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Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead is a trade master when it comes to the NFL draft. He's traded up for players the team covets, but more often, he moves down the board in an effort to collect additional picks.
That's certainly on the table this year with the Rams sitting at No. 26 overall in Round 1. They're a strong candidate to trade back and bridge the gap between their first two picks at 26 and 90. If the Rams do wind up trading down, there are several prospects they could target at the end of Round 1 or on the second night of the draft.
Here are 11 players they could take after moving down from No. 26.
The Rams should have no problem taking Hairston at No. 26, especially if they get wiped out of their other top options. If there are a bunch of viable targets still on the board, trading down and still landing Hairston would be a home run. He could be a Day 1 starter for the Rams in the secondary, bringing speed and ball skills to a cornerback group that needs help.
Amos is another potential target at No. 26 but moving back and still getting the chance to draft him would be a major victory for the Rams. Daniel Jeremiah said recently on “Ricky’s Ram Jam” that he’s a great fit in Los Angeles with his 6-1 frame and 4.43 speed. He had three interceptions and 13 pass breakups last season alone at Ole Miss, breaking out after seeing limited playing time at Alabama in 2023.
Simmons should be high on the Rams’ draft board but it’s possible teams will be lower on him because of his injury concerns. He’d be a perfect successor at right tackle behind Rob Havenstein. Again, he’s someone they could take at 26 but in a scenario where they like a lot of players on the board, they could move back a bit and still hope to land Simmons.
Schwesinger is getting first-round buzz and some analysts are mocking him to the Rams in their projections, but given the way Los Angeles has approached this position in the last several years, it’s hard to see them taking him at No. 26. If they trade back into the second round, perhaps they’ll consider him there. He’d upgrade the defense because inside linebacker is one of their weakest spots, slotting in alongside Omar Speights (or Nate Landman).
Burden’s stock has slipped a bit in the pre-draft process for some reason but he’s still a possible first-round pick. He’s electric with the ball in his hands, making him the type of yards-after-catch receiver who could greatly help the Rams offense next to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. It’s possible he’ll be picked by someone in the first round but landing him in the second would be a terrific value for the Rams.
Thomas has been projected to go in the first round of some mock drafts, with the Rams being a popular landing spot. As the draft approaches, though, he seems more likely to land in the second round. He’s a big, physical press corner who almost exclusively plays outside, which wouldn’t be a problem for the Rams – though it would come at the expense of playing time for Ahkello Witherspoon and Darious Williams.
Morrison has been pushed down draft boards because he missed most of last season with a hip injury, which has impacted him in the pre-draft process. He’s still a great prospect who could be good for a very long time, but it remains to be seen how much he’ll contribute as a rookie after injuring his hip in October. He’s a perfect second-round target for the Rams if they trade back.
Revel is another cornerback prospect with injury concerns, which are hurting his stock. He tore his ACL in practice just three games into last season but he was excellent in 2023 and is heralded is a fantastic athlete. Even this past season, he had two interceptions in his first three games. If teams pass on him because of his medicals, the Rams could wind up getting a steal in the second round if they move down.
Arroyo’s stock started to really rise at the Senior Bowl where he was a standout performer, boasting impressive athleticism at 6-foot-5. He has a big catch radius and is tough to bring down after the catch, something the Rams have lacked at the position for years. They could probably get him closer to the middle of the second round but there’s a chance he’ll go early on Day 2.
Higgins is the type of receiver who would fit well with the Rams. He’s 6-foot-4 and has 4.47 speed with a 39-inch vertical, making him a true deep threat on downfield passes. He scored nine touchdowns last season and had 1,183 yards, both of which were career-highs. He’s a second-round prospect so if the Rams trade down 10-15 spots, he’s someone they should absolutely consider taking in Round 2.
Ayomanor is probably going to be a little bit further down on the Rams’ board given his projected value being closer to the second or third round but if they trade down quite a bit, he’s someone they could consider. He’s physical and has good speed (4.44) for a 6-2 receiver, also showing the willingness to block on the outside – a trait the Rams almost require from their receivers.
