With the 2026 NFL Draft rapidly approaching, the Los Angeles Rams are finalizing their own draft board. This draft is a critical one to add difference makers for the present and future and fill out the depth of the team. With Super Bowl LX on everyone’s mind, this draft is critical.

While the Rams’ big board is a secret, we can always guess. I’ve built out my own based on a combination of my own grades and the Rams’ needs and tendencies.

Criteria for full transparency:

These aren’t my personal rankings. These are influenced by my own big board (which will be released later), but I have weighed them based on the Rams. Positions of need (like LB, CB, WR, etc) will be weighed more than I normally would and given priority over non-need positions (like guard).

Additionally, specific types of players will be weighed more. For example at EDGE, the case could be made the Rams need an “OLB type” more than a “DE” type because they drop their non-Verse EDGEs into coverage often. At LB, I valued coverage at a higher premium as well.

This article will begin as a top-50, then a top-150, and finally a top-250 on the week of the draft.

(Note: Names like Fernando Mendoza, Arvell Reese, and others will still be on this board, even if I believe they will be taken long before the Rams pick)

Los Angeles Rams-centric 2026 NFL Draft Big Board

Blue-Chippers

1.	Fernando Mendoza	QB	Indiana
2.	Arvell Reese	LB	Ohio State
3.	Sonny Styles	LB	Ohio State
4.	Caleb Downs	S	Ohio State
5.	Jeremiyah Love	RB	Notre Dame

I don’t anticipate any of these names being on the board when the Rams pick at No. 13. If they are, however, the Rams should jump at the chance. Styles and Reese would complete their defensive rebuild and have the ceiling pointed firmly towards the top of the NFL, in my opinion.

Downs is a tricky fit, but he would allow them to move Kam Curl around the formation significantly more.

I go back and forth on Jeremiyah Love. On one hand, the Rams do need to get more explosive offensively. On the other, they are pretty set at running back, and it would almost feel like a waste of resources. Love would be their best back since Gurley, there’s no doubt about that. However, I’m not convinced that’s enough of a reason to draft him.

High-Quality starters

6.	David Bailey	EDGE	Texas Tech
7.	Carnell Tate	WR	Ohio State
8.	Rueben Bain Jr	EDGE	Miami (FL)
9.	Spencer Fano	OT	Utah
10.	Francis Mauigoa	OT	Miami (FL)
11.	KC Concepcion	WR	Texas A&M
12.	Mansoor Delane	CB	LSU
13.	Jermod McCoy	CB	Tennessee
14.	Jordyn Tyson	WR	Arizona State
15.	Monroe Freeling	OT	Georgia
16.	Aveion Terrell	CB	Clemson
17.	Kenyon Sadiq	TE	Oregon
18.	Dillon Thieneman	S	Oregon

There’s a reasonable case to be made for the Rams to take any of these players at No. 13 overall. I do prefer players like KC Concepcion for the Rams, and I don’t expect a few names on this list to be available when the Rams pick.

Had the Rams not traded for Trent McDuffie, I fully believe they were in on Mansoor Delane at 13. However, the Combine more or less highlighted that Delane will be off the board by No. 13. Accordingly, the Rams made their moves at cornerback afterwards.

I do believe the Rams should draft an offensive tackle. All things considered, it’s the quickest way to improve their overall performance and keep Stafford upright. However, players like Monroe Freeling, who is a natural left tackle, could make some issues in terms of playing Alaric Jackson. Overall, I’d prefer Spencer Fano of all of their OT options.

The Rams have explored adding safety/nickel hybrids, and that fits Thieneman to a T. Although I’m not sure I would take him at No. 13 overall, he does fit a need the Rams have been searching for, and he is a superb player in his own right.

Good Starters

19.	Omar Cooper Jr.	WR	Indiana
20.	Kadyn Proctor	OT	Alabama
21.	Cashius Howell	EDGE	Texas A&M
22.	Treydan Stukes	CB	Arizona
23.	Makai Lemon	WR	USC
24.	Colton Hood	CB	Tennessee
25.	CJ Allen	LB	Georgia
26.	R Mason Thomas	EDGE	Oklahoma
27.	Vega Ioane	G	Penn State
28.	Denzel Boston	WR	Washington
29.	Caleb Lomu	OT	Utah
30.	Peter Woods	DT	Clemson
31.	TJ Parker	EDGE	UCF Clemson
32.	Emmanuel McNeil-Warren	S	Toledo
33.	Ahkeem Mesidor	EDGE	Miami (FL)
34.	Chris Johnson	CB	San Diego State
35.	Josiah Trotter	LB	Missouri
36.	Caleb Banks	DT	Florida
37.	Chase Bisontis	G	Texas A&M
38.	Blake Miller	OT	Clemson
39.	Chris Bell	WR	Louisville
40.	D’Angelo Ponds	CB	Indiana
41.	Emmanuel Pregnon	G	Oregon
42.	Malachi Lawrence	EDGE	UCF
43.	AJ Haulcy	S	LSU
44.	Jacob Rodriguez	LB	Texas Tech
45.	Jake Golday	LB	Cincinnati
46.	Jaishawn Barham	EDGE	Michigan
47.	Devin Moore	CB	Florida
48.	Keyron Crawford	EDGE	Auburn
49.	Dani Dennis-Sutton	EDGE	Penn State
50.	Max Iheanachor	OT	Arizona State

There’s a lot to unpack in this one, but I will refer you to the beginning criteria to help clear up some confusion.

I’m sure there won’t be any controversy about Makai Lemon’s placement. I dove into why I’m a little skeptical of his fit with the Rams earlier this week. I put Omar Cooper Jr above him due to some more versatility. However, I am also ever so slightly skeptical on his fit as well.

Max Iheanachor will be undoubtedly higher on every other big board, and he could end up in round one. The Rams typically don’t target raw athletes at offensive tackle, however, pushing him well down this board.

Jake Golday and Jacob Rodriguez are two targets I go back and forth on with the Rams. The Rams are clearly looking for an upgrade at WLB to improve their coverage, and both players fit. However, they each have issues elsewhere.

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