Story by
1 free agent Rams must sign after failing to fix problem in 2026 NFL Draft
- Story by
- 1 free agent Rams must sign after failing to fix problem in 2026 NFL Draft
1 free agent Rams must sign after failing to fix problem in 2026 NFL Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
While the Los Angeles Rams ponder what might have been, they are hoping for big things from the players they didn't pass by. But things still aren't completely set. And here is the one free agent the Rams must sign after failing to fix their problem in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Advertisement
The Rams only picked five players in this year's draft. And one of them, quarterback Ty Simpson , might not play a snap this season as he backs up Matthew Stafford .
The other picks came at tight end, offensive tackle, wide receiver, and defensive tackle. It's easy to look at the Rams' depth chart and see what position they still need to target.
Yes, they have Puka Nacua and Davante Adams at wide receiver. But there's not a lot of excitement in the receiver room after those two guys. So, their main free agent target needs to be a wide receiver.
Rams must sign WR Jauan Jennings
This is an easy decision for the Rams. First, Jennings is the top-ranked remaining free agent wide receiver, according to Pro Football Focus. He's slotted at No. 51 overall.
Advertisement
Yes, Stefon Diggs and Deebo Samuel are right there with Jennings. And Tyreek Hill isn't far behind. However, Diggs and Samuel both appear to be on the decline. And Hill's injury situation may be too big a risk for a team with 2026 Super Bowl aspirations.
Jennings would be a great addition to the Rams as their No. 3 wide receiver. Plus, he has already become a subtraction for one of the Rams' biggest rivals, according to ninerswire.com.
"He'll find a good home, and Jauan will go play great football for someone," 49ers general manager Lynch said. "I can't say enough for what that guy did. When that guy stepped between the lines, man, he was a presence. And they had to deal with him, and he won us a lot of games."
Think about how tough it would be for Rams opponents in the Red Zone. Adams is a money man inside the 10-yard line. And Nacua is tough to cover. Now, imagine how much space Jennings would have to operate with defenses concerned about those two guys at the goal line.
Advertisement
It seems like a no-brainer. And the Rams brought the need into the spotlight by passing on wide receiver Makai Lemon and tight end Kenyon Sadiq, according to theramswire.com. Sean McVay tried to cover the Rams' polarizing decision to go with Simpson.
"I mean, there was a lot of deliberate discussions and conversations," McVay said. "And all we try to do is use all of our, you know, the things that help us make decisions and do what's best. And the hard part is, is sometimes that means doing what's best for the possibility of the long term, and there's a little delayed gratification in that.
"Makai was a big part of the conversation and discussion, but ultimately with the opportunity to be able to acquire a guy that we do think projects as a possible starter down the line weighed into our thought process, and that was what landed us on Ty."
McVay said he likes what the Rams have in-house anyway.
Advertisement
"The reality is our pass game goes through Davante and Puka," McVay said. "I think as great as Davante was last year, I think he's gonna be even better this year. I love everything he's about. Obviously, I think Puka is gonna continue to build on what's been an amazing career through three years."
But it makes much more sense to draft Simpson if the Rams had a Plan B to acquire a receiver through free agency that could make a run to the Super Bowl this year more realistic.
And that's where Jennings fits into the picture.
Related: NFL rumors: Were Steelers ready to make Rams trade to steal Ravens pick?
Related: NFL rumors: Could Rams have gotten Ty Simpson at. No. 17 with a Lions trade?
