{"id":862817,"date":"2026-04-10T03:54:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T03:54:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/862817\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T03:54:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T03:54:17","slug":"rams-take-two-undervalued-positions-in-new-2-round-mock-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/862817\/","title":{"rendered":"Rams take two undervalued positions in new 2-round mock draft"},"content":{"rendered":"

April 9, 2026, 5:27 p.m. PT<\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Rams<\/a> aren’t a desperate team in 2026, meaning they can take whichever players they feel like are the best for the short- and long-term future of the franchise. And, armed with the Nos. 13 and 61 overall picks, L.A. has the chance to add two quality players at any position that suits them.<\/p>\n

There have been several different iterations of mock drafts around the Rams’ first two selections, from receiver to edge rusher to offensive line to quarterback. For The Win’s Christian D’Andrea<\/a> went in a very unique direction with his mock draft, though. He took Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 13 and Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers at No. 61.<\/p>\n

The Rams turn last year’s James Pearce trade into one of the three top prospects, regardless of position, at this year’s draft. Los Angeles doesn’t have a ton of needs, but the best player available is also a modest fit in a rebuilt \u2014 and suddenly terrifying \u2014 secondary.<\/p>\n

Downs can play deep or near the line of scrimmage and line up tracking slot receivers with ease. His NFL ceiling is “Brian Branch, but better.” He’s a fixer, plain and simple, in a rising Rams defense.<\/p>\n

Downs is bold, especially since the safety room is pretty full already with recent extensions for Quentin Lake and Kam Curl, as well as 2024 third-rounder Kamren Kinchens. But the opportunity to draft Downs is one the Rams would likely make in a heartbeat if he’s available at No. 13.<\/p>\n

He’s big at 6-foot and 206 pounds, experienced, and versatile. The Rams love to use their defensive backs in unique ways, and Downs would be the ultimate chess piece for Chris Shula’s defense.<\/p>\n

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n

As for Stowers, the Rams are already interested<\/a> in the former quarterback who became a tight end in college. The 6-foot-4, 239-pound Stowers won the 2025 John Mackey Award as the nation\u2019s top tight end this past season for Vanderbilt, where he caught 62 receptions for 769 yards and four touchdowns.<\/p>\n

The Rams don’t need tight ends either, with a crowded room comprised of 2025 second-rounder Terrance Ferguson, leading tight end Colby Parkinson and veteran Tyler Higbee. But Stowers could build a future with Ferguson as the team’s duo at the position is Higbee and Parkinson leave at the end of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

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