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We've reached the home stretch ahead of the 2025 NFL draft, which begins in just over two weeks. The Los Angeles Rams will have to wait until pick No. 26 to go on the clock, but they may make fans wait even longer if they trade out of that spot.
Les Snead is always interested in a move down the board and given the gap between the Rams' first two picks this year, trading down is especially intriguing.
Using Pro Football Focus' mock draft simulator, here's a look at how the draft could go for the Rams if they do indeed move back from No. 26 and accumulate more picks.
Trading down is mighty enticing for the Rams this year given the massive gap between picks 26 and 90. By moving back to No. 38, they pick up the 69th pick and also move up from No. 101 to 77. That feels like a steal for Los Angeles.
At No. 38, the Rams select Amos, a perfect cornerback for their system. He's 6-1, so he can absolutely play on the outside against bigger receivers. He's good in zone coverage and displayed impressive ball skills last season with three interceptions on 62 targets, allowing only 32 catches all year.
The Rams go back to the Ole Miss well with their second pick at No. 69, selecting another "Tre" from the Rebels. He's a 6-foot-3 receiver with adequate speed and impressive leaping ability, making him a downfield threat for any team that drafts him. Like Davante Adams, he's a true X receiver on the outside, but Adams and Puka Nacua both have the ability to play in the slot so there shouldn't be any concerns about fit.
Belton fills a need at right tackle with his massive frame and promising upside. He almost exclusively played left tackle the last three years in college but he can line up on the right side and excel in the NFL. He allowed eight total sacks in the last three years and only 12 total pressures in 2024, proving to have the pass-blocking prowess to be an NFL starter. He can learn from Rob Havenstein for a year before taking over in 2026.
It's hard to gauge where Fannin will go because he's a smaller tight end without eye-popping athleticism. However, he was a monster at Bowling Green last season with 117 catches, 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. He's not unlike Gerald Everett, who the Rams drafted in the second round in Sean McVay's first year, coming in at the same height (6-3) and only 11 pounds lighter (241). McVay could have some fun with a versatile tight end like Fannin.
Smith is one of the better running back fits for the Rams in this draft. He has breakaway speed (4.39 in the 40) and is a former receiver who moved to running back, so it's obvious he can catch passes from any position on the field. He'd be a perfect third-down complement to Kyren Williams and Blake Corum and at No. 127 overall, it might be too hard for the Rams to pass him up.
McCord comes from a pro-style system, which could entice the Rams. He may not have the high ceiling that other quarterbacks in this class have due to his limited athleticism and arm talent, but he can be a good starter down the line if afforded time to develop. Fortunately for Los Angeles, time is on the team's side. McCord could sit for a year or two before battling to become the starter in 2026 or 2027. If it doesn't work out, he was only a sixth-round pick.
Mondon is an explosive linebacker who uses his speed to cover every part of the field. Fit-wise, he'd be a good complement to Omar Speights, who's more of an old-school, downhill linebacker who excels against the run but not in coverage. Mondon is somewhat raw and needs coaching but in time, he could become an exciting player in the middle of a defense.
As we saw with the Eagles in the Super Bowl, you can never have too many defensive linemen. The Rams' starting group is set with Kobie Turner, Poona Ford and Braden Fiske, but depth is always needed. Robinson is a big, long defensive lineman who can play multiple positions with his 6-6 frame. In the Rams' 3-4 scheme, he'd be a nice rotational piece at defensive end with Fiske.
Jared Verse and Byron Young have the Rams in great shape at outside linebacker but with Michael Hoecht gone, someone else will need to step up. Downs won't blow anyone away with his athleticism but he tested good enough at the combine. He'd fit best in a 3-4 scheme like the Rams' as an outside linebacker where he can stand up from a two-point stance and rush the passer.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams mock draft: New 7-round projections for LA
Continue reading...
Les Snead is always interested in a move down the board and given the gap between the Rams' first two picks this year, trading down is especially intriguing.
