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What draft experts said about Rams DT Tim Keenan III in scouting reports
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- What draft experts said about Rams DT Tim Keenan III in scouting reports
With their final pick in the 2026 draft, the Los Angeles Rams took one of Ty Simpson 's teammates at Alabama: nose tackle Tim Keenan III . He immediately becomes one of the biggest players on the team, weighing in at 327 pounds with a 6-1 frame, bolstering the defensive line behind Poona Ford and others.
Keenan was dominant in 2024 while with the Crimson Tide before taking a step back last season, causing his stock to slip. But the Rams have a vision for him up front and believe he can help them, particularly as a run stopper.
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Leading up to the draft, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com and The Athletic's Dane Brugler released scouting reports for Keenan, discussing his strengths and weaknesses. Zierlein projected him to be a sixth/seventh-round prospect, while Brugler gave him a sixth/seventh-round grade.
Here's what each expert wrote about Keenan in pre-draft scouting reports.
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Keenan is a girthy nose tackle with average talent and upside. He has the frame/play strength to take on blocks and fight for ground with reasonable success. However, a lack of length limits his ability to command the point of attack with a quick punch-and-shed. He's more block-beater than block-eater and won't offer much as a rusher. Keenan has Day 3 value as a rotational player.
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Like a tea pot, Keenan is short and stout. He is strong and technically sound with his hands to stack the point and create leverage. But he's also often late to rid himself of blocks, mostly because of his length. Though limited as a pass rusher, he can be a bowling ball once he gets rolling downhill. Overall, Keenan lacks range and suddenness as a block shedder, but he is an instinctual player with the refined hands to clog up run lanes. He is a better football player than a toolsy athlete and could be this year's version of Khyiris Tonga .
Keenan won't get a chance to start right away, but with the way Chris Shula rotates his defensive linemen, he could see playing time as a rookie. He's a perfect backup to Ford in the middle, especially on early downs.
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This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Scouting reports for new Rams DT Tim Keenan III
