The 2024 NFL Draft is less than a month away, and it seems like the Rams are done with the bulk of their free agency acquisitions. After addressing a few key spots in free agency, the Rams' top positions of need are coming more into focus. Armed with the most picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, GM Les Snead is poised to bolster the Rams' roster to push for another Super Bowl run.
Top Los Angeles Rams NFL Draft needs
Aaron Donald's retirement has shifted their needs some, and it's more important than ever that the Rams find their next defensive superstar to help lessen the blow of losing a Hall of Famer. The Rams addressed the secondary with the signings of Tre'Davious White and Kamren Curl and solidified their interior of the offensive line by extending Kevin Dotson and adding Jonah Jackson. With that said, there are other key positions the Rams should address in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft before they are ready for a playoff push.
Edge Rusher
Impact rookie Byron Young returns, and the Rams re-signed RFA Michael Hoecht to a one-year deal, but the Rams still need a significant boost to that room. With Aaron Donald's retirement, the Rams need to add a pass-rushing presence that helps draw attention away from other rushers and provide them with that consistent spark that room has missed seemingly since Robert Quinn's prime.
They were players for some other free agent rushers like Andrew Van Ginkel, but have not made any additions to this room in free agency. I'd expect this to be one of their earliest acquisitions in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Defensive Tackle
Kobie Turner is likely kicking over to Aaron Donald's spot as the 3T in the Rams' defense, leaving a spot open next to him. They have solid depth pieces there in Bobby Brown III, Desjuan Johnson, and recently re-signed Larell Murchison, but they are missing a consistent starter to pair with Turner.
Ideally, the Rams double-dip into this position in the draft and add a rotational pass-rushing interior player and a starting-caliber run stuffer. It's nearly impossible to fully replace Aaron Donald, but reinforcing this spot would be a good step in the right direction.
Cornerback
Two of the Rams' biggest free agent moves were bringing Darious Williams back to LA and adding Tre'Davious White, but they still need to add talent to their cornerback room. Williams is 31 and only has one year of guaranteed money on his three-year contract, while White is on a one-year deal and is coming off of back-to-back Achilles and ACL injuries.
They need to reinforce their depth on the outside and add long-term talent to this room, especially in a draft teeming with corner talent. Cobie Durant had an inconsistent 2023 and is battling injuries of his own, while Derion Kendrick has struggled in back-to-back seasons when on the field.
Offensive Tackle
Alaric Jackson and Joe Noteboom both seem likely to return for 2024, giving the Rams continuity from last year's starters at left tackle. However, neither of them has shown enough to be long-term solutions for Los Angeles at such a key position, and both can be moved on from at the end of the season. Additionally, right tackle Rob Havenstein is almost 33 and runs out of guaranteed money at the end of the 2024 season, making his long-term outlook murky.
The Rams might drop this position in order of need since it isn't an immediate high priority, but they shouldn't hesitate to invest early in a top tackle prospect if the right fit falls to them. I'd expect them to come out of Day 2 of the draft with one picked.
Wide Receiver
The Rams return their entire starting corps from 2023 this season, but how that room looks in the long run is up in the air. Obviously, Puka Nacua is a key cog in that room, but Cooper Kupp has struggled with injuries the last two seasons and is on the wrong side of 30. TuTu Atwell, Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson and Ben Skowronek are all set to hit free agency at the end of next season as well, opening this room up to significant change for the 2025 season.
The 2024 NFL draft class is particularly deep at wide receiver at every stage of the draft. LA would be prudent to take advantage of such a deep talent pool and come out of the draft with at least one wide receiver.
Safety
Kamren Curl was an inspired signing to help shore up the Rams' run defense, an area of weakness from their secondary last season. Curl's versatility means he can be deployed in a variety of positions, but he doesn't totally fix the safety position.
The Rams need to find at least one deep/post safety to help their pass coverage on the back end of their defense, and ideally, add another safety to help their depth and allow Curl to truly roam around their defense.
Linebacker
Ernest Jones has been a consistent force for Los Angeles, but he is their only real impact linebacker. The Rams haven't placed a lot of emphasis on this position in recent years, but might shift that approach after that position was attacked relentlessly in their playoff loss against the Detroit Lions. Christian Rozeboom returns to shore up their depth, but adding a more athletic developmental option at linebacker should be a priority.
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford is the obvious starter for the foreseeable future, and is under contract until 2026. That likely doesn't change barring a sudden regression that we haven't seen just yet out of Stafford. The Rams did add Jimmy Garoppolo on a one-year contract to simply give them a viable backup option that can keep the offense running if Stafford misses time with an injury. Yet, it feels like the team is beginning to gear up for life after Stafford.
I'd be surprised if they drafted a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but after that, the possibility opens up. A developmental option should be in the cards this year.
Kicker
The Rams tried to play musical chairs at kicker last season, and it ended up costing them throughout 2023. Tanner Brown kicked the entire preseason last year, was waived in favor of Brett Maher and Lucas Havrisik, and then was brought back in January. The situation is a significant red flag for a team that has had some of the worst special teams play in the league over the last two seasons. Adding a kicker in the draft should be a must.
Running Back
Kyren Williams enjoyed a quality breakout season in 2023 and should remain as the main workhorse for the Rams' offense moving forward. The picture behind him isn't as cut-and-dry. Zach Evans had promise, but clearly never earned trust enough to have a decent workload. Ronnie Rivers has been reliable, but the Rams seem to prefer him as an RB3 and special teamer. The Rams have taken a running back in their last six drafts, and I'd expect that streak to continue this year.
