OFFICIAL 2026 NFL Draft Stuff

[kurtfaulk]

My later round TE choice

View: https://x.com/i/status/2039757383283421627

He looks like he could be a member of Duran Duran.

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[DzRams]

However, I think we can add to the linebacker rotation and even improve in finding Byron Young's replacement in waiting with this class.

This is a strong edge class, so it would be great to draft some depth, but let's not overlook the BY replacement already on the roster. Josaiah Stewart.

 

[Merlin]

I don't know enough about the draft to provide a good assessment on the available prospects at that position. However, I think we can add to the linebacker rotation and even improve in finding Byron Young's replacement in waiting with this class. I certainly have favorite prospects but they're at other positions.

With regards to edge defenders, I don't see David Bailey falling to us at 13th overall as I feel he would be the only DE prospect worth taking at that selection slot. Ruben Bain, Jr. has been ranked higher but there seems to be some buzz with him possibly dropping to the Rams' current top draft pick apparently due to his short arms, but I'm not convinced he'd be worth taking over the offensive prospects likely to be available even if that were to happen.

I was high on Zion Young before I found out about his character and makeup issues. Akheem Mesidor has been a popular name that's been tied to the Rams either at 13 or in a trade down, but that also doesn't appeal to me either relative to the offensive prospects ranked in the same range.

Names like Derrick Moore, Mason Thomas and Mason Reiger look to likely be available in Day 2, but the same issue of more appealing offensive prospects applies. This draft class seems to be weak at this position. Dani Dennis-Sutton and Romello Height both just popped on my radar and intrigue me a little as late mystery finds (for me). I believe I've heard one of the ESPN gurus picked Keyron Crawford as an upside prospect and possible diamond in the rough. And for some reason, I've like the physical and hard working Logan Fano but he's projected to be a Day 3 selection who offers little upside as a solid backup NFL player.

Mason Thomas is one of my favorite rushers. I'd say he's probably going to get more sacks and pressures in his first couple seasons than some of the edges drafted ahead of him. He's got actual bend to him, and quickness in his rush. If the Rams were to take him, he'd end up on the blindside for us, which would move Verse over where he's probably best suited.

Knock on Thomas is his run support, so he'll have to carve out a pass down role to get on the field as a rook. But all respect to Young and his fantastic run support ability (particularly his contain) the problem is you don't pay edges for that. You pay them to affect the QB. Thomas is going to affect QBs at this level.

One last note with these guys is Miami was incredibly well coached, and so was Ohio St. And I think to some extent you had their defenders "peaking" under that coaching, meaning for translation to NFL you're talking higher floor but not much of a ceiling. Bain's arm length is an issue and it's gonna probably put Bailey as the first edge off the board. Bain will still go top ten because this class isn't strong at the top, and he may translate quickly, but I don't think he's got massive upside.

Rams should be able to go edge at 13 if they want to. Young will be leaving in FA most likely so it is possible. Really it depends on what their plan is for next year with these pending FAs.

 

[Flatlyner]

Mason Thomas is one of my favorite rushers. I'd say he's probably going to get more sacks and pressures in his first couple seasons than some of the edges drafted ahead of him. He's got actual bend to him, and quickness in his rush. If the Rams were to take him, he'd end up on the blindside for us, which would move Verse over where he's probably best suited.

Knock on Thomas is his run support, so he'll have to carve out a pass down role to get on the field as a rook. But all respect to Young and his fantastic run support ability (particularly his contain) the problem is you don't pay edges for that. You pay them to affect the QB. Thomas is going to affect QBs at this level.

One last note with these guys is Miami was incredibly well coached, and so was Ohio St. And I think to some extent you had their defenders "peaking" under that coaching, meaning for translation to NFL you're talking higher floor but not much of a ceiling. Bain's arm length is an issue and it's gonna probably put Bailey as the first edge off the board. Bain will still go top ten because this class isn't strong at the top, and he may translate quickly, but I don't think he's got massive upside.

Rams should be able to go edge at 13 if they want to. Young will be leaving in FA most likely so it is possible. Really it depends on what their plan is for next year with these pending FAs.

I do like Thomas, but I'm not sure how we could draft him unless we are trading back from 13. He sure is not worth 13 and he won't make it to our 2nd round pick. He may go late 1st or early 2nd. I definitely agree we need to draft an edge this year, our depth outside of Stewart is pretty poor.

 

[Merlin]

I do like Thomas, but I'm not sure how we could draft him unless we are trading back from 13. He sure is not worth 13 and he won't make it to our 2nd round pick. He may go late 1st or early 2nd. I definitely agree we need to draft an edge this year, our depth outside of Stewart is pretty poor.

Yeah I think a trade down is ideal. But I doubt there will be an offer with most teams wanting to slide down.

Rams may just need to take the player who fits there at 13. If it's a reach into the next bucket as Les calls it, so be it. But I don't think the difference in these buckets is all that great this year due to a lesser quality in the top grouping. Which may induce more reaches as teams take guys they prefer.

That said I agree Thomas isn't a 13 value. I wouldn't take him there. But I would take McDonald or Miller, both of whom would cement our interior DL and increase the value of our previous DL investments.

 

[JonRam99]

One last note with these guys is Miami was incredibly well coached, and so was Ohio St. And I think to some extent you had their defenders "peaking" under that coaching, meaning for translation to NFL you're talking higher floor but not much of a ceiling. Bain's arm length is an issue and it's gonna probably put Bailey as the first edge off the board. Bain will still go top ten because this class isn't strong at the top, and he may translate quickly, but I don't think he's got massive upside.

I watched a comparison video between Bain's workout and Bailey's... it wasn't even close. Bain just feels like a 3-4 DE to me, to work the inside. Maybe a 4-3 DE (i.e. the Mighty Quinn), but even 4-3 DE's need some bend to them & Bain has very little.

 

[rdlkgliders]

2026 NFL Draft: Ideal top two picks for every team

Los Angeles Rams

Round 1: No. 13 overall: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Round 2: No. 61 overall: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia



I’ve had some pushback on my "Fano at 13" suggestion, and I get why, to a certain degree. The Rams don’t need to sacrifice everything to come out with a right tackle, and there has been a lot of receiver buzz there lately. But Fano is a quality athlete and blocker who some teams believe can play all five positions -- and the Rams are thin up front. Branch could be a dynamic option if he’s there, especially with Los Angeles losing Tutu Atwell in free agency and lacking big-play options lower on the depth chart.

Not a Fan of Tavon-TuTu Branch.