Falcons latest victory redirects Rams 2026 mock draft to tackle trenches

The 10-3 Los Angeles Rams have plenty going on right now, so mock drafts that inspire fans of the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders do not mesmerize LA fans to the same fever pitch. And if Los Angeles were limited to its own allocation of picks, that might be something that would remain true for fans. But...

This is no ordinary draft on the horizon. This is a draft in which general manager Les Snead truly can go on a shopping spree, wheeling and dealing to get the ideal prospects, and do so with a vault stuffed with draft day currency. However, the value of the picks is only as high as the talent level of the players acquired.

The 2026 NFL Draft is loaded, but not at the positions that many fans expected it to be a year ago. This draft is loaded with defensive linemen, offensive tackles, cornerbacks, and wide receivers. While LA would do well to add to each of those positions, there is not an abundance of quarterback talent in this draft.

And therein lies the rub. Will Snead find his franchise quarterback? As is the case every draft, fans simply need to grab the popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the show.

Round 1 - TRADE

With Utah offensive tackle Calel Lomu on the board when Snead steps up to the podium, fans will scream to pull the trigger. But why? Both left tackle Alaric Jackson (undrafted) and right tackle Warren McClendon Jr. (Round 5, 2023 NFL Draft) are playing very well. The Rams simply don't draft offensive linemen early. But the Houston Texans certainly do.

LA Rams acquire Houston's Round 1 and Round 2 picks, PLUS the Philadelphia Eagles' Round 3 pick, PLUS the Green Bay Packers' Round 3 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Houston acquires Atlanta's Round 1 pick via Los Angeles.

Round 1 (via Texans) - Clemson defensive Tackle Peter Woods

DT Peter Woods may not seem like the bargain pick in Round 1 that fans hope for, but he is incredibly versatile and productive. Standing 6-foot-3 and tipping the scales at 315 pounds, Woods joins a versatile defensive line and clocks in as a Day 1 contributor. He is a burly and fierce competitor in the trenches, a no-holds-barred terror who is as gifted at stuffing the run as he is sacking opposing quarterbacks.

There is an abundance of defensive linemen in this draft, allowing him to drop.

Round 1 - USC safety Kamari Ramsey

With the defense projected to lose both safeties Quentin Lake and Kamren Curl to free agency, and the risk that both follow defensive coordinator Chris Shula elsewhere, safety has to be a priority in the 2026 NFL Draft. Thankfully, defensive back Kamari Ramsey is NFL-ready and has performed in Los Angeles for both UCLA and USC.

Blessed with size and physicality, Ramsey will remind Rams fans of another player of that name. While not a ball hawker per se, he is Velcro-like in coverage, but able to deliver the thumps that fans love to see.

Round 2 (via Texans) - Alabama edge rusher LT Overton

LA can never have enough edge rushers. With the team sending rotational Nick Hampton to the practice squad, the defense will need to add another competent sacker. Alababa's LT Overton checks all the boxes. He transferred from Texas A&M to Alabama and began to terrorize SEC quarterbacks afterwards.

Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 278 pounds, he is big enough to slide anywhere along the defensive front. Like Woods, he dominates both as a run stuffer and as a quarterback sacker.

Round 2 - Iowa offensive tackle Gennings Dunker

Iowa Gennings Dunker is an offensive tackle with tremendous upside, but he falls in the draft to a late Round 2 selection because he is an unpolished right tackle. He is the type of offensive tackle who demonstrates pop at the snap of the football.

He is limited in arm length and is not smooth in lateral movement. But he is an instant swing tackle in Horns.

Round 3 - Auburn wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr.

With speedy wide receiver Tutu Atwell likely to test free agency, Auburn's Eric Singleton Jr. is an ideal successor to the chain of speedy receivers LA loves to have but hates to play. Blessed with sub-4.4 40 speed, he can test NFL secondaries deep.

He also brings special teams return experience. He has superb route running, can track the football, create separation, and puts up plenty of yards after the catch. He is an LA natural.

Round 3 - South Carolina quarterback Lanorris Sellers

Even as Lanorris Sellers is nearing a deal to return to South Carolina, even a remote chance that he enters the 2026 NFL Draft is enough to mock him to the Los Angeles Rams. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 240 pounds, he is certainly the right size and stature to thrive in the NFL. Possessing a cannon for a throwing arm, he can easily complete long passes.

But he has to learn how to ensure the right touch on deep throws and the right velocity on shorter routes.

He processes progressions with Matthew Stafford-like speed.

General manager Les Snead has a lot to work with in the 2026 NFL Draft. If this mock comes close, he will have squeezed out every drop of value.

As always, thanks for reading.