Rams urged to make rare NFL Draft decisions at 3 positions by ESPN analyst

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Rams urged to make rare NFL Draft decisions at 3 positions by ESPN analyst originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Rams are entering the 2026 NFL Draft without too many major needs. While those needs are important to know before the draft, the Rams' draft strategy is just as important.

And this year, the Rams' strategy is going to be a different one, seldom used in the NFL. Thanks to their all-in nature for Matthew Stafford's last year or so, the Rams are in a very unique position.

ESPN's Ben Solak is urging the Rams, amid this unique position, to make some rare draft decisions, specifically, not drafting for the future, and instead going all-in for the 2026 season.

Rams urged to use rare strategy in 2026 NFL Draft​

"It's rare that I write this in the predraft process, but here goes: Don't draft for the future. Draft for the now. Trade up aggressively. Find the last infinity stone. Every year with Stafford might be your last," Solak writes.

The NFL Draft is normally used with the future in mind. But, Solak is urging the Saints to instead go all-in for the 2026 season in what might be Stafford's final year in the NFL.

But, which positions should the Rams go after to try and go all-in for the 2026 season? There are three positions that Solak identified, and is urging the Rams to go after.

As Solak writes, "Push for the Super Bowl. Draft pro-ready players, ideally at tackle, wide receiver, and linebacker. Trade up!"

Les Snead and Sean McVay have a great roster at their disposal, especially after the trade for Trent McDuffie and the signing of Jaylen Watson.

More: Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq would be ideal fit for Rams in NFL Draft

The lone areas where the Rams could add to with the short-term in mind are right tackle for a starter over Warren McLendon Jr., a wide receiver to pair with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, or a linebacker to take over for a somewhat shaky room.

At right tackle, Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano, and Blake Miller are all names to watch. Wide receiver is the usual suspects in Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson, while linebacker could see Anthony Hill Jr. or Josiah Trotter as round-two options.

But, if the Rams truly wanted to get super aggressive and land someone to be an instant impact starter, they could swing a trade-up using the 13th pick to draft one of the Ohio State stars in WR Carnell Tate, LB Sonny Styles, or even safety Caleb Downs.

The Rams are in a very unique position where they can forget so much about the future and try to land the best player(s) for the 2026 season in what could be Stafford's last season in the NFL.

More Rams news:​

• Anthony Richardson would be perfect trade target for Rams to develop behind Matthew Stafford
• Puka Nacua, Byron Young, other 2023 draft picks expected to be extended by Rams
• Sean McVay reveals Rams did have Davante Adams trade talks this offseason
• Rams' most overpaid player is their $9.1 million TE highlighting GM masterclass
• Puka Nacua is major beneficiary of Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s $168.6M extension

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