"expert" Mocks

[Memphis Ram]

IMO, he is much more then Kraft and a far more dangerous weapon.

Yeah. I'm in a very small minority of maybe just me on that one.

They are about the same size except Craft has longer arms and bigger hands. I really believe that if they could magically switch places and Kraft were featured at Penn State and Warren were at South Dakota State their draft ratings or how they were/are viewed would be altered a bit.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Pick
26

Los Angeles Rams

Grey Zabel
North Dakota State · OL · Senior
Zabel can play any spot on the offensive line, but he starts out on the interior for the Rams. Alabama guard Tyler Booker could also get a long look from Los Angeles here.

Charles Davis 2025 NFL mock draft 1.0: QBs Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart go 1-2-3!

 

[Memphis Ram]

Pick
26

Los Angeles Rams

Jihaad Campbell
Alabama · LB · Junior
The Rams are light at linebacker. Campbell offers a terrific blend of chase-down speed and third-down talent (in coverage and as a rusher).

Lance Zierlein 2025 NFL mock draft 2.0: Tetairoa McMillan at 5; Shedeur Sanders, Will Johnson slide

 

[Flatlyner]

Can't say I love either of those picks.

 

[Flatlyner]

**Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Michigan CB Will Johnson**​

Johnson had two interceptions – both returned for touchdowns and three passes defensed for the Wolverines in an injury-shortened 2024 season.

"Will Johnson was my No. 1 player over the summer and remains a top-10 talent," Wilson wrote in his analysis. "He battled a toe injury that sidelined him for much of the second half of the 2024 season, but when he's healthy, he's one of the best defenders in college football; there's a reason the easy comp for him is Patrick Surtain II. He didn't run at the combine, and his 40 time could ultimately decide how high he ends up going."

**Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Texas WR Matthew Golden**​

Citing wide receiver Cooper Kupp being on the trading block, Dragon goes offense for the Rams after Golden ran a position-best 4.29-second 40-yard dash.
Golden posted 58 receptions for 987 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games for the Longhorns last season.

**Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports: Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr.**​

"Conerly improved throughout 2024 and has the light feet and athleticism that are hard to teach," Tice and McDonald wrote. "He will still have to continue to add strength and refine his technique, but he could give the Rams an option as a real blindside protector of the future."
One caveat to that: It remains to be seen whether this will be a position of need for the Rams with Alaric Jackson reportedly re-signing with the team on a three-year deal.

The 6-5, 311 Conerly was named a Third-Team All-American by the Associated Press and First-Team All-Big ten for his performance starting all 14 games at left tackle for the Ducks in 2024.

**Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus: Georgia S Malaki Starks**​

A First Team All-American choice by the AFCA and FWWA and Second Team choice by The Athletic and Walter Camp, the 6-1, 205 Starks recorded 77 total tackles, three pass breakups and one interception in 14 games for the Bulldogs last fall.
"Safeties Kam Curl and Kamren Kinchens played well for the Rams in 2024," Sikkema wrote in his analysis. "But when a player as impactful as Malaki Starks is available, you don't pass. Starks can play safety or slot, and he could help get the most out of the Rams' safety/nickel defender rotation. He had the fastest on-field speed during drills of any safety at the combine. He knows how to move fast in ways that matter for the NFL."

Love the first 2. Will Johnson would be an absolute steal at #26 and I'd be elated. Golden similar.

Conerly Jr and Starks not so much. Don't think we can draft a tackle early if we are in win now mode, which I think we clearly are. Also, drafting a safety when we have some solid options already isn't my favorite option. Starks arguably didn't have a great final year.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I really like Golden, but I don't think that 4.29/40 is legit. I believe it was Daniel Jeremiah who said on his podcast that even his coaches were surprised by that time.

But, his agent did the right thing in shutting him down immediately thereafter.

It's great that Snead has a connection with the Texas program (believe his son is on the team or something) and will know the real deal.

 

[jjab360]

**Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: Michigan CB Will Johnson**​

Johnson had two interceptions – both returned for touchdowns and three passes defensed for the Wolverines in an injury-shortened 2024 season.

"Will Johnson was my No. 1 player over the summer and remains a top-10 talent," Wilson wrote in his analysis. "He battled a toe injury that sidelined him for much of the second half of the 2024 season, but when he's healthy, he's one of the best defenders in college football; there's a reason the easy comp for him is Patrick Surtain II. He didn't run at the combine, and his 40 time could ultimately decide how high he ends up going."

**Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Texas WR Matthew Golden**​

Citing wide receiver Cooper Kupp being on the trading block, Dragon goes offense for the Rams after Golden ran a position-best 4.29-second 40-yard dash.
Golden posted 58 receptions for 987 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games for the Longhorns last season.

**Nate Tice and Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports: Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr.**​

"Conerly improved throughout 2024 and has the light feet and athleticism that are hard to teach," Tice and McDonald wrote. "He will still have to continue to add strength and refine his technique, but he could give the Rams an option as a real blindside protector of the future."
One caveat to that: It remains to be seen whether this will be a position of need for the Rams with Alaric Jackson reportedly re-signing with the team on a three-year deal.

The 6-5, 311 Conerly was named a Third-Team All-American by the Associated Press and First-Team All-Big ten for his performance starting all 14 games at left tackle for the Ducks in 2024.

**Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus: Georgia S Malaki Starks**​

A First Team All-American choice by the AFCA and FWWA and Second Team choice by The Athletic and Walter Camp, the 6-1, 205 Starks recorded 77 total tackles, three pass breakups and one interception in 14 games for the Bulldogs last fall.
"Safeties Kam Curl and Kamren Kinchens played well for the Rams in 2024," Sikkema wrote in his analysis. "But when a player as impactful as Malaki Starks is available, you don't pass. Starks can play safety or slot, and he could help get the most out of the Rams' safety/nickel defender rotation. He had the fastest on-field speed during drills of any safety at the combine. He knows how to move fast in ways that matter for the NFL."

Love the first 2. Will Johnson would be an absolute steal at #26 and I'd be elated. Golden similar.

Conerly Jr and Starks not so much. Don't think we can draft a tackle early if we are in win now mode, which I think we clearly are. Also, drafting a safety when we have some solid options already isn't my favorite option. Starks arguably didn't have a great final year.

I mean... if Johnson somehow falls that far we run to the podium and it's another Verse like slam dunk. Starks is good enough all over the defensive backfield that this front office would eschew their early round aversion from safeties. Neither one of those guys is dropping to 26 though.

Golden is probably overrated because of the 40 and with AJ re-signing OL is reserved for 3rd round or later depth/potential starter status imo.

 

[Flatlyner]

I really like Golden, but I don't think that 4.29/40 is legit. I believe it was Daniel Jeremiah who said on his podcast that even his coaches were surprised by that time.

But, his agent did the right thing in shutting him down immediately thereafter.

It's great that Snead has a connection with the Texas program (believe his son is on the team or something) and will know the real deal.

Outside of that 4.29, every time I watched Texas, he was the standout and made all the big plays. I think he's pretty talented and even if the 4.29 is not his play speed, surely its in the 4.3's

 

[Memphis Ram]

Outside of that 4.29, every time I watched Texas, he was the standout and made all the big plays. I think he's pretty talented and even if the 4.29 is not his play speed, surely its in the 4.3's

He looks like a outstanding WR. But I'm thinking more 4.4/40 range. Nothing to sneeze at, but I'm just disputing that 4.29/40.

My question with Golden now, however, is with the TuTu re-signing is he the blocker McVay usually desires?

 

[Flatlyner]

Athletic released one today:

26. Los Angeles Rams: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri​

The Rams could be looking at two new starting offensive tackles, and Membou (6-3, 315) has positional flexibility. He started for two seasons at right tackle but has the build for a potential move to guard, either in the short term or permanently. Either way, after measuring in with 34-inch arms at the Senior Bowl, he should have a shot at playing tackle fairly early in his NFL career.

Personally, don't like it at all. A guy that could maybe potentially play OT (but likely to play inside) is not something we should be taking at 26. If you are taking a OL, they really need to be an OT, which is our need. We are pretty stout and paid inside.

This is from the 1st mock. Now Membou is being considered the top OT/OL in the draft.

 

[Flatlyner]

Another Athletic mock:

26. Los Angeles Rams: Mason Taylor, TE, LSU​

Taylor, the son of Dolphins legend Jason Taylor and nephew of Zach Thomas, is extremely fluid in space with a good frame and consistent hands. His spatial awareness and dependability are outstanding. If the Rams keep adding pieces like this — not to mention newly signed Davante Adams — Matthew Stafford may never retire.

Mason Taylor, son of HOFer @JasonTaylor, ran a picturesque gauntlet drill
: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/U7wrIBpMFH

HATE it.