Rams 2026 draft strategy should focus more on foundation than flourish

Many believe the Los Angeles Rams may envision the 2026 NFL Draft as the hallmark opportunity to round out the roster for an All In push for Super Bowl LXI. But other forces may be at work here. After all, if anyone considers LA's projected 2027 free agents, the bright optimism dims quickly.

24 players face expiring contracts at the end of this season. And without accounting wizardry, the net projected annual cost to extend just the top seven players nears a cost of $200 million per year. Hmmm. Worse still, several critical positions are laid bare at the end of 2026.

From the 11 projected starters this season, eight face expired contracts. Those numbers include two wide receivers, one tight end, and four offensive linemen. But it also includes starting quarterback Matthew Stafford. That's a precarious bargaining position for this team to face. Yes, the team is projected to boast nearly $100 million in cap space in 2027. But even that pays for only 41 players.

This team will need 49 more players to be ready for the 2027 training cap

LA Rams may need to add foundational players in draft

Nobody wants the team to spend draft picks on ineffective players this year. After all, many fans are still waiting for last year's rookies to show up and seize the spotlight. And that may not happen in 2026. But the LA Rams face a Day of Reckoning that seems unavoidable right now. 2027 appears to have been a strategic reset.

Now what does that mean?

2027 expiring contracts Defense and Special Teams (11)

• CB Emmanuel Forbes
• CB Josh Wallace
• S Jaylen McCollough
• LB Omar Speights
• DL Desjuan Johnson
• DL Kobie Turner
• DL Larrell Murchison
• Edge Byron Young
• Edge Keir Thomas
• P Ethan Evans
• K Harrison Mevis

2027 expiring contracts Offense (13)

• QB Matthew Stafford
• QB Stetson Bennett
• WR Puka Nacua
• WR Davante Adams
• WR Xavier Smith
• TE Colby Parkinson
• TE Davis Allen
• OT Warren McClendon Jr.
• OT David Quessenberry
• IOL Kevin Dotson
• IOL Steve Avila
• IOL Justin Dedich
• IOL Coleman Shelton

From the list above, the scenario appears bleak at best. But imagine who this team has waiting in the wings on the roster right now? The offense will be entirely gutted at season's end. And the defense, while retaining some semblance of competitive framework, faces a new wave of expensive extensions once more.

If this was a major factor, and it may be, general manager Les Snead will need to carpet bomb the offense in the 2026 NFL Draft. But how many mock drafts point to an offensive haul in the draft?

Keep an eye on which positions are addressed in this year's draft. Not only will that give huge clues as to where the team is emphasizing in 2026, but it could be the harbinger of where the team will pass on extending players at the end of the season.

As always, thanks for reading.