The Los Angeles Rams could have a lot of fun in the 2026 NFL Draft. L.A. currently owns two first-rounder picks thanks to a 2025 draft day trade with the Atlanta Falcons. Depending on how the Falcons fare in 2025, the Rams could be looking at some quality draft capital next spring.

CBS Sports’ Mike Renner broke down his first 2026 mock draft of the year and predicted five quarterbacks to go in the first 13 picks — and none of them to the Rams (Renner didn’t include Texas quarterback Arch Manning).

Advertisement

In this mock, the Rams could have taken a quarterback at the No. 12 pick from the Falcons, but Renner selected perhaps a bigger need for L.A: Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell, who had two interceptions and 12 defended passes in 2025.

The brother of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell, Avieon is a perfect fit for the Rams defense. He’s a shorter, shiftier corner who can stick with receivers along the full route tree. His addition would give the Rams more flexibility to play man in situation where they currently can not.

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer went No. 13 to the Pittsburgh Steelers as the fifth passer in the first round.

With the Rams’ second first-round pick at No. 24, Renner selected USC receiver Makai Lemon, who tallied 52 receptions for 764 yards and three touchdowns in 2025.

Makai Lemon is a Sean McVay type of wide receiver. He’ll do all the little things right to not only produce for himself, but for others as well. He could easily fill the role Cooper Kupp did for years in Los Angeles.

It’s unclear who the quarterback would be in this scenario, considering the Rams would have had to reach for a quarterback at No. 12 with four going off the board before their first pick. Depending on how 2025 goes, Matthew Stafford could return or Jimmy Garoppolo could take over — or even Stetson Bennett — in 2026.

Advertisement

Cornerback makes sense for L.A. with the first pick, and receiver is intriguing only because of Davante Adams’ age. The Lemon pick would be a long-term bet that he and Nacua will be the Rams’ starting receiving duo after Adams leaves, perhaps as early as 2027 when his contract ends.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2026 NFL mock draft: Rams skip QB, go CB and WR instead