Using Pro Football Focus' mock draft simulator, here's a look at how the draft could go for the Rams if they do indeed move back from No. 26 and accumulate more picks.
38. CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss
- Rams trade: Nos. 26 + 101
- Patriots trade: Nos. 38 + 69 + 77
Trading down is mighty enticing for the Rams this year given the massive gap between picks 26 and 90. By moving back to No. 38, they pick up the 69th pick and also move up from No. 101 to 77. That feels like a steal for Los Angeles.
At No. 38, the Rams select Amos, a perfect cornerback for their system. He's 6-1, so he can absolutely play on the outside against bigger receivers. He's good in zone coverage and displayed impressive ball skills last season with three interceptions on 62 targets, allowing only 32 catches all year.
69. WR Tre Harris, Ole Miss
The Rams go back to the Ole Miss well with their second pick at No. 69, selecting another "Tre" from the Rebels. He's a 6-foot-3 receiver with adequate speed and impressive leaping ability, making him a downfield threat for any team that drafts him. Like Davante Adams, he's a true X receiver on the outside, but Adams and Puka Nacua both have the ability to play in the slot so there shouldn't be any concerns about fit.
77. OT Anthony Belton, NC State
Belton fills a need at right tackle with his massive frame and promising upside. He almost exclusively played left tackle the last three years in college but he can line up on the right side and excel in the NFL. He allowed eight total sacks in the last three years and only 12 total pressures in 2024, proving to have the pass-blocking prowess to be an NFL starter. He can learn from Rob Havenstein for a year before taking over in 2026.
90. TE Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
It's hard to gauge where Fannin will go because he's a smaller tight end without eye-popping athleticism. However, he was a monster at Bowling Green last season with 117 catches, 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. He's not unlike Gerald Everett, who the Rams drafted in the second round in Sean McVay's first year, coming in at the same height (6-3) and only 11 pounds lighter (241). McVay could have some fun with a versatile tight end like Fannin.
127. RB Brashard Smith, SMU
Smith is one of the better running back fits for the Rams in this draft. He has breakaway speed (4.39 in the 40) and is a former receiver who moved to running back, so it's obvious he can catch passes from any position on the field. He'd be a perfect third-down complement to Kyren Williams and Blake Corum and at No. 127 overall, it might be too hard for the Rams to pass him up.
190. QB Kyle McCord, Syracuse
McCord comes from a pro-style system, which could entice the Rams. He may not have the high ceiling that other quarterbacks in this class have due to his limited athleticism and arm talent, but he can be a good starter down the line if afforded time to develop. Fortunately for Los Angeles, time is on the team's side. McCord could sit for a year or two before battling to become the starter in 2026 or 2027. If it doesn't work out, he was only a sixth-round pick.
195. LB Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia
Mondon is an explosive linebacker who uses his speed to cover every part of the field. Fit-wise, he'd be a good complement to Omar Speights, who's more of an old-school, downhill linebacker who excels against the run but not in coverage. Mondon is somewhat raw and needs coaching but in time, he could become an exciting player in the middle of a defense.
201. DL Ty Robinson, Nebraska
As we saw with the Eagles in the Super Bowl, you can never have too many defensive linemen. The Rams' starting group is set with Kobie Turner, Poona Ford and Braden Fiske, but depth is always needed. Robinson is a big, long defensive lineman who can play multiple positions with his 6-6 frame. In the Rams' 3-4 scheme, he'd be a nice rotational piece at defensive end with Fiske.
202. OLB Ethan Downs, Oklahoma
Jared Verse and Byron Young have the Rams in great shape at outside linebacker but with Michael Hoecht gone, someone else will need to step up. Downs won't blow anyone away with his athleticism but he tested good enough at the combine. He'd fit best in a 3-4 scheme like the Rams' as an outside linebacker where he can stand up from a two-point stance and rush the passer.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams mock draft: New 7-round projections for LA
Continue reading...
