During the NFL Honors on Thursday, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was awarded the MVP, and during his acceptance speech, he announced to the NFL world that he plans on returning for the 2026 season. This is a huge sigh of relief for the Rams family, as Stafford just played the best football of his career and clearly still has more left in the tank.
The Rams are also a clear-cut Super Bowl-caliber team and should be right back in the playoffs next season. Now that Los Angeles officially knows that Stafford plans on returning, they can adjust their offseason plans to reflect making another all-in push. Sure, they'll have to replace Stafford at some point, but it's not quite as urgent now with confirmation that he's returning.
Let's get into a 7-Round Rams 2026 NFL mock draft with the news that Stafford will be back as the starting quarterback.
Los Angeles Rams NFL mock draft after Matthew Stafford confirms intention to play in 2026
13. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Rams have all of Derion Kendrick, Decobie Durant, Ahkello Witherspoon, and Roger McCreary set to hit the free agency market in 2026, so the cornerback position is a huge need for this team. Los Angeles owns the Atlanta Falcons first-round pick, so the first pick of the NFL Draft as of now for LA is the 13th overall selection. Mansoor Delane is goung to be in the running to be the first cornerback taken, and he heads off the board rather quickly and lands with the Rams.
29. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
I truly do not believe two first-round cornerbacks is overkill at all. Colton Hood is a late-first-round prospect and could land in a perfect spot with the Rams. With how good the Rams have been at drafting and building this roster up, being able to draft for specific need is something the front office can do.
61. Ja'Kobi Lane, WR, USC
A big-bodied target, Ja'Kobi Lane fits what the Rams like in their wide receivers, so this is a logical pick for them with thr 61st selection.
93. Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State
Drew Shelton could pan out as a future franchise tackle, but he is also someone who has a skillset to kick inside to guard as well.
167. Jaishawn Barham, EDGE, Michigan
Adding yet another younger player into the defensive line room, the Rams grab Jaishawn Barham and have begun to build on some strengths with these past few picks.
205. Cameron Ball, DT, Arkansas
The Rams then take Cameron Ball from Arkansas as a potential depth option in the defensive line room. Les Snead has had draft hit after draft hit on the defensive line, and there is no reason to believe that won't continue.
208. Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
This could be a very fun, foward-thinking selection for the Rams. Drew Allar legitimately has all the tools to be a successful, franchise-caliber quarterback in the NFL, but he really needs rebuilt from the ground up with his mechanics. Being able to learn from Sean McVay, Matthew Stafford, and the Rams elite coaching staff could really do wonders for his development.
There are a handful of coaches you would trust to get the most out of a quarterback, and McVay is one of them.
232. Noah Whittington, RB, Oregon
The Rams add more talent to the backfield and snag Noah Whittington from Oregon at pick 232. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined for 1,998 rushing yards in 2025, so adding another threat in the backfield could be dangerous.
250. Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington
A third cornerback taken in this mock draft, the Rams snag Ephesians Prysock from Washington and really make strides to rebuild that room. It is that much of a need right now, as overkill as three cornerbacks might seem.
256. Skyler Thomas, S, Oregon State
Standing at 6-2 and weighing 212 pounds, Skyler Thomas brings above-average size to the safety position. He has 13 passes defended over his past two seasons at Oregon State and has 191 total tackles in four seasons. He could be a nice depth option for the defense.