Rams counting on Keagen Trost to avoid devastating fate of former draft bust

The Los Angeles Rams spent their 2026 third-round pick on a versatile offensive lineman out of Missouri by the name of Keagen Trost. In need of a swing tackle off the bench, the team tagged Trost as a perfect fit. With starter Alaric Jackson Jr. facing felony domestic violence allegations and a possible suspension, the Horns may ask more of Trost than they thought they'd have to. 

That makes avoiding the devastating fate of their last third-round o-lineman all the more imperative. The career of Logan Bruss, the No. 104 overall pick in 2022, was derailed by injury more than anything else. He only took the field at SoFi two years after being drafted. The Horns then traded him midseason in 2024, the only season of Bruss' short stint in the NFL.

Especially as Jackson's future hangs in doubt, Los Angeles has to hope that the Trost selection works out. Bruss ended his Rams career after just three starts. Quite possibly, whether in a full-time starting role or not to begin the year, the team may need Trost to step in ahead of schedule and do a whole lot more than that. 

Rams need Trost to pay immediate dividends

As long as Trost stays healthy, he should have a fairly high floor. That's not something to worry about too much. The ex-Tigers tackle was, after all, Pro Football Focus' top-rated player at his position. Moreover, dating back to the Bruss draft, the Rams have gained a solid return on investment with their offensive-line picks. General manager Les Snead has a good eye for talent up front.

Second-rounder Steve Avila is the starting left guard. Warren McClendon, a fifth-rounder, is a projected starting tackle (and an underrated standout). For a seventh-round pick, interior lineman Beaux Limmer has been decent enough. Bruss is the exception, and that was due largely, if not entirely to injury.

That said, the Rams really need this year's 92nd overall pick to pay off. Even as a rookie, a capable reserve is likely the least they can accommodate from Trost. With limited backup options at tackle, that was always going to be the case. The Jackson situation upped the ante. 

In the event that Jackson is suspended - violating the NFL's personal conduct policy again, after doing so in 2024, would mean a minimum six-game ban - the concern with Trost is whether he is ready to take on a bigger role than he bargained for. The Rams sure hope that he can provide value right off the bat. They'll need it. 

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