It's incredibly difficult to predict how the NFL draft will go in any given year. This year, it feels even more unpredictable than usual. Outside of Fernando Mendoza going No. 1, there's no clear indication of which direction any teams in the top 15 will go.
The Los Angeles Rams have undoubtedly run through countless scenarios for how the first 12 picks will go before they're on the clock, theorizing the best and worst cases for themselves at No. 13.
In an ideal world, there would be a run on edge rushers in the first 12 picks. Even a run on offensive linemen would help push a wide receiver or top defensive playmaker down the board to the Rams.
The Rams would like to see Rueben Bain Jr., David Bailey and Arvell Reese go early. It's unlikely, but Akheem Mesidor sneaking into the top 12 would be great, too.
If safety Dillon Thieneman were to somehow land in the top 12, as well as guard Olaivavega Ioane, the Rams would be in really good shape. Could Kayden Proctor go earlier than expected and wind up as one of the first-drafted tackles? The Rams wouldn't mind.
The further down Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson and Makai Lemon fall, the better. The same goes for Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs and Mansoor Delane, all players the Rams could potentially snag if they were to fall to 13 – or potentially trade up for.
You'd have to think that if Tate falls to even No. 7, the Rams would make some calls about moving up. The same might be true of Tyson if he drops closer to No. 10.
The best-case scenario would be one of the top three receivers being available at No. 13, allowing the Rams to stick and pick if they want to.
Even as early as the Rams are picking, there's a chance the board won't fall the way they hope. Given the team's focus on wide receivers and offensive tackles, it's reasonable to think many of the top players at those positions will be gone.
The worst-case would be that Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson and Carnell Tate are all gone before No. 13 overall. What would make matters worse is if Sonny Styles, Mansoor Delane and Jeremiyah Love all go in the top seven picks, putting them out of reach for Los Angeles.
Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano are two tackles the Rams could consider, so if they're gone, it'll wipe out two more options for L.A. If all eight of those players are off the board, that would leave four other selections not accounted for.
That would leave Fernando Mendoza, Rueben Bain Jr., Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs and David Bailey as other top prospects who could land in the first 12 picks. That's 13 total prospects, so at the very least, the Rams are guaranteed to have a shot at one of them if they stick and pick.
They could take Kenyon Sadiq, but if he's gone or they feel 13 is too early, trading back would be the best option. Depending how far down they go, they could target a player like KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston or Omar Cooper Jr.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Best- and worst-case scenarios for the Rams in Round 1