3 elite rookies nobody expects Rams to select but who could shake up the draft

Unless the Los Angeles Rams suffer a meltdown over the next two or three seasons, general manager Les Snead will never find himself in a better position to draft a game-changer. So even as mock drafts seem to dabble in those positions that need help,

Snead may view the draft as something completely different. Could the 13th overall selection be used to build the foundation for the next Super Bowl team?

It's not as far-fetched as you might think. Los Angeles is reluctant to give rookies much playing time on offense. And the maturing defense offers little opportunity for a rookie to crack the rotation in 2026. That earmarks any rookie added in 2026 for either a deliberate backup role or a foundational player for the next playoff push.

Many expect LA to aim for a wide receiver. Some mock the Rams selecting an offensive tackle.

The challenge is not who to choose, but how to get to them. In many cases, elite prospects are mocked off the board within the first five selections. While that could complicate any designs to add them in this draft, the value of 2027 NFL draft picks could make any rookie appear within reach. And despite the reputation of 2027 offering more talent, the prospects in this draft excel as well.

If Los Angeles falls in love with a 2026 rookie, it has the ammunition to get him. But in doing so, the entire draft will be thrown for a loop. Which three rookie prospects could shake up the draft that significantly? These three, for starters:

3 elite rookies nobody expects Rams to select

1. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love

Nearly all NFL analysts view the LA Rams as bursting with running back talent. That is why nobody expects general manager Les Snead to give any consideration to Notre Dame's elite running back Jeremiyah Love.

But not so fast.

LA loves the production of running back Kyren Williams, and Love is viewed as a superior talent. In the view of some draft analysts, Jeremiyah Love is the best running back to be drafted in over 10 years. And, Les Snead will always find room for one more with that reputation.

2. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza

Some draft analysts are so disappointed in the 2026 rookie quarterback class that they assert Indiana's Ferando Mendoza would not be a top-five quarterback in other years. That's highly debatable, as Mendoza commanded an offense that nobody saw coming in 2025. And it's that rise that makes him so intriguing.

Described as a precision pocket passer and compared to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, why would Los Angeles investigate trading up for him? At 6-foot-5 and 236 pounds, he screams durability and pocket presence. LA had traded up for a rookie quarterback in the past. Mendoza could be worth repeating that effort.

3. Ohio State safety Caleb Downs

Some analysts are so enamored with Ohio State safety Caleb Downs that they have him topping their draft board. But in the grand scheme of things, safeties are rarely selected early on Day 1 of the draft. Complicating the matter further, Snead has already extended both safeties Kam Curl and Quentin Lake.

But at 6-foot-0 and 206 pounds, Downs could be the popular linebacker/safety hybrid that defensive coordinator Chris Shula would leverage to great advantage. Fans know that the injury to defensive back Quentin Lake crippled the defense in 2025. Could the addition of Downs insulate Shula's crew from a repeat performance?

Downs is talented, versatile, energetic, and coachable. He loves to contribute. He is sticky in coverage and a true thumper in run defense. Best of all, he could fall to 13th overall.

Les Snead could throw a wrench into the draft plans of many NFL teams by going off script. Perhaps he won't, but nothing is outside the realm of possibility. After all, he doesn't expect to be selecting a rookie this early in the draft for the foreseeable future.

As always, thanks for reading.