Rams reload offense with Stetson Bennett nemesis in latest playoff mock draft

For the first time in the history of the Los Angeles Rams under head coach Sean McVay, the team advanced as far as the NFC Championship Game, but no further. As such, the articles about how to tailgate effectively for an LA Super Bowl victory have to wait. For now, the team must restock the roster for another season.

Restocking was not a problem in 2023, after the team plummeted to a 6-11 record and was forced to renovate the roster due to fiscal constraints. But after getting oh-so-close to a Super Bowl, the risks of diminishing the roster have increased.

In the paradox of who to replace, who to expect to improve, and who to stand pat with, general manager Les Snead has been better than average. The challenge in any draft is that rookies often force the team to take a step back before the position improves. And so, where can this team risk regression to get better?

Rams reload offense with Stetson Bennett nemesis in latest mock draft

Los Angeles may be the runner-up in the NFC, but the team is loaded with draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. The team is currently projected to spend 10 draft picks, four landing in the top 100 selections. Keep in mind that the first pick selected in the 2022 NFL draft was 104. This year's draft will be far more exciting.

Round 1 - LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane

The defense had no answer for Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. In three games, he put up 105, 99, and 153 receiving yards. Since the secondary must face him twice a year, a show-stopping cornerback should have the highest priority. LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane fits the bill.

The 2026 rookie class is loaded with cornerbacks, and Delane is among the best of the bunch. He has elite instincts for the position, making him a threat to win a starting job right out of the gate. At 6-foot-0 and 190 pounds, he has the right size to face even the tallest receivers. He did not allow a single touchdown in 2025, and only two receptions of 20 yards or more.

Round 1 - Utah tackle Caleb Lomu

The offensive line needs offensive tackles, and Utah's Caleb Lomu is a quality rookie prospect. Whether or not the team is willing to project Warren McClendon Jr. as the starter, Lomu instantly competes for playing time. Standing 6-foot-6 and tipping the scales at 308 pounds, Lomu adds athleticism to the OL.

He glides like a tight end, but hits like a wrecking ball. He is a fortress in pass blocking, but he can engage in run blocking and maintain his block until the whistle blows. He loves to find linebackers or defensive backs as well, becoming a defensive nightmare.

Round 2 - Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.

There could be some concern over the heavy workload for elite wide receiver Puka Nacua. Well, Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. is the ideal padawan to Nacua. He stands 6-foot-0 and weighs 201 pounds, but he is packed with muscle. He excels in physicality, possessing strong hands and a reach that rivals Stretch Armstrong.

But what sells him to LA is his willing and effective blocking. He has a knack for sealing the end on sweeps. Better still, he has an excellent burst out of his stance, creating immediate separation. The LA Rams need wide receiver help. Omar Cooper Jr. could make an impact in 2026.

Round 3 - Miami quarterback Carson Beck

The Georgia Bulldogs rivalry between quarterback Stetson Bennett and Carson Beck is legendary. Bennett was the hero, winning two consecutive national championships for the SEC powerhouse. Beck took over in 2023 and failed to repeat his predecessor's success. He finally transferred to Miami in 2025 and continued to put up impressive numbers.

Beck is a textbook NFL quarterback, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 220 pounds. He is an ideal pocket-passer padawan for Jedi Knight quarterback Matthew Stafford. When comfy in the pocket, he is a surgeon, dissecting secondaries with anticipatory tosses that rival those of Pro Bowlers. But he feels the pressure, and if moved off his mark, he can struggle.

Beck is a gun-slinger and will benefit greatly from Stafford's tutelage. Los Angeles simply does not have the firepower to move up to grab the best quarterback in this draft. But Beck could be impressive if given a chance and the right coaching.

By the end of Day 2, the LA Rams have refurbished a potent offense and added an elite cornerback in the process. If Les Snead pulls this off, he deserves a pat on the back.

As always, thanks for reading.