Rams 2026 NFL draft needs may not be an obvious slam dunk after all

A future franchise quarterback? A shutdown cornerback? A bookend franchise offensive tackle? The Los Angeles Rams have four draft picks firmly embedded in the first two days of the 2026 NFL Draft. But the team may believe that the needs demand veteran plug-and-play players. General manager Les Snead hinted as much in discussing the scenario of MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford's return.

And yes, Stafford will be back. And the offseason may be shaping up for Snead to shock the NFL with a blockbuster trade. If that happens, he will certainly be willing to cough up picks for a player.

So the first hurdle facing Snead is to decipher whether the Rams roster is best addressed by drafting rookie prospects or by trading for elite game-changers. Even signing veteran free agents becomes a viable option. So what are the team's most glaring needs for 2026?

Ramblin' Fan's list of team needs (in no particular order) includes:

• Cornerback
• Safety
• Quarterback
• Offensive tackle
• Kicker
• Speedy wide receiver
• Pass rusher
• Special team specialists

So far, that all seems like a doable list for any NFL team armed with 10 draft picks. But as the true roster-restoration unfolds, the team may exchange picks for players, shunting the chances to build for the future. And the risks of how the draft board falls could hurt the chances of filling every item on the shopping list.

So, how do some sites project the team's draft needs in 2026?

Rams 2026 NFL draft needs consistently inconsistent on major sites

The key to enjoying any NFL draft is to set realistic expectations. To do that, expect the unexpected. That is, teams have a variety of strategies to address roster needs. So it's not solely a draft solution, but rather a blend of trades, free agency, draft, and even the development of existing players.

So, how do major NFL sites view the LA Rams draft needs?

Bleacher Report

1. Quarterback
2. Right tackle
3. Safety
4. Cornerback
5. Deep threat wide receiver

Bleacher Report's shopping list is not prioritized. It's merely a list of positions most likely to be addressed in the draft due to the exodus of players on expiring contracts. And to complicate matters further, they list the three top prospects for each position.

General manager Les Snead is a wizard. But not even he can turn four Top 100 picks into five rookie prospects from among the first 50 rookie selections

NFL Trade Rumors

NFL Trade Rumors offers a more succinct list, perhaps at the risk of omitting key roster needs. This site offers just three positional needs. They are:

1. Cornerback
2. Safety
3. Offensive line depth

CBS Sports

CBS Sports seems to run a draft shopping list that mirrors that of Bleacher Report. Was it independently generated? I wouldn't be shocked if there was a collaborative effort to define roster needs for 32 teams. They list:

1. Offensive tackle
2. Cornerback
3. Wide receiver
4. Safety
5. Quarterback

Pro Football Focus

Pro Football Focus takes a shorter list, but does so with a truer understanding of what the team needs. They cite the irony of LA boasting an MVP quarterback in Matthew Stafford, but facing the uncertainty of no defined successor. They list:

1. Quarterback
2. Offensive tackle
3. Cornerback

As you can see, while the common theme for all sites includes cornerback and offensive tackle, there is little agreement after that. And no site lists any special teamers, even as the team must address both the placekicker and return roles for 2026.

What are your thoughts? Did any site nail the Rams draft needs from your vantage point? Of was a glaring need omitted from their respective shopping lists? Stay tuned, as we will continue to track the team's evolution over the offseason.

As always, thanks for reading.