OFFICIAL 2026 NFL Draft Stuff

[Merlin]

If Freeling's on the board at 13 he has a good shot to be our pick I think. He's got good feet, had a strong season of pass pro, and he's like 20 with the measurements you want.

But I think someone's gonna nab him before we're up. We may have our pick of the OT conversion types though. Lot of these tackles are gonna play on the interior in the NFL. And the OG group is actually strong this year so if you need a guard, which we do, you should be able to get one.

 

[PhillyRam]

Needs to add weight and get much better run blocking. Very limited starting experience. Also limited to a zone blocking scheme limiting his teams. Also a lot of issues with his feet and his bending. Not really a top 13 pick IMO and by a lot of those "experts".

I will also add that a team could move up for Delane or McCoy if they need a starting CB.

 

[fearsomefour]

Anyone have any T or IOL prospects they like in the later rounds?

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

I guess our 61 could be one of these guys (10 OL listed here):
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/articl...-candidates-to-protect-your-qb-181924091.html

 

[PhillyRam]

Needs to add weight and get much better run blocking. Very limited starting experience. Also limited to a zone blocking scheme limiting his teams. Also a lot of issues with his feet and his bending. Not really a top 13 pick IMO and by a lot of those "experts".

Seems like he has all the tools. Sure, needs some coaching as all rookies do, but a playoff caliber team, desperate for guy who could step in at some point this year, may want to move up for him.

 

[Ram Ts]

Thing is, we have no idea what the coaching staff thinks about the current OL and beyond the 2026 season. It could be we need any of the five positions.

LT: maybe they have concerns about Alaric and his health (bc)

RT: he’s still not extended, so for now we have nothing for next year (2027).

RG/LG: same as RT, no extensions so for now these are spots that need to be filled for 2027. Unless one of them can be filled internally by someone already on team.

C: I can see an extension here, so this needs a new center for 2027. Unless we have someone already that is being developed to take over.

 

[Merlin]

It's probably a safe assumption they won't sign all 5 to FA contracts. So maybe 3 total end up total being signed. Jackson is already signed, which means 2 out of Avila, Shelton, Dotson, and McClendon get inked.

So I figure we need 1 OG, and 1 C, where they replace Avila and Shelton with cheap young first contract players. Rams can probably get one of those two easily in this draft, especially the OG. But they may draft the C too.

Of the four pending FAs I think it is a slam dunk that they at least try to replace Shelton. It won't be some athletic type. It'll be a pivot with a ton of experience and great tape, hopefully vs SEC fronts too.

 

[Coliseum Ram]

Got this off a Steelers site (disregard that) ESPN's Matt Miller has 12 true 1st round grades. He names the 12, a few of our targets including Lemon is one of them, so chances are a true 1st rounder will be there for us. This is also why I prefer the trade up for Love option.

Draft Insider Gives Out Just 12 'True First-Round Grades' In 2026 Class - Steelers Depot https://share.google/g1QjVmKuhutOA9bKf

Edit: sneaky sleeper pick for us Delane/McCoy.

 

[fanotodd]

Got this off a Steelers site (disregard that) ESPN's Matt Miller has 12 true 1st round grades. He names the 12, a few of our targets including Lemon is one of them, so chances are a true 1st rounder will be there for us. This is also why I prefer the trade up for Love option.

Draft Insider Gives Out Just 12 'True First-Round Grades' In 2026 Class - Steelers Depot https://share.google/g1QjVmKuhutOA9bKf

Edit: sneaky sleeper pick for us Delane/McCoy.

SOMEONE on that list should be there at #13. Not all teams have been as good at drafting as the Rams lately.

Snagging a CB at #13? It certainly wasn’t farfetched BEFORE bringing in the top two CBs from the chiefs. Adding another might not go over well on this board, but I can see it. It’s a long season and the Rams will be playing a tough schedule no matter who is on it—that is to say no team will be taking them lightly. They will give the Rams their best shot.

The Rams have to be prepared for injuries. Only the circumstance of having to play several backups can (and HAS) derail them.
Otherwise, this is a damn good roster.

 

[Coliseum Ram]

SOMEONE on that list should be there at #13. Not all teams have been as good at drafting as the Rams lately.

Snagging a CB at #13? It certainly wasn’t farfetched BEFORE bringing in the top two CBs from the chiefs. Adding another might not go over well on this board, but I can see it. It’s a long season and the Rams will be playing a tough schedule no matter who is on it—that is to say no team will be taking them lightly. They will give the Rams their best shot.

The Rams have to be prepared for injuries. Only the circumstance of having to play several backups can (and HAS) derail them.
Otherwise, this is a damn good roster.

