The Los Angeles Rams maintain a largely unchanged roster following the 2026 NFL Draft, crucial for their Super Bowl aspirations. The team's small draft class suggests minimal adjustments moving forward.
Key points
Los Angeles Rams maintain a similar roster after the 2026 NFL Draft
The team's Super Bowl window is critical for success
Minimal changes expected due to a small draft class
Roster predictions include returning players from last season
Lombardi trophyLos Angeles RamsNFL
The Los Angeles Ramsâ decision to not shake the boat via the 2026 NFL Draft keeps a lot of the same from last yearâs roster.
The Los Angeles Rams are entering a crucial stage of their Super Bowl window. They canât afford any roster mistakes on their way to another Lombardi trophy. After an extremely small 2026 NFL Draft class, there likely wonât be much change to their roster from last season.
Whoâs in? Whoâs out? Here is how Iâd project the 53-man roster moving forward.
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2026 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2026 undrafted free agents.
Los Angeles Rams Way-Too-Early 53-man roster prediction
The skinny:Â No real surprises to be had here. Stafford is the unanimous QB1 and will be for years to come. Weâll see who wins the QB2 competition between Simpson and Bennett, but draft capital alone will give Simpson the edge there.
The skinny:Â The Rams rostered three running backs last year, and Iâd be surprised if they veered from that. Les Sneadâs surprise departure from drafting a running back almost assuredly guarantees Hunterâs spot on the roster.
The skinny:Â To no oneâs surprise, the top two wide receivers for the Rams are set in stone with Adams and Nacua. Jordan Whittingtonâs role in the slot and as a blocker and special teamer will keep his spot assured. Since they didnât draft anyone to fill this role, Mumpfieldâs roster spot as the backup to Adams at X feels secure as well.
Currently, the Rams havenât added competition for kick returner, meaning Xavier Smithâs spot is safe as well. CJ Daniels will have to prove he can play on special teams, something he didnât do in college, to secure his spot in the rotation.
The skinny:Â The Rams admitted on draft night that they wanted to roster five tight ends, so Iâm holding them to their word here. How the rotation stacks up could be matchup-based case depending on the week. Thereâs a lot of skill overlap here, but the Rams are committed to the 13-personnel shift.
The skinny:Â Out goes D.J. Humphries, in comes Keagan Trost. Trost and Dedichâs swing ability allows the Rams to go a little lighter here to go heavier elsewhere. McVay has highlighted David Quessenberry numerous times in the offseason for his swing ability as well. Itâs curious that the Rams added multiple UDFA centers, so they could be trying to push Beaux Limmer.
The skinny:Â It might be controversial to not have seventh-round pick Tim Keenan III on the opening roster, but I donât see a spot for him without injury. The Rams only had about 140 snaps of anyone in the A-gap as a ânoseâ tackle, and those snaps were split between Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, and Tyler Davis. Keenan isnât beating out any of those three, and he doesnât have the alignment versatility of Hamilton, Murchison, or Fiske to play end. Unless the Rams roster an unprecedented seven defensive tackles, I think heâs on the outside looking in.
The skinny:Â The starting trio for the Rams is set, and Desjuan Johnson ended 2025 on a high note. Out of the rest of the options, Iâm most encouraged by Darryl Peterson to stick around and occupy Nick Hamptonâs role on special teams.
The skinny:Â The Rams didnât add a serious linebacker competitor in the draft, meaning this spot wonât change post-draft. Landman and Speights are virtually unopposed as the starters. Stuard will be a special teamsâ ace.
Dolacâs spot could be in jeopardy, simply because of injury. He had a major PCL injury in Week 18, and his timeline to recovery could keep him on the outside looking in.
The skinny:Â I was moderately surprised that the Rams elected not to draft a cornerback this year. Evidently, they are comfortable with Forbes as the CB3. Wallace rotated in as the nickel+dime corner in place of Quentin Lake last year and held the fort down. Of the rest of the room, Iâm most encouraged by AlâZillion Hamiltonâs film, though the competition isnât super compelling for that spot.
The skinny:Â Even after flirting with several safety options pre-draft, the Rams head into the offseason with the same four. Lake will continue to play the nickel spot, while Curl and Kinchens will be the traditional safeties.
The skinny:Â One of the Ramsâ few free agent signings was long snapper Joe Cardona. They elected not to add any competition to Harrison Mevis or Ethan Evans as well.
Sean McVay and Les Snead following the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft
Sean McVay and Les Snead following the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft