Rams could prioritize defense early in draft, says NFL GM originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

An anonymous NFL general manager says the Los Angeles Rams could prioritize defense with their first-round pick in the draft.

The general manager told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that the Rams will go away from the wide receiver expectations and will look for a pass rusher early in the draft.

"But one GM believes the Rams will look at pass rusher somewhere early in the draft because of rising contract costs for veteran rushers," Fowler wrote. "( Byron Young is a 2027 free agent and Jared Verse enters his third season.)"

Fowler also added that the Rams have been linked to USC star wide receiver Makai Lemon. Lemon is still very much a possibility for the Rams; however, there is a chance they go another route given their unpredictability.

A pass rusher is not at the top of Los Angeles' position needs to be addressed. At the top of that list are a wide receiver, an offensive lineman and a linebacker.

Those are by far the Rams' biggest needs; however, adding a pass rusher wouldn't hurt either.  Potentially selecting a pass rusher is far from an urgent need; still, it is a premier position in the sport. Even with the current group, which is a solid one, getting an elite pass rusher could take the Rams' defense to another level.

On top of that, rotational depth matters, which is something the Rams didn't have last season. Chris Shula's defense works best when the front stays fresh and the pressure comes in waves. If an edge rusher is there for the taking, the Rams may take a bite, depending on how things play out.

A wide receiver or offensive lineman is at the top of the list, but a pass rusher may not be so far off.

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