Oh yes, I'm 99% sure one of those 12 will be there. Besides that, in this day and age you need THREE "Number 1" Corners on the field same time. We're still 1 short. Gun to my head we're going wideout, but Corner and OT are right there lurking.

 

[fanotodd]

Thing is, we have no idea what the coaching staff thinks about the current OL and beyond the 2026 season. It could be we need any of the five positions.

LT: maybe they have concerns about Alaric and his health (bc)

RT: he’s still not extended, so for now we have nothing for next year (2027).

RG/LG: same as RT, no extensions so for now these are spots that need to be filled for 2027. Unless one of them can be filled internally by someone already on team.

C: I can see an extension here, so this needs a new center for 2027. Unless we have someone already that is being developed to take over.

Amen. This, IMO, is the biggest challenge in front of the Rams’ ability to sustain this perennial legit contender situation.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not necessarily advocating for going all OL early. I just think the upcoming situation you outlined is too big and important to think you can fix it all at once NEXT year like they seemed to have done with the CB situation.

Edit:
Unless they truly believe those guys already in development are ready to step into starting roles in ‘27. We’ll get a good idea once someone goes down THIS year.

 

[Tano]

SOMEONE on that list should be there at #13. Not all teams have been as good at drafting as the Rams lately.

Snagging a CB at #13? It certainly wasn’t farfetched BEFORE bringing in the top two CBs from the chiefs. Adding another might not go over well on this board, but I can see it. It’s a long season and the Rams will be playing a tough schedule no matter who is on it—that is to say no team will be taking them lightly. They will give the Rams their best shot.

The Rams have to be prepared for injuries. Only the circumstance of having to play several backups can (and HAS) derail them.
Otherwise, this is a damn good roster.

I have no problem with them drafting a CB

My preference is WR but wouldn't have a problem with any player at 13 as long as it isn't too high of a reach.

 

[CGI_Ram]

I wouldn't mind multiple trade downs to get more picks that could be used to get a couple of players in that 26-45 range. Not sure the difference between pick 13 is that much better than that you get at 26. Then getting multiple picks can deepen the roster, so if you have to mortgage a couple of drafts to get a QB in the future, the roster can withstand that type of move.

My guess is the majority of the teams feel the same way.

Got this off a Steelers site (disregard that) ESPN's Matt Miller has 12 true 1st round grades. He names the 12, a few of our targets including Lemon is one of them, so chances are a true 1st rounder will be there for us. This is also why I prefer the trade up for Love option.

Draft Insider Gives Out Just 12 'True First-Round Grades' In 2026 Class - Steelers Depot https://share.google/g1QjVmKuhutOA9bKf

Edit: sneaky sleeper pick for us Delane/McCoy.

I asked GROK to compile a consensus first round grade list. We’re right on the edge at #13.

Who could go in front of these guys unexpectedly?

Per GROK and 223 sources:

The 2026 NFL Draft (April 23-25 in Pittsburgh) features a relatively thin top tier, with experts generally identifying only about 12-15 true first-round grade/talent prospects across major sources.3538

Consensus comes from combining recent big boards and mocks (as of early April 2026), including:

• ESPN/Matt Miller’s explicit “true first-round grades” list (12 players graded as Round 1 talents regardless of team needs).35
• Daniel Jeremiah’s (NFL Network) Top 50 (updated ~April 1).38
• PFF big board.26
• FantasyPros consensus mock (18 mocks).36
• NFL Mock Draft Database consensus (61 first-round mocks).37
• Supporting views from CBS Sports, Tankathon, The Ringer, Bleacher Report, and WalterFootball.

These sources show strong agreement on a core group (especially Ohio State and Miami standouts). This is a weaker class overall for QBs beyond the top name and for interior line/DT, with heavy emphasis on versatile EDGE/LB, skill players, and secondary talent. Mock drafts project ~32 first-round picks due to team needs, but “true first-round grades” refer to elite talent evaluation.

Consensus First-Round Grade Players (Core Group, ~12-15)

These players consistently rank in the top ~32 across big boards and appear frequently in Round 1 projections:

Quarterback (1)

• Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (RS Junior) — Universal #1 overall prospect and QB1. Heisman-level production (41 TD, 6 INT in 2025), elite accuracy, poise, and processing. Comp: Joe Burrow / Matt Ryan. Lock for top pick (often Raiders at #1 in mocks).3538

Running Back (1)

• Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (Junior) — Elite three-down back with speed, vision, and receiving skills (1,372 rush yards, 18 TD at 6.9 ypc). Comp: Reggie Bush / Bijan Robinson tier. Frequently top 5 overall.3538

Wide Receiver (2)

• Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (Junior) — Polished route runner, contested-catch winner. Comp: Cooper Kupp / Justin Jefferson.
• Makai Lemon, WR, USC (Junior) — Biletnikoff winner; quick, tough slot/WR with YAC ability. Comp: Amon-Ra St. Brown.35

Tight End (1)

• Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (Junior) — Athletic mismatch nightmare with ball skills and speed. Comp: Vernon Davis.35

Offensive Tackle (1)

• Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Junior) — Powerful, consistent right tackle with strength. Comp: Darnell Wright.35

Edge / Linebacker / DL (4-5)

• Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State (Junior) — Explosive, versatile athlete with sudden production leap. Comp: Abdul Carter / Micah Parsons traits.
• Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (Senior) — Rangy, coverage-savvy with size and instincts. Comp: Fred Warner.
• David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (Senior) — Explosive pass-rusher (14.5 sacks, elite pressure rate). Comp: Nik Bonitto.
• Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (Junior) — Power, leverage, and motor; frequently top 5-10 in PFF, Tankathon, and some consensus mocks (often edges into first-round projections alongside the ESPN group).2638

Cornerback (2)

• Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (Senior) — Shutdown press/zone corner. Comp: Trent McDuffie.
• Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (Junior) — Complete game with ball skills (post-ACL recovery). Comp: Christian Gonzalez.35

Safety (1)

• Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (Junior) — Versatile, instinctive playmaker who does everything at a high level. Comp: Budda Baker.3538

Additional Notes on Borderline/Consensus Projections

• Offensive Line depth (e.g., Spencer Fano IOL Utah, Olaivavega Ioane IOL Penn State, Monroe Freeling OT Georgia, Kadyn Proctor OT Alabama) often fills later first-round slots in mocks due to need but is not universally graded as “true” first-round talent like the core group above.36
• A few other edges (Akheem Mesidor, T.J. Parker) or WRs (Jordyn Tyson, Omar Cooper Jr.) pop in some mocks but are more second-round range in stricter big boards.
• Ohio State dominates with multiple elite defenders (Reese, Styles, Downs, Tate).

This group represents the broad expert consensus for players with first-round upside/value. Boards can still shift slightly with pro days or final workouts, but the core 12 (per ESPN) plus Rueben Bain Jr. are the most agreed-upon first-round talents. For full mocks or team fits, check sources like FantasyPros or Daniel Jeremiah for the latest simulations.

 

[muggmeister]

If Tannenbaum is saying draft Simpson, I say run away, far fuckin away. The dude is a fucking idiot.

Completely agree. Just what the fuck is his claim to fame, being general manager once of the Jets?

 

[12intheBox]

Speaking of Grok ….. it’s first round mock draft is, well, it’s why you need to proofread rather than just cut and paste work you toss in to AI.

NFL mock draft 2026: Grok AI predicts the entire first round

USA TODAY Sports had Grok AI predict the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The chatbot's mock will raise some eyebrows.

www.yahoo.com

 

[Allen2McVay]

Completely agree. Just what the fuck is his claim to fame, being general manager once of the Jets?

Now ... Now ... Let's be fair to Mike Tannenbaum.
He was also the GM for the Dolphins for four seasons.
Three of which were losing seasons but there was one playoff-year ... 18-point Wild Card loss.

Tannenbaum was the guy who thought it was a great idea to acquire Tim Tebow from Denver ... it wasn't.

 

[Ram Ts]

It's probably a safe assumption they won't sign all 5 to FA contracts. So maybe 3 total end up total being signed. Jackson is already signed, which means 2 out of Avila, Shelton, Dotson, and McClendon get inked.

So I figure we need 1 OG, and 1 C, where they replace Avila and Shelton with cheap young first contract players. Rams can probably get one of those two easily in this draft, especially the OG. But they may draft the C too.

Of the four pending FAs I think it is a slam dunk that they at least try to replace Shelton. It won't be some athletic type. It'll be a pivot with a ton of experience and great tape, hopefully vs SEC fronts too.

Yeah I agree - that my guess….they draft an OG to replace one of Avila/Dotson and draft a center.
Meanwhile Extending the other OG and WM Jr. (RT).

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Completely agree. Just what the fuck is his claim to fame, being general manager once of the Jets?

He was horrible with the Jets too. I'm not even sure why he's on TV honestly other than maybe teams listen to do the opposite of what he says hahaha

 

[El Chapo Jr]

Speaking of Grok ….. it’s first round mock draft is, well, it’s why you need to proofread rather than just cut and paste work you toss in to AI.