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This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2025 NFL Draft: 11 prospects Rams should target if they trade back
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That's certainly on the table this year with the Rams sitting at No. 26 overall in Round 1. They're a strong candidate to trade back and bridge the gap between their first two picks at 26 and 90. If the Rams do wind up trading down, there are several prospects they could target at the end of Round 1 or on the second night of the draft.
Here are 11 players they could take after moving down from No. 26.
CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
The Rams should have no problem taking Hairston at No. 26, especially if they get wiped out of their other top options. If there are a bunch of viable targets still on the board, trading down and still landing Hairston would be a home run. He could be a Day 1 starter for the Rams in the secondary, bringing speed and ball skills to a cornerback group that needs help.
CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss
Amos is another potential target at No. 26 but moving back and still getting the chance to draft him would be a major victory for the Rams. Daniel Jeremiah said recently on “Ricky’s Ram Jam” that he’s a great fit in Los Angeles with his 6-1 frame and 4.43 speed. He had three interceptions and 13 pass breakups last season alone at Ole Miss, breaking out after seeing limited playing time at Alabama in 2023.
OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State
Simmons should be high on the Rams’ draft board but it’s possible teams will be lower on him because of his injury concerns. He’d be a perfect successor at right tackle behind Rob Havenstein. Again, he’s someone they could take at 26 but in a scenario where they like a lot of players on the board, they could move back a bit and still hope to land Simmons.
LB Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
Schwesinger is getting first-round buzz and some analysts are mocking him to the Rams in their projections, but given the way Los Angeles has approached this position in the last several years, it’s hard to see them taking him at No. 26. If they trade back into the second round, perhaps they’ll consider him there. He’d upgrade the defense because inside linebacker is one of their weakest spots, slotting in alongside Omar Speights (or Nate Landman).
WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
Burden’s stock has slipped a bit in the pre-draft process for some reason but he’s still a possible first-round pick. He’s electric with the ball in his hands, making him the type of yards-after-catch receiver who could greatly help the Rams offense next to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. It’s possible he’ll be picked by someone in the first round but landing him in the second would be a terrific value for the Rams.
CB Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State
Thomas has been projected to go in the first round of some mock drafts, with the Rams being a popular landing spot. As the draft approaches, though, he seems more likely to land in the second round. He’s a big, physical press corner who almost exclusively plays outside, which wouldn’t be a problem for the Rams – though it would come at the expense of playing time for Ahkello Witherspoon and Darious Williams.
CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
Morrison has been pushed down draft boards because he missed most of last season with a hip injury, which has impacted him in the pre-draft process. He’s still a great prospect who could be good for a very long time, but it remains to be seen how much he’ll contribute as a rookie after injuring his hip in October. He’s a perfect second-round target for the Rams if they trade back.
CB Shavon Revel Jr., ECU
Revel is another cornerback prospect with injury concerns, which are hurting his stock. He tore his ACL in practice just three games into last season but he was excellent in 2023 and is heralded is a fantastic athlete. Even this past season, he had two interceptions in his first three games. If teams pass on him because of his medicals, the Rams could wind up getting a steal in the second round if they move down.
TE Elijah Arroyo, Miami
Arroyo’s stock started to really rise at the Senior Bowl where he was a standout performer, boasting impressive athleticism at 6-foot-5. He has a big catch radius and is tough to bring down after the catch, something the Rams have lacked at the position for years. They could probably get him closer to the middle of the second round but there’s a chance he’ll go early on Day 2.
WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State
Higgins is the type of receiver who would fit well with the Rams. He’s 6-foot-4 and has 4.47 speed with a 39-inch vertical, making him a true deep threat on downfield passes. He scored nine touchdowns last season and had 1,183 yards, both of which were career-highs. He’s a second-round prospect so if the Rams trade down 10-15 spots, he’s someone they should absolutely consider taking in Round 2.
WR Elic Ayomanor, Stanford
Ayomanor is probably going to be a little bit further down on the Rams’ board given his projected value being closer to the second or third round but if they trade down quite a bit, he’s someone they could consider. He’s physical and has good speed (4.44) for a 6-2 receiver, also showing the willingness to block on the outside – a trait the Rams almost require from their receivers.
Follow Rams Wire on X and Facebook for more coverage!
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2025 NFL Draft: 11 prospects Rams should target if they trade back
Continue reading...
