The Los Angeles Rams pick at No. 13 overall, and could go a multitude of ways. Here is what pundits are saying about what they should take.
The Los Angeles Rams have an important decision to make when the 2026 NFL Draft rolls around. After sending the No. 29 overall pick to the Kansas City Chiefs to secure Trent McDuffie, Los Angeles has one first-round pick left.
A trade down would have made sense at No. 29, and still could happen at No. 13. However, there are some blue-chip players the Rams may not be able to avoid. Following the first week of free agency, this is what pundits are saying about the No. 13 overall pick.
USA Today:
No. 13 - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
"Dealing for McDuffie reinforces that the Rams are all in on maximizing NFL MVP Matthew Stafford's remaining window. Taking Sadiq, a matchup nightmare still requiring some polish, might not seem fully aligned with that mentality. But Sean McVay and Les Snead were previously enamored a hybrid tight end in Brock Bowers, and Sadiq could feast in an offense that came to embrace using three tight ends," Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote.
PFF:
No. 13 - Spencer Fano, T, Utah
"The Rams addressed their biggest need in the secondary by trading for star cornerback Trent McDuffie and re-signing safety Kamren Curl. Los Angeles can now add some depth to its offensive line with Fano. His 92.0 PFF overall grade since 2024 led college football, and he can immediately compete with Warren McClendon Jr. for the starting right tackle spot, though his lack of length may push him inside long term." Max Chadwick wrote.
The Rams have also been mocked previously to Miami's Francis Mauigoa and Penn State's Vega Ioane.
It would make perfect sense for Los Angeles to prioritize a lineman at No. 13 overall. Despite having a top 10 unit in the NFL. The issue is that injuries can upend everything, which was the case in 2024.
Rob Havenstein also retired, leaving the team without a strong veteran backup that could help the rest of the line.
Kevin Dotson and Steve Avila missed some games recently that could be a bit of a concern moving forward, and adding more offensive line competition might also breed a result similar to Warren McClendon Jr. taking over and flourishing.
Protecting Matthew Stafford is paramount, and adding more protection will never be a bad route to take.
Taking a tight end does not make sense, even if Kenyon Sadiq is highly rated. The Rams brought back Tyler Higbee, who is a longtime veteran and may not stick around for much longer.
With Higbee returning, the Rams will likely prioritize Colby Parkinson as TE1, while rotating in Higbee and Terrance Ferguson. Adding another pass-catching tight end to a room that has plenty would likely be a waste of the No. 13 overall pick.
The Rams can go multiple ways, and they may also use the pick to potentially take USC's Makai Lemon or another receiver. Either way, the team has placed itself in a great position after heavily upgrading the secondary.