The 2024 NFL draft is rapidly approaching and while free agency isn’t over, the Los Angeles Rams have made the bulk of their additions on the market this offseason. As a result, their top positions of need are coming into focus, with their biggest depth chart hole remaining unchanged from the start of the offseason.
Aaron Donald’s retirement obviously complicates things on defense because the Rams will need help along the defensive line, potentially making it a position they’ll target in Round 1. Elsewhere, the signings of Jonah Jackson and Kevin Dotson solidify the interior O-line, and the tight end position is in much better shape with Colby Parkinson signed. The same goes for the secondary with the additions of Darious Williams, Tre’Davious White and Kamren Curl.
As it stands now, here are the Rams’ biggest draft needs.
1
Edge rusher
Despite being the Rams’ biggest position of need at the start of the offseason, the outside linebacker group hasn’t had a single player added to it. Michael Hoecht and Byron Young remain the projected starters at edge rusher, though it’s hard to imagine the Rams passing on the top edge rushers in the first couple of rounds in the draft.
This is still the team’s biggest need and a position that must be addressed early, especially now that the Rams don’t have Aaron Donald to rely on from a pass-rush perspective on the interior.
2
Defensive line
When a future Hall of Famer and 10-time Pro Bowler retires, it throws a wrench into things — even if Los Angeles was anticipating Donald stepping away. Fortunately, Kobie Turner is coming off an outstanding rookie season so he’ll be a building block moving forward, but there’s no replacing Donald.
This doesn’t mean the Rams should force a pick on a defensive tackle in the first round, but they need to get Turner some help in the middle of the line. Adding someone like Byron Murphy II or Johnny Newton would certainly lessen the blow of losing Donald.
3
Cornerback
The additions of Darious Williams and Tre’Davious White will be the two starting cornerbacks on the outside, with Quentin Lake likely manning the slot once again. As beneficial as the additions of Williams and White will be, they shouldn’t prevent the Rams from drafting a cornerback early.
White is injury-prone and on a one-year contract, while Williams is 31 years old. The draft isn’t just about filling immediate holes, but more so about finding players who can help you for several years. The Rams still need a young cornerback to build the secondary around.
4
Offensive tackle
Tendering Alaric Jackson allows the Rams to keep their offensive line in great shape, knowing he’ll maintain his starting role at left tackle for another year. If he plays poorly or the Rams want to move on after 2024, they do that easily, but they’ll need a replacement as Matthew Stafford’s blindside protector.
Not to mention, Rob Havenstein only has two years left on his contract so the Rams could need a new right tackle relatively soon, too. Offensive tackle is a premier position because of how difficult it can be to find high-end starters.
5
Wide receiver
Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson are both returning on one-year deals so the Rams' receiving corps from 2023 will remain intact next season. Given Cooper Kupp's injury history and Tutu Atwell's inability to hold down a starting job, the Rams shouldn't ignore this position.
It's an outstanding class of receivers in the draft this year so it's possible Los Angeles will be able to find a starting-caliber player deep into the fourth or fifth rounds. No one should expect to find another Puka Nacua but there are some really talented wideouts who can bring a different element to the Rams offense.
6
Safety
Kamren Curl looks to be a terrific free-agent signing by Los Angeles but the Rams still need another starting safety. While Russ Yeast is penciled in next to Curl right now, he lost his starting job last season to John Johnson III and plays a bit too recklessly at times.
With Curl being a better strong safety than true free safety, the Rams could benefit from a rangy ball hawk in the deep middle or half of the field. Look for them to draft a safety at some point this year.
7
Quarterback
By signing Jimmy Garoppolo, the Rams eliminated the need to find a backup quarterback in the draft. They still must find a future replacement for Stafford, though. Whether that's in this year's draft or next year's, the Rams have to start preparing for life after Stafford, especially with Stetson Bennett's future in question.
Don't be surprised if the Rams take a quarterback in the first round, or if they use one of their later picks on a passer who has a high ceiling but needs time to develop. They've bought themselves a year by signing Garoppolo, which was smart.
8
Running back
Kyren Williams is going to remain the team's starting running back after breaking out in 2023 so the Rams are in great shape there, but they don't have a clear-cut backup behind him. Sure, it could be Ronnie Rivers, but he's not someone who can handle a big workload if Williams goes down.
Given Sean McVay's annual interest in drafting a running back, the Rams are expected to do exactly that again in 2024. Whether it's a scat back to help on passing downs or a power back for short-yardage situations, the Rams should take a RB at some point in the draft.
9
Inside linebacker
Christian Rozeboom is back on a one-year deal so he'll have a chance to compete for the starting spot next to Ernest Jones in base packages, but the Rams can still stand to upgrade at that position. Finding a more athletic linebacker who's better in coverage would help improve the defense, particularly if teams try to throw the ball when Los Angeles is in a base 3-4 set.
It’s not a huge priority and no one should expect the Rams to take a linebacker in the first couple of rounds, but it's something they might consider at some point on Day 3.
10
Kicker
Kicker may not be a premier position but we saw last season just how badly the Rams need a reliable kicker after letting Matt Gay walk in free agency. They found no consistency from Brett Maher or Lucas Havrisik, which nearly cost them games during the regular season.
Seeing as the Rams passed on free-agent kickers, it's likely that they'll address the position in the draft, likely in the sixth or seventh round.
