The Los Angeles Rams don't have any clear need for the No. 13 pick, which means they could wait to see which top prospects fall to them in the 2026 NFL draft.
One of those positions could be offensive tackle. While many mock drafts have the Rams going in this direction anyway, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted on a recent podcast that if one of the top ones fall, the Rams would likely pounce on the opportunity to bring in a potential long-term franchise cornerstone.
"I don't think they're going to take a tackle," Rapoport said on the "Fitz and Whit" podcast." But they might because one of the three top tackles might fall to them. The Rams don't need a starter. Like they're good. So a great tackle might fall to them and, even though they don't really need to take one, the value is so insane. You might be like, 'I'm just going to take one because he's that good and he won't be a starter this year, but he'll be a starter in the 10 years after.'"
A few names come to mind, and some of whom mock drafters have already connected to the Rams with the pick: Georgia's Monroe Freeling, Miami's Francis Mauigoa and Utah's Spencer Fanu are three players that have been projected to go in the first half of the first round. And while the Rams have a full starting lineup, it might behoove them to think ahead when it comes to the offensive line.
Starting right tackle Warren McClendon has only started for one season after filling in for the now-retired Rob Havenstein and is an impending free agent in 2027. Left tackle Alaric Jackson signed a new deal in 2025, but he has had some injury issues recently. Even guard should be on the table for L.A., as Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson are both heading into 2026 on the final year of their contracts.
If the Rams' top players are gone by No. 13 but the top offensive linemen are still available, it wouldn't be the worst pick in the world to add a safety net at offensive line and future starter at the same time.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rapoport: Rams could draft OT if a top prospect falls