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Who are my favorite players at every position for the Rams in the NFL Draft?
Every year throughout the
NFL Draft process there are players that you enjoy watching more than others. While it’s expected to enjoy watching the top players in the class, when it happens for an under the radar prospect, it’s almost as if a connection is built with that player.
This year, I’ve taken more of a “
Los Angeles Rams” centric view to my draft evaluation process. To say the least, this is the most extensive work that I’ve ever done heading into the draft. My journey began right before the
Senior Bowl that included a trip to Mobile, Alabama, had a pit stop in Indianapolis for the
NFL Combine, and will be wrapping up over the next two weeks with my “Snead’s Snacks” series and my top-300 Rams fits big board.
Earlier this week, Sam Teets of the Sports Talk with Sam Teets Substack
released a “my guys” list from 31 other NFL Draft analysts. While I was lucky enough to be included in that collaboration, I also wanted to release some of my favorite players at every position. Below is a list of players at every position that have stood out throughout the draft process and have become “my guys” that I hope end up in a Rams uniform in two weeks. Consider this me ‘pounding the table’ for these prospects.
QB - Kyle McCord, Syracuse
Kyle McCord’s journey is reminiscent of Jalen Hurts’ at Alabama. This was a quarterback at a top program that got cast aside after not meeting expectations and then went on to flourish at another program. That was the case for Kyle McCord at
Ohio State when he transferred to Syracuse. As McCord stated at the NFL Combine,
“I knew regardless of whether or not I was at Ohio State or Syracuse that I was going to make a big jump for year one to year two. I was very confident in that. Having a year of experience starting at Ohio State under my belt, I don’t think you can get much more prepared than that. Using that and learning from it, I was super critical watching myself from Ohio State and attacking the areas that I needed to improve on. The success that I had last year really wasn’t a surprise to me. Just what I went through at Ohio State and using that to help me out at Syracuse.”
McCord’s first year as a starter for the Buckeyes didn’t go as planned, but it seems to have clouded the judgement for a lot of people on who he is as a quarterback. Last year, I went to The Dome in Syracuse to watch Cam Ward. I left that game more impressed with McCord who outperformed the projected number one overall pick with 380 yards and three touchdowns while leading the Orange back from a 21-0 early deficit to win.
There are rough moments for McCord, including his five interception game against Pitt. However, he finished the season with a touchdown to interception ratio of 15-1. According to PFF, McCord led the nation in “big time throws”. At his ceiling, McCord could become a Kirk Cousins level quarterback in the NFL. He has the ability to make all of the throws, but he will likely throw a few interceptions that are infuriating. With that said, this is the quarterback in the middle rounds worth taking a chance on that played in an NFL style offense led by Jeff Nixon.
RB - Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
It’s hard not to get excited watching
Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten. This is one of the most explosive running backs in the draft class that can score on any given play. Tuten was a player that I submitted to Teets’ collaboration piece. As I wrote there,
“A lot of focus on this year’s running back class is on Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and for good reason. He’s a special player. However, if you’re looking for an Ashton Jeanty-lite, look no further than Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten. Tuten brings a similar level of explosiveness and contact balance with 4.3 speed. His short-area burst and build-up speed are elite, and he’s more than willing to hold his own in pass protection. Tuten’s fumbles are certainly worth mentioning. His reads aren’t always clean, but you don’t draft a guy like Tuten to get you four yards on 1st-and-10 — you draft him because he can flip the math in your backfield, take a 3-yard crease and turn it into six points.”
This is the type of running back that the Rams need in their backfield. While there has been some discussion on extending Kyren Williams and the team drafted Blake Corum last year, the Rams running back room lacks someone with speed and a home run hitter. The Rams will also appreciate that Tuten is very willing in pass protection. Said Tuten at The Combine about his mindset in pass protection,
“The aggression that I’ve built throughout playing multiple years in the game. It comes with it. I’m a tough running back that likes to stick my face in the fan and pass block when I need to. It’s a part of my game.”
There are some concerns with ball security, but that is something that he didn’t shy away from. At the Combine, Tuten said about his willingness in pass pro and ball security issues,
“I had a good amount of fumbles this past year. We don’t want to turn the ball over, but when it does, it’s football. That’s been my biggest focal point and what I’m working on.”
