In less than a week, the Los Angeles Rams will find themselves on the clock during the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Rams haven’t had many first-round picks under head coach Sean McVay, but the team is slated to pick No. 13 overall thanks to a draft day trade last year with the Atlanta Falcons. Los Angeles entered the offseason with two picks in the first round, but traded their own pick in the blockbuster deal to acquire Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs.
An annual tradition for the NFL Draft is to see former franchise legends and members announce picks on behalf of their former teams. For the Rams, Tavon Austin will be at the podium representing the team that drafted him in 2013, via Adam Schefter of ESPN:
The NFL players who will announce the selections at the 2026 NFL Draft: pic.twitter.com/ETxHro3RNy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 16, 2026
Los Angeles traded up from No. 16 to No. 8 in the 2013 NFL Draft to select Austin out of West Virginia, an exciting move at the time considering what the wideout did in college. Austin was one of the most electric players in collegiate football, finding ways to use his speed downfield to score and also affect the game on special teams as a punt and kick returner.
While Austin’s NFL career never quite panned out the way fans hoped, he still remains a beloved figure and someone that will surely draw cheers when he makes his way on the stage for draft night. As things stand now, Los Angeles can go in a number of directions as they don’t have many glaring weaknesses left.
Wide receiver depth behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams would be smart to invest in, as well as offensive linemen for depth. The Rams could also use another linebacker to pair in the middle of the field with Nate Landman, though defensive coordinator Chris Shula will likely mix and match his deep room of defensive backs.
For a team like Los Angeles that’s all-in on a Super Bowl, it’ll be interesting to see how they decide to round out their roster.
Les Snead says Rams unlikely to move up from No. 13 in 2026 NFL Draft
General manager Les Snead has never been afraid to move around in the draft if he’s got a player that he and the team eyeing. Snead could look to even move up in the draft should a prospect start to fall, but he’s already warned that the Rams are likely to stay put at No. 13.
