2025 LA Rams Mock Draft: Trading back to get the most bang for the buck

It may be completely beyond your scope today to think about the LA Rams 2025 NFL Draft. But that may simply be due to the fact that we seldom think two or more moves ahead. Unfortunately, that is the minimum consideration for Rams GM Les Snead and the personnel department, so it pays dividends to pivot quickly to consider what the Rams may shop for in the next draft, and how readily might that talent fall to them throughout the three day event.

For starters, let's consider what the team has to work with in terms of draft picks. We know that the Rams traded a Round 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to trade up for DT Braden Fiske. But multiple trades have impacted the Rams' draft picks in 2025. If you want to check out which trades I am referring to, you are welcome to check out our recently published article (click on the link) to find out: LA Rams Future Draft Picks for the 2025 NFL Draft and beyond.

Los Angeles Rams Draft Picks in 2025

With many on-line mock simulators, compensatory picks are not factored into the draft until officially awarded. That means for this mock draft, the Rams will be making six, not seven selections. The current treasure trove of draft picks for the 2025 NFL Draft include:

• Round 1
• Round 3
• Round 3 (comp pick)
• Round 4
• Round 6
• Round 6 (via Falcons)
• Round 6 (via Steelers)

Round 1 TRADE:

The LA Rams trade the 17th overall pick in Round 1 to the Kansas City Chiefs for picks 32 (Round 1), 64 (Round 2), and 66 (Round 3). By doing so, the Chiefs select Ohio State CB Denzel Burke. Because the Rams do not possess a pick in Round 2, this trade makes some sense. I expect the Rams will not have a pick at 17, but rather in the very high 20s up to the 32nd pick overall.

Round 1

The Rams select Arizona CB Tacario Davis. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 195 pounds, Davis is a huge defensive back who plays with effort and energy. Davis continues the team's quest to become more physical, as he is a no-nonsense scrapper who loves to cover receivers and defend passes. He adds the bonus of strong run support and tackling as well.

Round 2

The Rams land a second-round pick by trading back in Round 1 and use this pick to select Oregon WR Tez Johnson. Standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 165 pounds, Johnson is a true unquestioned successor to the role of former Rams speedy WR Tutu Atwell. He has blazing speed with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash and can punish lackadaisical secondaries by blowing past them on deep routes. He is a meticulous route-runner and is strong enough to power through jams at the line of scrimmage.

Round 3

The team uses the final pick acquired in the trade with the Chiefs to select Notre Dame TE Mitchell Evans. Evans is a big-bodied tight end who truly brings comparisons to former Rams TE Johnny Mundt. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 260 pounds, he looks the part of an offensive tackle. But behind that stone giant physique is a soft-handed tight end who can snatch the football out of the air and cradle it like a newborn baby.

Round 3

The Rams finally add a future quarterback in the form of Texas hurler Quinn Ewers. Ewers is an ideal understudy for the final year or two of QB Matthew Stafford. He stands 6-foot-2, weighs 200 pounds, and is a pocket passer who loves to beat you with soul-stealing passes. His ability to throw the football from any arm angle will instantly remind fans of Stafford's throwing motion. Because he is a pocket passer, he has experience at remaining poised in the pocket, and can improvise with his footwork to extend plays.

Round 4

The LA Rams select Oregon OT Ajani Cornelius. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 308 pounds, Cornelius is a powerful quarterback bodyguard who has the versatility to project on either side of the offensive line. Cornelius is a road grader, a bulldozer in ru- blocking who leaves the carnage of a Texas twister in his wake. While adequate, he is still developing the finesse to equal his run-blocking proficiency in pass-blocking.

Round 6

The Rams select UCLA WR J. Michael Sturdivant. Sturdivant is a fascinating WR prospect, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing a solid 205 pounds. Because he is blessed with height, he can play outside wide receiver. Because he is blessed with a 4.38-second 40-yard dash speed, he can play anywhere on the offense, either outside or as a slot receiver. He loves to mix his speed like a baseball pitcher, threatening to take off with his speed, but then slowing to leave the coverage in open space.

Round 6

The LA Rams beef up their DL depth by selecting Virginia Tech DT Aeneas Peebles. Peebles is a versatile defensive lineman who may be slotted to take over for NT Bobby Brown III. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 280 pounds, Peebles has that low center-of-gravity that defensive coordinators covert in their nose tackles. Because he is built with such low power, He can stand his ground at the line of scrimmage.

Round 6

The LA Rams throw more coal into their pass rush flames by selecting Michigan OLB Derrick Moore. Moore stands 6-foot-3, weighs 258 pounds, and has a solid arsenal of pass rush moves that allows him to get after the quarterback quickly. Still, he is a bit less refined when it comes to setting the edge and stopping the run, which is why he falls to Day 3. Even if he does not round out quickly in training camp, he could be a pass-rush specialist. But I suspect that he will be coached up to an NFL level through training camp.

2025 Rams Mock Draft results:

• Arizona CB Tacario Davis
• Oregon WR Tez Johnson
• Notre Dame TE Mitchell Evans
• Texas QB Quinn Ewers
• Oregon OT Ajani Cornelius
• UCLA WR J. Michael Sturdivant
• Virginia Tech DT Aeneas Peebles
• Michigan OLB Derrick Moore

Not a bad haul for a team that is continues to compete in the NFL Playoffs.