Despite making the blockbuster trade of the NFL offseason—for all-pro corner Trent McDuffie—the Los Angeles Rams still find themselves with a full slate of picks in each of the draft’s first three rounds. LA also has a combined four picks in the final two rounds.
We know you pretty much only care about the first three picks, so we might as well only keep our attention on them.
Who should the Rams target at these spots? This is my mock draft for the first three rounds.
Round #1, pick 13
Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
I personally find it boring that
the Rams would use their highest draft pick since 2016 on an offensive lineman; however, the draft board is shifting out of their favor and Fano could realistically be the best player remaining. Carnell Tate and Makai Lemon could be off the board at receiver. From a corner perspective, Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy seem to be safe top 12 picks at this point.
That’s not to take anything away from Fano. The Rams don’t have an immediate need along the offensive line unless Fano could somehow top Coleman Shelton on the depth chart as a rookie. This is a move for the future and flies in the face of LA’s all-in approach, unless the injury bug strikes.
Fano will find his path to playing time sooner than later. He can play any of the starting five positions and is a powerful player. It’s a great problem to have too many good offensive linemen.
Round #2, pick 61
Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
If Ted Hurst played at a major college program he would easily be a first-round pick. I believe that with every bone in my body.
Hurst has yet to turn 22 and is listed at 6-3 and 207 pounds. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds. Does he always use his size and speed to its maximum advantage? No. However, he’s recently added bulk to his frame and could still be figuring out who he is as a player.
There is no better landing spot for Hurst than Los Angeles. He can contribute as a role player during his rookie year and learn from one of the best receivers in the history of football in Davante Adams. Adams can help Hurst learn leverage and adapt to the professional game.
Round #3, pick 93
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Penn State deserves more blame than the player for Allar potentially falling to the third round.
If you built a quarterback in a lab from a physical standpoint, Allar is what your creation would look like. He checks every box from a size and arm perspective. Is he a good quarterback? Well, he wasn’t in college. Penn State also failed to surround him with strong coaching, adequate protection, and pass catchers outside of Tyler Warren.
The odds aren’t in Allar’s favor that he ever grows into a Pro Bowl quarterback. Still, the Rams aren’t in a position where they urgently need to replace Matthew Stafford. They have the luxury of time and can afford to take half measures to see what comes of them. Allar is the perfect buy-low candidate in the journey to futureproof the quarterback position in Los Angeles. The Rams have used third round picks in much worse ways recently.
Which needs went unaddressed?
In this mock draft the Rams were able to add much-needed depth to receiver and offensive tackle. Hurst has a path to playing time and could take over for Davante Adams’ role in 2027. Fano uniquely has the ability to play multiple spots along the offensive line and could save Los Angeles from paying top dollar on a contract extension to Steve Avila or Warren McClendon. This is not a sexy pick but it keeps options open moving forward.
Allar is a low-risk, high-upside selection that will be afforded time to sit behind and learn from Matthew Stafford. Is it likely that Allar is Stafford’s heir apparent? Probably not. However, he was once projected as a top quarterback and the Rams are buying him at his lowest price. He has all the traits you look for in an NFL passer, but needs to play his best football at the professional level.
This mock, of course, does not address important needs such as corner and linebacker. Even though the Rams added McDuffie and Jaylen Watson this offseason, they still must add bodies in the cornerback room.
Late sixth and seventh round picks are more developmental pieces or for finding special teams contributors. They likely won’t affect the depth chart in a meaningful way. The Rams cannot patch every remaining weakness with three picks.
