Rams 3-round mock draft yields top-notch Matthew Stafford successor

The Los Angeles Rams know that the 2026 NFL Draft could be a vital turning point for the team. Like it or not, the way the roster is currently constructed means that the team will need to pay defensive stars on extensions. To do so, the team will need to restock the offense with inexpensive rookies who will be cheap for the next four seasons.

It's a difficult transition. Not only does this team have more players to extend than the NFL salary cap constraints permit, but the team must transition from several veterans who have excelled at keeping this team competitive. And yet, it's the sme cycle for all NFL teams. The hope is to lean into the veteran stars while developing new players to take over the reins in the future.

General manager Les Snead has seldom selected on Day 1 of any NFL draft since this team hired Sean McVay as head coach in 2017. In fact, the only player selected in Round 1 for the duo has been elite outside linebacker Jared Verse. In 2026, they are projected to make two picks in Round 1 and four picks within the first 100 players selected. Who will they select?

With their picks, the Los Angeles Rams select:

Round 1 - Oregon quarterback Dante Moore

While Oregon's redshirt sophomore quarterback Dante Moore is not a guaranteed prospect to enter the draft, he has all the makings of a first-round selection if he does. Standing tall in the pocket at 6-foot-3 and weighing 206 pounds, Moore is a quick-release pocket passer whose maturity screams NFL leadership. He checks all the boxes, save for accuracy on his short passing.

Trust the coaching staff to work with him well enough to ensure he is ready to start in the NFL when he is truly ready to start in the NFL.

Round 1 - Iowa offensive tackle Gennings Dunker

It's never a bad idea to aim for an offensive tackle prospect out of Iowa University, and offensive tackle Gennings Dunker continues that tradition of excellence in the trenches. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 315 pounds, he possesses all the size and power that offensive coaches dream about. He is a brute, a powerful mauler who loves to block and make contact.

He is one of the top offensive tackles in the draft, so he won't fall out of Round 1. Thankfully, Les Snead has two first-round picks to spend and invests wisely in a future starting offensive tackle.

Round 2 - LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane

LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane breaks the Los Angeles streak of avoiding defensive backs in the draft. Standing 6-foot-0 and weighing 190 pounds, he is an ideal rookie to arrive and learn to play pass coverage for the team in 2026 and beyond. He possesses great field awareness, and he covers receivers like a blanket. He is a bit light, so his early training regimen will need to include work in the weight room.

Both Ahkello Witherspoon and Cobie Durant's contracts expire at the end of 2025. Los Angeles cannot afford to pay both. So, Delane is the next best thing in terms of ensuring this defense remains stocked with quality pass defenders.

Round 3 - Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane

It's impossible to ignore how quickly the interior offensive line transformed from deep and talented to struggling after the team waived players to get to the 53-man roster. And for the second year in a row, interior offensive linemen released by LA were claimed by other teams.

To avoid that, in 2026, the team selects Olaivageg Ioane in Round 3, ensuring he makes the roster.

Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 330 pounds, Ioane is a big, powerful offensive lineman who possesses superhero strength and a phenomenal low center of gravity. He is versatile enough to play on either side of center, and that versatility is simply a bonus.

Because the team is set for starters in 2026, he may fill a backup role in his rookie season. But don't be fooled. He will be a future starter and perhaps a Pro Bowler in his first four NFL seasons.

Keep in mind, this only represents what may happen in the first two days of the three-day event. The best selections often occur on Day 3. As always, thanks for reading.