{"id":864439,"date":"2026-04-12T02:39:48","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T02:39:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/864439\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T02:39:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T02:39:48","slug":"ranking-the-rams-last-10-draft-classes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/864439\/","title":{"rendered":"Ranking the Rams’ Last 10 Draft Classes"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Rams are fewer than two weeks away from putting together another important draft class. However, before we see what Rams general manager Les Snead does with his seven\u00a0<\/a>picks in 2026, let’s take a look at the last 10 Rams draft classes ranked from worst to first.<\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Rams are fewer than two weeks away from putting together another important draft class. However, before we see what Rams general manager Les Snead does<\/a> with his seven <\/a>picks in 2026, let’s take a look at the last 10 Rams draft classes ranked from worst to first.<\/p>\n

\"Rams<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers (23) runs in the end zone on a 2-point conversion during the 3rd quarter of the Green Bay Packers 32-18 win over the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.<\/p>\n

Packers Rams 04445 | Mike De Sisti \/ The Milwaukee Jo via Imagn Content Services, LLC<\/p>\n

10. 2020<\/p>\n

Best Pick: S Jordan Fuller<\/p>\n

Worst Pick: RB Cam Akers<\/p>\n

In 2020, the Rams were looking to replace Todd Gurley after trading him to the Atlanta Falcons. Akers had a strong run at the end of the 2020 season and playoffs. He was the first rookie in franchise history with 100 or more rushing yards in a playoff game<\/a>. However, Akers suffered a torn Achilles the following offseason and was never the same. He nearly cost the Rams a trip to the Super Bowl, fumbling twice against the Buccaneers. Jalen Hurts was the pick directly after Akers while JK Dobbins went four picks later.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Rams<\/p>\n

Jun 4, 2018; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams tackle Joseph Noteboom (70) during organized team activities at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

9. 2018<\/p>\n

Best Pick: DT Sebastian Joseph-Day<\/p>\n

Worst Pick: OT Joseph Noteboom<\/p>\n

When the Rams took Joseph Noteboom, it was with the idea that he would take over at left tackle for Andrew Whitworth. Noteboom could rarely stay healthy and when he played for any significant stretch, it wasn\u2019t good. Sebastian Joseph-Day is in the long list of Les Snead hits in the sixth round. The Rams cut their actual best pick. Despite having a strip-sack in the Super Bowl, the Rams cut John Franklin-Myers the next summer. That\u2019s the same Franklin-Myers who signed<\/a> a three-year, $63 million contract this offseason as one of the premier free agents.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Rams<\/p>\n

Jan 4, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (89) spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

8. 2016<\/p>\n

Best Pick: TE Tyler Higbee<\/p>\n

Worst Pick: LB Josh Forrest<\/p>\n

This was the final draft class with Jeff Fisher as the head coach. The Rams traded up for Jared Goff only to move on from him in 2021. Goff\u2019s development was in a different place than the rest of the roster. It\u2019s hard to call a sixth-round pick bad, but Forrest only lasted one year on the team.<\/p>\n

\"Rams<\/p>\n

Sep 28, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell (5) runs for a touchdown on an 88 yard pass play in the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

7. 2021<\/p>\n

Best Pick: Ernest Jones<\/p>\n

Worst Pick: Tutu Atwell<\/p>\n

It will be quite a while before Rams fans forget that the team selected Tutu Atwell right before Creed Humphrey while having a need at center. Atwell never found a consistent role in the offense and the front office doubled down on the mistake last offseason by paying him $10 million fully guaranteed. While the Rams traded away Ernest Jones, he played a key role in the Super Bowl run.\u00a0<\/p>\n

6. 2019<\/p>\n

Best Pick: David Edwards<\/p>\n

Worst Pick: Bobby Evans<\/p>\n

The 2018-2020 stretch was not a good one for Snead. While the Rams had some hits in this class with Taylor Rapp, Greg Gaines, David Edwards, and Nick Scott, the misses are more remembered. Bobby Evans was another depth tackle that simply didn\u2019t work out and David Long was taken 15 picks before Jamel Dean. Rapp, Gaines, and Scott were fine, but low-impact players. For a fifth-round pick, Edwards stepped in at left guard and performed admirably. Players like Henderson, Long, and Scott at least played a key role in the Super Bowl win.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Rams<\/p>\n

