How the Rams can land WR Carnell Tate or LB Sonny Styles

TL;DR

The Los Angeles Rams, holding the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, face slim chances of landing top prospects Carnell Tate or Sonny Styles, both projected to go in the top 10. A trade-up is unlikely but could be possible with strategic moves to acquire a higher pick.

At No. 13, the odds are slim that the Los Angeles Rams can land either Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate or inside linebacker Sonny Styles in the 2026 NFL Draft. Both are projected to go in the top 10, and it would take an unlikely fall for the Rams to draft either with their current first-round selection.

While a trade-up is unlikely, several options could unfold that would vault L.A. into striking distance for some of these marquee players. And while The Athletic's Nate Atkins doesn't think the Rams will part with their 2027 first-round pick, he did map out two scenarios that could land the Rams a pick high enough to draft either OSU star.

Based on the Jimmy Johnson trade value chart, the Rams can get as high as the No. 8 pick by offering this year’s second-rounder, based on value. They can maybe add a little more to get to No. 6 from the Cleveland Browns, who seem like a strong trade-back option. That feels like the range where Tate and Styles are most likely to go. And that’s where the positions matter a ton.

The No. 61 is valuable, but the Rams may prefer to take a blue-chip player rather than wait for what comes to them at No. 13 and then guess with their second-round pick. Without many clear needs except receiver and linebacker depth, either Tate or Styles would be ideal selections to upgrade the roster immediately.

General manager Les Snead is no stranger to trades and already sent the team's original No. 29 pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for cornerback Trent McDuffie. Moving up five spots to secure a true heir to the WR2 role behind Davante Adams and Puka Nacua might be worth the cost of the No. 61 pick, as would adding a potentially generational linebacker piece for the defense.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2026 NFL draft: How the Rams can land Carnell Tate or Sonny Styles

Q&A

What are the chances of the Rams drafting Carnell Tate or Sonny Styles in 2026?

The chances are slim, as both players are projected to be selected in the top 10 of the draft, while the Rams hold the No. 13 pick.

What trade scenarios could allow the Rams to move up in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Rams could potentially trade their second-round pick to move up to as high as No. 6 or No. 8, which would put them in a better position to draft either Tate or Styles.

Why do the Rams need to draft a wide receiver or linebacker in 2026?

The Rams have limited clear needs but specifically require depth at wide receiver and linebacker, making either Tate or Styles ideal selections to enhance their roster immediately.