The Los Angeles Rams selected five players in the 2026 NFL Draft, primarily enhancing their already top-ranked offense. The draft results could significantly impact current roster players, with some veterans at risk of losing their spots.
Key points
Los Angeles Rams drafted five players in 2026 NFL Draft
Focus on enhancing their top-ranked offense
Veterans may lose roster spots due to new draft picks
Ty Simpson identified as a key winner from the draft
As is the case with each incoming draft class, players currently on the roster are in danger of being impacted. If a prospect is drafted at the same position, veterans could have their roster spots taken. On the flip side, if the team ignores that position in the draft, it could be seen as a vote of confidence.
Here are the Rams' biggest winners and losers from the 2026 draft.
Simpson couldn't have landed in a better spot. He gets a chance to sit behind Matthew Stafford for a year, learn from the reigning MVP and take in all of Sean McVay's guidance in Los Angeles. He won't have the opportunity to start as a rookie, barring an injury to Stafford, but he's not someone who should be thrust into action.
With only one year of starting experience, he needs time to sit and learn before taking the reins of an NFL offense.
McVay said before the draft that Bennett was viewed as a backup, making no commitment to him as a possible successor. Then, the Rams drafted Simpson with their first pick.
McVay did say Simpson will compete with Bennett to back up Stafford, but this is obviously a bad sign for the former Georgia fourth-round pick. He's likely on his way out of Los Angeles, so long as Simpson plays well enough in camp and the preseason to win the QB2 job outright.
Q&A
Who were the winners and losers for the Rams in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The article highlights Ty Simpson as a significant winner for the Rams, while detailing other players affected by the draft.
What positions did the Rams focus on during the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Rams primarily focused on strengthening their offense, which ranked first in the league last season.
How many players did the Rams draft in 2026?
The Rams added five players in the 2026 NFL Draft.
What could be the impact of the 2026 NFL Draft on the Rams' current roster?
Current roster players, especially veterans, may be at risk of losing their spots if drafted players compete for the same positions.
Related Articles
NBA·Recap
NBA playoffs winners and losers: Ayo Dosunmu puts the Nuggets on the brink, Jalen Brunson gets some help
NBA playoffs: Ayo Dosunmu's 43 points lead Timberwolves over Nuggets, series at 3-1.
CBS Sports Headlines··1 min read
MMA·Recap
UFC Fight Night 274 bonuses: Major highlights few, far between
UFC Fight Night 274: Record Decisions and Dana White's Dinner Chaos
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Recap
San Diego Wave beat Denver Summit in stunning comeback to maintain No. 1 spot in NWSL
San Diego Wave pulls off stunning comeback to beat Denver Summit and stay No. 1 in NWSL!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
‘Let’s freakin go!’ - Watch the Seahawks’ priceless call of fifth-round pick Beau Stephens
Exciting news as Seahawks draft Beau Stephens after trading up!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL
2026 NFL Draft Grades for all NFC Teams: Giants earn high marks, 49ers get an F
2026 NFL Draft Grades: Giants excel while 49ers fail with an F
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Recap
TST Images: Portland Timbers defeat the San Diego FC 2-1, at Snapdragon Stadium
Portland Timbers secure a 2-1 victory over San Diego FC at Snapdragon Stadium
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Winners: Rams WRs
While everyone thought the Rams would take a wide receiver early in the draft, they passed in the first round. And the second. And the third.
They did trade up for CJ Daniels in the sixth round, but it's not as if they used a top-100 pick on a wide receiver. That's good news for players such as Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield and Xavier Smith, who probably would've been bumped down the depth chart immediately if the Rams took a wideout in the first or second rounds.
Losers: Backup linemen
With the selection of Keagen Trost, the Rams added a lineman who can play guard or tackle. While he's a candidate to be the swing tackle behind Alaric Jackson and Warren McClendon Jr., he could be a better fit at guard. That puts Justin Dedich and Beaux Limmer on roster watch because Trost could theoretically replace both of them.
David Quessenberry's roster spot is hardly secure now, either. Trost is a right tackle by trade and could be an immediate upgrade.
For the first time since 2017, the Rams didn't draft a single running back. That snaps a nine-year streak of taking at least one in the draft. If there was ever a year for the Rams to pass on the position, it was 2026. They already have Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, as well as Hunter.
Even with Ronnie Rivers back, Hunter is likely to be the Rams' RB3 this season after getting no real opportunities as a rookie in 2025.
Something's gotta give. The Rams already have five tight ends on the team with the addition of Max Klare, which will be hard to carry on the 53-man roster. Furthermore, both Allen and Parkinson are in the final year of their contracts, so this could be their final season in L.A.
The Rams may not be able to (or want to) re-sign both of them to extensions, especially now that Klare is in the picture. Klare is a terrific athlete and a great pass-catching tight end, so he could viably replace one of Allen or Parkinson.
The Rams continued their trend of not prioritizing the linebacker position once again this year. After there were rumors that they could take one in the second round, they passed on the position altogether. Speights isn't guaranteed a big role next to Nate Landman, but his chances of securing that spot are much better now than they were before the draft when it looked like the Rams might take a linebacker.
He struggled at times last season, particularly in coverage, but perhaps the Rams are higher on him than we think.
Hamilton was a major disappointment as a rookie last year, contributing minimally after the Rams traded up for him. In the draft this year, Los Angeles took Tim Keenan III in the seventh round. They don't play the exact same position, but Hamilton was a weak link on the defensive line last year and the Rams could choose to keep a hulking nose tackle to back up Poona Ford this season instead of someone like Hamilton.
There are only so many D-linemen they can keep, and Hamilton's job security may have just taken a hit.
Pre-draft reports suggested that the Rams did a lot of work on this year's class of cornerbacks, but they didn't take a single one. That's a vote of confidence for Forbes, who appears to be the Rams' No. 3 cornerback as of now behind Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
Los Angeles has to make a decision on his fifth-year option by May 1, which the team is unlikely to exercise, but his spot on the team in 2026 should be close to secure for now.
Before the draft, McVay said the Rams could never have too many guys who can rush the quarterback. And yet, they chose not to draft a pass rusher. Stewart was outstanding as the No. 3 edge rusher last year and he should continue to get better as he keeps developing in the Rams' system.
He has a great chance to maintain his spot as the primary backup behind Jared Verse and Byron Young, seeing minimal competition at that position.
