The Los Angeles Rams’ moves in the first wave of free agency accomplished a number of roster goals that set them up for April’s draft.
They have their offensive line in place: Alaric Jackson signed a three-year extension and will continue to start at left tackle. Left guard Steve Avila will enter the third year on his rookie deal, while right guard Kevin Dotson enters the second year on the three-year extension he signed last spring. The Rams added center Coleman Shelton on a two-year deal with goals to push last year’s rookie starter Beaux Limmer and to improve center-to-quarterback communication with a veteran in the role. Rob Havenstein, the tenured right tackle, will play on the final year of his contract. With Havenstein in place, the Rams can focus on his backup and eventual heir, plus other backups in the draft.
They rebuilt their receivers room around third-year star Puka Nacua, but probably aren’t done adding: Signing speed threat Tutu Atwell to a one-year extension and bringing in top veteran Davante Adams on a three-year deal indicates the direction coach Sean McVay’s offense will go. Nacua will still play that all-valuable “F”/hybrid role and can make plays against man and zone coverage, on the perimeter and in the middle of the field. Atwell is the deep field and sweeps player, while Adams can work the slot and perimeter in balance with Nacua. Second-year receiver Jordan Whittington emerged as a special teams threat as a returner and also can play a variety of blocking and hybrid roles within McVay’s scheme. Still, the Rams could and should bring in a rookie receiver via this year’s draft.
They made a quiet, but crucial addition to their defensive line: Poona Ford lends a top-10 run-stopping presence to their still-ascending young front. Ford will pair with second-year defensive lineman Braden Fiske, a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year last season, and team captain Kobie Turner to stop up run downs and set everyone up for their dynamic pass rush to attack.
The Rams still need to add young talent and depth at cornerback and inside linebacker. Undrafted free-agent inside linebacker Omar Speights really progressed through the latter part of the year (as McVay predicted he would), and if he takes another step forward he could secure that full-time ILB1 spot. This week, the team signed former Falcons inside linebacker Nate Landman to a one-year deal after Christian Rozeboom and Jake Hummel departed in free agency. The Rams will likely still look to the draft here.
Meanwhile, veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, who was a quality starter for the Rams in 2023 and 2024, agreed to terms Wednesday on a one-year deal. Cobie Durant, who has played nickel and outside corner, enters the final year on his rookie contract. That said, Durant is the only young cornerback in recent draft classes who has had success and secured a starting or core rotational spot. The Rams need to look at this position group in the draft with veteran starter Darious Williams on the second year of a three-year deal.
Finally, McVay’s background with the tight end position, his efforts to trade up for Brock Bowers last draft and that Tyler Higbee will play on the final year of his contract in 2025 mean this talented young class can’t be ruled out.
I also believe the team will try to draft a quarterback to get a young potential future starter in the room behind veteran star Matthew Stafford. They need to look at the second or third round in that case.
Here are a few players who could be options at cornerback, inside linebacker, right tackle, receiver, tight end and quarterback for the Rams. They are projected to be selected in a range of spots in the top 100 of this year’s draft, and all players include analysis from me and insight from the actual top 100 big board composed by The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler:
Cornerback
Azareye’h Thomas, FSU, 6-1/197
Rodrigue: Thomas is a long corner with good range who could provide the Rams the size they badly need in their secondary, to pair on the outside with the veteran Williams (even though Witherspoon is back under contract for another season). Durant could move into the slot full-time with the selection of Thomas, who would add youth and talent to the DB room to match much of the rest of the defense.
Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina, 6-2/200
Rodrigue: The Rams are generally sensitive to any medical issues, but in some cases rely on other teams’ wariness of them to secure a more efficient draft position for that player. They need their cornerbacks to match the takeaway production they got from their young safeties last season.
Brugler: Including his impressive body length and speed, Revel has the traits NFL teams want at the cornerback position. He also has the production (17 passes defended in 15 starts at East Carolina). He tore his ACL in September, so his updated medicals (from the) combine will be key toward figuring out whether Revel will sneak into the first round or be drafted on Day 2.
Jahdae Barron, Texas, 5-11/200
Rodrigue: The Rams have typically gravitated toward cornerbacks who excel in zone coverage and who can pick up their system quickly.
Brugler: Barron holds a Master’s degree in coverage schemes. He has done a great job developing the mental part of his game, so he can get a head start keying and diagnosing opposing quarterbacks and blocking schemes. He doesn’t have the ideal length or movement burst for easy recoveries, but he plays with supreme confidence and physicality without crossing the line, especially in zone coverage.
