The NFL's 2026 league year begins 1 p.m. pacific time Wednesday, which also marks the official start of free agency and execution of trades.
As that time approaches, here's what experts' latest projections look like for the Rams for the first round of this year's draft.
Note: According to multiple reports, the Rams included their original first-round pick (No. 29 overall) in the trade package for Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie, leaving them with Atlanta's first-round pick which they acquired last year (No. 13 overall). Therefore, projections are for the No. 13 overall pick unless noted otherwise.
Updated to reflect those reports, Reid still had the Rams going after the the explosive Sadiq, whose 4.39-second 40-yard dash was the fastest time by a tight end at the combine since at least 2003. Sadiq led the Ducks in receptions (51) and receiving touchdowns (8) in 2025, while his 560 receiving yards were second-most on the team.
It's worth noting this projection was also made prior to the Rams reportedly agreed to a two-year deal to bring back veteran tight end Tyler Higbee, who was a pending unrestricted free agent.
"Coach Sean McVay incorporated a lot of 12 and 13 personnel into his offense last season and showed a lot of creativity in deploying multiple tight ends," Reid wrote as part of his analysis. "Sadiq serves as an extra receiver and would give the Rams a versatile game breaker they don't have at the position. And while he is known for his receiving (51 receptions for eight touchdowns last season), Sadiq is also a physical run blocker."
Davis sees Los Angeles using the 13th pick to add another weapon to its Matthew Stafford-led passing attack, and not looking far to do so. Lemon led the Trojans with 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12 games in 2025.
"Lemon can be the shooting guard to star WR Puka Nacua's power forward," Davis wrote. "Oh, and the Rams still have six-time Pro Bowler Davante Adams. Matthew Stafford approves."
Even with the Rams' reported trade for McDuffie, Wilson still sees them continuing to add to the secondary – though it also makes sense given Ahkello Witherspoon, Cobie Durant and Roger McCreary are all pending unrestricted free agents.
Hood registered 50 total tackles, eight pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 12 games for the Volunteers last season.
"The Rams need to bolster their secondary, and Hood is a physical, ultra-competitive press-man specialist with elite perimeter run-support skills," Wilson wrote.
