The way the Los Angeles Rams have managed the NFL Draft over the last few years has been a masterpiece. F
rom not having a first-round pick from 2016 to 2023, they still have been able to build their team from year to year through the draft. Last year's draft was the first time since 2016 the Rams had a first-round pick. And on Thursday they will have another one.
Even with the good drafting the Rams have done over the last few years one ranking has them at the bottom out of all the NFL teams over the last five years in drafting.
Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic has the Rams ranked 29th in drafting over the last five years. Here is how he broke them down.
Top 50 picks: 3
Pro Bowls: 3
Starting seasons: 28
Best pick: WR Puka Nacua (No. 177, 2023); Worst pick: G Logan Bruss (No. 104, 2022); Best value: RB Kyren Williams (No. 164, 2022)
"This is the other side of the Stafford trade, though this ranking doesn’t tell the real story. That the Rams have remained competitive with hardly any premium picks over the last five drafts is a testament to Les Snead and his staff. Nacua is the best Day 3 pick of the last five years, and the Rams also nailed their top two selections in 2024 (Jared Verse and Braden Fiske)."
For the Rams, this ranking does not give the right view on how they have been the best drafting team without having a first-round pick. But it does not matter to the Rams as they will do their best to be the best drafting team in the 2025 Draft as well. If they can do that, they will be favorites to go back to the Super Bowl under head coach Sean McVay and veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford.
The Rams have addressed most of their needs in free agency but still have some out there on the defensive side of the ball. The Rams will kick off the draft with the 26th overall pick. And the Rams can find different talent in different positions at No. 26.
The Rams will have their draft board with players they want to go after, and if they have that player in the first round, they will pick them. Teams have been trying to be like the Rams in the draft, but they have not caught up to them.
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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks may have already sealed his fate ahead of a make-or-break 2025 season. On Saturday, the No. 18 overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft suffered a broken collarbone while making an outstanding diving catch along the sideline during training-camp practice on a pass from rookie quarterback Cam Ward. The play was a distillation of Burks' pro career thus far, one that could be special if not beset by injuries. Burks has only appeared in 27 of a possible 51 career regular-season games. During his rookie season, Burks missed Weeks 5-9 with a foot/toe injury. He also suffered a concussion against the Philadelphia Eagles, forcing him to miss two additional games. In 2023, he was sidelined by a knee injury from Oct. 1 through Oct. 15, followed by another three-game absence the next month after he was carted off with a head injury in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last season, Burks was limited to five games after tearing his ACL during practice. He appeared to be in prime form on his spectacular grab during the play he was injured, showing off his tantalizing potential (and no lingering effects from his knee injury) by laying out to make the catch. But as has been the case throughout Burks' career, his giant step forward was met with two backward strides. In May, the Titans declined to pick up Burks' fifth-year rookie option, which would have paid him a projected $15.493 million in 2026, per Over The Cap. Over his first three seasons, Burks has 53 receptions, 699 receiving yards and one touchdown. Tennessee invested heavily in improving its wide receiver depth this offseason, insulating it from the effects of Burks' most recent injury. During free agency, the Titans added Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson. They selected Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft while also signing Ward's college teammate, Xavier Restrepo, as an undrafted free agent. Burks' path to playing time was already challenged by the offseason moves, but his broken clavicle could knock him out of the rotation for good. If Burks is ever going to live up to his draft status, it's become increasingly more likely it won't be in Tennessee.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have plenty of suitors for third baseman Eugenio Suarez. A new team has reportedly entered the market for his services. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Phillies have reached out regarding Suarez. While Lauber did not provide any indication as to whether or not those talks have gained traction, the Phillies are an intriguing suitor for the Diamondbacks' third baseman. The Phillies' interest may be a recent development. Jon Heyman of the New York Post speculated on Friday that the Phillies could emerge as a suitor in the wake of third baseman Alec Bohm landing on the injured list with a fractured left rib. Suarez is in the midst of what is arguably his best season thus far. He has produced a .249/.321/.587 batting line in 421 plate appearances entering Saturday with 36 homers and a major league-leading 87 RBI. Suarez would be more than just another powerful bat in the lineup. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Bryce Harper are both left-handed hitters — adding Suarez would provide more balance in the batting order. He would also provide a counter against opposing managers bringing in a lefty reliever to face Schwarber and Harper. The biggest question would be how the Phillies would handle an eventual logjam on the roster. Bohm is expected to return from the IL in mid-August and would not have a clear path to regular at-bats if Suarez were acquired. Schwarber could theoretically return to left field to open up playing time at the DH spot, but his outfield defense is mediocre at best. However, as the Phillies are also looking to upgrade the outfield, where Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh have been disappointments, adding Suarez could solve several problems in one fell swoop.
Third baseman Max Muncy is in his eighth season with the Los Angeles Dodgers after debuting with the Oakland Athletics in 2015. Muncy failed to establish himself as a reliable major-league hitter in Oakland, but his career took off in Los Angeles. The 34-year-old left-handed slugger has made two All-Star teams with the Dodgers and appeared in 905 games, hitting 203 home runs and driving in 575 runs. He’s also been a postseason hero, batting .217 with 44 hits, 13 homers, 34 RBIs and 38 runs scored across 62 career playoff games, and he’s won two World Series titles (2020, 2024). On July 2 against the Chicago White Sox, Muncy sustained a left knee bone bruise after a collision at third base while making a tag. An MRI showed no structural damage, and although his initial recovery timeline was set at six weeks, the Dodgers announced he could begin a rehab assignment next week and return ahead of schedule. His rehab progress has expedited his return timetable, and the team is eagerly anticipating his comeback. During his absence, the Dodgers have dropped five of 16 games, and their division lead dropped to five games over the San Diego Padres. His veteran presence has been missed in the clubhouse as much as his bat has been at the plate. In 2025, Muncy is batting .250 with an .832 OPS, 13 home runs, 55 RBIs and 51 walks while hitting in the heart of the Dodgers' lineup.
Augustas Marčiulionis played all four seasons of his college career for St Marry's. He finished last year with averages of 14.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.3 steals per contest while shooting 44.6% from the field and 34.7% from the three-point range in 35 games. On Saturday, the Los Angeles Lakers officially announced that they had signed the 23-year-old (and three others). Via The Los Angeles Lakers: "The Lakers have signed guard RJ Davis, forward Eric Dixon, forward Arthur Kaluma and guard Augustas Marčiulionis." Marčiulionis went unselected in the 2025 NBA Draft last month. Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation reported more details about the signings. Via Lane: "I’m told these are exhibit 10 deals. Exhibit 10s have the ability to be converted to two way contracts. Brings these players into camp with the Lakers to let them compete. E10s also provide a bonus if, after being waived, the player signs with South Bay and stays for at least 60 days" Marčiulionis is also the son of Basketball Hall of Famer Šarūnas. Via ESPN Jonathan Givony (on June 26): "The two-time WCC player of the year missed the pre-draft process with a foot injury but will be healthy in late July. Son of hall of famer Šarūnas Marčiulionis." In the past, the Lakers have done an excellent job of developing undrafted players such as Austin Reaves and Alex Caruso. Via Ballislife.com (on June 13): "HBD Sarunas Marciulionis! The Lithuanian legend was a master of the euro step getting by defenders with his behind the back move."
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