Tuten tested extremely well in Indianapolis with a 4.32 40-yard dash that scored in the 98th percentile. His 1.49-second 10-yard split also scored in the 95th percentile. That doesn’t mention his 40.5-inch vertical or 130-inch broad jump which were also above the 95th percentile. That explosiveness and speed shows up on tape. The Virginia Tech running back had the fourth-fastest speed at the Senior Bowl at 19.75 miles per hour.
WR - Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
At this point, Jaylin Noel seems to have almost become too “mainstream” to make this list, but he has been one of my favorite wide receivers to watch throughout the draft process. His ability as a route-runner and physicality as a blocker caught my attention going into the Senior Bowl. Noel displayed those traits in Mobile and every time I’ve watched him since, I like him more and more.
Noel also has a connection to the Rams as he played at
Iowa State. Current Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase was the offensive coordinator with the Cyclone prior to joining the Rams. Noel may not be the biggest player on the field, but again, he plays bigger than his 5’10 frame. He’s also a very solid 194-pounds and scored in the 96th and 97th percentile in the vertical and broad jumps. The best way to describe Noel is like a firecracker.
As Matt Harmon wrote for Reception Perception,
“Noel will make you forget his lack of height at the catch point. He saw a contested target on, a reasonably high for this type of receiver, 19.2% of his sample looks and posted an excellent 80% contested catch rate. He’s tough as hell and fights for the ball...These types of undersized separators are always underrated by the public and can be highly impactful in the right environment. The vertical slot receiver archetype should only be more valuable in today’s game as many teams look to push their passing games over the middle.”
Matt Harmon | Reception Perception
Jalin Noel Success by Route
Noel would be a perfect option for the Rams if they are able to trade back into the second round. However, if he’s there with the 90th overall pick in the third round, he would be an absolute steal at that spot. Noel has the ability to be a solid depth piece and contribute on special teams early before becoming a starter in 2026.
TE - Mason Taylor, LSU
There are a lot of players to like at the tight end position in this draft class. As someone who watches a lot of Penn State, Tyler Warren has Rob Gronkowski like traits. Meanwhile, Colston Loveland is one of the best route runners in the class and has some Travis Kelce to his game. Thomas Fidone from Nebraska is another mid-round tight end to like. However, I’m going with Mason Taylor from
LSU here.
Taylor will get a lot of buzz because of his name. He is the son of former
Miami Dolphins defensive end, Jason Taylor. With that said, this isn’t a Thaddeus Moss-Randy Moss situation. Taylor is actually one of the better tight ends in the class and could get some late first-round buzz. In the case that the Rams miss out on Loveland, Taylor is a great alternative on day two. He fits that same role as a flex tight end that can be used as a receiver. His route-running ability is also impressive.
While he’s not necessarily a blocker, he shows a willingness to do it and he can hold his own in the run game. He’s not going to move bodies, but he can wall-off blockers effectively. Taylor is competitive in that area which is what the Rams ask of their tight ends. If the Rams are looking for a future at the tight end spot, Taylor makes a lot of sense.
OT - Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College
At some point, the Rams are going to have to find an heir on the right side to Rob Havenstein. Havenstein has been as solid as they get at right tackle, but his contract is up at the end of the year and he’s getting older. It makes a lot of sense then to replace Havenstein with a player that could be considered very similar to Havenstein. Brandon Thorn of the Trench Warfare Substack and Bleacher Report brought my attention to Trapilo at the Senior Bowl and compared the Boston College tackle to Havenstein.
Said Thorn,
“Trapilo is a skilled all-around run blocker with a firm understanding of timing and spacing that, combined with his size and above-average play strength, allow him to consistently navigate combos/doubles to cover up his target and secure the first level before his climb...In pass protection, Trapilo uses a low-hand carriage with active, independent hands to bait rushers, slow down inside counters with a responsive catch hand, circle punch and corral high-side speed rushes...Overall, Trapilo has the size, craftiness, play strength and anchoring ability to be a high-level backup at tackle or guard right away and compete for a starting right tackle role as a rookie inside a multiple run scheme that majors in zone concepts.”
