Rams Trade Back, Draft Elite Athlete in 2026 Draft

We are officially one week away from the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. With that, the board is fairly clear on what teams are aiming for in this years draft, and I believe I've got the recipe right for the Los Angeles Rams.

Here's my projection...

Round 1, Pick 23 (via PHI) - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Kenyon Sadiq is about as freakish an athlete as they come. The Rams picked fellow Oregon TE Terrance Ferguson last season. Why not bolster the position, and gain a player you can really put anywhere on the field. Sadiq has the size to play tight end, with the speed and agility to play wide receiver in certain designs.

Round 2, Pick 54 (via PHI) - Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

Chris Johnson is the soundest cornerback in this class when you consider technique. He was the highest graded corner in college football this past season. There were concerns about speed, but he clocked a 4.40 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in February, putting that to bed. Why not fill out, and add depth to a much improved Rams secondary.

Round 2, Pick 61 - Lee Hunt, DT, Texas Tech

The Rams defensive line is already elite, and will thrive next season. However, Poona Ford is 30-years old. He has two years left on his contract, and while he very well may get extended, the Rams could draft Lee Hunter to develop and eventually replace Ford. Hunter had a great showcasing at the Senior Bowl, and certainly turned some heads as an elite run stuffer, and pass rusher.

Round 3, Pick 93 - Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame

Sean McVay and Les Snead have built the 2026 Rams into a team with very few roster holes. With that being said, wide receiver has been their most-mocked position for pick thirteen. Obviously I went a different route, but Fields is an incredible prospect to take right here. The Rams attended the Notre Dame Pro Day, and got a first hand look at what Fields can do. At 6'4", he may end up as a great third option for Matthew Stafford next season.

Round 3, Pick 98 (Via PHI) - Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama

The linebacker position has been a touchy subject for the Rams since Ernest Jones was traded for a bag of chips. His presence has been missed. Omar Speights was a great value UDFA signing, but the time comes when an upgrade is necessary. Lawson is an elite run stuffer, and can play zone coverage nicely. He sees the field very well, and would be an instant playmaker on a Shula defense.

Round 6, Pick 207 - Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC

Hometown Rams fans will recognize the name Bishop Fitzgerald immediately. He has been a turnover machine at USC over the last three seasons. At this point in the draft, as a depth piece you couldn't ask for a much better option.

Round 7, Pick 232 - Caden Barnett, OT, Wyoming

Barnett has everything you can ask for in an NFL offensive tackle. He has the size and strength to succeed in the league. Similar to Fitzgerald, a quality depth player with starter upside at this point in the draft is a godsend.

Round 7, Pick 251 - Sawyer Robertson, QB, Baylor

Stetson Bennett has shown very little to give fans confidence in his backup abilities moving forward. Not saying that Robertson is necessarily the answer, but with only a few picks to go, he's worth the dart throw. Robertson led NCAA FBS in yards at one point last season, before a late season slump derailed that. He has a strong arm and a gunslinger mentality similar to a young Stafford. Whether or not he could turn into something special, time will tell.

Round 7, Pick 252 - Vincent Anthony Jr., EDGE, Duke

Vincent Anthony Jr., similarly to Lee Hunter, performed very well at the Senior Bowl. Nick Hampton was very disappointing as a rotational player last year, may as well look for an upgrade in depth at EDGE behind Verse and Young.

Trade Details:

Rams Receive:

Eagles' 2026 1st Round Pick (Pick 23)

Eagles' 2026 2nd Round Pick (Pick 54)

Eagles' 2026 3rd Round Pick (Pick 98)

Eagles Receive:

Rams' 2026 1st Round Pick (Pick 13)

Rams' 2027 4th Round Pick (Pick # TBD)