The Los Angeles Rams (11-4) are coming off a crazy 38-37 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks (12-3) on Thursday Night Football. With the loss, the Rams fell behind Seattle for second place in the NFC West but still stand as a strong contender in the NFC.
While the Rams still have a chance to earn the No. 1 seed in the conference, they did have some weaknesses that were exploited in the loss to the Seahawks. The secondary struggled against Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the offense did stall down the stretch with Davante Adams injured.
Still, it was a competitive performance from a Rams team that has two first round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including a top 10 pick from the trade with the Atlanta Falcons in the 2025 NFL Draft. While the Adams and Puka Nacua tandem have been outstanding for Sean McVay and NFL MVP candidate Matthew Stafford, the Rams top needs include another offensive option with Adams getting up there in age. Secondary help and the offensive line may be ranked ahead of that and setting up the next guy behind Stafford.
With the two first round picks, the Rams have a ton of flexibility in what they can do to improve a team that is already a Super Bowl contender. Mock drafts have been having fun with that flexibility. What are the greatest needs for the Rams?
CBS NFL Mock Draft: Rams get their next franchise QB at No. 10
In his latest NFL Mock Draft, CBS Sports’ Mike Renner has the Rams jumping at the chance to land their next QB in Alabama’s Ty Simpson. If he declares, Simpson will be a first-round selection for a team looking for a QB. While the Rams don’t have an immediate need, Renner sees McVay, Stafford and the Rams as the perfect situation for a talented signal caller with limited experience.
He writes:
“The Rams won't be drafting top 10 anytime soon as long as Sean McVay is their head coach. Because of that, they may take a swing on their next franchise quarterback to apprentice Matthew Stafford in the meantime. Simpson has shown flaws of late in his first season as a starter, but there's more than enough flashes from him to get excited about what he could become.”
NFL Mocks agrees that this is an excellent situation for the player and the team, but for Simpson to slip to No. 10 in this draft, Oregon QB Dante Moore would have to declare for the draft as well. That scenario would make Simpson the No. 3 QB in the draft. It would also mean teams like the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns pass on quarterback help in the top 10 as they do in Renners’ Mock draft.
With the second first round pick, Renner has the Rams addressing their offensive line with the selection of Indiana’s Carter Smith who has been dominant on the left side of the Hoosiers’ offensive line in both protecting 2026 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and as a run blocker.
PFF NFL Mock Draft: Rams secure the secondary with rising cornerback prospect
Pro Football Focus has the Rams addressing the secondary and finding a player who can help contain a wide receiver like Smith-Njigba with the selection of LSU’s Mansoor Delane. PFF’s Gordon McGuinness sees Delane as the shutdown corner the Rams have been seeking.
He writes:
“The Rams have several potential avenues at this pick, but the prospect of finding a true shutdown cornerback is tempting. Delane was fantastic in 2025, earning an 89.1 PFF grade in man coverage and allowing a catch on just 37.1% of the passes thrown into his coverage.”
This is a player NFL Mocks has mocked to the Rams with this pick as a player the Rams should have high on their draft board given their top needs. A physical corner who can play man, Delane will garner much attention as a top cornerback option in this draft.
With the second first round pick, McGuinness does have the Rams adding another offensive weapon. They do that with the selection of Texas A&M wideout KC Concepcion who has been a touchdown machine in 2025. McGuinness also mentions Simpson as an option with this late-first round pick. All of these fascinating picks for the Rams and address current needs.
What is NFL Mocks’ selection for the Los Angeles Rams?
While NFL Mocks has mocked both Simpson and Delane to the Rams in the top 10 in previous drafts, the latest NFL Mock Draft has Ohio State’s Caleb Downs sliding to the Rams at No. 10, noting the potential loss in free agency of both Kam Curl and Quentin Lake. If one or two of those players return, the Rams first selection should be at the cornerback position.
With the second first round pick, NFL Mocks has the Rams addressing the offensive line with the selection of Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor. The two picks allow the Rams to address their top needs. It also allows them to add a young quarterback on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft where options like LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Miami’s Carson Beck and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia could be options to learn behind Stafford.