Rams mock draft roundup: L.A. picks Matthew Stafford's successor at QB

The Los Angeles Rams saw their season end in heartbreaking fashion to the Seattle Seahawks, with Puka Nacua dragged down just in bounds as time expired to cut their last-minute comeback attempt short in the NFC championship game. Falling short of a Super Bowl, the Rams now turn their attention towards the future.

Even with a handful of assistant coaches emerging as candidates for head coaching vacancies elsewhere, it's nothing L.A. hasn't seen before as Sean McVay's staff has routinely been poached throughout his nine-year tenure.

Roster-wise, there are some question marks. The Rams have needs in the secondary as well as an aging core on offense; QB Matthew Stafford is 37 years old and tackle Rob Havenstein is 33 and has been with the team since their final season in St. Louis.

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There are multiple ways the Rams can address their need, with a projected $45,631,522 in cap space according to Over the Cap and two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL draft. With mock draft season in full effect, here is what experts are saying.

2026 Rams mock draft roundupNo. 13 (from Atlanta)USA TODAY Sports: CB Mansoor Delane, LSUESPN: CB Jermod McCoy, TennesseeThe Athletic: CB Mansoor Delane, LSUFox Sports: OT Kadyn Proctor, AlabamaCBS Sports: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

USA TODAY Sports: "Los Angeles should brace for losing defensive coordinator Chris Shula and this is one way to prepare for that. Delane fits the bill of aRamsplayer: not an outstanding athlete by testing numbers but a productive player in game situations. His technique is impressive for his age and he'd be an upgrade at the position."

Fox Sports: "Matthew Stafford is the current MVP favorite with no signs of slowing down. At 37 years old, everything the Rams do from a roster construction standpoint should and will likely be with the intent of winning aSuper Bowlimmediately. Proctor is a specimen at 6-7, 366 pounds and has given up just five sacks in the last two seasons (according to PFF). Rob Havenstein is 33 years old and dealing with injuries, making this an ideal fit for Los Angeles."

No. 29USA TODAY Sports: QB Ty Simpson, AlabamaESPN: OT/G Monroe Freeling, GeorgiaThe Athletic: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, ToledoFox Sports: DL Caleb Banks, FloridaCBS Sports: CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina

USA TODAY Sports: "Simpson is a curious case study. As a one-year starter in a shallow quarterback class, could he make the jump to the end of the first round a la Jaxson Dart? He could be an understudy to learn behind Matthew Stafford before taking over in later years."

ESPN: "Los Angeles will do its homework on the quarterback class, regardless of whetherMatthew Staffordplays next season. But right now, coach Sean McVay might be better off waiting until Day 2 forTrinidad Chambliss(if he isn't able to go back to Ole Miss),Drew Allar(Penn State) orCarson Beck(Miami) than reaching. Let's stick on offense, though, after going defense with the L.A.'s other first-rounder. The Rams don't have huge free agency concerns on the offensive line, and they've had very good blocking by most metrics this season. Still, the OL depth could use a boost, and getting a 21-year-old with 18 starts of experience in the door late in Round 1 is a good team-building opportunity. Freeling moves well for a 6-foot-7, 315-pound left tackle, and I like the way he picks up stunts, blitzes and inside rushes."

2026 NFL DRAFT: Updated first-round order, list of picks

Where are the Rams picking in the 2026 NFL draft?

The Rams have two first-round picks in 2026. In addition to their pick at No. 29, the Rams also own the No. 13 pick, which they acquired in a draft-day trade with the Atlanta Falcons in 2025. They have 11 draft picks in total, with additional selections in the second, third, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds. The Rams own multiple picks in each of the final three rounds, including two compensatory picks in the seventh.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rams mock draft roundup: What experts are forecasting with 2026 picks