If the Rams’ offseason were a movie, it would have an extremely unconventional structure.
The climax occurred in the opening act, with big-money deals for cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson and another move to bring back safety Kam Curl. Then, the second act has largely been a string of cameos – welcome back Ronnie Rivers! And Larrell Murchison! – without much else to move the needle.
But as the Rams approach the third act of the offseason, starting with this week’s NFL draft, it could be time for the franchise to add a little firepower to the script. Particularly on the offensive side of the ball with the team’s first-round pick – No. 13 overall – on Thursday.
It’s strange to think the Rams haven’t made any additions to the offense this spring. This is a team led by head coach Sean McVay, after all, one of the preeminent offensive coaches in the NFL. And one who has never shied away from big acquisitions to his preferred side of the ball, such as last year when the Rams signed receiver Davante Adams and drafted tight end Terrance Ferguson.
But it also isn’t too surprising when you look at what the Rams are bringing back from last season, when they boasted the NFL’s top-scoring offense. Every offensive player who played for the team in the postseason is back for 2026 with the exception of receiver Tutu Atwell, who never found a role for himself after signing a one-year, $10 million deal to return to the Rams a year ago.
But as strange as it is to say, when you look at the Rams’ roster, it’s the offense that has the more pressing needs to fill.
There are currently five receivers on the roster, down from the team’s typical six. There are only two quarterbacks on the roster, with no indication that Stetson Bennett is ready to be Matthew Stafford’s permanent backup and reports Monday that free agent Jimmy Garoppolo, the backup the past two seasons, is considering retirement. And only nine offensive linemen on the roster, with some room to improve the backup options on the interior.
It wouldn’t make much sense for the Rams to take a quarterback at No. 13, given the weak QB class and the possibility that Stafford could play another couple of years that McVay hinted at during league meetings.
But receiver and offensive line? Those would make a lot of sense for the long-term health of the Rams’ roster.
Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are both entering the final years of their contracts. Nacua is a candidate for a massive extension, but his off-field actions have given the Rams reason to pause. And at 33, Adams could opt to retire at the end of the season.
Beyond those long-term considerations, the Rams could use a third receiver they trust to open up more of the 11-personnel playbook that the organization abandoned last year in favor of three-tight end sets. Jordan Whittington, Xavier Smith and Konata Mumpfield never seemed to fully earn that trust in 2025.
Offensive line, similarly, could use some additional depth, with an eye toward a succession plan. Warren McClendon is taking over for the retired Rob Havenstein at right tackle, but is entering the final year of his contract. Left tackle Alaric Jackson will only have one year left on his deal after 2026, so a tackle who can spend a year learning before taking over in 2027 would make a lot of sense.
The argument against this is that there’s a good chance neither a receiver or a lineman would contribute much in 2026, when the Rams are going all-in to win their second Super Bowl title in five years. A linebacker or a third cornerback would likely see the field more and add more to that mission than someone on the offensive side of the ball.
But General Manager Les Snead has said he wants to walk the line between all-in and long-term roster health. And a move on the offensive side of the ball for depth in 2026 and a bigger future role would fit that bill.