Free agency is now in a dynamic phase, and the NFL is shifting focus toward the draft.
The Rams kicked off the offseason with an aggressive strategy, transforming a weakness at cornerback into a strong point by acquiring Chiefs star Trent McDuffie and signing his teammate Jalen Watson.
This was a commendable effort from the organization, showcasing general manager Les Snead’s bold approach, chief operating officer Tony Pastors’ expertise with the salary cap, and, of course, owner Stan Kroenke’s willingness to invest financially.
This concerted effort in the secondary has left the Rams with a impressively solid roster. It’s tough to pinpoint any glaring weaknesses at the moment.
However, it’s clear there’s still work ahead, both now and in the future.
Here are three key areas the Rams will focus on in the draft and supplemental free agency:
Wide Receiver
The Rams have considered significant changes at wide receiver, including trading Davante Adams and possibly moving Eagles standout AJ Brown. Ultimately, they opted to stick with Adams, who is entering the final year of his contract and has big plans ahead.
There’s also hope for Puka Nacua, who has recently sought help for personal issues, to overcome these challenges and return to form.
Nonetheless, there’s an evident need for another impactful wide receiver to complement Nacua and Adams, especially considering the possibility of replacing Adams down the line.
Holding the No. 13 overall pick brings some hope, but it’s uncertain whether any top wide receiver prospects will still be available. Ideally, they’d love to see either Ohio State’s Colonel Tate or USC’s Makai Lemon fall into their hands.
That might be a bit optimistic, though.
Other potential candidates include Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., and Washington University’s Denzel Boston. Still, picking at 13 could be too early for these players. If the Rams decide to bolster their wide receiver lineup, trading down to gather extra draft assets might be a viable strategy, using a later pick to snag someone from that group.
For the second day of the draft, options like Louisville’s Chris Bell, Alabama’s Jermie Bernard, Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II, and UW’s Skylar Bell could be on the radar.
Backup Quarterback
If backup quarterback figures among your top three focus areas, it suggests your roster is actually in pretty good shape.
For the Rams, though, this is a critical need—not just as a precaution in case starter Matthew Stafford gets injured.
With a 38-year-old Stafford, they require someone reliable for both training camp and game-week practices to ensure good quarterback performance.
Jimmy Garoppolo has been remarkably helpful, stepping in for Stafford during practices, allowing the rest of the team to get useful experience against a capable quarterback.
While they’d like to retain Garoppolo, there are no guarantees.
Having missed out on Kirk Cousins, who signed with the Raiders, the Rams are considering Tyrod Taylor and Russell Wilson as possible alternatives.
And there’s also thinking ahead—don’t be surprised if they spend a premium pick on a quarterback. If they view Alabama’s Ty Simpson as a potential playoff-caliber QB, he might be a strong candidate at 13.
Offensive Line
The Rams’ offensive line appears solid as they head into 2026, with key players like Alaric Jackson, Warren McClendon Jr., Steve Avila, Kevin Dotson, and Coleman Shelton all returning.
Yet, Jackson is the only one signed through 2027, leaving future stability in question.
Beyond 2026, only Beau Rimmer, Dylan McMahon, Wyatt Bowles, and AJ Arcuri have contracts.
The Rams will likely address this with contract extensions, but they could also look to the draft to find players who can fill important roles moving forward.
Spencer Fano from Utah, Olaiba Vega-Ioane from Penn State, Alabama’s Kadin Proctor, Clemson State’s Blake Miller, and Max Iheanakor from Arizona State might be first-round targets, especially if the Rams trade down.
Keep an eye on Utah’s Caleb Lomu, Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon, Florida’s Austin Barber, Iowa’s Jennings Danker, Georgia Tech’s Keelan Rutledge, and Kentucky’s Jalen Farmer in the later rounds.
