Rams Bet Big on McClendon, Draft Trost

0:00It's April 25th, NFL News. Today starts now, AI-powered and game ready. I'm Cory with the story. Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, folks expected the Los Angeles Rams to grab an offensive tackle early, like in the first round, too. Replace retiring right tackle, Rob Havenstein. But they passed on those top guys and waited to the third round to pick Keegan Trost from Missouri. After the Rams' offensive line starters are in their final contract years, with only Allerick Jackson locked in past 2026. Mochdrasse figured they'd need a right tackle pronto, but Warren McClendon shut that down last season, stepping up when Havenstein got hurt, and posting the best past blocking efficiency plus the second lowest pressure rate in the league. That performance flipped the script. Rams showed Mad Trust in McClendon by not burning a high pick on a tackle. We've had luck with third round linemen before, like Logan Bruss, Bobby Evans, and Joe Nobum, who all turned into key pieces or starters down the line.

1:03Trost in a high upside project. He's a 25-year-old vet with seven college years. 32 starts at right tackle, 13 at left, and 1 at right guard. He's that reliable swing tackle or back up guard, perfect death without capping their future. Now the spotlights on McClendon to keep balling in 2026, earning that long-term deal while Trost bolsters the line. Rams just bed big on their young stud holding it down.