The Los Angeles Rams are close. They’ve been knocking on the door of a return trip to the Super Bowl for the past two seasons now.
The delicate balance the Rams must walk is that they’re also running out of time. It was a huge deal when QB Matthew Stafford, fresh off of being named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2025, announced he was coming back to play again in 2026. That’s where we’re at with the Los Angeles window to compete. Accordingly, the opportunity to make two first-round draft choices underscores the importance of finding some impact players to help try to push this team over the top. If that’s what you’re hoping to find, you’re in luck. Here’s a 7-round Rams 2026 mock draft to explore the balance of impact players and bracing for the future.
Los Angeles Rams 2026 7-round NFL mock draft
Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) before a game between Tennessee and Kent State at Neyland Stadium, in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)Round 1, pick 13 (via ATL) – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
No risk-it, no biscuit. The pick here at No. 13 overall comes with the idea of who could make the biggest impact on the Rams’ roster? The cornerback position has generally been fueled by late-round picks since the departure of Jalen Ramsey in 2023. It’s time for some pedigree. And McCoy? If it weren’t for a January 2025 ACL injury that put him on the shelf all year last year, he’d probably be long gone by pick No. 13. This is a value pick and a need pick all in one.
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Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) celebrates after a sack against the Indiana Hoosiers in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)Round 1, pick 29 – Ahkeem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
The Rams are a year away from having Byron Young and Kobie Turner set to hit free agency. Getting ahead of those pending decisions on extensions by adding another gifted power rusher just makes too much sense to me. If you want Mesidor to play and rush inside? Great. On the edge? Awesome. He’s a delightful blend of skills that can help the Rams preserve their identity up front in a number of roles, even if injury strikes their front in 2026. And you’re probably not going to be able to pay everyone. This helps soften that reality in advance.
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Missouri Tigers linebacker Josiah Trotter (40) celebrates a defensive stop as Auburn Tigers take on Missouri Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Missouri Tigers defeated the Auburn Tigers 23-17 in 2OT.© Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(© Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)Round 2, pick 61 – LB Josiah Trotter, Missouri
Maybe I’m just a deranged sicko. But boy would I love to see what the Chris Shula defense looks like with some more high picks given to that side of the football. Maybe it’s a tug-of-war battle he’ll never win with his buddy Sean McVay as an offensive guy. But Trotter has the kind of explosiveness that gets you excited to watch and he’s got an NFL pedigree thanks to his pops, Jeremiah Trotter. If you’re not old enough to remember the elder Trotter, he was a bad man on the gridiron.
The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. This cat is a baller.
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Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Anderson Castle (4) celebrates a touchdown with offensive lineman Brian Parker II (53) during the second half against North Carolina at Kenan Stadium. William Howard-Imagn Images
(William Howard-Imagn Images)Round 3, pick 93 – Brian Parker II, OT, Duke
Rob Havenstein retired. The Rams would benefit from getting some competition going at right tackle to help ensure whoever wins the job keeps a sufficient level of play going to protect Matthew Stafford. Parker II is a right tackle by trade who can compete for a starting job in 2026.
Oct 26, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive linenam Nolan Rucci (72) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
(Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images)Round 5, pick 167 – Nolan Rucci, OT, Penn State
Ahem…Rob Havenstein retired. The Rams would benefit from getting some competition going at right tackle to help ensure whoever wins the job keeps a sufficient level of play going to protect Matthew Stafford. Rucci is a right tackle by trade who can compete for a starting job in 2026.
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Sep 6, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Army Black Knights wide receiver Samari Howard (27) is tackled by Kansas State Wildcats safety VJ Payne (7) during the third quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
(Scott Sewell-Imagn Images)Round 6, pick 206 (via HOU) – VJ Payne, SAF, Kansas State
The Rams have Kam Curl set for free agency. Will they run it back? He’s probably earned himself some nice coin on the open market after two seasons of versatile play on the back end for the Rams. Payne is a long, lean safety who has taken at least 100 snaps in the nickel in each of his four years playing at Kansas State to go along with his work on the back end. Having him available to get developed and work his way up the depth chart can keep the pipeline of safeties being groomed, blossoming, and then leaving the Rams moving.
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Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama offensive lineman Wilkin Formby (75) and Alabama offensive lineman Jaeden Roberts (77) line up to block as Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (15) calls the snap count at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
(Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)Round 6, pick 209 – Jaeden Roberts, OG, Alabama
Guards on the Rams’ roster right now include starters Steve Avila & Kevin Dotson, Justin Dedich, and Wyatt Bowles. That’s it, gang. Good teams keep the pond well stocked up front in the trenches and three mid-round draft choices for the Rams this year to load up the depth will do exactly that.
Dec 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen slotback Eli Heidenreich (22) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Army Black Knights during the second half of the 126th Army-Navy game at M&T Bank Stadium. Danny Wild-Imagn Images
(Danny Wild-Imagn Images)Round 7, pick 232 (via BAL) – Eli Heidenreich, FB, Navy
I just imagine that Sean McVay would have some fun tooling around with a football player like Heidenreich. He’s kind of a do-it-all player who both toted the rock and caught passes in high volume for Navy. I’d love to see him get a chance to earn the right to be a McVay “pet project”.
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Jan 29, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National wide receiver Caullin Lacy (1) of Louisville runs a route during National Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Round 7, pick 250 – Caullin Lacy, PR/WR, Louisville
Special teams was the other half of the Rams’ Achilles heel in 2025 to go along with the cornerback position. Xavier Smith’s muffed punt in the NFC Championship Game? Hard to forget. And so with a late-round flier, the Rams add someone who has productive wide receiver work on their resume but also, more importantly, was one of the better punt returners in FBS this past season.
Nov 22, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines kicker Dominic Zvada (96) kicks a field goal during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn ImagesKen Ruinard – GREENVILLE NEWS-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
(Ken Ruinard – GREENVILLE NEWS-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)Round 7, pick 256 – Dominic Zvada, PK, Michigan
We mentioned how special teams was a problem, right? The place kicking once Joshua Karty left — Harrison Mevis kicked admirably. But Mevis’ pedigree isn’t strong enough for me to not desire legitimate competition for the kicker post long-term in 2026. It’s time the Rams start taking special teams a little more serious.
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This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Feb 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.