5 different directions the Rams could go in the 2025 draft
Making an accurate mock draft pick is hard enough, but trying to do so for a team picking 26th and always a threat to trade down is even tougher. We still tried.
The Los Angeles Rams pick 26th in this year’s draft and that means that there are an unfathomable number of different scenarios that could happen with the 25 picks ahead of them. Truly a number higher than we can imagine. But we still know who the suspects are and maybe one of those players will land on the Rams in less than two weeks.
The Turf Show Times writing staff got together and did a quick mock draft of the first 25 picks and then five of us made our choices for what Les Snead should do at 26. The only rule was that you could not trade down. It so happens that all of us chose different prospects.
Here are the answers, followed by how the first 25 picks went to get us to this point.
EDGE James Pearce, Tennessee
Blaine Grisak: A trade back makes the most sense in this scenario, but I’ll go EDGE James Pearce Jr. from Tennessee. This may seem like an odd selection given that the Rams just drafted Jared Verse and also have Byron Young. However, Pearce adds to the identity of the defense which is the young pass rush. With Verse and Young in place, the Rams can use Pearce as a designated pass rusher early as he develops into a full-time starter.
QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Evan Craig: I’ll be that guy haha, but I can see the Rams going QB – Jaxson Dart. The Rams must prepare for life after Matthew Stafford, and while the team might be better served trading out of this pick, selecting the best available quarterback in Jaxson Dart makes more sense than you’d think. Green Bay made it work a few years ago in a similar situation with Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love. Why not try it in Hollywood? Dart possesses enough physical tools to help L.A. make a relatively seamless transition post-Stafford, and Sean McVay also gets his chance to develop his choice at QB from the ground up. Fortifying the defense is again the better option, but no one should rule out the Rams from going signal caller.
RB Omarion Hampton, UNC
Danny Stone: Omarion Hampton. The team can still lean on Kyren Williams, and they can choose to extend him whenever, but Hampton gives the team options on the field and off the field as Hampton could be the running back of the future while Blake Corum continues to grow too. It’s a risk, but Hampton can upgrade the team now, fill a short-term need and potentially a long-term need if he hits.
WR Tre Harris, Ole Miss
JB Scott: It stings watching Colston Loveland come off the board just a few picks earlier to the cross-town LA rivals.
The Rams will pivot and surprise by taking Ole Miss WR Tre Harris. This move future-proofs the X receiver position and prepares the team for life after Davante Adams. LA has not enjoyed the luxury of stability at X for some time after watching the likes of Sammy Watkins, Odell Beckham, Jr., and Adams come and go on short-term stints. It will take time for Harris to adapt to a professional scheme after playing in a simplified offense at Ole Miss; however, his size and athletic profile are worth betting on a year or two before you truly need him.
EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
Kenneth Arthur: My only explanation is that I find none of the available prospects to be overwhelmingly good or exciting, but at least Stewart is built like a top-5 pick. At 6’5, 267 with 34 and a half inch arms, Stewart gives the Rams a player who stands a chance of being great. I would never draft for need in the first round, so I couldn’t care less about arguments related to that. Of course I’m worried that he didn’t produce as a pass rusher in college, but I’m not handing out the Heisman Trophy here. The point of this is to find great NFL players and Stewart at least gives me a chance.
The first 25 picks
1. Titans – Cam Ward, QB
2. Browns – Travis Hunter, WR/CB
3. Giants – Abdul Carter, OLB
4. Patriots – Will Campbell, OT
5. Jaguars – Mason Graham, DT
6. Raiders – Ashton Jeanty, RB
7. Jets – Armand Membou, RT
8. Panthers – Tyler Warren, TE
9. Saints – Shedeur Sanders, QB
10. Bears – Will Johnson, CB
11. 49ers – Kelvin Banks, OT
12. Cowboys – Tetairoa McMillan. WR
13. Dolphins – Kenneth Grant, DT
14. Colts – Jihaad Campbell, LB
15. Falcons – Jalon Walker, OLB
16. Cardinals – Mike Green, OLB
17. Bengals – Donovan Ezeiruaku, OLB
18. Seahawks – Tyler Booker, G
19. Bucs – Malaki Starks, S
20. Broncos – Luther Burden III, WR
21. Steelers – Walter Nolen, DT
22. Chargers – Colston Loveland, TE
23. Packers – Jahdae Barron, CB
24. Vikings – Nick Emmanwori, S
25. Texans – Josh Conerly, OT