Early Rams 3 round 2026 mock draft makes 1 thing clear (they won't fall short)

The Los Angeles Rams are uniquely positioned among NFL teams as one that has one eye focused on the present and one eye gazing off into the distant future. Unlike past versions of the Rams roster that seemed to mortgage future prosperity to claim as many elite players who could win now, this Rams iteration has star players who can elevate their games to match the brightest lights and the biggest stages, while still managing to bank enough for the next season.

And the season after that.

You can thank the ability of the Rams front office who, pushed to the brink of disaster after a 2022 NFL season that crashed down to a 5-12 record, forced the team to pivot from entrusting players to prospects. And you can say what you want about the team in 2023 and 2024, but the rookie draft classes from those two years have fueled a resurgence in the team's fortunes.

And this year, the expects to get similar results form the rookie class of 2025.

So it's the draft, and not necessarily the deal-making, that has delivered this team from the ashes of that 2022 season.

Can the Rams front office continue its torrid success at finding gems in the annual three-day draft event? The draft is filled with players who were selected far too soon, and those who fell far too far. While some continue to cite the science behind the process, the draft results continue to make the case that the event is anything but a certainty.

Even if the myriad of professional and amateur NFL draft analysts reach a consensus as to who should hear their names called out among the earliest rookie prospects on Day 1 of the NFL Draft, those early selections do not always pan out, while those rookies who fall out of a coveted Top-10 selection can often find unexpected success.

The LA Rams selected Florida State outside linebacker Jared Verse as the 19th overall rookie taken in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft, and he emerged as the Defensive Rookie of the Year last season. But he was not even the first player targeted by the Rams in Round 1.

So a successful draft class takes a lot of work, some objective scientific method, some subjective art and feel for the draft, and perhaps more luck than anyone is willing to admit.

The Rams training camp is not quite arrived, and yet the team appears to have a fine blend of veteran leadership and young talented players throughout the roster. The team has already been challenged to transition from now-retired All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald. The team is undertaking the transition from All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp this year.

With the selection of rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson, the team has bet on the Oregon rookie to lead the team to a future without veteran TE Tyler Higbee.

Soon, the team will need to transition away from veteran QB Matthew Stafford and RT Rob Havenstein. We were able to address those needs with our first 2026 Rams mock draft. But the reception from fans over Garrett Nussmeier was not as warm as hoped. So, we recalibrated and rolled the dice one more time. How did we do? Click on the next slide to find out.

Rams 3-round 2026 mock draft makes 1 thing clear (they won't fall short)

Perhaps one of the greatest challenges to running through the exercise of an early Rams mock draft is the uncertainties that shroud the rookies who will elect to participate. So many 2026 NFL mock drafts insist that rookie quarterback Arch Manning will declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, but I remain entirely skeptical.

Complicating the matter even further is the fact that the Rams are not only armed with their own Round 1 draft pick for the 2026 NFL Draft, but also have the Round 1 pick from the Atlanta Falcons to spend as well. So that creates an entirely new set of variables for the Rams fans, a fanbase that has had to sit through Day 1 of the NFL Draft for the past nine seasons, and only get to experience a selection on Day 1 once.

But when that lone rookie becomes the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year, fans can all agree that he was worth the wait. So, who will the Rams draft with two Round 1 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft?

Round 1 - Miami OT Francis Mauigoa

Rams GM Les Snead shared his perspective over the 2025 NFL Draft, admitting that the quality of talent that was up from grabs compelled the team to manufacture a solid rookie class by not swinging for the fences, and merely swinging to get on-base. But at the same time, Snead described the 2026 NFL Draft as the type of draft in which the Rams might want to swing for the fences. By selecting offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa from the Miami Hurricanes, the Rams get all of that first pick to hit a grand slam.

Yes, the team is not easily persuaded to select a rookie offensive tackle right out of the gates, but this 6-foot-6, 315-pound offensive tackles in just too good to pass up. Projected on some draft boards already as a Top-5 selection, Francis Mauigoa falls to the Rams early in the 2026 NFL Draft due to the abundance of talent at quarterback, edge rusher, and defensive backs in this rookie class.

The Rams may be tempted to try to trade up for an early Round 1 quarterback, but the price is either too high or no trade partner can be found. But as is the case so often, the Rams seem to land on their feet after a failed trade, and can arguably be described as ending in a much better place.

