NFL mock draft roundup: Which positions (and prospects) do experts see Rams targeting?

[ASFN Admin]

The 2025 NFL draft is less than a month away and with the pro day circuit continuing, teams are beginning to put the final touches on their draft boards. The Los Angeles Rams are sitting near the end of the first round with the 26th overall pick and considering they don't have a glaring need, they could go in a number of directions with that selection.

Just look at the latest mock drafts from experts. There's no real consensus about who the Rams might take, though it's clear cornerback, linebacker and wide receiver are popular positions for Los Angeles to target in Round 1.

Below is a new mock draft roundup that shows who experts project the Rams to take with the 26th pick, as well as their analysis of the selection.

USA Today: CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky​

After reconfiguring their pass rush last year by drafting NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse and finalist Braden Fiske, the Rams should be seeking out a similar revitalization of their secondary. Comfortable in both man and zone coverage, the feisty Hairston would accelerate the youth movement on defense.

Draft Wire: CB Shavon Revel, East Carolina​

Revel missed the 2024 season with a knee injury, but his size and skills are a great fit for the Rams' resurgent defense.

Underdog: CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky​

SEC corners with official 4.2s speed are very live for Round 1 selections. Hairston was a productive zone player with great closing speed and recovery skills. The Rams are a zone-based defense most years, and it's the position they've ignored in the draft recently.

NFL.com: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona​

Adding a big-bodied pass catcher to a lineup that already features Puka Nacua further expands the strike zone for Matthew Stafford.

CBS Sports: WR Matthew Golden, Texas​

They have to add a speed threat to the offense. Golden ran an impressive 40 at the combine, which is why he would make sense. Add him to Davante Adams and Puka Nacua and see how his speed will change things.

33rd Team: LB Carson Schwesinger, UCLA​

You can't convince me there's a better fit in the back half of the first round. The Rams have a glaring need at linebacker, and Schwesinger manning the middle of this front is the stuff of dreams for Rams fans. (And nightmares for everyone else.)

Pro Football Focus: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama​

Bottom Line: Campbell has the ideal build and athletic ability to play any linebacker spot, but he projects best to a Mike or Sam in 4-3 schemes or a Mike/EDGE in a 3-4. He must continue to develop anticipation and strength, but he has the mold of an All-Pro player.

ESPN: CB Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State​

Thomas is big, quick and long. And while he doesn't have eye-popping INT numbers (two over three seasons), he makes plays on the ball. He broke up 19 passes at FSU. Thomas would boost the Rams' pass defense, which allowed 29 passing TDs and 7.6 yards per attempt last season (both tied for fifth worst).

Pro Football Network: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama​

The Los Angeles Rams’ three biggest needs are on the defensive side of the ball. If a player like Revel fell, they might select him, but the value at cornerback drops off a little after Revel and Johnson are off the board. That could make the Rams a trade-back candidate if a team is looking to move up; if not, they could get tremendous value with Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell.

Campbell is an excellent athlete who can be an immediate asset to the Rams in the middle of their defense. Their current depth chart leaves a lot to be desired, and Campbell is a potential green dot candidate as the captain of the defense. He has the exciting blend of speed, power, and length required to be a highly disruptive player at the second level of an NFL defense.

ESPN: QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss​

Dart excelled in Lane Kiffin's scheme at Ole Miss, throwing 72 touchdown passes over his three years in Oxford. He has risen draft boards in the past few months, too. He had a great week at the Senior Bowl and was, in my opinion, the best thrower at the combine. Dart has a sturdy lower frame and really good movement skills, and he has a lot of upside. Matthew Stafford's contract restructure means he will be the Rams' starter for at least another season, but if I'm taking over the Rams' GM role today, I'm absolutely eyeing the future.

NBC Sports: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina​

Emmanwori is built like an outside linebacker despite posting testing numbers that were out of this world. Truthfully, I think a more downhill role not only helps him, but the Rams defense as well.

Fantasy Life: OT Kelvin Banks, Texas​

The Rams re-signed LT Alaric Jackson, but RT Rob Havenstein is entering the last year of his deal. There is a debate in the draft community currently about whether Banks is a guard or a tackle. The beautiful thing about this pick is that the Rams would have some runway to find that out on their own.

As a rookie, Banks could be developed while essentially functioning as the primary backup at four different positions. He’d end up seeing the field plenty as a rookie. And would presumably assume Havenstein’s old RT post in 2026.

Yahoo Sports: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan​

Cooper Kupp is out, but the bigger-bodied Loveland can handle a lot of the same responsibilities as a big body from the slot. Loveland isn’t a great blocker like a lot of traditional tight ends, but he has the speed and receiving skills to be a clean fit for Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford.

Next Gen Stats: CB Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State​

Les Snead's draft-day approach has evolved -- he used to aggressively trade up for marquee players, but lately, he's accumulated mid-round capital. Standing pat at No. 26, he returns to the Florida State pipeline for Thomas, a fluid corner with size, ball skills and scheme versatility. The Rams' secondary could use an influx of youth, and Thomas represents a potential long-term solution on the boundary. Even if Snead entertains offers to move down again, landing a dynamic corner like Thomas is on the table.

Final tally​

• LB Jihaad Campbell: 2
• CB Azareye'h Thomas: 2
• CB Maxwell Hairston: 2
• CB: Shavon Revel: 1
• WR Tetairoa McMillan: 1
• WR Matthew Golden: 1
• LB Carson Schwesinger: 1
• QB Jaxson Dart: 1
• S Nick Emmanwori: 1
• OT Kelvin Banks: 1
• TE Colston Loveland: 1

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL mock draft: Rounding up latest projections for Rams in Round 1

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