The NFL's legal tampering period has begun, and dominoes are starting to fall. After the Rams agreed to terms with wide receivers Davante Adams and, reportedly, Tutu Atwell, among others, it's time for an updated look at mock drafts from around the web.
Here's a look at the latest projections from various experts for the Rams' No. 26 pick:
Taylor's career year in 2024 has him flying up draft boards, and Baumgardner predicts the Rams will take him at No. 26 in The Athletic's most recent mock draft. His 55 receptions and 546 receiving yards in 2024 were both career-highs, as he flashed athleticism and versatility at the position.
"Taylor, the son of Dolphins legend Jason Taylor and nephew of Zach Thomas, is extremely fluid in space with a good frame and consistent hands.," Baumgardner wrote. "His spatial awareness and dependability are outstanding. If the Rams keep adding pieces like this — not to mention newly signed Davante Adams — Matthew Stafford may never retire."
Campbell was voted a second-team All-American by the FWAA, USA Today and The Athletic in 2024 after his stellar junior year with the Crimson Tide. Campbell racked up 117 tackles (11.5 for loss), five sacks, an interception and two forced fumbles.
Campbell's 4.52 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine was tied for the third-fastest for a linebacker, helping him achieve the third-best athleticism score for the position from NFL.com. He also had the second-best production score (78) and number one total score (82) among combine linebacker participants. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound linebacker could potentially be an instant impact player in a linebacker room without much depth currently, given Christian Rozeboom and Troy Reeder are pending unrestricted free agents and Jacob Hummel is a pending restricted free agent.
"Sean McVay's Rams could spend a premium pick at linebacker with both of their 2024 starters, Troy Reeder and Christian Rozeboom, set to hit free agency," Chadwick wrote. "Campbell is the consensus top linebacker in the draft and was one of only five FBS players at the position to earn 75.0-plus PFF grades as a run defender, a pass-rusher and a coverage defender this past season."
Podell has the Rams beefing up the interior of their defensive line with 6-foot-4 1/2, 313-pound defensive tackle out of Oregon. After transferring to Oregon prior to 2024, Harmon reached career-highs in tackles (45), sacks (5.0) and tackles for loss (10.5), adding three pass deflections, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. His power at the point of attack could be additive to the Rams' run defense.
"The Rams came up just short against the Eagles in the playoffs, so they continue to beef up their defensive line in an effort to keep up with the champs," Podell wrote. "Harmon was one of the best at pressuring the quarterback at the defensive tackle on the FBS level, and he ran a 40-yard dash in 4.95 seconds. That will work alongside 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse."
In his fifth season at North Dakota State, Zabel had the second-best PFF pass blocking grade across all Division I tackles last season (93.1), starting all 16 games. He was voted to the FCS All-American First Team and given the best production score (91) and total score (87) for an offensive tackle by NFL.com. He's been projected as someone who could move to the interior of the offensive line at the NFL level.
"Zabel can play any spot on the offensive line, but he starts out on the interior for the Rams," Davis wrote.
A versatile player with the ability to access all three levels of the field, Loveland would add a dynamic element to the Rams' tight end room. The Michigan alum caught 56 balls for 582 yards in 10 games last season in 2024, reaching career-highs in both yards and receptions per game. He was a Mackey Award finalist (nation's top tight end) and a Second Team All-American.
"Now that we know Matthew Stafford will be back, the Rams move on to making sure he has the requisite weapons to succeed, and Colston Loveland is the type of tight end Sean McVay could have a lot of fun with," Fornelli wrote.