NFL mock draft 2026: Grok AI predicts the entire first round

USA TODAY Sports had Grok AI predict the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The chatbot's mock will raise some eyebrows.

www.yahoo.com

I see Lemons and Styles are splitting their time on different teams. Smart fellas to get paid more than once hahaha

 

[dang]

I asked GROK to compile a consensus first round grade list. We’re right on the edge at #13.

Who could go in front of these guys unexpectedly?

Per GROK and 223 sources:

The 2026 NFL Draft (April 23-25 in Pittsburgh) features a relatively thin top tier, with experts generally identifying only about 12-15 true first-round grade/talent prospects across major sources.3538

Consensus comes from combining recent big boards and mocks (as of early April 2026), including:

• ESPN/Matt Miller’s explicit “true first-round grades” list (12 players graded as Round 1 talents regardless of team needs).35
• Daniel Jeremiah’s (NFL Network) Top 50 (updated ~April 1).38
• PFF big board.26
• FantasyPros consensus mock (18 mocks).36
• NFL Mock Draft Database consensus (61 first-round mocks).37
• Supporting views from CBS Sports, Tankathon, The Ringer, Bleacher Report, and WalterFootball.

These sources show strong agreement on a core group (especially Ohio State and Miami standouts). This is a weaker class overall for QBs beyond the top name and for interior line/DT, with heavy emphasis on versatile EDGE/LB, skill players, and secondary talent. Mock drafts project ~32 first-round picks due to team needs, but “true first-round grades” refer to elite talent evaluation.

Consensus First-Round Grade Players (Core Group, ~12-15)

These players consistently rank in the top ~32 across big boards and appear frequently in Round 1 projections:

Quarterback (1)

• Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (RS Junior) — Universal #1 overall prospect and QB1. Heisman-level production (41 TD, 6 INT in 2025), elite accuracy, poise, and processing. Comp: Joe Burrow / Matt Ryan. Lock for top pick (often Raiders at #1 in mocks).3538

Running Back (1)

• Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (Junior) — Elite three-down back with speed, vision, and receiving skills (1,372 rush yards, 18 TD at 6.9 ypc). Comp: Reggie Bush / Bijan Robinson tier. Frequently top 5 overall.3538

Wide Receiver (2)

• Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (Junior) — Polished route runner, contested-catch winner. Comp: Cooper Kupp / Justin Jefferson.
• Makai Lemon, WR, USC (Junior) — Biletnikoff winner; quick, tough slot/WR with YAC ability. Comp: Amon-Ra St. Brown.35

Tight End (1)

• Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (Junior) — Athletic mismatch nightmare with ball skills and speed. Comp: Vernon Davis.35

Offensive Tackle (1)

• Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Junior) — Powerful, consistent right tackle with strength. Comp: Darnell Wright.35

Edge / Linebacker / DL (4-5)

• Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State (Junior) — Explosive, versatile athlete with sudden production leap. Comp: Abdul Carter / Micah Parsons traits.
• Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (Senior) — Rangy, coverage-savvy with size and instincts. Comp: Fred Warner.
• David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech (Senior) — Explosive pass-rusher (14.5 sacks, elite pressure rate). Comp: Nik Bonitto.
• Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami (Junior) — Power, leverage, and motor; frequently top 5-10 in PFF, Tankathon, and some consensus mocks (often edges into first-round projections alongside the ESPN group).2638

Cornerback (2)

• Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (Senior) — Shutdown press/zone corner. Comp: Trent McDuffie.
• Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (Junior) — Complete game with ball skills (post-ACL recovery). Comp: Christian Gonzalez.35

Safety (1)

• Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (Junior) — Versatile, instinctive playmaker who does everything at a high level. Comp: Budda Baker.3538

Additional Notes on Borderline/Consensus Projections

• Offensive Line depth (e.g., Spencer Fano IOL Utah, Olaivavega Ioane IOL Penn State, Monroe Freeling OT Georgia, Kadyn Proctor OT Alabama) often fills later first-round slots in mocks due to need but is not universally graded as “true” first-round talent like the core group above.36
• A few other edges (Akheem Mesidor, T.J. Parker) or WRs (Jordyn Tyson, Omar Cooper Jr.) pop in some mocks but are more second-round range in stricter big boards.
• Ohio State dominates with multiple elite defenders (Reese, Styles, Downs, Tate).

This group represents the broad expert consensus for players with first-round upside/value. Boards can still shift slightly with pro days or final workouts, but the core 12 (per ESPN) plus Rueben Bain Jr. are the most agreed-upon first-round talents. For full mocks or team fits, check sources like FantasyPros or Daniel Jeremiah for the latest simulations.

While any of the top 13 above (other than Mendoza) would strengthen and contribute to the Rams THIS year - Love, Tate, Lemon, Reese, Styles, Delano or McCoy move the needle the most THIS year.