With the 2025 NFL season officially in the books, the draft order for the 2026 NFL Draft is now set — and once again, the Los Angeles Rams find themselves operating from a position of strength.
After finishing 12–5 and falling just short in the NFC Championship Game, the Rams hold two first-round selections: their own pick at No. 29 (some projections list it as No. 30 depending on final league adjustments) and the Atlanta Falcons’ first-round pick at No. 13. That additional selection stems from last year’s trade in which Atlanta acquired Los Angeles’ 2025 first-rounder.
Armed with premium draft capital and a roster still firmly in win-now mode, the Rams have flexibility. But beneath the surface of one of the league’s most productive offenses lies a growing reality: wide receiver is becoming a priority sooner than later.
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Rams Mock Draft Connects LA to USC Star Makai Lemon
According to ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid, the Rams could use their earliest first-round pick to secure one of college football’s most NFL-ready offensive weapons — USC wide receiver Makai Lemon.
Reid’s projection is rooted less in desperation and more in timing, as Los Angeles begins preparing for inevitable turnover at the position.
“Davante Adams will turn 34 in December and is set to be a free agent following the 2026 season, so the Rams need to draft a receiver who’s ready to play immediately to maximize the championship window of quarterback Matthew Stafford, who turns 38 in February,” Reid wrote.
“Lemon could jump right in to join Adams and Puka Nacua.”
On paper, the Rams’ receiver room remains formidable. In practice, the long-term picture is far less certain.
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Davante Adams Is Still Productive — But the Margins Are Thinning
Adams remained a primary focal point of the Rams’ passing attack after returning from a midseason hamstring injury, but his 2025 season showed subtle signs of decline beneath the headline numbers.
Following the injury, Adams’ catch percentage dropped from 52.6% to 44.0%, while his touchdown production fell from 1.0 per game to 0.3 per game. Those dips suggest the injury may have affected his explosiveness and ability to consistently win in high-leverage situations — traits that have long defined his elite status.
There were encouraging signs late. Adams’ performance in the NFC Championship Game indicated he was gradually returning to form as he got further removed from the injury. Still, with his age curve and contract situation looming, the Rams appear to be planning ahead rather than waiting for a decline to become unavoidable.
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Why Makai Lemon Makes Sense in Sean McVay’s System
Lemon’s profile fits seamlessly into what the Rams value offensively.
“He has a high-level understanding of how to win against all types of coverage and makes contested catches,” Reid wrote.
“He had only one drop on 110 targets (79 catches), and his 21 forced missed tackles ranked 13th among FBS receivers. Lemon is labeled as a slot receiver but can play throughout the formation.”
During his junior season at USC, Lemon recorded:
- 1,156 receiving yards (second-most in the Big Ten)
- 11 touchdowns (tied for fourth in the conference)
- 79 receptions
- 90.8 overall PFF grade, fourth-highest among 676 qualifying wide receivers
He was named First Team All-Big Ten, a First Team All-American by PFF, On3, and The Athletic, and won the 2025 Biletnikoff Award, becoming USC’s first recipient since Marqise Lee in 2012.
In 33 collegiate games, Lemon totaled 137 receptions for 2,008 yards, 14 receiving touchdowns, and two rushing scores.
Daniel Jeremiah: Lemon Would Be a “Value Pick”
NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah echoed that sentiment, emphasizing how naturally Lemon would fit into the Rams’ offensive identity.
“The Rams value tough, rugged receivers who are also playmakers,” Jeremiah said, via NFL.com.
“It would almost be unfair to add Lemon to an offense that already includes Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.”
From an analytics standpoint, Lemon ranked as the top Big Ten wide receiver in PFSN’s CFB Wide Receiver Impact Metric and finished No. 4 nationally, earning an impact score of 85.1 (B grade).
He would join what PFSN rated as the NFL’s best offense, with an impact score of 92.3 (A-). Puka Nacua ranked No. 1 overall among NFL receivers (98.2, A+), while Adams posted a 74.2 impact score.
Tutu Atwell’s 2025 Season Underscored the Depth Problem
While Adams’ situation highlights long-term planning, Tutu Atwell’s 2025 season exposed a more immediate issue.
Atwell recorded just six receptions across 10 games, with nearly 46% of his total yardage coming on a single 88-yard play. Outside of that one explosive moment, his production was minimal — well below expectations for a receiver earning approximately $10 million per year.
The lack of involvement suggests a mix of factors, including injury concerns, scheme-fit challenges, or a reduced role in Sean McVay’s 13-personnel offense. That reality was further underscored when Atwell was inactive for the NFC Championship Game, signaling he was no longer a central part of the Rams’ postseason plans.
Taken together, the Adams timeline and Atwell’s diminished role help explain why wide receiver is quietly becoming one of the Rams’ most pressing offensive needs.
Defense Still in Play — But Offense Drives the Window
The Rams are unlikely to ignore defense entirely. ESPN’s Jordan Reid has Los Angeles using its second first-round pick on Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell to address a thin secondary.
But with Matthew Stafford an MVP finalist, Puka Nacua an Offensive Player of the Year finalist, and a championship window still open, maximizing the offense remains paramount.
If Makai Lemon lands in Los Angeles, he wouldn’t just be another weapon — he’d be a succession plan, a depth solution, and a value pick rolled into one. And for a Rams team built to contend now and later, that kind of move makes all the sense in the world.