Davante Adams is in and Cooper Kupp is out. After a year of speculation, Cooper Kupp has caught his last pass for Sean McVay. Still desiring a veteran to place alongside Puka Nacua, the Rams picked up the former New York Jets receiver.
Kupp’s ‘little shot’ at Puka Nacua might be the last memory of the wide receiver in Rams colors. Either way, with Kupp gone, Stafford’s drama concluded and Adams welcomed, the Rams now turn their attention toward the NFL Draft.
The Los Angeles Rams have the 26th pick, so their options will be limited. Teams like the Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys will have much earlier selections but the Rams still have plenty to work with. Here’s a look at three picks the team should make.
#1 – Round 1, Pick 26: Jahdae Barron, S, Texas Longhorns
The Rams need a boost in the secondary. As a team near the back of the pack, they should select one of the best safety prospects in the NFL Draft in Jahdae Barron out of Texas. Barron had a full five years in college with the same college, proving that his loyalty will be unquestioned with the Rams.
He also is coming off a season with the greatest number of interceptions of his career. His five picks led his conference. Kamren Curl is heading into the last year of his deal with the Rams (Spotrac), so avoiding a negotiation and upgrading the position sounds like a win-win.
#2 – Round 3, Pick 90: Harold Fanin Jr., TE, Bowling Green
The Rams have relied on Tyler Higbee for years, but the age-32 tight end isn’t going to be around forever. If the Rams draft Fanin Jr., they can be prepared if Higbee’s two-year decline continues into a third.
The rookie tight end is coming off a year with 117 catches for 1555 yards (both best in Fanin’s conference) and ten touchdowns. When it comes to tight end prospects, it doesn’t get much better than Fanin.
#3 – Round 3, Pick 101: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
Similarly to tight end, the Rams should feel good about their wide receiver room in 2025. However, should they feel great about it in 2026 or 2027 in its current state? Not quite.
Davante Adams turns 33 this season and can’t be a star forever. With Adams as the second option and Higgins as the third, the Rams could have perhaps their best wide receiver room in years. They also could have a piece to slide up to replace Adams in a few years if needed.
Puka Nacua will most likely get a nice new contract in the next couple of seasons, so having a receiver on a rookie deal to help offset the cost would be a nice luxury, but the Rams must plan in advance via Higgins.