Rams’ 2026 NFL Draft grades for every pick

The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2026 NFL Draft trading away one of their first round selections. Then they sparked quite the debates over Sean McVay’s body language and who they picked first. Ty Simpson to the Rams ignited conversations and mixed reviews on night one of the draft.

But what grade does he really get?

On that note, what kind of grades do the other draft prospects earn? Time to see which picks general manager Les Snead, McVay and the Rams all nailed or failed.

Round 1, No. 13: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Grade: B-

Yes Matthew Stafford can’t play forever. But the 38-year-old showed he can play at a Most Valuable Player level at his age.

This moves comes off as more than just thinking about the future. LA really puts Simpson in this situation: The Rams must play him by season three, or just trade him away. It all depends on how much longer Stafford wants to play.

Granted, LA needed to address QB with Jimmy Garoppolo likely retiring. But Snead looks like he’s taking his biggest gamble yet post the “F Them Picks” era. The GM even passed on Rueben Bain, Kenyon Sadiq, even local hero Makai Lemon…the latter plugged to the Rams.

Round 2, No. 61: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State

Grade: A-

McVay is showing more love to the tight end lately. He executes more 13 personnel looks featuring multiple tight ends, hence why Klare enters the picture.

And like Stafford, Klare addresses a pivotal future at this spot. Tyler Higbee is nearing retirement, plus Colby Parkinson is a free agent for 2027 (though he holds a potential opt out for 2026). Klare is more of a vertical threat who runs the route tree at full speed, though.

Klare joins Terrance Ferguson as TEs taken in the second round by the Rams.

Round 3, No. 93: Keagen Trost, OT, Missouri

Grade: A

Rob Havenstein retiring persuades this pick. The Mizzou standout now rises as the first contender to take over right tackle duties.

McVay should love this stat line: Trost allowed a 1.5% pressure rate in 2025, ranking first among Southeastern Conference tackles.

The 6-foot-4, 311-pounder must correct his pad level in the run game. But he brings lots of experience to the Rams plus sharpened his blocking by facing high-profile teammate Zion Young.

Round 6, No. 197: CJ Daniels, WR, Miami

Grade: B+

Snead and the front office addressed WR on the final draft day. LA could have a gem on its hands with Daniels.

He emerged as a fan favorite of the Hurricanes with this catch against Notre Dame:

Amazing catch by CJ Daniels, and a sharp throw under pressure by Carson Beck…

But also, let’s not overlook the wicked spin move and hurry from Notre Dame EDGE Boubacar Traore.

pic.twitter.com/OQiqhrp6uq

— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) September 1, 2025

The downside is Daniels isn’t a run-after-catch threat in the mold of past Rams wideouts. Daniels is built more for contested catches, though, which significantly helps the Rams.

Round 7, Pick 232: Tim Keenan III, DT, Alabama

Grade: B

Rare Alabama talent becomes available in the final round.

He dropped largely due to his stature (6-foot-1, 327-pounds) plus having a down 2025 campaign. But he’s snatched 12 tackles for a loss across three seasons.

Los Angeles loves taking smaller IDLs too, a la franchise legend Aaron Donald and prized 2025 free agent pickup Poona Ford.

Final Rams Grade: B

Snead secretly pivoted back to trading picks away. This five-man class represents the smallest one in his GM tenure. Simpson’s selection will be second-guessed for a while. But they addressed pivotal other needs like WR, OT and TE.

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