguson: The contested catch ability leaves you wanting, but he’s big and capable in run blocking.
Miami OT Jalen Rivers: He has room to grow as a run blocker, but has been better in gap-scheme opportunities like the Rams’ base duo scheme.
Round 4 (No. 126 overall)
The pick: Linebacker Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
Measurables: With Christian Rozeboom an unrestricted free agent, the Rams have to address linebacker this offseason. Kiser provides some of the coverage ability that Rozeboom added to the Rams’ defense this year, while also being a stout run stopper who is among the best prospects at limiting his missed tackles, with just a 4.6% rate in 2024.
Other options: Clemson LB Barrett Carter, Notre Dame TE Mitchell Evans, LSU CB Zy Alexander
Round 6 (No. 190 overall)
The pick: TE Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech
Measurables: 6-4, 265 pounds
Analysis: Conyers isn’t a splashy, highlight-making pass catcher, but you aren’t going to get that type of tight end at this point in the draft. What he is, though, is a beast in run blocking who could help the Rams move the ball on the ground with a more consistent rhythm.
Other options: UNLV WR Ricky White, Auburn WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Iowa LB Jay Higgins
Round 6 (No. 201 overall)
The pick: Wide receiver Ricky White, UNLV
Measurables: 6-1, 190 pounds
Analysis: The Rams could double-dip at receiver in this year’s draft. White caught 166 passes for 2,519 yards and 19 touchdowns the past two seasons, with an elite 2.93 yards per route run.
Other options: Kentucky LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Maryland WR Tai Felton, Fresno State S Dean Clark
Round 6 (No. 202 overall)
The pick: Defensive tackle Junior Tafuna, Utah
Measurables: 6-3, 308 pounds
Analysis: While the Rams already drafted Tyler Davis a year ago to prepare him to replace pending free agent Bobby Brown III, they could still look to add some depth up front. Tafuna does what Brown excels at, which is clogging up the inside to the tune of an 8.1% run-stop rate.
Other options: Iowa TE Luke Lachey, Boston College DT Cam Horsley, Eastern Washington WR Efton Chism III