While Trapilo may not be an all-pro caliber player, he has the ability to be as solid as they come at tackle. He checks every box at 6’8 and 316 pounds with 36 games of starting experience. Trapilo is smart and technically sound that can provide swing tackle insurance on day one and then start at right tackle moving forward.
iOL - Caleb Rogers, Texas Tech
It may be cheating putting another tackle here on the interior offensive line. If I had to pick a center, that player is probably Jonah Monheim from USC. He has elite versatility and could play across any of the three interior spots.
With that said, Caleb Rogers from Texas Tech brings tackle-guard versatility and while most of his starts come at tackle, he may be seen as a guard at the next level.
As Sam Teets wrote on Rogers,
“Texas Tech’s Caleb Rogers is one of the most aggressive offensive linemen in the 2025 class. He projects inside as a guard in a wide zone or gap scheme. Rogers is a tone-setting leader with a sturdy core and stout anchor to grind down speed to power rushes in pass protection and the powerful grip strength to arrest defenders who get too close. He’s a brutal finisher in the run game with the awareness, quickness, and overheating motor to quickly redirect for plays in a phone booth or find targets in space.”
The Rams like players who can play in multiple spots and he has 55 career games under his belt. He has clean footwork and is a good lateral mover. Rogers gets to the second level in the run game and has the poise to survive on an island in pass protection. He’s a smart, versatile offensive lineman that is a solid depth piece to have at the very least.
LB - Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
If you’ve followed my draft coverage at all, you’ll know that I have been a huge fan of Oregon’s Jeffrey Bassa throughout the draft process. This is a player that immediately caught my eye in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. From the first practice, he was taking command of the defense, communicating, and ensuring players on his unit were where they needed to be. He told me after the first practice that teammates call him Jefe which means “boss” in Spanish. That connects with his last name, Bassa. Said Bassa about his leadership and what his preparation process is like,
“It takes a lot of poise, a lot of confidence to make sure that your defense is right on the line. You want to make sure you’re getting the call correctly and know what everybody’s assignment is so you know if a DB or D-lineman doesn’t know if they’re in the right gap or right alignment, you have to have poise to make sure that they’re right and they know the coverage adjustment. You have to be able to know the whole defense. But then you also need a guy who, let’s say there’s an explosive play, you need a guy that can keep the defense poised and calm — not being in the huddle going crazy. You have to keep the defense level headed and in control.”
The Oregon linebacker is very articulate and communicates his thoughts well. He has the traits that the Rams need from the MIKE linebacker. In Mobile, Bassa said that he wanted to show that he can be a three-down linebacker. Said Bassa,
“I want to show teams that I’m a true four-down linebacker...I can be a guy that can stop the run on first down, but then also be able to drop in pass on third down whether that’s me matched up on a running back, tight end, or running with a wide receiver in coverage.”
It’s fair to say that Bassa showed that in Mobile. His background as a safety is evident in coverage and then he does a good job in run fits. It’s hard to make comparisons because with comparisons come expectations. However, when watching Bassa, it’s hard not to see Fred Warner who was a linebacker that was overlooked and ended up getting selected in the third round. As I wrote for Sam Teets,
“In a league that has moved away from the prototypical “thumper” at linebacker, Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa is the epitome of the modern NFL. He’s a former safety, and that shows when he matches running backs and tight ends in space and tracks sideline to sideline. This is a player who makes leading a defense personal. He puts in the work Monday through Friday so that he understands every single check and knows where everybody on his defense is supposed to be on any given play. Bassa is currently projected to go in the fourth round, but he’d be a good pickup for most teams on day two. Right now, he’s the kind of player you draft in the 4th and he’s covering kicks Week 1. By November, he’s stealing nickel reps on 3rd-and-6 against 11 personnel.”
Every time I’ve watched or heard Bassa speak throughout the draft process, I metaphorically fall more in love with him as a player. If he’s there at 90 or 101, my hope is that the Rams take him.
CB - Nohl Williams, Cal
It’s hard to pick just one cornerback here. Upton Stout from Western Kentucky is a player that I really like and plays with a “dog mentality” despite being smaller. Western Michigan’s Bilhal Kone has impressed throughout the process along with Mac McWilliams at UCF. Justin Walley may be one of my favorite potential fits for the Rams at cornerback. It would be very easy to include six or seven players at this position. However, choosing just one player here, I have to go with Nohl Williams from Cal.
