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In Chad Reuter’s ultimate re-draft for NFL.com, the Los Angeles Rams managed to execute the rare feat of protecting their identity while radically transforming their defensive front.
The exercise was a fun look at how teams would build a balanced, championship-level roster if they could draft from the entire pool of NFL players, using each team's original 2026 draft picks. Therefore, no trades were honored or issued, and only players on active rosters were draft-eligible.
Holding the No. 29 overall pick, the Rams resisted the urge to look elsewhere and confidently secured their real-life superstar wide receiver, Puka Nacua, to anchor their passing game.
With Nacua locked in, the Rams turned their attention to constructing a powerhouse roster around him. They fortified their pass rush in the second round by pairing Nacua with elite edge defender Danielle Hunter, before drafting future franchise quarterback Cam Ward in the third round. The draft haul continued to favor youth and high-upside trench play, bringing in lockdown cornerback Christian Gonzalez in the fourth, anchoring the interior line by retaining real-life defensive tackle Kobie Turner in the fifth, adding offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann in the sixth, and closing out with reliable tight end Jake Ferguson.
Here is the full breakdown:
However, building this version of the Rams meant saying goodbye to several beloved cornerstone pieces of their real-life roster.
The most jarring departure came at the very top of the draft, where veteran signal-caller Matthew Stafford was snatched away by the division-rival Arizona Cardinals with the No. 3 overall pick. The offensive backfield also took a massive hit as dynamic running back Kyren Williams landed with the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round. Up front, elite guard Kevin Dotson moved to the New York Giants, while rising defender Byron Young was selected by the Houston Texans to bolster their pass rush.
It's a completely reimagined look for Los Angeles, but keeping Nacua and Turner is a fun nod to the Rams’ current culture.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams keep two of their own stars in full-NFL re-draft
Continue reading...
The exercise was a fun look at how teams would build a balanced, championship-level roster if they could draft from the entire pool of NFL players, using each team's original 2026 draft picks. Therefore, no trades were honored or issued, and only players on active rosters were draft-eligible.
Holding the No. 29 overall pick, the Rams resisted the urge to look elsewhere and confidently secured their real-life superstar wide receiver, Puka Nacua, to anchor their passing game.
With Nacua locked in, the Rams turned their attention to constructing a powerhouse roster around him. They fortified their pass rush in the second round by pairing Nacua with elite edge defender Danielle Hunter, before drafting future franchise quarterback Cam Ward in the third round. The draft haul continued to favor youth and high-upside trench play, bringing in lockdown cornerback Christian Gonzalez in the fourth, anchoring the interior line by retaining real-life defensive tackle Kobie Turner in the fifth, adding offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann in the sixth, and closing out with reliable tight end Jake Ferguson.
Here is the full breakdown:
- Round 1: Puka Nacua, WR (No. 29 overall)
- Round 2: Danielle Hunter, Edge (No. 36)
- Round 3: Cam Ward, QB (No. 93)
- Round 4: Christian Gonzalez, CB (No. 100)
- Round 5: Kobie Turner, DT (No. 157)
- Round 6: Bernhard Raimann, OT (No. 164)
- Round 7: Jake Ferguson, TE (No. 221)
However, building this version of the Rams meant saying goodbye to several beloved cornerstone pieces of their real-life roster.
The most jarring departure came at the very top of the draft, where veteran signal-caller Matthew Stafford was snatched away by the division-rival Arizona Cardinals with the No. 3 overall pick. The offensive backfield also took a massive hit as dynamic running back Kyren Williams landed with the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round. Up front, elite guard Kevin Dotson moved to the New York Giants, while rising defender Byron Young was selected by the Houston Texans to bolster their pass rush.
It's a completely reimagined look for Los Angeles, but keeping Nacua and Turner is a fun nod to the Rams’ current culture.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams keep two of their own stars in full-NFL re-draft
Continue reading...
