Rams’ 2026 NFL Draft will take time before determining success or colossal failure

With the NFL draft in the books, here is a look at how the Rams fared with their five-player class:

Instant impact player — CJ Daniels, Wide receiver, Miami, Round 6, No. 197

The setup of the Rams’ wide receiver room creates a real opening for Daniels to carve out a role for himself as the No. 3 receiver alongside Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. It’s why the Rams targeted him and traded up to get him in the sixth round.

Daniels is a highly experienced player who spent six seasons in college, the last two at LSU and Miami. The Rams don’t need him to be a superstar, but his experience, play style and positional understanding gives him a chance to serve an important role.

Steal/Best value pick — Max Klare, Tight End, Ohio State, Round 2, No. 61

The Rams’ deep tight end room means Klare has a battle on his hands just to get on the field, but the talent is too good for him to just take a redshirt season as a rookie. He’s certainly more of a pick for the future, but he can play a role earlier than assumed.

As for down the road, Klare fits the bill of the type of athletic, pass-catching tight end who can excel in today’s NFL. To get a potential above-average starter at No. 61 in the second round was a coup.

Best player in 5 years — Ty Simpson, Quarterback, Alabama, Round 1, No. 13

The Rams’ evaluation process concluded that Simpson could eventually be a capable heir apparent to Matthew Stafford. With no guarantee they will be in position to draft a quarterback with that type of upside, they opted to select him with the 13th pick in the first round.

Simpson has Kirk Cousins and Brock Purdy-type qualities, and now he’ll work under Sean McVay and learn from Stafford, which will give him a chance to get to that ceiling.

Most questionable pick — Ty Simpson, Quarterback, Alabama, Round 1, No. 13

It’s impossible to ignore the ying and yang when it comes to Simpson, and it’s OK to question the Rams investing a top-15 pick in him — especially with their Super Bowl-or-bust aspirations. It creates a bit of a high-wire act. Only the future will determine whether the Rams made the right decision.

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