The Los Angeles Rams are heading into a pivotal 2026 offseason with a full slate of draft capital and a roster that’s teetering between retool and reload. With four picks inside the top 100, GM Les Snead has options. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s that Snead doesn’t shy away from swinging big - especially when the window to compete is still cracked open.
Let’s start with the biggest domino: Matthew Stafford. The veteran quarterback is returning, and that alone gives the Rams a fighting chance in the NFC. But it also raises a key question - do you build for the long haul or go all-in around your franchise QB while you still can?
Snead’s comments this offseason suggest he’s not ruling out a splash move. That could mean trading some of those valuable early picks for proven veterans who can contribute right away. And with Stafford under center, the idea of maximizing the present - rather than waiting on rookies to develop - makes a lot of sense.
But let’s not forget: the Rams still have 10 total draft picks. That’s plenty of ammunition to address multiple holes, whether through the draft or via trade. The challenge is figuring out which positions demand immediate attention - and which ones can be patched with developmental players or mid-tier free agents.
So what are the Rams’ most pressing needs heading into the 2026 offseason?
Key Positions to Watch
Here’s a snapshot of the areas that need shoring up:
- Cornerback - The Rams need a true lockdown presence on the outside. With the NFC loaded with elite wideouts, this is a position that can’t be ignored.
- Safety - Depth and starting talent are both concerns here. The back end of the defense needs a stabilizing force.
- Quarterback - Stafford is back, but the future behind him is murky. It’s time to start thinking about a successor.
- Offensive Tackle - Protecting Stafford has to be a top priority. Whether it’s a right tackle to bookend the line or depth for the future, this is a critical spot.
- Kicker - Special teams matter, and the Rams need reliability in the kicking game.
- Speed Receiver - They’ve got possession guys, but adding a true burner could stretch defenses and open things up underneath.
- Pass Rusher - Aaron Donald may be gone, and the Rams need someone who can consistently collapse the pocket.
- Special Teams Specialists - Return game help and coverage units are often overlooked - but not by winning teams.
That’s a long list. But it’s not an impossible one - especially with the flexibility Snead has to maneuver.
How Do the Draft Analysts See It?
Across the league, there’s a bit of a consensus forming - but also plenty of variation in how experts rank the Rams’ needs.
- Bleacher Report lists quarterback, right tackle, safety, cornerback, and a deep-threat receiver. It’s a solid mix of immediate needs and future planning. The emphasis on finding a Stafford successor is notable - and wise.
- NFL Trade Rumors keeps things tighter, naming cornerback, safety, and offensive line depth. It’s a more conservative list, but it hits on three areas where the Rams need help right now.
- CBS Sports echoes Bleacher Report with a similar lineup: offensive tackle, cornerback, wide receiver, safety, and quarterback. That alignment suggests a shared view among analysts that the Rams' offensive line and secondary need a serious boost.
- Pro Football Focus trims the list to three: quarterback, offensive tackle, and cornerback. It’s a focused approach that targets the Rams’ biggest long-term concerns - and it’s hard to argue with that logic.
What’s striking is that while cornerback and offensive tackle are near-universal selections, there’s less agreement on the rest. And no outlet mentions special teams, despite the Rams needing answers at both kicker and returner. That’s an area where savvy front offices find hidden value - and don’t be surprised if Snead targets a late-round gem or a veteran specialist to fill those roles.
So What’s the Plan?
Here’s the balancing act: the Rams can’t afford to whiff on early picks, but they also can’t be afraid to use those picks as currency. Snead has never been shy about pulling the trigger on a big trade if the right player is available. If a proven corner or offensive lineman hits the market, those early-round selections could be in play.
At the same time, this is a team that needs to think about life after Stafford. Whether it’s a Day 2 quarterback or a developmental prospect later in the draft, the Rams have to start planning for the post-Stafford era - even if that era is still a couple of years away.
The 2026 offseason is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent Rams memory. They’ve got draft capital.
They’ve got a returning MVP-caliber quarterback. And they’ve got a general manager who knows how to make moves.
Now it’s just a matter of which path they take - and how aggressive they’re willing to be in chasing another deep postseason run.