Rams loss in Week 10 highlights the developing needs for the 2025 NFL Draft

It seems like the LA Rams roster is off-balanced. That was apparent to me in Week 10. As the team suffered an injury to right tack Rob Havenstein, I pondered the likely success of his replacement. Since swing-tackle Joe Noteboom had just come off the team's IR, he was likely the next man up at the position. But it seemed almost wasteful that the team had to pull rookie center Beaux Limmer and left guard Justin Dedich out of the starting lineup as two other players returned from IR as well:

That triggered a number of cascading thoughts about this team. For example, the Rams secondary is overflowing with solid safety talent. But the team has struggled to find worthwhile players at the cornerback position. And then there is a room filled with tight ends. But not one player at the tight end position has scored a touchdown after nine games.

That lack of offensive scoring has not been limited to tight ends. In truth, the Rams have three players on offense who have crossed the plane for a touchdown: RB Kyren Williams, WR Demarcus Robinson, and WR Cooper Kupp. Is that a lack of talent from those positions? Or is veteran QB Matthew Stafford showing some decline as well:

This is not an indictment. However, the Rams draft must reflect the changes and shortcomings of this current group of players. So let's list out some needs:

Rams draft needs for the 2025 NFL Draft

We;ve done these before, but the current iteration of the team indicates that some things continue to change for the team. So let's get right into it.

(1) - Quarterback

The mere mention of seeking a successor for veteran QB Matthew Stafford often generates harsh rebukes from Rams fans. But in 2024, he has thrown just nine touchdowns to seven interceptions, and his frame simply cannot take the pounding the he frequently is subjected to in the pocket. While he is likely the default starter in 2025, the team needs to find a viable suitor to study his process from the bench and throughout the week. A Round 1 quarterback selection by the Rams need not start immediately. But when the do take over, they have to be ready to compete at the NFL level.

(2) - Offensive tackle

The LA Rams suffer if and when veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein is not on the football field. And the Rams do not have a starting left tackle under contract for 2025. That is enough to push the offensive tackle position to the top of the priority list. But the Rams do not have that guy on the roster who can step into an offensive tackle position and shut the door on an opposing pass rush. The team does not have that road grader on the depth chart who can shove defenders out of the way. They need that type of player.

(3) - Cornerback

I was a bit surprised at the Rams lack of interest in drafting cornerbacks in either the 2023 or 2024 NFL Drafts. The team did address the positions in the 2022 NFL Draft, but did so on Day 3. ANd the 2024 NFL Draft appeared to offer an abundance of talented cornerbacks who have shown up in highlight reels. Now granted, the Rams roster has needed plenty of help at almost every position, and the right prospect was likely not on the board when the team made a selection. Still, the secondary has not managed well with the infusion of veterans who played well elsewhere. The Rams had already traded FA cornerback Tre'Davious White. The team needs to find and coach up some young corners who can make a difference in years to come.

(4) - Tight end

Even I cannot believe that I am saying this. But the Rams' tight end room is very disappointing so far in 2024. The Rams retained three tight ends on the roster, and none have been particularly effective. The Rams have not leveraged their tight-end talent to deploy a 12-personnel package very often. After nine games, the group has caught 34 of 52 passes for 296 yards and no touchdowns. That is less than 33 receiving yards per game for the trio. That's not worth the number of roster slots and salary dollars used to retain the tight end. Is it a Rams preference? This team has four running backs on the active roster, but even heavily drafted rookie RB Blake Corum is seldom used. The team is slated to lose veteran TE Hunter Long to free agency. But the Rams have to either divest of TE Colby Parkinson or commit to using tight ends in this offense. And with no tight ends working out in 2024, perhaps the solution is to draft a new rookie TE in 2025 and reboot the entire position.

As always, thanks for reading.

More Rams News and Analysis