Jahdae Barron intercepted five passes last season for the Longhorns. (Aaron E. Martinez / American-Statesman via Imagn Images)
Nohl Williams, Cal, 6-1/200
Rodrigue: Because Witherspoon is back under contract and the Rams will see what they have in waiver-wire acquisition Emmanuel Forbes Jr., they may be able to defer this position to a later part of the draft.
Brugler: After three years at UNLV, Williams transferred to Cal and had an All-America super-senior season. His outstanding ball skills are reflected in his 2024 production: seven interceptions (No. 1 in the FBS) and 16 passes defended (No. 1 in the ACC). Williams’ 40-yard dash might determine whether he lands on Day 2 or Day 3.
Darian Porter, Iowa State, 6-2/197
Rodrigue: Similar to Williams, the Rams could afford to take a flier on a traits-based middle- or late-round pick because they will have Witherspoon under contract in 2025.
Brugler: Porter (33 1/4-inch arms) is a towering corner with legit speed. The traits are too appealing for him to fall out of the top 100, but why did it take until his sixth season in college for him to see steady snaps?
Inside linebacker
Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, 6-3/245
Rodrigue: The Rams dabbled with a Joker-type player in Michael Hoecht, who played off the edge and dropped into coverage, and helped deploy and even disguise some of their pressure in 2024.
Brugler: Campbell is one of the more interesting prospects in this draft class. Though he doesn’t have top-tier instincts as an off-ball player, his sideline-to-sideline speed and explosiveness lead directly to production (he led Alabama in tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles in 2024). Some teams have him as part of their edge-rusher stack, while others want his promising versatility at linebacker. Regardless, Campbell is a first-round talent.
Carson Schwesinger, UCLA, 6-2/225
Rodrigue: Rams inside linebackers have previously struggled when stretched wider across the field and then targeted in the pass game. Schwesinger’s ability to react to what he sees at the snap might make him a fit.
Brugler: A player in perpetual chase mode, Schwesinger is lightning quick in his key-and-react processing and flies to the football with an innate feel for beating blockers to the spot and navigating box traffic to stay clean.
Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma, 6-4/243
Rodrigue: In signing Landman, the Rams broadcast an effort to shore up their second level specifically against the run. He’s on a one-year deal, so could they look to target a player who could eventually take over longer-term?
Brugler: Stutsman doesn’t have the proven coverage talent required of modern-day linebackers, but he is a gap-sound run defender and thundering tackler with the swagger (on and off the field) that will be welcomed in the NFL.
Right tackle
Armand Membou, Missouri, 6-4/332
Rodrigue: While the Rams’ guard spots are set for at least the next two seasons, it would not hurt to roster a talented player with position flexibility especially if he is sitting behind a veteran for a season.
Brugler: As a pass blocker, Membou displays above-average balance and quickness plus a jolting punch in his sets to mirror up and down the arc. He was equally effective in the run game, as the Missouri offense often ran behind No. 79 (and his drive power). Some teams like him best inside at guard, although there is nothing on his tape that says he can’t stay outside at tackle.
Cameron Williams, Texas, 6-5/335
Rodrigue: The Rams’ emphasis on and overhaul of their run game over the last two seasons makes Williams an appealing match. GM Les Snead and McVay both have connections to Texas through family and coaching relationships.
Brugler: With his wide frame, long arms and functional movement skills, Williams has the ability to overwhelm defenders in the run game and force rushers to take a $20 Uber ride to get around him in pass pro. However, there are several basic (and non-negotiable) details that he must develop for the next level, including well-timed or repeatable hands. Williams is another prospect for whom the medicals will influence the final draft ranking.
Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College, 6-8/331
Rodrigue: Trapilo could be another middle-round gem identified by the Rams, and will have time to develop behind Havenstein.
Brugler: Although he never had the chance to see his late father, Steve, play in the NFL, Ozzy Trapilo has the same offensive line talent in his DNA, with natural movements and technical control. He needs to be more consistent blocking low to high in the run game, but he quickly establishes body positioning to manipulate spacing and cut off defenders.
Receiver
Luther Burden III, Missouri, 5-11/210
Rodrigue: The Rams could see Burden as a high-upside fit in McVay’s scheme where exploiting space across the middle and in the screen game and making defenders miss (or shedding them entirely) is at a premium.
Brugler: With just one 100-yard receiving performance in 2024, Burden wasn’t able to build on his All-America sophomore season as the entire Missouri offense struggled — but there were enough flashes to tease his high-level talent. Because of his run-after-catch skills, Burden saw a high-volume of quick hitters and crossers, which showcased his any-direction burst and physicality to give defenders the shake.
Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State, 6-1/203
Rodrigue: The Rams have generally been drawn to receivers who are pro-ready for the mental workload of the NFL. Egbuka is in that mold.
Brugler: If you want flashy, jump to another receiver. If you want a savvy, rugged receiver with NFL-ready instincts, Egbuka fits the bill. Over his four seasons in Columbus, he played next to four wide receivers who ultimately became top-20 draft picks (Marvin Harrison Jr., Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jaxon Smith-Njigba) and two likely future early-round picks (Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate).
In four seasons at Ohio State, Emeka Egbuka totaled 2,868 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns. (Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)
Matthew Golden, Texas, 6-0/195
Rodrigue: Having a clear No. 1 in Nacua and clear Nos. 2 and 3 in Adams and Atwell probably won’t deter McVay’s eagerness to keep adding to his offense and especially his passing game.
Brugler: Fluid in his releases and breaks, he shows a plan as a route runner, and I love his ability to break down corners by keeping his eyes, hips and feet in sync.
Jayden Higgins, Iowa State, 6-4/217
Rodrigue: Pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, who has quickly become a key part of McVay’s staff, previously was the offensive coordinator at Iowa State and has a connection to and familiarity with Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
Brugler: A basketball-focused athlete much of his life, Higgins played two seasons at Eastern Kentucky before putting up more than 2,000 combined receiving yards in two seasons with the Cyclones. With the body control and grace of a former point guard, Higgins has the smooth athleticism that translates to his route running. He’s also a natural tracking and adjusting to the football, regardless of the placement or coverage (just three drops on 210 targets at Iowa State).
Jaylin Noel, Iowa State, 5-10/196
Brugler: A sturdy and speedy athlete, Noel is smooth in and out of his breaks and plays with “Stick ’em” hands to consistently secure throws away from his body. Despite not being much of a tackler-breaker, he has a pull-away gear (with or without the ball) that makes him a playmaker.
Tight end
Rodrigue: It’s tough to predict especially where the top tight ends in this draft class (Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland) will be drafted because there simply is not a ton of precedent for the position having massive success in the first round. The Rams may look at the second and third rounds here. For that reason, I do not have Warren or Loveland included on this board.
Mason Taylor, LSU, 6-5/250
Brugler: He is a loose mover, which shows in his route running and at the catch point, and he has the hand-eye coordination to make natural adjustments and finish in traffic. In the run game, he is more of a wall-off blocker than violent people-mover, but his toughness and athleticism at the point of attack — especially out in space as a move blocker — help him execute his assignments.
Gunnar Helm, Texas, 6-5/250
Brugler: A fluid athlete for the position, Helm does a great job finding space in coverage, contorting his body to finish the catch and giving defenders the slip as a ball carrier.
Elijah Arroyo, Miami, 6-5/251
Brugler: Arroyo gets in and out of his breaks with efficiency and speed to consistently create separation, making him a threat to score anytime he touches the ball. … He will need to prove himself through contact in the passing game at the next level, where he won’t be given as much space to operate.
Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green, 6-3/238
Brugler: Fannin catches everything and shows a unique feel for creating as a ball carrier.
Quarterback
Rodrigue: There will be specific traits the Rams and especially McVay look for in their evaluations of any potential draft pick. First, I don’t get the impression that they weigh a more veteran prospect with as much concern, though injury history is important. Second, the player must be able to throw in rhythm and “on time”, meaning they can execute within the unique and specific timing of the offense, including quick and anticipatory throws. The player should have some ability to read a non-static defense, although McVay’s scheme can set a young player up to not have to do as much at the line of scrimmage if necessary. While he doesn’t have to be a quarterback around whom entire run packages are built, the ability to pick up “gimme” yards and present a dual threat in the red zone are traits this staff is looking at.
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, 6-1/198
Rodrigue: Sanders would be a fit in McVay’s offense similar to how we’d project a Kirk Cousins, a Geno Smith or a Dak Prescott operating in this system (although certainly none are a one-to-one comparison). I personally don’t think he’s getting out of the first round, but he should be noted here with how popular this offense now is.
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, 6-2/226
Brugler: He needs time to develop his progression-based reads and anticipation (things he wasn’t asked to regularly do in college), but Dart is a natural thrower of the football with promising mobility and high-level competitive intangibles.
Tyler Shough, Louisville, 6-5/224
Brugler: As long as team doctors sign off on his medicals, he has tools worthy of a Day 2 dice roll.
Will Howard, Ohio State, 6-4/235
Brugler: He has functional mobility, arm talent and decision-making skills. NFL teams also appreciate his competitive toughness, which is a non-negotiable trait for the position at the next level.
(Top photo of Will Howard: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
