The Los Angeles Rams 2026 draft class could see a few players carve out significant roles in 2026.
In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Rams made five selections that could improve the roster for next season and put the team in a position to find success in the future as well.
Each of the Rams' rookies will have different roles and different paths, but some of these rookies could make a significant impact as soon as 2026. So here is a list ranking the Rams' rookies who could earn significant playing time next season.
5. Quarterback Ty Simpson
Following an MVP season from quarterback Matthew Stafford, it is not likely that the No. 13 overall pick, Ty Simpson, finds himself on the field unless Stafford suffers a major injury.
However, the Rams did see promise in Simpson that he could be a great option for the future at quarterback; otherwise, they would not have selected him. Last season with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Simpson recorded 3,567 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions while completing 64.5 percent of his passes.
With the opportunity to learn from a quarterback like Stafford, Simpson's rookie year could be very valuable, especially in the preseason when the starters do not play a ton. If Simpson uses his rookie year right, he could be the Rams' next franchise quarterback
4. Defensive Tackle Tim Keenan III
Along the defensive line, seventh-round pick Tim Keenan III could also find himself in a tough position to play with a very stacked defensive tackle group.
Currently on the roster, the Rams have defensive tackles Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Ty Hamilton, Tyler Davis, and Poona Ford, who are all proven players in the NFL.
Even with the competition, Keenan could prove to be a valuable player on the Rams' defensive line with his 6-2 and 320-pound frame and his ability to stop the run and condense the pocket in the passing game. During the 2025 season with Alabama, Keenan tallied 16 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks as a constant disruptor on the interior.
With Keenan's size and experience playing in a conference like the SEC, he has the potential to carve out a role on the Rams' defensive line, but it will not be easy with the depth the Rams have heading into 2026.
3. Tight End Max Klare
At the tight end position, Max Klare may have an opportunity to compete for reps based on Sean McVay's use of 13 personnel and the fact that he could contribute on special teams.
At this point in the tight end room, McVay has Davis Allen, Terrance Ferguson, Tyler Higbee, and Colby Parkinson in addition to Klare.
Last season, Parkinson was the Rams' top tight end as he finished with 43 receptions for 408 yards and eight touchdowns. Ferguson, Higbee, and Allen also had solid contributions, as they all crossed the 200-yard mark and added three touchdowns each.
In 2025 with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Klare totaled 43 receptions for 448 yards and two touchdowns, which showed that he can be a reliable option against great competition.
Klare's 6-5 and 243-pound frame suggests that he could be used as a receiver, but he can also contribute as a blocker and as a special teams contributor.
This is one of the Rams' deepest position groups, but if Klare can prove to be a solid blocker at the NFL level, take advantage of his opportunities in the passing game, and compete on special teams, he could very well work himself into the rotation.
2. Wide Receiver CJ Daniels
As the NFL is well aware, the Rams have one of the best wide receiver duos in the league in reference to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. However, there are some question marks at wide receiver three, which could open the door for rookie wide receiver CJ Daniels.
For Los Angeles, the third wide receiver seems to be one of the few questions surrounding this offense, which is why Daniels has a chance to play. Other than Daniels, the Rams best options for the wide receiver three appear to be Xavier Smith, Jordan Whittington, and Konata Mumpfield.
Of the three options, Smith has the most experience and success after recording 18 receptions for 303 yards in 2025. Whitting had 18 catches for 171 yards, and Mumpfield had 10 receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown.
On the other hand, Daniels had a solid 2025 season with the Miami Hurricanes as he tallied 50 receptions for 557 yards and seven touchdowns. Standing at 6-2 and 205 pounds, Daniels has the ability to line up all across the formation, which could be the perfect solution to the Rams' question at wide receiver three.
1. Offensive Tackle Keagen Trost
The player most likely to see significant playing time in 2026 is offensive tackle Keagen Trost.
The main reason Trost could see playing time is that left tackle Alaric Jackson could be facing a suspension to start the season following a domestic battery charge. While the charges against Jackson were dropped, the Rams will likely need another option at tackle to fill in for a few games if Jackson is indeed suspended.
Trost seems like a logical option based on the fact that he is no ordinary rookie, as he has seven years of college football experience, which could help him to contribute right away for the Rams. In that scenario, the most likely outcome would be moving current right tackle Warren McClendon Jr. to the left side, so Trost could play his natural position of right tackle and familiarize himself with the NFL game.
With Trost's frame at 6-4 and 316 pounds, he has the frame to be a solid NFL tackle, but entering his rookie season, he may need mentoring like all rookies do to acclimate to playing in the NFL and compete against the league's top pass rushers.
For the Rams to truly compete for a Super Bowl like the NFL world expects, Trost may very well have to step and provide reliable play on the offensive to protect Stafford and give the Rams offense a chance to be just as explosive as it was in 2025.
