With most of the smoke cleared from free agency and many of the top players spoken for, the Los Angeles Rams Pro Player Personnel staff can take a small breather and let the College Scouting staff take the main stage. L.A. was busy. filling weak spots with proven NFL talent and renewing deals to keep their own coveted players from shipping out.
There’s still work to do and with the draft a month away, it’s a good time to take stock of the roster, re-examine what areas still need some upgrading, and ponder
possible moves. The roster is current, with projected starters in bold. To kick off the conversation, I‘ve added some opinion on positional moves. Feel free to agree, disagree, or expound on them.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford, Stetson Bennett
The Rams are taking their time deciding on re-signing Jimmy Garappolo or any other veterans, for that matter. Is it a hint that they like a QB in the draft?
Move: Two are needed, there’s just no point in working Stafford’s arm and back any more than the minimum to get into shape, bring in a prospect and a camp body to throw all those drills. While I personally like the more mobile prospects, the Rams offense needs a QB with good size to stand in the pocket and the ability to zip the long outs. In other words, big guys with big arms.
Running back
Kyren Williams, Blake Corum. Jarquez Hunter, Jordan Waters
I think the only question here is “How much play time will Hunter earn?”
Move: Probably need two more for camp and preseason games. Late round/undrafted are fine. Two I like are Chip Trayanum (Toledo) and Jam Miller (Alabama), both have the size, physicality, and speed for the NFL.
Wide receiver
Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, Tyler Scott, Harold Presley, Mario Williams, Tru Edwards
Nacua is just plain filthy and Adams is likely best as WR#3, a situational receiver at this point. Whittington has game, but appears to do his best work as a supporting player, not a bonafide WR#2. Although Mumpfield should improve in Year 2, his ceiling doesn’t appear to be sky high. The others need to really show out to gain any traction at all.
Move: Use one of the first three picks on a receiver, and consider double-dipping later on. The unit needs an infusion of fresh blood for the future as well as 2026. While no standout superstars this is a deep class.
Tight end
Terrance Ferguson, Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen, Mark Redman
Stable for 2026, Parkinson showed the improvement to be a rotating TE#1 and Ferguson teased us with what could be, it’s all about reps and consistency for him. Higbee has lost a step, but knows the offense and can offer good reps. Allen has been a pretty good value for a Round 5 stake.
Move: Not sure you need to add much, maybe a couple bodies for camp and preseason games. Riley Nowakowski (Indiana) and Jaren Kanak (Oklahoma) are smallish TE prospects, but can line up all over, are plus blockers and play special teams.
Offensive line
Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, Warren McClendon, David Quessenberry, AJ Arcuri, Justin Deich, Beaux Limmer, Dylan McMahon, Wyatt Bowles
That’a damn good starting quintet, but the talent falls off precipitously after them. Most are best-suited to the interior as well. The Rams need a comeback season from Limmer.
Move: Likely need 3-4 for camp. Swing tackle is a definite must have. Recently, TST has reviewed “true” offensive tackles on 3/21, late round guards on 3/12, and swing linemen on 2/17. There are prospects out there.
Special teams
Ethan Evans, Harrison Meevis, Joe Cardona
Good group. Evans has his ups and downs, but is generally pretty solid at dropping punts inside the 20. Meevis had a good rookie year, hopefully the sophomore jinx passes by. Cardona has been around awhile, stacking solid seasons and had only one injury that sat him for multiple games.
Move: Stand pat, if one of the specialists struggle during OTAs, make adjustments then.
Defensive line
Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Braden Fiske, Tyler Davis, Ty Hamilton, Bill Norton
Behind a solid Top 4, Hamilton should show some improvement in Year 2, but should also feel a little pressure. Even though getting 20-25 snaps per game is good value out of a Round 5 pick, they need to be of good quality. Norton is the outlier in this unit at 320+ lb. And he too, should show improvement in his second year.
Move: At least two players need to be added for camp and preseason games. Could get by with late round/undrafted prospects or street free agents. A little more size would be nice.
Edge
Jared Verse, Byron Young, Josiah Stewart, Desjuan Johnson, Keir Thomas
Not as thin behind the two strong starters as many fans think. Stewart held his mud as a rookie, hinting at a bigger role. Johnson came in as a tweener with good game, now with a full season to work on leaning out his body a little, he could be a sleeper. Thomas is in similar situation, hopefully he worked on his body composition during his injury rehab.
Move: Take a shot on a traits-based guy in the later rounds. George Gumbs, out of Florida, is a raw prospect with a huge upside.
Off-ball linebacker
Nate Landman, Omar Speights, Shaun Dolac, Grant Stuard, Elias Neal
Fans will want a change, but not so sure the Rams braintrust will go along. Landman is close to a sure thing for 90% of snaps, pass coverage be damned. Speights will get what he’s supposed to, but is at his ceiling. Stuard comes in as insurance for Dolac’s knee injury. Not too familiar with his game, maybe he can press for reps.
Move: The plug-and-play prospects will all be long gone, if the Rams don’t grab one in the first three rounds. Two good late round candidates, Jimmy Rolder (Michigan) and Keyshaun Elliott (Arizona State) are better as run-stoppers than in coverage.
Safety
Quentin Lake, Kamren Curl, Kamren Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough, Josh Wallace, Tanner Ingle, Nate Valcarcel
Hey guys, let’s get the band back together! If you thought they were good enough last year, then your in luck. To a man, they are all back. At a higher cost.
Move: While I would like to see a free safety in the mix, it’s about late round/undrafted players who can compete for special teams work. I like Wydette Williams (Ole Miss), Skyler Thomas (Oregon State), and Robert Spears-Jennings (Oklahoma) deep in the draft.
Cornerback
Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Emmanuel Forbes, Cam Lampkin, Alex Johnson
Much improved unit already, just needs a little youth and maybe some veteran depth. Gotta love the new additions of McDuffie and Watson, they take the pressure off hitting it big in the draft, and hopefully they’ll push Forbes to be better.
Move: Need three or four bodies for camp and preseason games. One should certainly be taken in Rounds 1, 2 or 3. After that, late candidates that fit the scheme, or street free agents that the staff is familiar with.
Outlook
Very optimistic. The Rams currently have three picks in the Top 100 of the draft and could be of immediate help. They also have $26mil in cap space according to overthecap.com, This combination allows Les Snead plenty of options, any move spanning the spectrum of blockbuster down to bottom of the roster tinkering. As this roster is currently built, the lingering needs are building high-end depth with an eye to the future and keeping the Super Bowl window open. A very comfortable place to begin 2026.
