How successful have the Los Angeles Rams been picking 26th in past drafts?

When it comes to the Los Angeles Rams making a selection in Round 1 of the annual NFL draft, there really is not a lot of history since the team united GM Les Snead and HC Sean McVay in 2017. The lone Round 1 pick happened in 2024, when the team selected Florida State outside linebacker Jared Verse with the 19th overall pick. Verse would go on to be awarded 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie Of the Year honors. So it's safe to conclude that all worked out very well for the team.

But the Los Angeles Rams football team has been in existence since 1937, when they played in Cleveland, Ohio. So how many times has the team had the 26th selection in the NFL Draft, and who was chosen? Let's run down every rookie prospect chosen the the Rams at the 26th overall pick and find out:

1938 | DT Vic Markov | 1 season | 4 starts
1944 | DT-OT Gil Bouley | 6 seasons | 45 starts
1957 | DT Billy Ray Smith | 1 season (13 NFL seasons) | 12 starts (145 NFL starts)
1976 | LB Kevin McLain | 4 seasons | 0 starts
1979 | G Kent Hill | 9 seasons (10 NFL seasons) | 95 starts (114 NFL starts) | 5X Pro Bowl
1989 | RB Cleveland Gary | 5 seasons (6 NFL season) | 29 starts

As you can see, the LA Rams have not had much experience at selecting at the 26th overall pick. But if the team's past preferences have any bearing on the Rams preferences, the team could mildly surprise fans by selecting a defensive or offensive lineman at the 26th overall pick.

So, who might catch the Rams' eye at the 26th overall selection? Per the NFL.com/draft/tracker, several curious prospects could hear their names called out by the LA Rams at the 26th overall pick.

Ohio State IOL Donovan Jackson

Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing a burly 315 pounds, Donovan Jackson is a physical blocker who love to hit and get locked in with a defender. While the Rams are solid at their offensive line positions, Jackson is good enough to warrant consideration. He is projected as a rookie starter, and if the Rams expect any durability issues between the tackles, Donovan Jackson is an instant fix.

Ohio State OT Josh Simmons

Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons has been one of the most frequently mocked rookie prospects to the Rams, and for good reason. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing a sturdy 317 pounds, he is a physically dominating offensive tackle who has the power to create an impenetrable phalanx, but the mobility to lead end runs or set up wide screens.

Simmons is coming off a concerning knee injury suffered in October 2024, and that will dampen the enthusiasm around him. With an injury, he would be best served to be a backup for a year. Not surprisingly, that is the exact role waiting for him on the Rams roster.

Alabama IOL Tyler Booker

If Donovan Jackson is a mauler, Alabama IOL Tyler Booker is a cerebral assassin. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 321 pounds, Booker is a huge interior offensive lineman. While he does not get as much initial pop out of his stance as Booker, he is a dancing bear in terms of elite footwork. His ability to stay balanced frustrates many stunting and blitzing defenders. He is incredibly savvy, outmaneuvering his opponent by knowing how to counter those moves

Oregon DT Tyler Booker

Oregon defensive tackle Tyler Booker is a versatile defensive lineman who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 313 pounds. He has the size and power to be a solid nose tackle. But he has the agility and finesse to slide to other positions and create havoc in the offensive backfield. Booker is a great fit for the Rams defense, as he has the ability to become a solid contributor of the mix-and-match defensive front that DC Chris Shula loves to deploy.

Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson

Okay, Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson may not compete in the trenches, but the Rams did select RB Cleveland Gary in 1989. And if he is there, Henderson could offer enough offensive explosiveness to lure the Rams into calling out his name. He is slightly taller than the Rams prefer at the running back position; he stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 202 pounds. His speed and versatility could be a change worth taking.

Kyren Williams' 40-time clocks in at 4.65 seconds. Blake Corum clocked his 40-yard time at 4.53 seconds. Tre Henderson's 40-time is 4.43 seconds. That is significantly faster than any other running back. And his speed is vital both in his rushing and in his ability to haul in passes as well.

The Rams could have multiple solid options to choose from at the 26th overall pick. Or the team could opt to trade up, or back. But if the Rams stand pat, they are almost certain to find a future starter for the team, if not an instant plug-and-play starter in 2025.

As always, thanks for reading.