There’s one hard and fast rule when it comes to the Los Angeles Rams draft philosophy, they don’t adhere to any hard and fast rules when it comes to physical profiles. There is a Rams “type,” but the profile has as much to do with work ethic, toughness, and fit into the system as it it does natural physical traits and talent.
Since the teaming of Les Snead and Sean McVay, L.A. has shown the willingness to draft players that don’t always fit the NFL’s size/length/age standards for individual positions.
For example, last year the Rams drafted 6’1” edge Josaiah Stewart and the last five defensive interior players drafted have all been south of 300 lb.
The 2026 NFL Draft has it’s share of “tweener’s” who don’t fit perfectly into a positional box, but are interesting prospects just the same. Could any of these outliers, be on the Rams radar?
Round 1
Defensive end Keldric Faulk – Auburn – 6’6” 280 lb.
Faulk comes out after his junior year and just turned 20 years-old in January. Came to Auburn a four-star recruit in 2023 and did not missed a game. He’s put together 32 starts out of 37 games, 109 tackles, 19.5 for loss, 10 sacks, and broke up 12 passes.
Well put together frame, looks long and lean at 288 lb. Smooth and fluid mover doesn’t have twitchy get-off, but glides through gaps and lanes aided by good hand work and a nice arm over move. Knows how to use his length and does a good job of staying leveraged behind his pads. Sets a strong edge with a long arm to keep separation and has strong stack/shed ability. Even when engaged, he stays alert and moving towards the play and gets hustle/cleanup tackles.Coaches pointed to his leadership and character.
Could be considered a developmental project, but at 20 years-old, Faulk’s versatility, motor, and ability as a run-stopper give him a high floor. He flashed a myriad of good looking pass rush moves on film, just needs the experience to string them together. Auburn moved him up and down the interior line in 2025 and he was a much better pass rusher when lined up outside. Still growing into that frame and could use some play strength for the pro game.
Round 2
Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds – Indiana – 5’9” 175 lb.
Despite playing on back-to-back state championship football teams and qualifying in both the 100 and 200 meter dashes at the Florida State Track Championships, Ponds was lightly recruited. He went with Curt Cignetti and James Madison. After a first season that included Freshman All-American honors Ponds again joined Cignetti, this time as an Indiana Hoosier. Over a three-year career, Ponds amassed 36 starts out of 40 games, 167 tackles, 10.5 for loss, seven interceptions, and 39 passes broken up. All-American honors followed as well.
Twitchy, agile, and fast, Ponds combines natural athleticism, technique, and competitiveness into a small package. Not limited to slot corner work, he was primarily a college outside corner. Very sticky in man coverage, aggressive, but not grabby. Has the confidence and discipline to use his loose hips and change of direction skills to recover. Excels in zone as well, smoothly back pedals as he reads the QB and routes. Sets himself and bursts on the ball. Willing and able in run defense, not afraid to fill and mix it up.
If you’re going to pick a diminutive corner early, then Ponds is the kind of player you want. Size aside, he is arguably the best corner in this draft. The Rams use a lot of “nickel” and “dime” formations, but in the recent past, have used bigger players ( Jalen Ramsey, Quentin Lake) inthe slot and called it “star”. Ponds has the coverage chops and physical nature to play that role. Oh yeah, he’s a monster on special teams.
Round 3
Defensive end Akeem Mesidor – Miami – 6’3” 280 lb.
I remember scouting Mesidor back in his West Virginia days. His first two seasons (2020-21) were with the Mountaineers and he was named to a couple of Freshman All-American teams. Over a six-year college career that included 52 starts in 65 games, Mesidor garnered 208 tackles, 52.5 for loss, 35.5 sacks, and eight passes broken up.
Combines a relentless motor and toolbox full of pass rush moves, not only getting out-and-out wins, but plenty of hustle and clean up sacks. Savvy vet, that although lacking in elite size or length has consistently won over his long career. Not a true power rusher, but sets up blockers with footwork and pace before striking solidly. Can rip, swim, and get around corners or if a tackle oversets, he’ll club and counter back inside. Less dynamic against the run, but get-off gets into gaps and mucks things. Likely better in attacking run defense rather than be expected to hold ground vs blockers outweighing him by 25+ lb. Not that he’s bad in run defense, he’s certainly held his mud, but it remains to be seen in the pro game.
At 26, he’s an older prospect. His pass rushing prowess and hot-motor give him a fairly high floor for a team that wants to get after opposing passers. How he responds in the run game will determine his ceiling.
Round 4
Off-ball linebacker Kyle Louis – Pittsburgh – 6’ 220 lb.
Although Louis spent four seasons with Pitt, he really exploded in his final two. In 2024, he was accorded numerous All-American honors, both first and second team and backed it with another strong outing in 2025. Playing in an aggressive, attacking defense, he booked 201 tackles, 21.5 for loss, 10 sacks, six interceptions, and 12 passes broken up.
Reportedly a film junkie that studies the opposition non-stop. His football IQ and read/react skills are top notch. Obviously at his size, when blockers get onto him, they move him out. Bursting downhill through gaps and out in open space is where he flourishes. Good instincts and anticipation to intersect with ball carriers and is generally a good wrap-up tackler. Has some problems with missed tackles, mostly bouncing off because of his size and not getting set due to aggressive pursuit. Strong in pass coverage, plays like a safety. While he was limited by college scheme to staying within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage, his tools translate to carrying coverage upfield.
