6 OL gems Rams GM Les Snead cannot pass up on Days 2/3 of the draft

The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2026 NFL Draft with seven picks, the first at the 13th overall selection. While the focus of many fans remains trained on Day 1, other fans understand that the true magic of general manager Les Snead comes on Day 3 of the draft.

While other NFL GMs are mailing it in, naming players who may or may not offer any value on special teams, Snead continues to work his draft profiles to select the perfect fit for the Yellow and Blue.

It's not unusual for LA to emerge from two days of the annual NFL draft with an unfinished product. But the team inevitably rebounds on Day 3, oftentimes adding overlooked players who earn starting or rotational roles on the team. And that's no small feat, as Los Angeles has only missed the playoffs twice since hiring Sean McVay as the head coach in 2017.

Finding talent is not the tough part. Gauging a rookie prospect's passion for football is. And yet, Snead somehow manages to understand young football players' hearts in a way that makes cardiologists green with envy. It's the passion that perseveres, and that is what Snead sees in these six Day 3 players:

6 OL gems Les Snead cannot pass up on Days 2/3

Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor (Round 2)

Projected as early as Round 1, Max Iheanachor falls to Day 2 in my estimation. That's not due to his ample talent set, but rather due to the numbers game. Other positions are in shorter supply or face a sharper talent drop-off. Iheanachor is joined by plenty of worthy offensive linemen in this year's rookies.

Make no mistake, this 6-foot-6, 321-pounder is worth trading up for. Much like the interest in defensive tackle Braden Fiske, general manager Les Snead may pull the trigger. This burly blocking bear has mastered footwork and agility. He simply needs a bit of coaching polish to excel in the NFL.

Texas A&M offensive tackle Demetrius Crownover (Day 3)

LA loves big physical offensive linemen, and will love the physicality of 6-foot-319-pound offensive tackle Demetrius Crownover. A former tight end, the sky is the limit for Crownover with the right NFL coaching. Unfortunately, some teams have cooled on him as he didn't develop his pass-blocking techniques despite starting in college for multiple years.

He has all the tools to flourish. He simply needs to be coached up to use those tools effectively.

Miami offensive tackle Markel Bell (Day 3)

Large enough to be mistaken for an NBA center or power forward, Makel Bell is a bookend powerhouse who enters the NFL with freakish dimensions and power. He has shown remarkable development and improvement year by year, but his size has not translated into dominating run blocking yet. And he is vulnerable to shorter defenders who can get under his pads.

He can be counted on to keep the pocket clean and could be a superb future starter for LA down the road.

Kentucky guard Jalen Farmer (Day 3)

Gone are the days of drafting short-armed offensive tackles as a primary source for interior offensive linemen. 6-foot-5, 312-pound offensive guard Jalen Farmer embodies fury and energy. Best of all, he is an ideal backup to veteran Kevin Dotson, offering the promise of a seamless transition if the starter is injured.

Farmer is an ironman who doesn't tire or lose focus. He appears to get stronger as the game and season go on. His downside? Exclusively right guard. He simply has no experience elsewhere.

Boise State offensive lineman Kage Casey (Day 3)

6-foot-6, 310-pound Kage Casey is a versatile offensive lineman who projects as a swing-tackle for Los Angeles. A lightly recruited college player, Casey pushed his physical gifts to the limit to optimize his performance. He is a passionate workhorse who will make mistakes once, but trains until he overcomes errors. While not a fast blocker, he understands angles, keeps his head on a swivel, and instantly processes the greatest threat to neutralize.

Washington offensive lineman Carver Willis (Day 3)

Washington Husky offensive lineman Carver Willis is not going to hear his name called early in this draft, but you can bet he will show up for the team that does add him to its roster. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 303 pounds, Willis is a tweener who projects as either an NFL tackle or guard. It's his versatility that makes him an intriguing prospect, as he could supply the need for backup at multiple positions, even as a rookie.

Los Angeles needs depth on the offensive line. And the 2026 NFL Draft can supply it. But look for Les Snead to fill his trenches on Days 2 or 3 of this draft. After all, why change a process that has worked until now?

As always, thanks for reading.

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