Dual track Rams 7 round mock lands blue blood safety or gifted offensive doo-dad

Ah yes, the 11-4 Los Angeles Rams are no longer the top-seeded NFC team, and will likely face four road games to win Super Bowl LX. But even as fans' concerns rise with the new postseason landscape, the team is still loaded with talent. After all, many of the rookies selected in the 2025 NFL Draft are still on the roster, but untested.

So, what are Los Angeles' draft needs? Fans will demand offensive linemen, but this team has two starting offensive linemen out and still played quite well. As NFL analyst Marcus Mosher astutely points out, NFL teams do not need multiple first-round picks on the offensive line to get the job done.

The team is armed with 10 picks. So, what does this Rams roster need?

That's impossible to know until we know how the team addresses its free agency. Of the team's originally projected 31 free agents, the team is currently facing 16 expiring contracts. Breaking down free agents by position, Los Angeles may lose:

• 5 defensive backs
• 4 offensive linemen
• 2 wide receivers
• 1 quarterback
• 1 tight end
• 1 linebacker
• 1 defensive lineman
• 1 edge rusher

Keep in mind that not all players are starters, or even currently on the active roster. Two players are currently projected to be ERFAs, and one RFA. So, how will the front office handle the 2026 NFL Draft? Well, we have generated a dual-track draft for readers to see who may be on the board when general manager Les Snead phones in his picks. So, let's get right to it

Rams dual-track 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Round 1 -
Option I: Wide receiver Jordyn Tyson - Arizona State
Option II: Safety Caleb Downs - Ohio State

The first pick in Round 1 will set the tone for the entire draft. Will the team lean into the offense or defense? Both Jordyn Tyson and Caleb Downs bring elite upside to the roster.

6-foot-2, 200-pound wide receiver Jordyn Tyson gives head coach Sean McVay an elite offensive weapon. But LA's history of playing offensive rookies is not stellar. Still, the heart wants what the heart wants

6-foot-0, 205-pound safety Caleb Downs is elite and can step into this defense as a Day 1 starter. He packs a wallop and defends both run and pass like a seasoned veteran.

Will the front office try to restock the receiver room or the defensive backs room first?

Round 1
Option I: Cornerback Colton Hood - Tennessee
Option II: Edge Matayo Uiagalelei - Oregon

LA needs secondary help, and 6-foot-0, 195-pound cornerback Colton Hood is a beauty. He has great instincts and covers like a quilt. He has elite upside, but will need the right defensive system to flourish. LA has taken chances on reclamation projects in the secondary before.

6-foot-5, 272-pound edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei is the versatile defender who seems ideally suited for Los Angeles. A former tight end, he will compete heavily with Jared Verse in sheer fierce competitiveness. He is a powerhouse who gets better with each game.

So, which will it be: Secondary or pass rush?

Round 2
Option I: Defensive tackle Darrell Jackson - Florida State
Option II: Cornerback Daylen Everett - Georgia

It may be impossible to resist 6-foot-5, 337-pound Darrell Jackson. After all, the defensive front has flourished thanks to two former Seminoles, and Jackson is a monster at the line of scrimmage. He checks the passion and ascending-talent boxes. The team may not 'need' a defensive tackle here, but he is that good.

6-foot-1, 190-pound cornerback Daylen Everett is another superb option to reinforce a depleted secondary. He has blazing speed, allowing him to track swift receivers deep. He loves to tackle hard and can create turnovers in the air or on the ground.

Round 3
Option I: Safety Rod Moore - Michigan
Option II: Offensive guard Jaeden Roberts - Alabama

If Los Angeles does not select Caleb Downs, a solid safety who may catch their attention, is 6-foot-0, 198-pound Rod Moore. He is a swift coverage type of defensive back who is versatile enough to play and start in multiple roles.

6-foot-5, 327-pound Jaeden Roberts is an interior offensive lineman who brings serious credentials to LA's offense. He is a banger, a powerful first step that will drive many defenders back. With the team facing the loss of Justin Dedich at season's end, and Kevin Dotson and Steve Avila at the end of 2026, Jaeden Roberts is a shrewd addition to the team.

Round 5
Option I: Quarterback Drew Allar - Penn State University
Option II: Wide receiver Jaden Greathouse - Notre Dame

Once a highly projected rookie prospect, 6-foot-5, 235-pound Drew Allar is not getting much interest or respect right now. Will he fall too far? He has ideal size, strength, and power. He is simply a bit raw, and a year watching Matthew Stafford from the bench could be just what he needs.

At 6-foot-1 and 212 pounds, wide receiver Jaden Greathouse could pan out to be another Round 5 diamond-in-the-rough for Les Snead. He boasts soft hands with a vice-like grip. While he does not boast elite speed, he falls in the same category of Puka Nacua. We know how well that turned out.

Round 6 -
Option I: Wide receiver CJ Daniels - Miami
Option II: Offensive tackle Earnest Greene III - Georgia

6-foot-2, 205-poundf wide receiver CJ Daniels is the type of versatile player who adds a deep-threat to the offense, plus the speed to cover and return on special teams. He may need help to polish his ability to create separation, but Davante Adams is perfectly suited to mentor one more rookie.

6-foot-4, 320-pound offensive tackle Earnest Greene III is a solid addition on Day 3, which is when Les Snead loves to shop for trenchmen. If you love what you've seen from Warren McClendon Jr., you'll love Greene as well. Both have similar styles, both hail from Georgia, and both have solid foundations to succeed in the NFL.

Round 6 Option I: Running back Quintrevion Wisner - Texas
Option II: Quarterback Taylen Green - Arkansas

Despite the team shedding nearly every big-bodied running back, 6-foot-0, 194-pound running back Quintrevion Wisner could be the best running back for the team. He is the complete package, a solid receiver out of the backfield, a powerful runner, and great ball security. He is a versatile weapon who naturally complements the direction the offense seems to be going.

A 6-foot-6, 224-pound rookie quarterback is going to get noticed. And Taylen Green will give scouts plenty to be excited about. He is super athletic and can throw impressive spirals from coast to coast. He is a dual-threat quarterback, unlocking chapters of RPO plays in the playbook. He is a bit raw, but a year on the bench behind Matthew Stafford will fix that.

Round 7
Option I: Offensive tackle Trey Zuhn III - Texas A&M
Option II: Cornerback DJ Harvey - USC

6-foot-6, 319-pound offensive tackle Trey Zuhn III brings elite potential to the NFL. He has great foundational techniques, but needs to polish his hand and footwork to optimize his size and football IQ. He is durable, coachable, and displays the ability to improve each year.

Another option for the secondary is 5-foot-10, 190-pound cornerback DJ Harvey out of USC. He has coverage skills that are as good as a shadow on a sunny day, and will undoubtedly get solid looks from the Rams coaching staff. He is a versatile defender with solid special team skills.

Round 7
Option I: Safety Khalil Barnes - Clemson
Option II: Running back Desmond Reid - Pittsburgh

6-foot-0, 200-pound safety Khalil Barnes may not be the fastest guy on the football field, but he could likely be the most physical. He loves to tackle with a thump, and is a solid run stuffer and special teamer. He can get beaten deep, but that is coachable.

5-foot-8, 175-pound running back Desmond Reid fits LA's offense like a glove. He is another smallish back who explodes both in the running game as well as a receiver out of the backfield. He is also an electrifying return specialist and will undoubtedly be given a solid trial at that role as well.

Two options for 10 picks. There is no way the Los Angeles Rams do not emerge from the draft with fewer than four starters. And if the team extends the right players, that should just about be enough.

As always, thanks for reading.