One of the biggest draft risers from the Senior Bowl workouts and if he tests well at the Combine, could be a Top 75 draft pick. I have him late Round 3/ early Round 4. His size make him an outlier at linebacker and while there’s strong pass coverage consideration, he’s missed a lot of tackles. His aggressiveness in pursuit bodes well for helping out on special teams.
Round 5
Offensive end Tyreak Sapp – Florida – 6’2” 278 lb.
Four-star recruit that spent all five years (redshirt) with the Gators. Played in 49 games with 125 tackles, 21.5 for loss, 10 sacks, and four forced fumbles.
Plays more like a down lineman than edge, lining up mostly with a hand in the dirt. Not an explosive, bendy player, his game is built on power. He’s not a slug, but his move skills will likely limit his ceiling. Nothing wrong with being a run-stopper who plays with good technique and understands leverage. Sapp has a very powerful and accurate punch with good enough length to control blockers and active, strong hands to discard them. Good edge setter. Pass rush will be secondary with this prospect, although he stays in pursuit. Great upper body strength, but appears to need lower body strength work to handle the size/power of NFL trenches. In the Miami game, tackle Francis Mauigoa (Rd1 prospect) took it to him.
Interesting prospect, was on the Pro Football Focus Top 50 heading into 2025. Other draft outlets rank him higher, but his tweener size and skills that are more like an interior player make him a developmental project. I would liken him to the Rams Keir Thomas, a good football player with a decent floor, but where do you fit him in?
Round 6
Safety Cole Wisniewski – Texas Tech – 6’3” 218 lb.
Played six college seasons, the first five with North Dakota State and finishing up at Texas Tech. He participated in three FCS Championship games and was a 2023 consensus All-American for the Bison. A veteran of 60 college games, Wisniewski charted 267 tackles, 11.5 for loss, two sacks, eight interceptions, and 20 passes broken up.
High floor prospect with the football IQ and experience to understand opposing offenses and the discipline to carry out assignments and responsibilities. Played both deep (mostly zone) and near the line of scrimmage. Solid open-field tackler who pursues well and generally takes good attack angles. Although he’s at his best when playing downhill, the former high school quarterback a sneaky good athlete. He shows good agility and move skills navigating through traffic in pursuit. Good ball tracking and hand/eye coordination.
Wisniewski offers versatility as a linebacker hybrid as well, he began his career with 25 games at the position for North Dakota State. The East-West Shrine Bowl wanted to work him out there as well. Plenty of experience on special teams, but did miss a big part of 2022 and all of 2024 with injuries.
Round 7
Off-ball linebacker Kendall Daniels – Oklahoma – 6’4” 240 lb.
Hard-hitting hybrid prospect who brings an enforcer’s attitude to wherever he lines up. Played four seasons at Oklahoma State before transferring to in-state rival Oklahoma. AT OSU he was a long. lanky strong safety in his first three years and in 2024, the Cowboys coaches moved him to a hybrid edge/linebacker role. When Daniels got to the Sooners, they installed him in their “Cheetah” role as a roving safety/linebacker. For a 55 game career that included 41 starts, Daniels accumulated 293 tackles, 31.5 for loss, 7.5 sacks, and 16 passes broken up.
OU moved him all over the defense. Watching him get others properly aligned hints at ownership/leadership. Played a fair amount of two-deep zone safety and man in the slot, but I think his best role is in short/mid zone and down the line of scrimmage. His read/react skills are strong and shows a real understanding of offenses and where receivers want to be. Good tackler that wraps up well and not afraid to put a shoulder into runners. Good downhill burst to hit gaps and create losses. Appears to take good angles and relentlessly pursues plays.
Draft Buzz has him down for a 4.6 forty, just okay for safety, but certainly fine for a linebacker. That where I envision Daniels, as linebacker in passing situation packages. It will be interesting to see how he takes to the pro game and how much he improves his play strength. He did play in complex college defense and shows the requisite physicality and football IQ. Nice sleeper.
UNDRAFTED
Running back Ismail Mahdi – Arizona – 5’9” 185 lb.
Electric playmaker that has shown out at all stops. Spent his freshman year at FCS Houston Christian before stepping up to FBS Texas State for two. After leading the nation in all-purpose yards, Mahdi again bumped up, this time to the Arizona Wildcats for his senior year. For his career, he charted 5500+ all purpose yards and 28 touchdowns.
Arizona ran a lot of inside zone and duo run schemes, Mahdi patiently presses the line and explodes through the smallest of gaps. Possesses the loose hips to open up and break outside if the middle is clogged. Darting quick cuts in traffic and can stack them up in the open-field. His burst and speed stands out on film, so obviously at 185 LB., he’s not a power runner, but does get behind his pads well in short yardage and on the goal line. Although mostly used on check downs, Mahdi shows good hands and is a willing blocker.
A late round/undrafted prospect that could fill roster needs as a willing special teams participant, who also brings a change-pf-pace explosive element to the offense. Reportedly timed at 10.6 in the 100m in high school.
Any of these tweeners make sense for the Rams?
