The Los Angeles Rams aren’t a desperate team in 2026, meaning they can take whichever players they feel like are the best for the short- and long-term future of the franchise. And, armed with the Nos. 13 and 61 overall picks, L.A. has the chance to add two quality players at any position that suits them.
There have been several different iterations of mock drafts around the Rams’ first two selections, from receiver to edge rusher to offensive line to quarterback. For The Win’s Christian D’Andrea went in a very unique direction with his mock draft, though. He took Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 13 and Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers at No. 61.
The Rams turn last year’s James Pearce trade into one of the three top prospects, regardless of position, at this year’s draft. Los Angeles doesn’t have a ton of needs, but the best player available is also a modest fit in a rebuilt — and suddenly terrifying — secondary.
Downs can play deep or near the line of scrimmage and line up tracking slot receivers with ease. His NFL ceiling is “Brian Branch, but better.” He’s a fixer, plain and simple, in a rising Rams defense.
Downs is bold, especially since the safety room is pretty full already with recent extensions for Quentin Lake and Kam Curl, as well as 2024 third-rounder Kamren Kinchens. But the opportunity to draft Downs is one the Rams would likely make in a heartbeat if he’s available at No. 13.
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He’s big at 6-foot and 206 pounds, experienced, and versatile. The Rams love to use their defensive backs in unique ways, and Downs would be the ultimate chess piece for Chris Shula’s defense.
As for Stowers, the Rams are already interested in the former quarterback who became a tight end in college. The 6-foot-4, 239-pound Stowers won the 2025 John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end this past season for Vanderbilt, where he caught 62 receptions for 769 yards and four touchdowns.
The Rams don’t need tight ends either, with a crowded room comprised of 2025 second-rounder Terrance Ferguson, leading tight end Colby Parkinson and veteran Tyler Higbee. But Stowers could build a future with Ferguson as the team’s duo at the position is Higbee and Parkinson leave at the end of the 2026 season.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams take two undervalued positions in new 2-round mock draft
