Rams Take Two Offensive Players in New 2026 Mock Draft — fox sports
The Los Angeles Rams' offseason trajectory sharpened after a recent mock draft projected the team to use both of its first-round selections on offensive help. The scenario paints a front office leaning into immediate Super Bowl contention while shoring up depth and youth at two premium positions.
Mock picks: Makai Lemon at No. 13 and Caleb Lomu at No. 29
The mock assigns the Rams the No. 13 pick for a wide receiver and the No. 29 pick for an offensive tackle. At No. 13 the selection is USC wideout Makai Lemon, a high-volume playmaker who finished last season with 79 receptions for 1, 156 yards and 11 touchdowns. The projection envisions Lemon stepping into a three-WR rotation behind the team's established top targets, providing instant spacing and contested-catch prowess.
At No. 29 the mock plugs Utah left tackle Caleb Lomu into the Rams' rebuild of the offensive line. Lomu started on the left side the past two seasons and is viewed as a developmental piece who could provide insurance at tackle in the near term and contend for a starting role in a couple of years. With a veteran retirement opening up a bookend job, adding tackle depth has clear practical appeal.
What these picks would mean for the roster and 2026 outlook
Drafting two offensive players early signals a push to maximize the current championship window. The hypothetical addition of Lemon would create a formidable receiving corps, forcing opposing defenses to account for three dynamic threats on any given snap. Even if one veteran moves on in a future offseason, Lemon’s profile suggests he could step into a primary role without a long transition.
The tackle choice addresses both depth and prudence. The team’s long-time starter at right tackle has retired, and while an internal candidate is in line to take the job, adding a tackle with starting experience at a power-conference program provides a safety valve. The projection imagines a measured timeline — a player who might not be thrust into full-time starting duty immediately but who can be relied upon if injury or inconsistency arises.
Beyond roster fit, the mock also includes an off-the-board movement: a separate team trading up to pick No. 28 to draft an Alabama quarterback, an action that would alter the draft map and the Rams’ board around the late first round. That kind of shuffle could influence whether the Rams keep both picks or turn one into a veteran upgrade, a question that will hang over the front office all offseason.
Finally, the scenario assumes the franchise’s veteran quarterback will return to lead the unit, keeping the short-term goal firmly on contending. If management believes the roster is one or two additions away from a deep postseason run, doubling down on offensive talent makes strategic sense — particularly if the coaching staff thinks scheme continuity and veteran leadership still tilt the balance toward a serious title push in 2026.
General manager decisions this offseason will determine how closely reality tracks this mock. The options are varied: stay the course and draft for the future, trade for a veteran difference-maker, or sign plug-and-play free agents to fill immediate needs. For now, the projected pair of offensive picks serves as a clear statement of intent — prioritize scoring and line play to protect a narrow championship window.