Williams is a ballhawk with natural instincts on the outside. There’s a reason why he led college football last season with seven interceptions. He’s physical and plays with a competitive mindset on the perimeter. By re-signing Ahkello Witherspoon, the Rams don’t necessarily need a top cornerback in this class. He allowed a passer rating of just 40.1 when targeted and had nine pass breakups to go with his seven interceptions. Grabbing a player like Williams that can develop into a starter in year two makes the most sense.
S - Jonas Sanker, Virginia
The Rams are likely going to be drafting a safety at some point in the draft. Starks is my favorite player for them, but is also a probably first round pick. If the Rams are able to select Starks, he changes the math on the defense.
However, a potential day three safety that would be an intriguing option is Jonas Sanker from Virginia. While Sanker is one of my favorite players in this class, he also has an incredible story. He stayed at home in college to help take care of his dad who has early-onset Alzheimer’s. Sanker committed to Boston College initially, but elected to stay in Charlottesville. Four years later, he would end up becoming the heart and soul of that community.
On the field, Sanker is as physical as they come. He doesn’t just play the game, but he reads the game. He has exceptional football intelligence and always seems to be in the right spot. He brings a lot of versatility with the ability to play multiple spots. However, it’s his tackling and reliability as a tackler that set him apart. As Dante Collinelli of The 33rd Team and Sports Illustrated said for Sam Teets,
“Jonas Sanker is a three-year starter for Virginia who played all across the defense, collecting experience in several alignments, coverages, and responsibilities. Although not a flashy player, Sanker projects as a useful third safety or possibly long-term starter at strong safety in a two-high or Cover-6-heavy defense. His ability to defend the run, combined with his natural physicality, should give him a high floor. He’s also created consistent plays on the ball the past two seasons despite not having elite range on the backend. This is a well-rounded player who gets after it in every phase, making him a fit for just about any team in some capacity.”
Over the past few years, the Rams have done a good job developing day three safeties. They did it with Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott. Jaylen McCollough had some strong moments last year as an undrafted free agent. Sanker could be the next in line with the ability to be a special teams ace before earning a full-time role on defense.
DL - CJ West, Indiana
Defensive line is another position that is tough because this is one of the better and deeper classes in awhile. Ty Robinson deserves a shout-out here as well as Omar Norman-Lott. However, CJ West from Indiana is my pick here. West initially caught my eye at the East-West Shrine Bowl and has been on my radar ever since. In Teets’ “my guys” piece, three different analysts selected West. That should show just how undervalued and underrated he’s been seen throughout the draft process. As Alex Katson wrote,
“CJ West is a smaller defensive tackle, but he’s quick enough off the snap to present a small target to opposing linemen. An underrecruited player out of the Chicago area, West has also only had access to Power 4-level facilities for one season after playing his first four years at lowly Kent State. The overall athleticism pops off the page, and the right staff and environment could unlock a high-level starter that I think makes him worthy of a top 100 pick.”
The Rams typically don’t have an issue with smaller defensive linemen. Braden Fiske was considered small and the team traded up in the second round to take him last year. Kobie Turner is also seen as a smaller player, but has been a force on the defensive line. At the end of the day, the Rams need a player that can stop the run. West was one of the better run stoppers in college football last year for the Hoosiers.
Indiana’s average depth on tackle against A-gap runs last season was just 2.11 yards. The next closest team was 2.75. Indiana faced only 85 such runs, which was 104th in the country, but had 29 TFLs or no gains. That was fourth-most.
EDGE - LSU Bradyn Swinson
Like CJ West, Bradyn Swinson’s name came up multiple times in Sam Teets’ article and it’s hard to argue against him. Wrote Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network,
“Bradyn Swinson is a fringe first-round prospect on my board, in the same discussion as prospects like James Pearce Jr., Donovan Ezeiruaku, and Princely Umanmielen. Swinson has one of the most complete physical frameworks in the class. At 6’3”, 255 pounds, with over 33” arms, he has explosiveness, bend, power, and a burgeoning hand usage arsenal. He’s also shown he can be sturdy in run support.”
The Rams could use a depth player on the edge. Nick Hampton hasn’t worked out and they lost Michael Hoecht in free agency. Brennan Jackson is also very inexperience. The Rams need another speed rusher to add to the group and Swinson provides that. If the Rams want to continue to move forward with the best, young pass rush in the NFL, adding more depth and variety that they can rotate is critical.
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