Jan 4, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) is strip sacked by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Josaiah Stewart (10) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

5. 2025<\/p>\n

Best Pick: EDGE Josaiah Stewart<\/p>\n

Worst Pick: LB Chris Paul Jr.<\/p>\n

After just one season, it\u2019s impossible to grade a draft class, but right in the middle feels about right. Josaiah Stewart performed well in a rotational role last season and Terrance Ferguson showed potential. Outside of that, this class left a lot to be desired. Jarquez Hunter barely played and Ty Hamilton looked overmatched at times. It\u2019s never a good sign when a draft pick is part of roster cuts and that was the case with Chris Paul Jr. Paul was seen as a draft steal and it\u2019s hard to fault the Rams for their process. However, the fifth-round pick was outperformed by undrafted free agent Shaun Dolac.<\/p>\n

\"Rams<\/p>\n

Jan 25, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) runs to score a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

4. 2022<\/p>\n

Best Pick: RB Kyren Williams<\/p>\n

Worst Pick: OL Logan Bruss<\/p>\n

This class didn\u2019t start well with the selection of Logan Bruss. The Rams took Bruss as the replacement for Austin Corbett at guard. However, Bruss, a tackle at Wisconsin, didn\u2019t transition to guard as well as the Rams hoped and could never find his form after tearing his ACL in his second preseason game. Still, the Rams did well in this class. In a span of three picks, the Rams took Cobie Durant, Kyren Williams, and Quentin Lake. Williams and Lake just signed extensions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Cooper<\/p>\n

Dec 3, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) celebrates with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Mathew Stafford (9) after scoring a touchdown during the second half in a game against the Cleveland Browns at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yannick Peterhans-Imagn Images | Yannick Peterhans-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

3. 2017<\/p>\n

Best Pick: WR Cooper Kupp<\/p>\n

Worst Pick: FB Sam Rogers<\/p>\n

The 2017 draft class started it all for Sean McVay. Tight end Gerald Everett was the first pick in the McVay era, and is most known for his game-winning catch in 2018 against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the best pick here was Cooper Kupp. With Kupp, the Rams ended up drafting a future triple-crown winner and Super Bowl MVP.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Rams<\/p>\n

Sep 28, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) forces a fumble by Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

2. 2024<\/p>\n

Best Pick: EDGE Jared Verse<\/p>\n

Worst Pick: EDGE Brennan Jackson<\/p>\n

Jared Verse headlines what was a great 2024 draft class. Verse won the Defensive Rookie of the Year and looks to be one of the premier edge rushers in the NFL. His teammate, Braden Fiske, was taken in the second round. Blake Corum has shown his value and Kam Kinchens continues to develop.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Rams<\/p>\n

Jan 10, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) on the field in the first quarter in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

1. 2023<\/p>\n

Best Pick: WR Puka Nacua<\/p>\n

Worst Pick: EDGE Ochaun Mathis<\/p>\n

This class that Les Snead put together deserves so much credit. After tearing down the roster in 2022, many were already writing about the demise of the Rams and how they were in for a multi-year rebuild. Snead had 14 picks in this class and the first eight included Steve Avila, Byron Young, Kobie Turner, Warren McClendon, and Puka Nacua. All five of those players started on the 2025 team. Nacua is clearly the best of the bunch as a top-three wide receiver in the NFL. The 2023 Rams draft class is single-handedly responsible for the Rams\u2019 turnaround. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Los Angeles Rams are fewer than two weeks away from putting together another important draft class. However,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":864440,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2079],"tags":[7,1014,58,2444,2611,6,424],"class_list":{"0":"post-864439","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-los-angeles-rams","8":"tag-football","9":"tag-los-angeles","10":"tag-los-angeles-rams","11":"tag-losangeles","12":"tag-losangelesrams","13":"tag-nfl","14":"tag-rams"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116389429542972442","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/864439","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=864439"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/864439\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/864440"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=864439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=864439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=864439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}