The new consensus mock draft pick for the Los Angeles Rams
at pick 13 is Utah tackle Spencer Fano. If All-American Fano is still on the board, L.A. might not hesitate to turn in the card for him.How would that change the immediate and long-term future of the Rams?
2026 offensive line
Given Fano’s natural fit as a right tackle and consistent star power at the position in college, it makes sense that he’d immediately push Warren McClendon out of a job, assuming that A.J. Jackson is healthy on the left side.
It’s a bit of
a shock because McClendon was quite good last year.
In February, the Rams even published a feature highlighting McClendon’s development into a dependable starter at right tackle and comments by Sean McVay praising him:
“I’m proud as hell of Warren McClendon. These guys deserve a ton of credit.”
Settling in at his more comfortable position of right tackle this past season, McClendon also finished the season ranked 8th in offensive grade (83.5) and 5th in run blocking grade (86.7) among all tackles (min 50% snaps) by Pro Football Focus. It was a credit not only to what LaFleur described, but also McClendon changing the way he watched film based on the tips the veteran Rams offensive linemen gave him.
If the Rams like McClendon that much, wouldn’t Fano need to spend his first season as a backup?
Maybe the only way to backdoor his way into a job in that case would be if Steve Avila moved to center and opened a spot at guard. Even then, Fano would need to move to left guard because it’s probably not going to be Kevin Dotson.
If the Rams draft Fano, they might not even start him in Week 1. Unless he’s just so good in camp that the Rams either shuffle the deck, bench McClendon, or trade McClendon for a 2027 draft pick.
The future of the offensive line
McClendon is a 2027 free agent, meaning that drafting Fano could be setting the table for a new right tackle in 12 months. And that’s fine too, but doesn’t have as much of an immediate benefit.
It’s always good to have depth and nowhere is that more true than the offensive line.
But if the Rams think McClendon could end up being a $22-$25 million per year tackle (don’t be shocked, look at other right tackles recently) then Fano could be a way to avoid paying it and pick up a compensatory pick.
Avila and Dotson are also 2027 free agents.
Meaning that the Rams have three starters who are free agents next year and they likely can’t pay them all. Fano’s versatility would help the team assure that at least one of those roles is filled by a younger, more talented player. Let’s say that Avila and Dotson are re-signed, then Fano’s rookie contract helps them get it done.
Even then, the Rams have needs on the offensive line, including at center. That’s why Vega Ioane should be a serious consideration at 13 too because he’s a high-percentage shot at guard who gives L.A. a chance to save money in free agency next year between Dotson and Avila.
Who is Spencer Fano?
In his “The Beast” draft guide for The Athletic, Dane Brugler writes that Fano (his #1 tackle) could be an immediate starter at right tackle or guard, but needs to develop his anchor to handle bigger pass rushers:
“An impressive athlete for the position, Fano is quick out of his stance in pass protection and has the bend, balance and sudden hands to neutralize different types of rushers. When Utah needed a yard, it ran behind No. 55 and his efficient footwork and hips — particularly on power-play skip-pulls, where he could fit up defenders and take them for a ride. Though he plays like someone just pissed in his Cheerios[a], he doesn’t have overwhelming power to manhandle NFL size, and his undeveloped anchor could be an issue early in his
career. Overall, Fano has the feet, demeanor and recovery balance of a starting NFL tackle. He also has a knack for losing slowly, despite possessing average length and core strength. He has the talent to be an immediate NFL starter at right tackle or guard.“
The problem that most of you have with this conversation so far is not whether or not Fano is talented.
It’s whether he’ll even be available at pick 13 and the answer is…
Probably not.
Could the Rams slide up far enough to draft Fano?
Well, if the top-10 ends up valuing defensive players, receivers, Francis Mauioga, and Monroe Freeling more than Fano, maybe the cost to get Fano won’t be that great.
Given how good he could fit into the Rams 2027 plans, more so than 2026 plans, Fano would be a great pick for Les Snead and Sean McVay.
Whether they can actually get him or not is perhaps a bigger road block to drafting him than other prospects like Makai Lemon or Jermod McCoy.
Fano is the better value.