Any draft scenario that allows the team to emerge with a true future franchise blind-side offensive tackle is a great move, particularly in the aftermath of Alaric Jackson's second bout of blood clot issues. The Rams face serious questions over the status of their offensive tackle position in 2026. With this move, it's quite clear that the Rams are taking those concerns very seriously.

Round 1 - PSU QB Drew Allar

The beauty with holding two Round 1 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft is not limited to packaging those picks to trade up for a shot at one of the elite quarterbacks on the draft board. Rather, the second Round 1 draft pick can be used to ensure that the team does not emerge from Day 1 of the draft without a worthy rookie quarterback. And with the second Round 1 pick in this draft, the Rams select Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.

Allar may not be ready to start for the Rams offense on Day 1 of his rookie season, nor should he be expected to do so. Allar is a huge 6-foot-5, 238-pound rookie quarterback who has the ability to beat defenses with his legs and his arm. And entering his fourth and expected final season of NCAA football competition, NFL draft analysts are keeping him in sights to ensure that he continues to grow and develop himself while elevating the play of his teammates.

Keep in mind that Allar was the quarterback throwing to rookie tight end sensation Tyler Warren.

Because he has shown the ability to heave passes downfield with tremendous arm strength, and the ability to move the chains and score touchdowns with his legs, Allar is already drawing comparisons to Buffalo Bills veteran quarterback Josh Allen. In 2024, Allar completed 66.5 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,327 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. He also rushed 96 times for 302 yards and six touchdowns in 2024. If he can improve on those numbers in 2025, he will certainly hear his name called out on Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Round 2 - Clemson WR Antonio Williams

The Los Angeles Rams have addressed their most pressing needs for the roster by selecting elite rookie prospects for both the offensive tackle and quarterback positions. But the Rams offense achieved its optimal performances under Head Coach Sean McVay by investing routinely in wide receivers. And in this Rams mock draft, we return to those roots by selecting Clemson rookie wide receiver Antonio Williams on Day 2.

This 5-foot-11. 190-pound rookie wide receiver can finish a 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds. That is not the NFL's fastest performance, but it is enough to ensure that Williams can create the necessary separation to excel in the NFL. Williams caught 64.6 percent of his passes for 904 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024. He also rushed seven times for 101 yards and a touchdown.

He seems like a fit in the Rams offense already.

Antonio Williams runs precise and meticulous routes that allow him to generate consistent separation. And he has a nasty habit of head fakes, bobs, and twitchy jukes that allows him to open his routes with plenty of space between himself and a defensive back. He will up his game even further if mentored by Rams veteran wide receiver Davante Adams.

With the Rams currently trialing NFL elite punt returner Britain Covey on a one-year prove it deal, Antonio Williams vast experience in punt returns is an added bonus. A year ago, I would not have viewed Williams as a fit in this offense. But after seeing the team draft WR Konata Mumpfield, Antonio Williams is the logical addition to the Rams offensive arsenal.

Round 3 - TCU S Bud Clark

The Rams defense has been shut out of the 2026 NFL Draft so far, but that all changes with the selection of TCU safety Bud Clark in Round 3. The Rams face a difficult decision of whether to extend defensive backs Quentin Lake and/or Kam Curl, but the opportunity to slide Bud Clark into the roster in his place could make that decision just that much easier.

Clark measures 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds for now, but you can expect him to be nearly 200 pounds in time for the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Clark is entering his sixth season of college football. To sum up everything you need to know about Bud Clark in one word: Ballhawker

Clark has truly made his presence felt in the past three college football seasons, racking up 11 interception, 145 tackles, and one tackle for a loss, one pick-six, 14 deflected passes, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery over that time frame.

The bigger the game, the better Bud Clark plays. His pick-six came against the Michigan Wolverines in the College Football Playoffs. He is a natural leader, both in his on-field level of play as well as his ability to communicate and rally his teammates.

He oozes Rams secondary vibes, and already feels like an ideal teammate for Kamren Kinchens in the back of the Rams secondary. Best of all, Clark's willingness to remain at TCU could allow him to drop to the Rams in Round 3, as he is a mature rookie prospect.

The Rams do right by the team in this three round mock draft. Hopefully, you like the rookies who are projected to the Rams as well.

As always, thanks for reading.

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